New York Times best- selling author Mackenzi Lee returns with the second young adult novel Gamora & Nebula: Sisters in Arms available everywhere books are sold on June 1, 2021. Illustrated by Jenny Frison, courtesy of Disney Publishing.
By Andrea Espinoza, Staff Reporter
Long ago before Star Lord, talking trash pandas, monosyllable trees and 8-track tapes, there was the strong-willed teen Gamora, her crafty sister Nebula and their power hungry father Thanos.
When we last saw Gamora and Nebula, they joined forces with The Avengers in “Avengers: Endgame” in order to help defeat Thanos and restore peace to the world. Likewise, when audiences saw Gamora and Nebula duke out their pent up aggression in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” author Mackenzi Lee dives into the specifics that had led to the fall-out between the two sisters.
While Gamora and Nebula’s turbulent relationship is apparent on screen, the exact details of why the sisters were always at odds was never revealed. That was until Lee graced us with an interesting read that documented their teenage rivalry.
Lee’s story plunges us into the life of a teenage Gamora [17/18], who has arrived on Torndune.
Torndune was once a lush planet that had been stripped for its power source beneath the surface. Gamora received a very important mission: to collect the heart of the planet. She doesn’t know who sent her, what the heart will be used for, or what it even looks like. As the right-hand and daughter of Thanos and one of the galaxy’s most legendary warriors, her job is to do what she is told and to not ask questions. No matter what. What she doesn’t realize is that her sister, Nebula, is hot on her heels.
But as Gamora and Nebula get closer and closer to completing their mission, and to each other, the closer they get to uncovering the truth of what brought them there. The role they may unknowingly be playing in a twisted competition they can never win.
This book acts as a prequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and shows how the sisters have such a complicated relationship due to their father, Thanos. The sisters are constantly compared to each other and Thanos makes them compete against each other for his approval. With this book, not only are we given a piece of their past, but it goes on to explain how Nebula was transformed into a droid and why her hatred for her sister developed. It also explains how and when Thanos came into possession of the Infinity Gauntlet.
Additionally, as the story progresses we see Gamora and Nebula put their differences aside and come together. Forming a sibling bond that makes them stronger than ever; fueled by their disdain for their father in order to outsmart him and break free from his control.
My favorite scene in the novel is where Gamora and Nebula work together against Thanos, they both reclaim their independence and finish the mission so that they can beat Thanos and work together without being under his control.
The book has an air of mystery while also having elements of suspense and comedy from beginning to end. The reader is able to see Nebula’s softer side as she follows her sister and tries to help her break out of the hold that Thanos has on Gamora. We see the compassion that Gamora has for Nebula as she comes to terms with her part in the loss of Nebula’s arm. Most of all, we see female empowerment. The main characters in this novel are mostly women with the exception of two characters.
The overall plot of the novel was really well done, the mystery and suspense makes it a page-turner. Keeping the reason as to why Nebula and Gamora needed to collect the heart of the planet a mystery made it an even faster read . The ending was my favorite part of the story, it was a surprising turn of events that it truly left me shocked.
“Gamora & Nebula: Sisters in Arms” is an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone who is a die hard MCU fan or not. It is a fast read with twists and turns that are sure to leave you guessing what is going to happen next. “Gamora & Nebula: Sisters in Arms” will be available on June 1, 2021 and is also available for pre-order.
