With both main characters being so hard to read it made The Phoenix Chase a little bit of a drag. The basic story wasn’t bad. It was even exciting. But the characters are the lens through which we see the story, and these lenses darkened the story. If Kid Omega has either been a little less annoying or had some humor to him, or if Alex hadn’t been in such need of antidepressants, the story would have been way more enjoyable.

I mean a treasure hunt across the universe for an incredibly destructive force to save some kidnapped teens sounds like such a great time! And the way that Kid Omega manages to save the day at the end was inspiring. But he doesn’t learn his lesson and he still thinks he’s better than everyone else, so I almost have a hard time being happy for him.

Before reading this book I wasn’t that familiar with the character of Kid Omega. And I have to say at the start he comes off as a bit of an arrogant jerk, lol. I’m sure Neil Kleid intended for him to come off as such. After all he is young and has omega level abilities so pretty much thinks he’s untouchable. But early on he finds out that isn’t the case when a mysterious group not only incapacitates him but also kidnaps some of his friends, demanding that he obtain for them a phoenix egg if he ever wants to seem again. Longtime Marvel fans will likely be familiar with the incredible power of the Phoenix Force, and going in search of it is bound to be a daunting task. His concern for his friends lets us know Omega isn’t quite the jerk he first appears to be and Kid Omega is smart enough to know he’s going to need help and seeks it from Scott Summers (aka Cyclops) but rather than taking on the job himself he asks his brother Alex (aka Havok-who has long been one of my favorite characters) to take on the task. It’s a solid adventure which takes them into deep space. And as with many of the Marvel novels this one loaded with plenty of cameos, which I always enjoy, including but not limited to the Starjammers and The Guardians of the Galaxy. I’m happy to say The Phoenix Chase: A Marvel: School of X Novel is another fun addition to the ever growing library of Marvel novels. I’d like to thank Aconyte Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Phoenix Chase.


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. © 2023 MARVEL

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3IPSR6LBT66PY/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

ARC & Book Tour Review The Phoenix Chase by Neil Kleid
I was given an advanced reader copy by Aconyte Books and NetGalley but also as part of a book tour by The BookNetwork @aconytebooks @thebooknetwork @netgalley My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #ThePhoenixChase #AconyteBooks #NeilKleid #ARCBookReview #ComicBookProseNovel #TheBookNetwork #BookReview #gifted #Marvel #MarvelEnt

My love of the X-Men started from the 90s Cartoon and then went to the comics, later movies and beyond. I have always been ambivalent to Scott Summers aka Cyclops but have loved his brother, Alex Summers aka Havoc so when I read he would be in this novel you can bet I was excited. I am happy to say Kleid did not disappoint but given his resume I wouldn’t have expected him too.

Once again the X-Men are in space to confront space pirates, intergalactic war to try and track down the legendary powers of the Phoenix Force. Kid Omega’s plan of setting up his own mutant school is brought to a stand still when a group of mysterious aliens called The Remaining kidnap his students, demanding a rare Phoenix Egg for their safe return. Out of his depth Kid turns to Cyclops for help. In turn getting the help of the space pirates the Starjammers and Cyclops’ brother Alex. Their mission is simple, rescue the students, secure the egg and save the day but things are never that easy for the X-Men and a series of clues reveal a monstrous plot to use the Phoenix Egg to conquer the universe.

I want to start to say this novel is action packed. It was non stop almost throughout and I adored every minute, even though Kid Omega is not a favourite for mine. One thing I also loved is that if you aren’t fully versed in all the versions and history of the X-men, the Phoenix Force or what’s been happening recently in the world of the X-Men Kleid has you covered. He provides enough facts and information to get you up to speed so you can understand fully what is going on even with little to no knowledge prior. Obviously it may be more enjoyable if you do know a little bit but everyone starts their Marvel journey somewhere and Kleid’s made this accessible for fans new and old. A fact I adore by the way.

The characters are brought to life and nearly pop off the page. Kleid fleshes them out and I particularly like the prose novels in the marvel universes because it allows us an even deeper look into the character and what makes them tick. Yes we get that in the comics, but the novel as a medium just allows a little bit more a deeper dive which I enjoy.

You will want to finish this one quickly because the action and plot don’t let up. You definitely get the one more chapter bug just wanting to know more of what is going to happen. That said the pace isn’t rushed in the sense that tension is raised but it isn’t in a way that makes the prose feel rushed it just adds to the urgency of the mission. Since I don’t like spoilers I can’t go into the ins and outs but needless to say this was one hell of a read and I adored seeing Alex get some time in prose form. A must read for fans of x-men both new and old.

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. © 2023 MARVEL

This continues Aconyte's line of School of X novels set in the X-Men period of about 10-15 years ago after Schism and Avengers Vs. X-Men. Kid Omega and Havok head to space when some of Quentin's friends are held hostage unless they find a Phoenix Egg and make a trade. The two heroes hook up with the Starjammers to tour the galaxy since they are led by Havok's dad, Corsair. Kid Omega is probably the most obnoxious X-Man in its history and very little is done to tone down his character here. He runs off halfcocked all the time and yet it usually works out for him. I'd love to see his bravado be more to hide his insecurities here instead of just being an ass all the time. This was OK, but the bad guys don't ultimately play a big enough part in the story. I did think the book is very accessable even for those who aren't versed in the X-Men's long and complicated history.

The Phoenix Chase by Neil Kleid is the latest in the Marvel School of X series. Aconyte Books provided an early galley prior to the May 2, 2023, release date.

I have been a Phoenix fan since the issues of Uncanny X-Men in the early 1980's. So, I was instantly drawn to a new storyline that involves the flame of the Phoenix Force beyond its first host Jean Grey. Throw in Havok, another classic character with cool abilities, and I was sold. This was a novel I had to check out.

Kleid does a fantastic job filling in the facts for those readers like me who are not fully up on the latest mutant adventures. He sets the stage well with classic X-cast members and other galactic individuals being portrayed true to character. That helps to insure reader buy-in to his plot. He also manages to tie-in to recent events in other novels in this line, managing to thread the needle of continuity seamlessly.

As for Kid Omega, this is clearly the most obnoxious character Marvel comics has ever created. Kleid again does a great job conveying this; I really was despising Quentin right out of the gate. But, by the end, I found myself pleased by the journey he had taken and the lessons he learned along side Havok. Fans will definitely enjoy this book.


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. © 2023 MARVEL

A fun read that centres Quentin Quire and Alex Summers in a cosmic adventure. Full of X-Men characters and some brilliant cameos, this is a brilliant prose novel that expands the X-Men world, and explores the psyches of two compelling characters

The latest installment of the School of X series, The Phoenix Chase shows the perils of trying to stay true to comics continuity while creating something new. Following Kid Omega, a deeply insecure telepath who likes to boast about his power, Neil Kleid spends much of the story explaining the complicated knot of relationships and timelines that is current X-Men continuity. Kid Omega thinks he is too cool for school (literally) and tries to set up his own mutant academy in his own mind (also, literally) when five of his friends are kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand an Egg of the Phoenix Force in exchange for their return. Complaining the whole way, Kid Omega teams up with Alex Summers and the Starjammers to hunt it down. There are a lot of cameos by Marvel characters, from the Guardians of the Galaxy to the Shiar empire, and even more explanations of who everyone is and their relationships to one another. Kid Omega's boasting and obsession with his status as an "Omega-level mutant" is a bit baffling when prior books in the series have featured Omega mutants from Dazzler to Josh. The adventure is fun, though, and the hints at a heel-turn from Kid Omega are interesting. It might be for fans only, but those fans will likely enjoy having someone who obviously loves the comics writing this book.

I love the Phoenix force, the first X-Men comic book I read was the Phoenix Saga so I was glad that the Phoenix was still being written about. It was a great entry in the Marvel: School of X series, I enjoyed the concept overall and the characters felt like the comic book characters. Neil Kleid has a great writing style and I hope he writes more.

"Unfortunately, no one in the tavern could see it. Though he, Havok, Corsair, and Hepzibah had stormed in wearing their usual garish, colorful outfits, Kid Omega was ably projecting psionic disguises atop the costumes, ensuring that everyone else in the bar was actually seeing four beings in black, intimidating armor, gleaming and covered from head to toe, narrow helmets hiding their no-good faces from view."