After their involvement in major Marvel Cinematic Universe films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, fans have fallen in love with Gamora and Nebula. However, we don’t really know their whole story. That’s what author Mackenzi Lee is here for, with her new book Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms providing a lot of context that will change the way you look at the two characters.
While it’s never explicitly stated that this book takes place within the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it fits perfectly into the story and acts as a prequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. The book focuses on the two sisters, who obviously played huge roles in that movie and the MCU going forward, at a time before their big screen debuts. It provides a great deal of context to their relationship and even the universe as a whole in some cases.
And with those connections to the MCU, there are a handful of other characters involved that fans of the films will be happy to see again. For example, you can’t have a book focused on the daughters of Thanos without Thanos also being involved. The hilarious Grandmaster also has a role to play, and he’s every bit as eccentric as he was in Thor: Ragnarok.
There are also a great deal of interesting new characters introduced in this book. On the planet of Torndune, the sisters meet some rebels fighting for the life of their dying planet. There’s also the cult-like church that manipulates both Gamora and Nebula, with its legions of followers and elderly matriarch playing huge roles in the story.
The focus though is really on the relationship between these two sisters. The films have told us of their competitive nature that has developed a level of hatred between them, but it wasn’t always like that. This book explores a time when the sisters put their faith in each other and it will forever change the way you look at these two characters. You may even find yourself getting a bit choked up on a few occasions.
One area in which this book truly excels is its descriptive qualities. Lee spares no detail as page after page are spent setting the scene, painting elaborate mental pictures for the reader. Of course, with most of the book taking place in a desolate mining colony, many of those pictures aren’t very pretty. But the descriptions are still there.
It should be mentioned that this is a YA novel. That label would imply that it is meant for a younger audience, but that doesn’t necessarily seem to be the case. Yes, the story is about two young female characters dealing with an impossible family dynamic and trying to place their faith in each other, but it’s a story anyone can love, especially Marvel fans. The book is action-packed, with lots of nods to the larger Marvel Universe – what’s not to love?
Overall, Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms is a must-read for fans of the MCU. It provides a whole lot of context for these two characters that you never even knew you wanted and it will drastically change the way you look at these characters. Your heart may even break just a little the next time you watch Guardians of the Galaxy.
Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms is available now.