Wonder Woman was my favorite superhero growing up. Who remembers Linda Carter as our patriotic savior? (Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman, All the World is Waiting For You!) Who spent Saturday morning helping the Super Friends fight injustice, right that which is wrong, and serve all mankind! (I may have had the tiniest crush on Aquaman, but Wonder Woman was my favorite. Girl power!)
A few years ago, I reviewed a Wonder Woman novel on a blog of Jennifer’s. This was my gateway book to Leigh Bardugo and helped me discover the Shadow and Bones books. These include the two books I mentioned in the following reprint. They were Crooked Kingdom and Six of Crows, two of my favorite books with my favorite characters. Bardugo’s word-styling and prose flow appeal to me. I would be happy to read her grocery lists.
Admit it. If you are of a certain age like me, you have sung the Wonder Woman theme song and twirled Linda Carter’s signature spin. We have been fascinated by this character for eighty years. Author Leigh Bardugo has added her own entry to the mystique and lore of this beloved superhero with Wonder Woman: Warbringer. This book focuses on Diana as a teenager. She is not Wonder Woman yet, but we get to along with her as she starts her journey.
Set in modern times, Bardugo’s story introduces the mortal character of Alia, a teenager facing the same tribulations most do – your first crush, frizzy hair, peer acceptance, and realizing you are Warbringer, a descendant of Helen of Troy who is destined to bring war and destruction to the world. This book focuses on the friendship between two female characters who each come to understand their strengths as individuals and as part of a team. Along the way, they face life-threatening danger and betrayal in a race to save the world.
Wonder Woman: Warbringer hits several marks. It can appeal to fans of young adult fiction, superhero fans, adventure enthusiasts, and followers of Leigh Bardugo. It is not typically a book that I would read, but I’m so glad I did! I have now bought two more of Bardugo’s books and I am waiting for a rainy afternoon to see what other tales this author can spin!
Leigh Bardugo delivers a great take on a superhero origin story. This book is part of a series called the DC Icons, each by a different author, that explores different backstories of Batman, Catwoman, Superman, and Black Canary.
