We Are Mayhem by Michael Moreci

Synopsis:
Though the ragtag group of misfits known as the Black Star Renegades won a decisive battle by destroying Ga Halle’s War Hammer, the war is far from over. In response to losing the crown jewel of its fleet, the evil Praxis empire has vengefully reinforced its tyranny across the galaxy–but its rule won’t be had so easily. Led by hotshot pilot Kira Sen, a growing rebel force stands in the way of Praxis’s might. Not only do they possess the will to fight for galactic freedom, they also possess the ultimate ace in the hole: The mythical Rokura, the most powerful weapon ever known.

Too bad Cade Sura hasn’t figured out to use it.

As Kira wages an increasingly bloody war against Praxis, Cade is left with only once choice: With Ga Halle scouring every star system for the coveted weapon, Cade embarks on a dangerous mission into uncharted space to discover the Rokura’s origins. Only then can he learn how it can be wielded. Because if he doesn’t, all hope for the galaxy might be lost.

Review:
We Are Mayhem is the direct sequel to Black Star Renegades. Cade has an incredibly powerful weapon that he doesn’t know how to wield. And the ruthless Ga Halle will do anything to get her hands on it. Meanwhile, the rest of the Black Star Renegades fight against an evil empire and even Kira’s own father.

This sequel once again has the feel of “Guardians of the Galaxy” meets “Star Wars.” Cade, trying to learn how to use the Rokura, felt a lot like Luke going through his Jedi training. These are fallible characters with good hearts – they are likable and believable. And the story is a lot of fun – filled with suspense, drama, and intrigue. The excitement builds to a big showdown, and I found myself reading faster as the suspense built. This space opera is incredibly enjoyable and a great conclusion.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light by Dayton Ward

Synopsis:
Section 31, the covert organization which has operated without accountability in the shadows for more than two centuries, has been exposed. Throughout the Federation, the rogue group’s agents and leaders are being taken into custody as the sheer scope of its misdeeds comes to light. Now Starfleet Command must decide the consequences for numerous officers caught up in the scandal—including Admirals William Ross, Edward Jellico, Alynna Nechayev, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard who, along with many others, are implicated in the forced removal of a Federation president.

Meanwhile, deep in the distant, unexplored region of space known as the Odyssean Pass, Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise must put aside personal feelings and political concerns as they investigate a massive mysterious spacecraft. Adrift for centuries in the void, the ship is vital to the survival of an endangered civilization which has spent generations searching for a world to sustain what remains of its people. Complicating matters is a band of marauders who have their own designs on the ancient ship, with only the Enterprise standing in their way….

Review:
This latest Next Generation novel combines political intrigue, exploration, suspense, and new alien cultures. Back on Earth, the Federation is dealing with the fallout of the take-down of Section 31. And the Enterprise discovers a seemingly abandoned ship with a culture of scavengers trying to stake claim. The story is complex and involved, yet easy enough to follow if you’ve been keeping up with the events in the most recent Next Generation novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read. A fascinating culture with advanced technology and time running out – the crew of the Enterprise do what they do best. As Picard tries to negotiate with a dangerous scavengers, Geordi and his team try to assist a mysterious people who have taken one of their own. The suspense builds to a thrilling finale that doesn’t disappoint. The long wait for this latest Star Trek release was well worth it.

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Captain Marvel The Official Movie Special

This movie special from Titan Books, has a lot of fun content from the recent film, all full-color pages. One of my favorites is the section on Kelly Sue DeConnick who was a consultant. As a fan, I was happy to see the inspiration for the movie coming from her line of comics.

There are 11 cast member spotlights that were engaging as well.

And a look behind the scenes! There are sections on production design, stunts, costumes, and Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

This is a fantastic wealth of content from the film. And this Captain Marvel fan has more to geek out on until the film comes to blu-ray.

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Captain Marvel: Liberation Run by Tess Sharpe

Synopsis:
Carol Danvers–Captain Marvel–narrowly stops a spacecraft from crashing. Its pilot Rhi is a young Inhuman woman from a group who left for a life among the stars. Instead they were imprisoned on a planet where an enslaved Inhuman brings her owner great power and influence. Horrified by the account, Carol gathers a team–including Ant-Man, Mantis, and Amadeus Cho–and they set out to free Rhi’s people.

Review:
Carol helps a young woman as she crashes to Earth. Rhi is a refugee Inhuman who has been living as a slave on a distant family. She fled only to get help to free her friends and family. So, Captain Marvel gathers a small team of Mantis, Ant-Man, and Brawn and forms a plan to free Rhi’s friends. Unfortunately, the power inhibitor on the planet affects most of Captain Marvel’s team – and they need a new plan.

Liberation Run is a standalone adventure set in the recent Marvel comic universe. The story is dramatic and poignant. Yet when Captain Marvel and friends arrive, the danger doesn’t seem as intense – even without some of their powers. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-developed story with plenty of colorful characters and humor to round out the grim situation. I love comics, but prose novels like this can cover more ground and have a bit more depth sometimes. Sure, it’s a bit predictable (superheroes have to win, right?) but it’s a lot of fun and was another great story to get my Captain Marvel fix.

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