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DC Comics Novels - Batman: The Court of Owls: An Original Prose Novel by Greg Cox by Greg Cox
lonerlovescompany's review against another edition
4.0
Essentially a detective novel at its core, about the world’s greatest detective as they dubbed him so.
I was super curious about The Court of Owls storyline in the Batman comics but was not really in the mind-space to read comics, so I picked up this novel and was gladly surprised on how good and how much well-written it is. I was not at all confused getting into this novel without prior knowledge of the comic run, while enjoying it more due to easter eggs of many Batman’s villains. I love this and intrigue to read more from this author, he really should write all the Batman’s novelization!:)
I was super curious about The Court of Owls storyline in the Batman comics but was not really in the mind-space to read comics, so I picked up this novel and was gladly surprised on how good and how much well-written it is. I was not at all confused getting into this novel without prior knowledge of the comic run, while enjoying it more due to easter eggs of many Batman’s villains. I love this and intrigue to read more from this author, he really should write all the Batman’s novelization!:)
noppera's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kittykatrain's review against another edition
3.0
Truthfully I have dnf this book. It gets three stars because it is Batman and it was a gift my favorite relative. I will most likely pick it back up at some point in the future but right now I just can't finish it.
oleitorconstante's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
Uau, estava com algum receio de que, tendo em conta a minha experiência prévia com livros que têm como base histórias de outros meios visuais, a qualidade não fosse o suficientemente boa e que não bastasse com ser fã do universo. Contudo, logo nas primeiras páginas vi que não tinha nada a temer!
Uma escrita detalhada que prende o leitor e uma história entre o passado e o futuro que perfeitamente poderia servir de base a um excelente filme.
Uau, estava com algum receio de que, tendo em conta a minha experiência prévia com livros que têm como base histórias de outros meios visuais, a qualidade não fosse o suficientemente boa e que não bastasse com ser fã do universo. Contudo, logo nas primeiras páginas vi que não tinha nada a temer!
Uma escrita detalhada que prende o leitor e uma história entre o passado e o futuro que perfeitamente poderia servir de base a um excelente filme.
doctorwoofwoof's review
4.0
I'm going to be upfront here. When I saw this available as an ebook for my Kindle, I was like "Hmmmm..", but then I was thinking "Greg Cox is quite good, but did I really want to read a prose adaptation of Snyder's Court of Owls story from BATMAN?". Reading users' reviews on here told me that it was not an adaptation, but an original tale involving Bats and yet another confrontation involving the Court of Owls. So, yup, I was sold on that point alone!
****
Cox does a brilliant job with Batman! Seriously, I wish he had been writing BATMAN instead of Tom King! The characterization is one that shows us the "I'm Batman!" version, as well as allowing us to see a side of him not always presented well in the comics of late: he has a human side, but he also has a dedication to see cases/mysteries through to the end, as it is what he feels he has to do for the city of Gotham, as well as her citizens. The great thing with the way Cox presented both sides was balanced, neither too much of one or the other.
I also quite liked how Cox returned to the Court of Owl's previous "lair", the one with that marbleized labyrinth and that huge marble owl statue in its center. Reading throughout, it really seemed as if Cox had spent more than enough time reading the source material, taking all of it in, and then presenting his addition to Batman's dealings with the Court of Owls. So, so brilliant!
And, while she was not in it as much as Bats, the little bit that Batgirl/Barbara Gordon appeared was spot on. Her dialogue interactions with Bats are tense, in relation to the case, as well as fun and playful, when the situation called for it. Again, just as his treatment of Batman's character, Cox presents us with a balanced Barbara Gordon, making her inclusion a welcome treat!
As much as I loved seeing both Bats and Barbara, I was equally invested in the supporting characters. No one felt like cardboard or trope-ish. Everyone had roles to play within the story, and the roles were played well and memorable, even after the book was finished! Definitely well appreciated of all the effort invested in both the main characters, as well as the not-so-main folks!
I don't know that this would be considered canonical as far as Batman and the Court of Owls, but it should be! The story flows well, offering an edgy, exciting adventure that succeeds in being memorable as well as being taken as canonical! Good stuff, folks, and one not to be missed! Unless, of course, you don't like Batman, and then, well, it would just be a lot of suck! Just sayin'..
****
Cox does a brilliant job with Batman! Seriously, I wish he had been writing BATMAN instead of Tom King! The characterization is one that shows us the "I'm Batman!" version, as well as allowing us to see a side of him not always presented well in the comics of late: he has a human side, but he also has a dedication to see cases/mysteries through to the end, as it is what he feels he has to do for the city of Gotham, as well as her citizens. The great thing with the way Cox presented both sides was balanced, neither too much of one or the other.
I also quite liked how Cox returned to the Court of Owl's previous "lair", the one with that marbleized labyrinth and that huge marble owl statue in its center. Reading throughout, it really seemed as if Cox had spent more than enough time reading the source material, taking all of it in, and then presenting his addition to Batman's dealings with the Court of Owls. So, so brilliant!
And, while she was not in it as much as Bats, the little bit that Batgirl/Barbara Gordon appeared was spot on. Her dialogue interactions with Bats are tense, in relation to the case, as well as fun and playful, when the situation called for it. Again, just as his treatment of Batman's character, Cox presents us with a balanced Barbara Gordon, making her inclusion a welcome treat!
As much as I loved seeing both Bats and Barbara, I was equally invested in the supporting characters. No one felt like cardboard or trope-ish. Everyone had roles to play within the story, and the roles were played well and memorable, even after the book was finished! Definitely well appreciated of all the effort invested in both the main characters, as well as the not-so-main folks!
I don't know that this would be considered canonical as far as Batman and the Court of Owls, but it should be! The story flows well, offering an edgy, exciting adventure that succeeds in being memorable as well as being taken as canonical! Good stuff, folks, and one not to be missed! Unless, of course, you don't like Batman, and then, well, it would just be a lot of suck! Just sayin'..
libra17's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up because of the Court of Owls. I live that addition to the Bat-mythos; they're credible, believable, and interesting villains which - because they're a collective - can be believably faced / defeated over and over again. It hardly counts as Joker Immunity when multiple Grandmasters or Owls suffer defeat and are made to go away, even if the Court itself puts someone new in power and continues on.
That being said, it took me a lot longer to read this book than I thought it would. That's because the first couple chapters are a bit slow and I got distracted with work things, but once I things really got going in this story they rocketed along.
Ultimately this was a great case story. There are sci-fi elements - it's the Court with their undead Talons that have been resurrected with electrum and comic book science, so this shouldn't be too surprising - but it is ultimately a mystery. Greg Cox handles the characters well, though I would have liked to see more of Nightwing. All in all, this is a book that I would recommend, and it makes me likely to give the other DC Comics novels a try.
That being said, it took me a lot longer to read this book than I thought it would. That's because the first couple chapters are a bit slow and I got distracted with work things, but once I things really got going in this story they rocketed along.
Ultimately this was a great case story. There are sci-fi elements - it's the Court with their undead Talons that have been resurrected with electrum and comic book science, so this shouldn't be too surprising - but it is ultimately a mystery. Greg Cox handles the characters well, though I would have liked to see more of Nightwing. All in all, this is a book that I would recommend, and it makes me likely to give the other DC Comics novels a try.
matari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A surprisingly enjoyable book. It serves as a compelling mystery and an interesting low-fantasy/sci-fi regardless of your interest in the Batman characters. That being said, this book could fit right alongside any in-continuity Batman comic without feeling too out of place. Despite the book likely needing to end without any deviations from main continuity, the book manages to feel tense when need be. Overall, I feel like this novel is a worth while read for both preexisting Batman fans, and those who aren't familiar. Which is far more than I expected when picking it up.
joeledgerfan's review against another edition
5.0
This book reads more like a good mystery/suspense novel than a superhero book. It is Batman being the genius detective he is with good bits of action thrown in. There are a few scenes that really spike the action and make you genuinely worry for certain characters but the timeline jumps back to the past add in layers of story. Overall just an excellent read.