A.J. Taylor > Recent Status Updates

The book was a fun romp. The humor and characterization were spot on. The plot was basic but easy to get around. The action scenes were painful and not very engaging. This book is a guilty pleasure, not to be taken seriously. I feel it is better than Avengers and doesn’t feel like a waste of time. I’d read a sequel.

The crash killing the leadership was ballsy. The plan to weed out Mox was clever enough. The bombing and battle in the Chitauri caves was lame. The tales of Drax killing Thanos and Gamora turning on Thanos would’ve been interesting reads. Quill and Ko-Rel’s parting was lackluster. I understand that’s the point but still. Disappointing.

What was Suki’s plan if she accidentally killed the Guardians? Mox is a bitch. “Love” how the fight scenes are mostly dialogue and vague descriptions. Mox does the self-destruct but why? Wait till you get out. Mox escaping is a trend in Marvel books. Suki a baddie for having the data uploaded. Drax’s suggestion tying to the game was okay but forced.

Love that the wound had no lasting effects. Why does Quill care so much if the Guardians disband? Rocket’s reaction to the lab broke my heart. Random robot with cables was random. Nobody came up with guerrilla warfare before Quill? The exchange of trauma and casual sex felt real enough. I wonder who the traitor could be, as hardly any other characters have been fleshed out. What will happen to Suki Yumiko?

3/22: Love that the codes were wrong. The creatures being able to control people is fucked. Yondu and Quill sticking to their codes made me respect them more. I like that, like the game, the POV is Quill. Still a fun read and I’m surprised at some of the jokes and language that made it into the book. Makes me respect Marvel a little more here.

The protein pack debacle is funny. The military base infiltration is a cool idea. Quill stealing the device is on brand. Ko-Rel’s past and meeting Quill is interesting. When does Quill quit the ravagers for a bit? I find the slight storyline changes to be refreshing. The characters and quips are pretty funny at times. Good read so far!

Not going to lie, the book was a slog. The characters were mostly solid, but none of them really had an arc. The Zodiacs were one dimensional. The battles were long winded. I had trouble following along. Where the fuck was Strange at the end? I’m surprised I even finished this. I can’t recommend it and I think it’s the worst book I’ve read in a while. Has basically no redeeming qualities.

Monica is a snake. The battle for the key felt long and draining to listen to. Thor destroying it and the cataclysmic stuff just being dropped after was a copout. Blonsky and the Zodiacs all getting away was horseshit. Feels weird that the Monica plot was just… never finished? The epilogue with Kamala was sweet but obviously was used to tie into the game.

Of course the dude has a rubbing of the map for plot reasons. Monica injecting Blonsky will be delicious when the others find out. Thor diverting the literal ocean is jumping the shark. Love that the Zodiacs got the key. Prepare for a McGuffin. JARVIS being the backup plan was cool. Blonsky being chosen over Banner will bite the Zodiacs in the ass. How did they find another dimension on the moon? Am I missing stuff?

This arc was fine minus the mind control lameness. This was clearly Kuvira’s book but Team Avatar got sidelined here quite a bit. This arc felt like it should’ve been arc one, not Turf Wars. Toph running for government was also lame. Other than that, it was a decent followup for Korra and the hang!

Baatar Jr and Kuvira are a mid couple. Love how everyone went from despising Kuvira to loving her in one arc. Mind control being easy to reverse is a cop out. Kuvira’s plan to brainwash was clever. The battle after was lame. Everyone is freed off panel because reasons? Wu’s addendum feels odd. Kuvira’s plea was solid, but everyone magically forgiving her after undermined any development she got.

Guan is rather lifeless so far. Love the end of the monarchy. Kuvira vs Guan feels inevitable. Guan running for election was a nice twist. Mind control feels lazy. Kuvira escaping makes sense. Toph agreeing to go run makes little sense for her character. Kuvira’s parents abandoning her is rough but the sad story feels like too little, too late. Book is good. More engaging than Turf Wars. Feels like a real sequel.

The fight was boring again. Strange knows the tale of Scorpio and didn’t visit the place earlier. Another fucking battle for no reason. So dumb. Romanoff infiltrating Capricorn’s compound was fun but over too soon. If his minions are so powerful, why is the leader Capricorn so afraid of Romanoff, the weakest Avenger? Dumb. This book is not engaging and frustrated me quite a bit.

3/11: Another battle that is just boring to read. The people resembling Zodiac signs is fun but honestly how do mere mortals beat them. Is West Coast Avengers lead-up to A Day? Is Dr. Voodoo a comic character? Dr. Strange is a big character despite not being on the cover. So far the battles feel lazy and thrown in for a page count rather than for actual stakes or substance.

Thor coming back better pay off. Banner risking it all for that Monica coochie. Love that Banner and Hulk are two different personalities. What’s so special about these fucking crystals? George seeing the Avengers as a threat has some merit. Love that Tony recognizes it too. Steve is just there so far with no real agency of his own. The book is fine but not really captivating me.

The battle at the beginning was lame and it wasn’t clear who was who. What happened to the key? Banner and Monica are cute but ew she’s evil man. What is the significance of the painting? Why does Monica want to study Gamma Radiation? I can’t remember how it ties to the game. I must have missed the part where the art thief is flash frozen to death? The fuck?

This book was decent. Mako had nothing to do really. Crystals vs Threats was not explored enough. Tokuga and Jargala just disappear. The ending was rather weak in terms of resolving the gang storyline. Zhu Li as president was fun. Tokuga has a fun design but is one dimensional. Feels a little off but is not a bad story overall.

Asami’s kidnapping was cliche. Threats vs Crystals was rushed and not explored. The gas idea was smart. Jargala and Tokuga escape to maybe appear again? Zhu Li will be a wonderful president. Zhi Li and Varrick are actually a great couple. Love that he supports her! Keum was redeemed a bit, which was expected. Bolin quitting the force was a surprise. Korra loving Asami was sweet.

I get the hype. The first 300 pages are a masterclass in character work and elevating a piece of media. Minus Padmé’s odd characterization at times, everyone feels like themselves. The language captures the sheer brutality of the movie. It adds weight where it is needed and summarizes a fair bit that can be missed. I wish Order 66 was fleshed out. A well written and wholly different take on a novelization.

Order 66 was largely glossed over and I get it but it was disappointing. Anakin’s turn was convincing but damn he spiraled fast from there. Padmé is a mixed bag. Kenobi is a lot of self criticism. Yoda vs Palpatine was boring. Anakin vs Kenobi was better but still lacking. Padmé’s death was rushed. Inside Anakin as Vader was captivating to read. I like that the last scenes were summarized to simple sentences.

Raiko blaming Korra is smart on his part considering. Zhu Li as new president? Is that a good fit? I don’t remember. Jargala Omo feels like a late addition. Triple Threats trying to take Kuvira’s weapons is smart of them. Of course the trap doesn’t kill anyone. Can’t kill any characters or do big changes in these books.

Anakin really is being pushed. The Jedi vs Palpatine, Padmè, and “the Republic”. Him being despondent was cool. Kenobi vs Grievous was good but a tad long. Mace’s reaction to the Sith news made me respect him more, but he has been such an ass I still don’t like him. The book still has a lot to cover in less than 100 pages. I hope it doesn’t feel rushed.

Anakin’s fall makes a lot more sense now. You really feel his fatigue. Padmè’s expanded role is coming to a head. Mace is an overconfident prick. Yoda is kind of an ass too. Palpatine planting the infidelity seed was diabolical. The senators and Jedi slowly turning into Separatists is a nice parallel. The author understood the material and expanded on it really well.

The inner turmoil for Anakin feels real here. Kenobi’s struggle is palpable. Padmè’s sections need more time to breathe. The Jedi really come across as assholes here and I understand why Anakin might choose Palpatine instead. Lots of plotting here. Bail’s hesitance to bring in Padmè makes no sense now with the CW show and other books. Very good still. I can see why people love it.

Windu’s shatterpoint ability is cool. Padmè is written a little too meek for me. The part of “she was first and foremost Anakin’s wife” feels icky. Her interpretation of his dream was spot on. Anakin’s desperation is much more human here and is a great addition. The book does elevate a lot of the material, even if Padmè’s character is off in places.

Korra and Asami are okay. Keum is blatantly a bad guy. Triple Threats and Creeping Crystals could’ve had better names. Zhu Li helping with the camps was bad bitch behavior. Raiko a hoe. Kya an ally for sure. The spirits taking charge was cool but frustrating. Mako’s reaction to his exes dating is really funny. A perimeter around the portal might be best until the threat is dealt with. So far it is decent.

The book is good at delving into character. Some details are surprising. Other small stuff is incorrect but that’s mainly due to retcons later. I love the little split offs the book does to delve into the hearts of the characters. The battle scenes are bland though. Not uncommon for Star Wars books. I see why people love it. The book follows the movie but has enough originality to keep it somewhat fresh.

While not much has happened so far, the characterization of Anakin and Kenobi are top notch. Both feel like real humans with struggles and fears. Loving it so far!

Vader executing Isval and then the villagers gave me chills and was a dark way to end things. Book was alright overall but lacked its central premise: Vader and Palpatine together. Cham and Isval were okay but rather uninteresting in their dilemmas. The dark ending was cool. The action was cool. Writing style was fine. I just wish it had focused on different things. It did not deliver on its central premise.

Drua leading the Sith to her village was awful. Belkor’s insanity felt tacked on at the end. Cham’s principles are both human but a detriment in this case. Mors surviving was surprising. Belkor’s death was ok. If Vader gave chase Cham would’ve died. Cham deciding to keep fighting after a couple encouraging words was an odd choice. Palpatine using this to eliminate the Ryloth movement was a cool twist.