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DC Comics Novels - Batman: The Court of Owls: An Original Prose Novel by Greg Cox by Greg Cox
exorcismemily's review against another edition
3.0
"A darkness awaiting Gotham, sweeping over me, filling my mind."
Batman: The Court of Owls is one of my favorite Batman graphic novels, so I was very excited when I came across this book. At first, I thought it was a novelization, but this book takes place after The Court of Owls and The City of Owls graphic novels. If you're interested in this book and/or the graphic novels, read the graphic novels first, or they will be spoiled for you with this book.
The book has alternating chapters between present day and 1918. I found myself being more interested in the 1918 chapters overall. Although there were some interesting aspects to this book, I didn't feel like the mystery was enough to fully carry it. This book really slowed down after a while, and felt like a slog to get through by the end. It was a little too long, but it's not a bad book.
Batman: The Court of Owls is one of my favorite Batman graphic novels, so I was very excited when I came across this book. At first, I thought it was a novelization, but this book takes place after The Court of Owls and The City of Owls graphic novels. If you're interested in this book and/or the graphic novels, read the graphic novels first, or they will be spoiled for you with this book.
The book has alternating chapters between present day and 1918. I found myself being more interested in the 1918 chapters overall. Although there were some interesting aspects to this book, I didn't feel like the mystery was enough to fully carry it. This book really slowed down after a while, and felt like a slog to get through by the end. It was a little too long, but it's not a bad book.
per_fictionist's review against another edition
4.0
Review : I voluntarily received a copy of "Court of Owls" from Bloomsbury India for a review and I am grateful to them for providing me the opportunity.
"Court of Owls" opens up with the disappearance of a Gotham university student and the subsequent murder of one her thesis professors. Inspector Gordon is accompanied by his right hand man Bruce Wayne to the crime scene and as the story progresses Wayne suspects a foul play. The Court of Owls that once terrorized the city of Gotham is now back and with a motive to destroy Batman and everything he stands for.
I was absolutely impressed by the visualization of the characters by the author. We get to see the vulnerabilities of Batman as a character and also a glimpse of his past and how his feud with the Owls isn't a subject of present but delves into his past as well. The writing has a definite pace and as we turn the pages the flow,the mystery grips you.
What makes the story more enjoyable is the fact that it is a classic mystery where we not only get to see Batman as a superhero we all love but as a detective working with our beloved Inspector Gordon. The mystery element of this book was rather entertaining and kept we guessing throughout the book. I however missed the presence of Robin in the story. Although he makes an appearance couple of times, I deemed his character a bit weaker than the Robin I have enjoyed in my movies and all with a lot less of sass.
The Court of Owls holds the main premise of the book, but I found it rather difficult to place how their powers work. Were they mortal? How did they get their powers and talons from? Maybe these points have been already discussed in the comics and hence the other decided to omit the backstory but in my opinion I felt a bit of history was necessary to savor my read. Also, the fact that Jenna being the girl once Batman saved when she was younger and her being the one getting kidnapped by the Owls later on felt to coincidental to be true.
But all in all I found the book rather entertaining and couldn't put it down once I picked it up.
"Court of Owls" opens up with the disappearance of a Gotham university student and the subsequent murder of one her thesis professors. Inspector Gordon is accompanied by his right hand man Bruce Wayne to the crime scene and as the story progresses Wayne suspects a foul play. The Court of Owls that once terrorized the city of Gotham is now back and with a motive to destroy Batman and everything he stands for.
I was absolutely impressed by the visualization of the characters by the author. We get to see the vulnerabilities of Batman as a character and also a glimpse of his past and how his feud with the Owls isn't a subject of present but delves into his past as well. The writing has a definite pace and as we turn the pages the flow,the mystery grips you.
What makes the story more enjoyable is the fact that it is a classic mystery where we not only get to see Batman as a superhero we all love but as a detective working with our beloved Inspector Gordon. The mystery element of this book was rather entertaining and kept we guessing throughout the book. I however missed the presence of Robin in the story. Although he makes an appearance couple of times, I deemed his character a bit weaker than the Robin I have enjoyed in my movies and all with a lot less of sass.
The Court of Owls holds the main premise of the book, but I found it rather difficult to place how their powers work. Were they mortal? How did they get their powers and talons from? Maybe these points have been already discussed in the comics and hence the other decided to omit the backstory but in my opinion I felt a bit of history was necessary to savor my read. Also, the fact that Jenna being the girl once Batman saved when she was younger and her being the one getting kidnapped by the Owls later on felt to coincidental to be true.
But all in all I found the book rather entertaining and couldn't put it down once I picked it up.
ssindc's review against another edition
4.0
Well that was a very pleasant surprise! Well done, Greg Cox!
I saw this on the shelf at Midtown Comics when I was up in NYC last week and figured that it would be good travel (airport and hotel) reading for my upcoming international trip. Granted, my expectations were (relatively) low, but ... by any standard, the book exceeded them. I'm making no bones about it - this was a solid, entertaining, action-packed (but not just action) novel that I really enjoyed.
It started relatively quickly, and the momentum kept things humming merrily along. Heck, I even thought the conclusion/ending/wrap up was handled nicely.
Full disclosure: Over the years, I've increasingly enjoyed (and, hence, looked for, bought, and consumed/read) novelizations of superhero stories. Maybe it reflects my aging (and, I dunno, overdeveloped) imagination, but I frequently find that the novels - when handled properly - not only compare favorably with, but can be even more entertaining than, even the most visually appealing graphic novels. This one was no exception.
From where I sit, Cox did a great job with this because, first and foremost, his writing is clear and efficient yet sufficiently sophisticated to handle both action and non-action scenes. (Indeed, as compelling as the action/fight/chase scenes were, the non-action (history, flashback, detective, even relationship) scenes were equally credible and engaging. OK, OK, it's no surprise - or, in other words, this isn't Cox's first (superhero novel) rodeo - but it's all new to me, so I'm glad I finally found him.
At the end of the day, this is still a superhero book, so it may not be for everyone ... and particularly not for folks unwilling to suspend their disbelief (either through science fiction or fantasy or both). But, if you like this kind of stuff, Cox makes a strong contribution to the genre, and I recommend it.
I saw this on the shelf at Midtown Comics when I was up in NYC last week and figured that it would be good travel (airport and hotel) reading for my upcoming international trip. Granted, my expectations were (relatively) low, but ... by any standard, the book exceeded them. I'm making no bones about it - this was a solid, entertaining, action-packed (but not just action) novel that I really enjoyed.
It started relatively quickly, and the momentum kept things humming merrily along. Heck, I even thought the conclusion/ending/wrap up was handled nicely.
Full disclosure: Over the years, I've increasingly enjoyed (and, hence, looked for, bought, and consumed/read) novelizations of superhero stories. Maybe it reflects my aging (and, I dunno, overdeveloped) imagination, but I frequently find that the novels - when handled properly - not only compare favorably with, but can be even more entertaining than, even the most visually appealing graphic novels. This one was no exception.
From where I sit, Cox did a great job with this because, first and foremost, his writing is clear and efficient yet sufficiently sophisticated to handle both action and non-action scenes. (Indeed, as compelling as the action/fight/chase scenes were, the non-action (history, flashback, detective, even relationship) scenes were equally credible and engaging. OK, OK, it's no surprise - or, in other words, this isn't Cox's first (superhero novel) rodeo - but it's all new to me, so I'm glad I finally found him.
At the end of the day, this is still a superhero book, so it may not be for everyone ... and particularly not for folks unwilling to suspend their disbelief (either through science fiction or fantasy or both). But, if you like this kind of stuff, Cox makes a strong contribution to the genre, and I recommend it.
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