Marvel S Captain America: Sub Rosa by David McDonaldMy rating: 1 of 5 stars
Got this one off Net Galley, thinking this was a new Captain America graphic novel title. Wrong! Turns out it's a text novel, no graphics included. I've never read a superhero 'novel' before, so I decided to give it a shot. It's got to be worth something, right?
Wrong again! This book is so uninspiring and tepid that it makes one wonder what the point of it is. Cap is not the most exciting character around at the best of times (to me anyway), so writing a novel that's even less exciting than him makes the entire experience a 300-page snooze fest.
Tired, inconsistent writing doesn't make the story come alive. Cap is way too cocky for good health - I may be used to the goody-two-shoes comic book Cap and the heroic Chris Evans Cap, but that's no excuse for making Cap a gratingly annoying character.
The storyline may have been worth it if it is wasn't submerged by prolonged dialogue and exposition. Part way through you just want them all to shut up and get on with it - show, don't tell!
Also, two of the book's most egregious sins are:
1. Poor editing and proofing - there were typos (thought we wouldn't notice, but we did)
2. Colloquial language used in reported speech - now that's just really poor writing, mate. There should be no 'voice' in reported speech, it should be neutral, unless the story is being told by someone.
The damsel-in-distress in this book is Katherine, a character with zero charisma or presence. She's a computer genius, because when writers want a female character to be 'badass' that's usually the best they can come up with.
I hate ripping this book apart, but honestly, what a waste of time. Cap deserves better.
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