Reign of the Devourer

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Aconytne Books for an advanced copy of this Marvel universe novel.

Aconytne Books has a really good track record of novelizations based on popular games and its series of Marvel based adventures featuring popular and lesser known characters in adventures between or around the adventures as detailed in the comics. This is the second book to feature Doctor Doom, bane of the Fantastic Four, leader of the country of Latveria, and star of one of the best adventures I have read featuring him in quite a long time, David Annandale's Reign of the Devourer: A Marvel Untold Novel.

Mr. Annandale's portrayal of the supervillain, scientist, magician, political leader, megalomaniac is like I said one of the best uses of his character in years. This is Doom as a leader a man who asks much, but gives much, to his people, to his supposed allies, even his enemies, though his respect is usually a quick death. Doom plans for the worst, because he has seen the worst, and well he is Doom. That comes up a lot, not in a bragging sense, but more in a way that this is how Doom deals with problems or doubts, inner monologues on how he is Doom, and Doom is inevitable. A thousand Latverians dead, or turned to undead zombie like creatures, Doom has not time to worry or debate, act now and act again later if it goes wrong. Which it won't because, well he is Doom.

The supporting cast is far deeper and more interesting than a reader might expect, considering that Doom should be the character to get all the time. They are all well drawn and interesting, worthy of stories to be written about them if Doom has to fight Galactus or another Secret Wars, Latveria would be in good hands with these characters. A female surgeon, whose family in the past was involved with some dark medical experiments, and her wife who happens to be Doom's chief of security. An addition their is ex-priest who happens to be a geomancer, and a little bit the cause of this whole conflict, and a bad guy who makes Doctor Doom look reasonable, and more popular.

A very exciting story that really deserves a miniseries on Disney. It's very dark, full of magic and horror, and you find yourself rooting for the bad guys over the worse guys. A very fun exciting series that I can't wait to read more of. And more books by Mr. Annandale especially. A very good writer that I will have to look more for. I will end this with one of my favorite phrases from the book, as it really is a great line to read: Exceptional Posthumous Loyalty and Service. Why this is a medal in Latveria is worthy of a miniseries in itself.

Victor von Doom saw his future for an instant, and now he cannot rest. His obsession with regaining those memories leads him into the arcane science of geomancy. As he delves into the ancient memories that lie beneath his land, Doom discovers a tremendous concentration of power... one that should never be explored. Doom's excavations and necromancy fracture the prison of something awful: the Devourer of Souls. Now free to roam Latveria, the Devourer spreads a plague of soul-hungry vampires. Doom must choose between seizing this power for himself or destroying it, before his realm is no more.

Coming in January of 2022 is the latest in the series of Marvel Untold novels. I was given the opportunity to review an early galley for Reign of the Devourer, written by David Annandale.

This novel is a sequel to Annandale's The Harrowing of Doom which came out in early 2021. While the rest of the Marvel world views him as a villain, to the people of Latveria he is a "hero". And when his kingdom and subjects are treatened by a powerful, evil entity, he rises to the challenge as a protector. This is why Doom is one of my favorite Marvel villains - because he is so complex. Once again, the reader is treated to a wonderful portrayal of Doctor Doom; Annandale captures those multifacets perfectly. When Doom is advising those around him to push further, to challenge their own limits, he shows the redeemable qualities of his personality.

I would very much recommend this novel, especially if you enjoyed the first novel in this series.



About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL

I thought this book was a really good look into Dr doom and his country of latveria. Even though you’re rooting for him to overcome and conquer the power he released on his country, you still have that thought in the back of your mind “this is a villain.”

But I loved seeing that he cares about his people and makes sure they’re okay. He’s upset knowing lives are lost. Goes to show villains aren’t one dimensional.

Review: Reign of the Devourer: A Marvel Untold Novel by David Annandale

As always thank you to Aconyte for making me one happy nerd, to Netgalley and to David Annandale for continuing to bring further depth and spotlight to Doctor Victor von Doom. The Harrowing of Doom was the third Aconyte title and the second Marvel one and I fell in love with it instantly. I have always liked villains (I think everyone does if they are honest) and in Marvel Doom is probably one of top five villains. The combination of science and supernatural/mystic arts that we get with Doom along with the folklore is something I have always loved. Add to this the Annandale made arguably one of top three marvel couples and the fact they are part of the LGBTQ+ community is just the icing and cherry on top. I am, of course, talking about Kariana and Elsa.

As always I won’t spoil too much of the plot because the book is yet to be released but needless to say it has everything you could hope for in a Victor von Doom focused novel and so much more besides.


While this novel continues on from The Harrowing of Doom you do not exactly need to have read it, I am not sure why you wouldn’t have though and I would highly recommend it. Doctor Victor von Doom saw his future for an instant, and now he cannot rest. His obsession with regaining those memories leads him into the arcane science of geomancy. As Doom delves into the ancient memories that lie beneath his land, he discovers a tremendous concentration of power. One that should never be explored – but why would that stop him. Doom’s excavations and necromancy fracture the prison of something awful: the Devourer of Souls. Now free to roam Latveria, the Devourer spreads a plague of soul-hungry vampires. Now Doom must make a choice – does his seize the power for himself or destroy it. A choice that must be made before his realm is no more.

As with the first novel Annandale is a master of his craft. The writing style is beautiful, macabre and vivid. It flows and is a perfect match for the genre and characters. All the characters shine brightly; their strengths and weaknesses. It was easy to relate and become invested in them, even someone like Doom (although I admit I am a bit of a fan already!). In fact, and I thought this for The Harrowing, Annandale is amazing at writing Doom. It is so easy to fall into the trope of Good Vs Evil. Bad is bad. Particularly within a comic book setting but Annandale makes Doom human, albeit not exactly “average" and while he is by no means the good guy his people do love him and more to the point we see his motivation isn’t always just plain power and control. In short we see the human and to me that is brilliant.


As I have said the writing and characters are first rate but the story itself is just amazing. The pacing is superb. The different characters and their parts all interlink so succinctly and form part of the greater whole. The combination of realism, fantasy and horror is beautiful. You cannot help but get swept up in the narrative and end up believing all this could be real. The only downside? When you finish the book. Honestly I adored it and really hope we get more Doom content and maybe other ‘villain’ untold stories like the Dark Avengers: The Patriot List by David Guymer.



Simply, it is a must read for fans of the more mystical and science side of marvel. Or any Doom fan (there must be more of us out there!?). Most definitely one of my most anticipated releases for 2022.
The e-book will be available from January 18th 2022 with Paperbacks following on the 18th January for the US and 3rd of March for the UK!

Aconyte Books are the novel division of Asmodee Entertainment. Asmodee Entertainment is based in an amazing building in Nottingham, England. The Star Brewery opened in 1852, producing beer for Shipstones until 1991.

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2021/2022 MARVEL