Three Swords

This is probably my favorite (so far) of the legends of Asgard series from Aconyte. I loved the antics of the warriors three and where they were taken to help save Asgard from the Enchanters.

I especially laughed out loud when it was revealed who Fandral became known as on Midgard (earth), but then cried soon after.

The heart in this book was so full and I hope to read more about them soon!

#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review

The Asgard magic strikes again! I can't tell you how much I've loved this series so far, and "Three Swords" keeps the promise I feel has been made by the previous books: an adventurous read that sucks you in with a truly brilliant plot, fantastic characters, magical setting(s), and leaves you feeling completely satisfied. It doesn't hurt that C.L. Werner's writing is as easy to read as saying "yes" to another cup of tea! More, please... and some more after that!!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

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[dot]com. © 2022 MARVEL

I received this ARC in e-book form in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Marvel for this opportunity!
I want to preface this review by saying that I did not read the comics surrounding these characters prior to reading this book, therefore I cannot compare the two. So strictly speaking about the book, I really loved The Warrior Three, these characters. Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg. Their banter was hysterical and I loved their dynamic as they traveled around and fought against these evil forces. The descriptions in the book were a double-edged sword for me, however, as the descriptions were incredibly useful when it came to world-building and describing characters and epic battle scenes it became a bit tedious to read through at times. With this in mind, however, I can imagine that the author was attempting to recreate the kind of imagery you would get from reading the comics. Still, it became a lot to read at once sometimes especially since a lot of the scenes were brimming with a lot of description which took me out of my reading realm a little bit. I still really enjoyed this book despite this, though, and would highly recommend this book to those who love the Marvel universe or simply like a lot of awesome action scenes and a ton of witty banter.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this new Marvel Comics prose adventure.

The latest by Aconyte Books features the adventuring companions of the Mighty Thor, The Warriors Three, in C. L. Wener's Three Swords: Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel. A rip- roaring adventure featuring strange new worlds, dinosaurs, flying dinosaurs, Sherwood Forest, aliens, spider aliens, and more has the warriors traveling through space and time seeking to thwart the magical efforts and connivings of three Enchanters who seek to overthrow Odin, and take Asgard for themselves, or destroy it entirely.

Fandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim and Volstagg the Voluminous are favorites of mine from the comics. Their bravery, loyalty and their wit, always gave an issue of Thor a lift. The novel treats them well, especially Fandral who is more front and center than the other two, meaning he is given more interaction and back story, but I guess dashing does have its privilege. The writing is good, the story, while familiar is done well and the twist ending was very fitting with the plot. Also there is lots of fighting, on ground, on flying dinosaurs, in tar beds. Lots of action which keeps the story going.

These books have always been very good at captuing the characters from the Marvel Universe, no matter the popularity. I am not sure even with the movies how well known the Warriors Three are, but I think this story will make new fans. I can't recommend this line enough, as some of these stories and leagues above what is going on in the monthly comics. An excellent addition to a great series of books.

The beloved Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg) are showing the Nine Realms just how heroic they truly are. In the midst of assisting a rebellion overthrow a tyrannical leader, our three heroes are confronted by a mysterious wizard who begs for their help. He knows of three others who have used their powers to rule over those who can’t fight back and that they intend to use and grow this power to take over Asgard. It’s quickly apparent that Asgard is not the only of the Nine Realms that stands threatened. Nowhere is safe unless they can defeat the sorcerers that stand unopposed.

But who is this wizard and why does he know so much about the sorcerers conquering the realms?

I’ve been a Marvel fan for as long as I can remember. I’ve enjoyed the comics but definitely recognize that they can be overwhelming for anyone stepping into the realm of comics. There are decades of history, a ton of storylines, way too many characters… and sometimes the comics completely change established backstories when things start to feel stale. Which is why I love that Marvel has created novels to embody these characters so that those who haven’t been reading comics for decades can fall in love with stories and characters that they see on the big screen.

All of that said, there’s nothing to write home about with Marvel novels. They are very much directed towards anyone who is a fan of the comics or Marvel movies. They have a very niche appeal. And for that niche, Two Swords is going to be an absolutely amazing read.

This particular novel seems to be based on the comic version of the Warriors Three as Sif is not present and part of the group. There are also references to stories that lead me to believe that this is set within the comic universe. However, it is a standalone novel. You don’t need to have read any comics or watched any movie to understand the narrative. For anyone who isn’t a Marvel fan, it reads like a fun fantasy novel.

I truly enjoyed this. From the moment it opened, I was attached to the characters involved. There was misdirection leading me to believe the narrative was one thing when in reality it was going a completely different direction. Werner took the story places I didn’t expect and I felt like I was running right along with Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg to save the Nine Realms.

This was a swashbuckling adventure. It was well worth the read. And I love that it stands alone. Sometimes I just want more Marvel or Asgard. And I find myself wanting more about The Warriors Three quite often. So this book was a pleasant surprise.

If you’re interested in the world of Asgard or just want a fantastical adventure? This is definitely worth the read.

So, Three Swords, What’s it all about?
I’m not sure, but it was quite fun! It was like C.L.Werner decided that he was going to get some of the classic Marvel comics, and throw everything at you.

I mean this book just throws eeeeeverything at you – reptile aliens, giant robotic warriors, a trip back to Civil War England, Matthew Hopkins (Witchfinder General) Dinosaurs …. wait! What? Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Slow down! What the heck are you talking about? I think you need to go back to the beginning.

We start the book with Vigdis, taking a message to the rebel force in Gunnarsfell that could help topple the evil tyrant King Gunar. She gets attacked by a patrol and a dashing hero helps her against the odds. And who is the dashing hero? Why it’s Fandral the Dashing from the Warriors Three, who along with Volstagg the (insert whatever name her) and Hogun the Grimm are currently in town, training the rebels against said tyrant.

Now, if you have not met the Warriors Three, they turn up in the Thor comics and also in the MCU. However, in Three Swords, the Warriors Three get the starring role instead of playing second fiddle to the God of Thunder.

Anyways, where was I? Oh yes, swordplay and fisticuffs! After beating the patrol Vigdis is taken to the rebel hideout, is introduced to the rest of the Warriors Three, gets into another fight when King Gunnar’s forces attack and they escape.

In the midst of the escape, The Warriors Three are saved from capture by a mysterious sorcerer, who tells them that Asgard is in danger by a group of nasty evil Sorcerers, calling themselves The Enchanters Three. Thus you must help……..yadda, yadda, yadda!

Thus begins the dimension hopping adventure in Time and Space.

Like I said earlier, what happens next is that C.L. Werner then basically writes comic books without the pictures and we get a whole load of classic Marvel scenarios that are just bonkers and fun. I think one of the reasons that I liked this as well, is that all the different settings that the Warriors Three are thrown into are all familiar and I felt that I had read the comics that they were based on, although I can’t recall which ones they actually were.

However, no matter! What is pertinent though is that I had so much fun with this book. The Warriors Three in the starring role really worked well and it was Fandral who shone throughout the story as the emotional centre of the crew. Volstagg is the comic relief throughout and regularly gives himself whatever name comes to mind, and Hogun is the conscience of group.

There are lots and lots of nods to classic marvel comics and that old style sense of it just being completely barking mad adventure. At one point, they even go back to Civil War England and come face to face with Matthew Hopkins (he of the Witchfinder General fame) and get themselves into a number of scrapes, including playing around with some english folklore.

I gotta say – I enjoyed this immensely! So There!

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. © 2022 MARVEL

The book was sometimes difficult to read with a lot of words in old/middle English, but this adds to the books and makes it more interesting to read even though this meant that it took me longer to read than other books.

But boy did I love the story, everything is so detailed and there is a lot of explanation going on that I could really see everything that was happening right in front of me. Plus, the turns at the end were unexpected.

I think my favorite part of the books is when they go to England to fight the second enchanter, finding out Fandral's little secret. But I also loved how Volstagg gives himself all these different names and I just want to re-read the book just so I can write them all down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this new Marvel Comics prose adventure.

Review: Three Swords by C L Warner A Legends of Asgard Novel
As always I want to thank Aconyte and netgalley for allowing me access to this ARC for a fair and honest review. As is no doubt obvious by now I am in love with nearly every title Aconyte release but I am a little biased to the Marvel lines, particularly The Legends of Asgard series. C L Werner’s The Sword of Surtur was brilliant and when I knew Three Swords was dealing with The Warriors Three I was extremely excited and was not overly disappointed.

This rip-roaring adventure is fast-paced and sure to keep anyone hooked, particularly any fan of Marvel’s Asgard or even Norse mythology and if you love both you are definitely in for a treat! As with all more ARC reviews I will try and avoid any major spoilers because there is no fun in that for anyone! I will however summarise the synopsis.

Three Swords follows The Warriors through time and space to save Asgard from magical villainy. While helping some rebels overthrow their tyrannical king, the Warriors Three meet an old seer who says they have been expecting and waiting for them. Weaving a tale of terror of a new treat posed to Asgard by three sorcerous bothers, known as The Enchanters, who are planning to create an army infused with magic to conquer Asgard. Of course not everything is easy, each Enchanter has a tower and each tower is spread throughout time and space. This does not stop the Warriors Three willing to risk life and limb to stop these sorcerers before their home falls. Not everything is as it seems as someone plots in the shadows to strike just at the right time.

As with all the Legends of Asgard series you know you can expect action and Three Swords does not disappoint. From the very first chapter Werner sets the pace and showcases the Warriors skills. I have to confess Hogan the Grim has always been my favourite of the warriors but Werner has actually made me like Fendral more than before – most likely with the wonderful tie in of a mixture of Marvel and folklore and while I will say no more…. I might be a Fendral fangirl now – just a little bit.

The writing and characterisation are a dream. I obviously love the comics but sometimes you can not get a full sense of a characters should it be apostrophe s internal thoughts or personality, at least not as in depth as you do in a novel and Werner aces it. Each of the Warriors shines in their own way and we see how they make such a terrific trio with their own skills and how they counter any weaknesses. It was really a wonderful read!

The only thing that I would have liked was it to be a little longer! I did find the ending left me wanting more. While the outcome of one event is hinted at I would rather have liked to have seen it myself but I think that is more because I was so in love with the writing style and story and wanted a little bit more. So it has nothing to do with bad writing, just me being a greedy reader!

This one is a definite re-read for me and must read for any fan of Marvel’s Asgardian canon, norse mythology or a good swashbuckling and rip-roaring action-adventure book. I have, as always, ordered the physical copy and will be recommending it to all my marvel and nerdy friends.

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. © 2022 MARVEL