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circlesarah's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Beautiful art, exciting storylines
doc_erinnicole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was so freaking good. There were reveals that literally had me gasping. I looooved the Black lady team up towards the end. Riri Williams was amazing in Wakanda Forever (film) and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her story.
trike's review
5.0
Once again this year I’ve read two books back to back which cover the same topics and themes. This time they happen to be Marvel comics featuring black characters who are having a crisis of confidence, but the contrast couldn’t be more stark. (Oops, Iron Man pun.)
Riri Williams (Ironheart) is the heir apparent to Tony Stark, but she’s really just an awkward kid despite (or perhaps because of) being a super-genius. So the mantle is superhero is hard to bear and her inexperience causes her to make mistakes. But this whole story is so good and feels so effortless that it was a pleasure to read.
In contrast to the similarly-titled [b:Falcon: Take Flight|35959929|Falcon Take Flight|Rodney Barnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569265586l/35959929._SY75_.jpg|57517970] which inserts an out-of-town character into Chicago’s gang problems and reveals the cause to be Marvel’s mega-evil Satan analogue Mephisto, this book integrates Ironheart into Chicago because that’s where Riri grew up. It’s where she lost her father and step-father to senseless gang violence. It works so much better because she’s part of the community.
The story arcs are even similar in that there is an evil white politician manipulating people for power (he even looks like the same guy), and that there is magic involved. But as I said in my review of the Falcon book (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3864984022), these disparate elements can work together if handled properly. In Falcon they aren’t, but here they are.
The difference being that there it’s treated as a massive reveal that comes out of nowhere, whereas here it is hinted at here and there with low-level magic being used. Brother Voodoo in Falcon is inept and mishandled, while Doctor Strange is here is in top form and is used sparingly. It doesn’t hurt that Ewing throws in nods to one of the best MCU films, Thor: Ragnarok. The Falcon book lobs bombs and flattens cities, while Ironheart tosses flashbang grenades that sometimes stun but can be avoided by appropriate action. That comes down to good writing.
There is a one-off interlude with Miles Morales in a Groundhog Day-like situation, but even that works in Riri’s character issues, which is further echoed when she ends up in Wakanda and teams up with Shuri and Okoye. Unlike the clumsy stunt casting of black characters in Falcon, here the progression feels natural, as one thing leads to another in a manner that seems inevitable. I use words like “feel” and “seem” because all writing is artifice; it’s the writer who makes it appear seamless.
This adventure is both epic and intimate in the best ways. A nice array of guest stars, including the new Wasp, introductions of new characters, numerous locations visited (NYC, Boston, Chicago, Wakanda), and plenty of large-scale action. But it never loses sight of the main character’s internal struggles and her attempts at balancing all the various aspects of her life. This is mirrored in the story as she fights magic ninjas one night then defends her local convenience store from gun-toting thugs the next. She rescues dozens of homeless kids and also looks out for a friend who is down on her luck.
It’s also funny quite often. I like when Doctor Strange offers her a beverage and she asks, “Do you have orange pop?”
Strange: “I beg your pardon?”
Riri: “Oh, sorry, I forgot where I was. Do you have any soooda?”
As a Midwesterner who now lives in New England who has had that exact conversation, I chuckled.
The art is uniformly gorgeous and I love how they’ve pushed Riri’s armor to be unique and distinct from its Iron Man roots, with its multicolored design. It’s just superb all the way around. I liked it.
Riri Williams (Ironheart) is the heir apparent to Tony Stark, but she’s really just an awkward kid despite (or perhaps because of) being a super-genius. So the mantle is superhero is hard to bear and her inexperience causes her to make mistakes. But this whole story is so good and feels so effortless that it was a pleasure to read.
In contrast to the similarly-titled [b:Falcon: Take Flight|35959929|Falcon Take Flight|Rodney Barnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569265586l/35959929._SY75_.jpg|57517970] which inserts an out-of-town character into Chicago’s gang problems and reveals the cause to be Marvel’s mega-evil Satan analogue Mephisto, this book integrates Ironheart into Chicago because that’s where Riri grew up. It’s where she lost her father and step-father to senseless gang violence. It works so much better because she’s part of the community.
The story arcs are even similar in that there is an evil white politician manipulating people for power (he even looks like the same guy), and that there is magic involved. But as I said in my review of the Falcon book (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3864984022), these disparate elements can work together if handled properly. In Falcon they aren’t, but here they are.
The difference being that there it’s treated as a massive reveal that comes out of nowhere, whereas here it is hinted at here and there with low-level magic being used. Brother Voodoo in Falcon is inept and mishandled, while Doctor Strange is here is in top form and is used sparingly. It doesn’t hurt that Ewing throws in nods to one of the best MCU films, Thor: Ragnarok. The Falcon book lobs bombs and flattens cities, while Ironheart tosses flashbang grenades that sometimes stun but can be avoided by appropriate action. That comes down to good writing.
There is a one-off interlude with Miles Morales in a Groundhog Day-like situation, but even that works in Riri’s character issues, which is further echoed when she ends up in Wakanda and teams up with Shuri and Okoye. Unlike the clumsy stunt casting of black characters in Falcon, here the progression feels natural, as one thing leads to another in a manner that seems inevitable. I use words like “feel” and “seem” because all writing is artifice; it’s the writer who makes it appear seamless.
This adventure is both epic and intimate in the best ways. A nice array of guest stars, including the new Wasp, introductions of new characters, numerous locations visited (NYC, Boston, Chicago, Wakanda), and plenty of large-scale action. But it never loses sight of the main character’s internal struggles and her attempts at balancing all the various aspects of her life. This is mirrored in the story as she fights magic ninjas one night then defends her local convenience store from gun-toting thugs the next. She rescues dozens of homeless kids and also looks out for a friend who is down on her luck.
It’s also funny quite often. I like when Doctor Strange offers her a beverage and she asks, “Do you have orange pop?”
Strange: “I beg your pardon?”
Riri: “Oh, sorry, I forgot where I was. Do you have any soooda?”
As a Midwesterner who now lives in New England who has had that exact conversation, I chuckled.
The art is uniformly gorgeous and I love how they’ve pushed Riri’s armor to be unique and distinct from its Iron Man roots, with its multicolored design. It’s just superb all the way around. I liked it.
shereads_alot's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
njnic23's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
almostlikequake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bibookworm's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
remigves's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jordanwrhodes's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25