Marvel's Black Widow: Forever Red

By: Margaret Stohl

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Enter the world of the Avengers' iconic master spy.

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average. The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments - until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn't really the big sister type. Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned - and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams....

Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure listeners expect from Marvel, written by number-one New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.

©2015 Marvel (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I enjoyed it but it wasn’t what I expected.

I’ve seen a lot of people say that this Black Widow book didn’t focus enough on Black Widow. I think it might be easier to just change what you’re expecting going into it.

It is a Black Widow story told primarily from the POV of people around her. Her POV makes up about 1/3 of the novel. If you have ever listened to the Wolverine podcast it is similar to that type of storytelling.

None of this is to say that I didn’t enjoy it. I thought it was a good story, the writing was there, the characters kept my interest. At the end of it all I was still interested and excited to read the sequel.

My main complaint I guess is that I felt like this story should have been a sequel story and not the first book in a series. I think starting with something more Natasha centered would have been a better jumping off point instead of introducing other characters immediately. But I haven’t read the sequel yet so maybe it was a great set up.

Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re looking for a Marvel fix.

marvel needs to make this a movie!

great story, love that character and insight to her backstory. marvel missed the boat by not making this a movie!

Marvel should make this a movie!

Couldn't put it down! I enjoyed it immensely! A must read for any Marvel Fan!

Disliked the voices

I didn’t like the voices the reader did. I enjoyed the plot and Natasha was great.

The Black Widow

I truly enjoyed this story and feel that if Marvel were to adapt a story for a film this would be a great story to so that with.
really enjoyed finally getting some background on the Black Widow.