Liberty and Justice for All 

by Carrie Harris 

3 out of 5 

Synopsis 

Two young mutants take on the X-Men’s greatest foes single-handedly, in this breakneck superhero adventure from the extraordinary realm of Marvel comics

It’s exam time at Xavier’s Institute, and young mutants Tempus and Triage are barely surviving the Danger Room. Newly teamed up for a solo X-Copter flight exam, they approach Chicago unaware that Sentinels – giant Mutant-hunting robots – have attacked the Field Museum of Natural History. When they receive an SOS from the notorious Sabretooth, requesting help for wounded anti-mutant politician Graydon Creed, Triage is all for calling it in. But Tempus sees an opportunity to test their healing and time-manipulating powers for real. Whether it’s a trap or a chance for peace, the two students face their greatest challenge, and the X-Men’s worst enemies. 

Review 

Eva and Christopher are X-Men-in-training, impatient to get into the real world. But when a training exercise goes astray, they are about to be tested for real.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first X-Men novel by Carrie Harris, and the first X-Men story in a new set of Marvel novels by various authors.

I thought this book was good at starting a new story following Eva and Christopher, but its does benefit from familiarity with the X-Men COMIC world.

I've watched all of the films, which helped with the supporting characters; but I was lost as to what timeline it was.

The characters keep referring back to this big event, where they got pulled into this different plane, and it had a huge impact on their lives... it was kinda frustrating to not know what happened.

Anyways, this story follows Eva (Tempus), an Australian girl who can create time bubbles that freeze her enemies.

Her current roommate at Xavier's Institute is a teenage Jean Grey who has been thrown out of her own timeline.

It also follows Christopher (Triage), an American lad who can heal himself and others. Despite being very useful, Christopher often bemoans not having a flashier gift.

The two of them are the most driven in the group (some of the trainees are still pratting around), so they team up together when it's time to start flying practise.

During this first flight, they come across a mutant's request for help. Feeling very keen to take off the training wheels, and arguing that they could help quicker than reporting back to base first - they go to help a certain Sabretooth.

This was a fun story about Eva and Christopher trying to find their feet, as they get to use their powers in real-life situations. They learn their limits, and try to conquer their fears as they fight in an uncontrolled arena for the first time.

I liked the character of Sabretooth, after only knowing him briefly in the films. I thought he was fun, and he came across as confident in himself and his abilities. He's not afraid to scare people, and takes joy in this. But you also get the feeling that he's taking the trainees under his wing and will do anything to keep them safe.

I thought the writing was light and easy to follow. Once the story moves away from the Xavier's Institute it comes alive on its own, not being hampered by a massive backstory of X-Men expectations.

The not-so-good.

As I said before, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I'd read what preceded this story.

My only other issue is that I found it all quite slow and repetitive.

Our main characters are constantly spinning their wheels, first at the Institute; and then at the Museum.

I thought the story was very drawn out in places, and could easily have been compressed. I couldn't help thinking that some parts would have suited being a nice visual comic or film, rather than a novel.

Overall, this was OK, but I'm not interested in reading the rest of the series.

Maybe I'll give the comics a try.

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