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A review by crookedtreehouse
Harbinger Wars 2 by Eric Heisserer, Matt Kindt
4.0
Reading the Matt Kindt era od Valiant books has been less a roller coaster, and more a jerky bumper cars ride in an amusement park with electrical problems.
For the most part, I really liked this story. In part because of the [a:Eric Heisserer|1639228|Eric Heisserer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Raúl Allén,|14856081|Raúl Allén,|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading [b:Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon|33142313|Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1 The Judgment of Solomon|Rafer Roberts|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480338202l/33142313._SY75_.jpg|53827200], [b:Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine|29332093|Faith, Volume 1 Hollywood & Vine (Faith, #1)|Jody Houser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456858096l/29332093._SY75_.jpg|49564767], [b:Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future|34094132|Generation Zero, Vol. 1 We are the Future|Fred Van Lente|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485924406l/34094132._SY75_.jpg|52467355], [b:Secret Weapons|36295022|Secret Weapons|Eric Heisserer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529622847l/36295022._SY75_.jpg|57960977], and [b:Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King|20313289|Unity, Volume 1 To Kill a King|Matt Kindt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392028211l/20313289._SY75_.jpg|28147960], all of which feed into this book.
Once Matt Kindt takes over, it's a free-for-all, he just throws characters at you, which is fine if you're caught up on The Valiant Universe, but if you're a new or lapsed reader, good luck.
The plot in this book: Unity superhero member Livewire goes to war with the US government and several international organizations after they reveal their plans to murder superpowered children, is fantastic, and allows some great character moments for members of the above mentioned series. I spent most of the book enthralled, and pleased that Matt Kindt, whose other Valiant titles from this time haven't excited me, appeared to be back on track.
Unfortunately, the pacing at the end seemed rushed, like he had to get the story over with, but needed another issue. The plot resolution wasn't unsatisfying but I wish we got to see more of the climax taking place rather than being told that the climax was taking place.
Overall, if you've enjoyed the bigger Valiant events, I think you'll enjoy this. And if you havent read the bigger events, but you've read at least a few of the series that lead into this series, you'll enjoy it. I don't know if this is a great First Valiant book.
Another slight complaint is the cover to this collection. It's a perfectly fine generic superhero book cover. But inside the book you'll see the individual covers for the individual issues, and almost all of them do a better job at conveying the art style and story.
For the most part, I really liked this story. In part because of the [a:Eric Heisserer|1639228|Eric Heisserer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Raúl Allén,|14856081|Raúl Allén,|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading [b:Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon|33142313|Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1 The Judgment of Solomon|Rafer Roberts|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480338202l/33142313._SY75_.jpg|53827200], [b:Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine|29332093|Faith, Volume 1 Hollywood & Vine (Faith, #1)|Jody Houser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456858096l/29332093._SY75_.jpg|49564767], [b:Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future|34094132|Generation Zero, Vol. 1 We are the Future|Fred Van Lente|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485924406l/34094132._SY75_.jpg|52467355], [b:Secret Weapons|36295022|Secret Weapons|Eric Heisserer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529622847l/36295022._SY75_.jpg|57960977], and [b:Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King|20313289|Unity, Volume 1 To Kill a King|Matt Kindt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392028211l/20313289._SY75_.jpg|28147960], all of which feed into this book.
Once Matt Kindt takes over, it's a free-for-all, he just throws characters at you, which is fine if you're caught up on The Valiant Universe, but if you're a new or lapsed reader, good luck.
The plot in this book: Unity superhero member Livewire goes to war with the US government and several international organizations after they reveal their plans to murder superpowered children, is fantastic, and allows some great character moments for members of the above mentioned series. I spent most of the book enthralled, and pleased that Matt Kindt, whose other Valiant titles from this time haven't excited me, appeared to be back on track.
Unfortunately, the pacing at the end seemed rushed, like he had to get the story over with, but needed another issue. The plot resolution wasn't unsatisfying but I wish we got to see more of the climax taking place rather than being told that the climax was taking place.
Overall, if you've enjoyed the bigger Valiant events, I think you'll enjoy this. And if you havent read the bigger events, but you've read at least a few of the series that lead into this series, you'll enjoy it. I don't know if this is a great First Valiant book.
Another slight complaint is the cover to this collection. It's a perfectly fine generic superhero book cover. But inside the book you'll see the individual covers for the individual issues, and almost all of them do a better job at conveying the art style and story.