14 November 2017

Review #680: Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons, #1) by Leigh Bardugo



My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I used to want to save the world. To end war and bring peace to mankind. But then, I glimpsed the darkness that lives within their light. I learned that inside every one of them, there will always be both. The choice each must make for themselves - something no hero will ever defeat. I've touched the darkness that lives in between the light. Seen the worst of this world, and the best. Seen the terrible things men do to each other in the name of hatred, and the lengths they'll go to for love. Now I know. Only love can save this world. So I stay. I fight, and I give... for the world I know can be. This is my mission, now. Forever.

----Diana Prince, From the movie Wonder Woman by Patty Jenkins





Leigh Bardugo, the #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling author, has penned an extremely riveting and exciting fantasy novel, Wonder Woman: Warbringer which is the very first book in the super hero series called, DC Icons . This is the story about two women, one a young untested Amazon warrior princess and the other a warbringer, who can destroy and bring bloodshed to the world, and when these two women's' paths cross, surprisingly, they quickly turn into best friends before escaping and fighting the enemies together with their power. A novel that cherishes loyal and true female friendships above superhero drama and fanatics that is one hell of an adventurous ride all throughout.


Synopsis:

She will become a legend but first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning...

Diana is desperate to prove herself to her warrior sisters. But when the opportunity comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law to save a mere mortal, Alia Keralis. With this single heroic act, Diana may have just doomed the world.

Alia is a Warbringer - a descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery. Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies, mortal and divine, determined to destroy or possess the Warbringer.

To save the world, they must stand side by side against the tide of war.



Diana Prince, an Amazon princess of Themyscira, world away from ours, where women are worshiped and men are hated and not allowed, a world that is brimming with female power, saves the life of a teenager from New York named, Alia, who happens to be a human magnet of bringing destruction and catastrophy on the face of the world. And together they escape and run away from Diana's homeland, mostly Diana wanting to prove her worth to her Amazonian sisters, to the hustle bustle city of New York. Diana is experiencing this majestic city for the very first time, but sadly there's not much to enjoy in Big Apple's charm, as Alia's enemies begin to crawl up from the dungeons and dark alleys to use her power for destruction and Diana must do her part to stop attacking Alia or rather must save the world from the wretched human beings. And when Diana meets Alia's friends and brothers. they all quickly embark on an adrenaline rushing journey to Greece to help save the world from being destroyed due to war.


After reading this book, I can confidently admit the fact that Leigh Bardugo has made a hero out of Wonder Woman. Well she was, is and will always be a hero, then how come Bardugo made her one? Well for that answer, you need to read this book, where you will find that this extraordinary Amazon princess dedication, loyalty, trust and her emotions run deeper than flaunting her super powers for no reason. Superheroes aren't those who are born with great powers but are those who make their own path using their heart, soul, and mind towards a cause that will benefit a greater mass. And Diana exactly does that in Bardugo's version of Wonder Woman: Warbringer.

The author's writing style is exceptionally exquisite, articulate and laced thoroughly with deep emotions that will only move the readers by their heart and soul. The moment I began reading the book, that started off with Diana's narration about her world, I felt myself getting sucked into or rather pulled into this fictional and fantastical world that is not at all portrayed with heavy Greek or mythological jargon but is layered perfectly with back story in simple and short words so that the readers can easily adapt with Diana's universe. This make-believe world and history of Themyscira is extremely well depicted with honesty and reality that came alive right before my eyes while reading the book.

The narrative is engaging and the dialogues are intriguingly painted and delivered through the young protagonists' voices which the author have capture aptly. The pacing is really fast as the tightly-packed plot is laced with tension, suspense, edgy drama, unforeseeable twists and turns that come out of nowhere like a tight slap on to the readers' faces, and mystifying adventure through the dangerous unknown. The best part of this book would be the way the author have portrayed the female friendships is absolutely inspiring to its very core. Young female teenagers must be encouraged to read this book to prove their notion wrong on how female friendships are only meant for bitchy drama and Mean Girls-themed actions. So in one way, Bardugo's novel is here to break stereotypical attitude amongst female teenagers and also among the people who portray female friendships under negative light.

The character development is purely divine, or rather say, realistic, diverse and relatable to their very roots. In the beginning, Diana comes across as someone trying to prove herself towards her sisters, but later with the journey that she undertakes with Alia and her friends, she grows into a strong, independent, responsible, thoughtful and a humble young woman who is a perfect epitome to every young girls in the world. Alia too develops and grow throughout the story line. Another notable character would be Nim, who is gay, Indian and very funny and has an uplifting soul, and trust me, she is going to give major friendship goals. Rest of the characters are also developed with depth and honesty.

In a nutshell, this kickass book is a must read for every female individuals in the world as this book celebrates GIRL POWER is big, bold, capital letters.


Verdict: Wonder Woman at her best and Bardugo never once fails to surprise her readers.

Courtesy: BOTM of BooksNBeyond's October book box. So many, many thanks to the team of BnB for the book.
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Author Info:
Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the Six of Crows Duology and the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, as well as the upcoming Wonder Woman: Warbringer (Aug 2017) and The Language of Thorns (Sept 2017).
She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.
Visit her here


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