Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 4 by Tom Taylor et al.

Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 4 by Tom Taylor et al.-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

General Amanda Waller’s traitorous gambit for the throne has come to fruition, and she’s recruited a murderous squad to cut down any who dares stand in her way. Just how deep does the rot of her corruption run? And who will be left standing once she is crowned regent of the Kingdom of Metropolis at the zenith of her power?

Thoughts: This is the most recently released issue in this series. I enjoyed reading it just as much as the previous issues. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the next issue. 

Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 3 by Tom Taylor et al.

Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 3 by Tom Taylor et al.-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

With the House of El’s queen, crown prince, and princess bedridden, Lois of Amazonia jailed, the Amazons expelled, and the threat beneath the waves growing with each passing day, Amanda Waller has everything to gain as she assumes emergency control of the Kingdom of El. Harley Quinn, the Els’ advisor, must recruit to her cause a young Barbara Gordon, for the aid of her visions, and Dick Grayson, who’s just about the only person who might stand a chance of finding the missing Prince Bruce. But even as our heroes gather in secret, they’re about to discover that there isn’t much a power-hungry Waller wouldn’t do to cement her reign...

Thoughts: This story continues to be really good. Amanda Waller continues her quest to try to take the crown of the Kingdom of Metropolis for herself. Will she succeed or will the Els (or someone else) be able to stop her? 

Dark Knights of Steel II Special (One Shot): Heir to the Sea by Tom Taylor et al.

 Dark Knights of Steel II Special (One Shot): Heir to the Sea by Tom Taylor et al.-48 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5

CATCH UP ON THE SECRET ORIGIN OF AQUAMAN IN THE DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL UNIVERSE! Before the rise of the House of El, two steadfast soldiers within the Wayne army, Jonathan and Martha Kent, make a startling discovery: a child, left among the waves, orphaned by a civil war raging beneath the water's surface. The Kents hope to hide him from the bitter violence of the world he left behind... but no one runs from their destiny forever. Originally seen in the pages of Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter, witness the origin of a deep-sea king whose journey leads directly into his royal debut in Dark Knights of Steel II #1.

Thoughts: This is a good origin story for Arthur, aka Aquaman. In this alternate DC universe, he's taken in as a small child by Jonathan and Marth Kent, who are soldiers for the Waynes, who rule a kingdom. Atlanna, Aquaman's mother, charges Jonathan and Martha with protecting him and hiding his identity until the right time, which proves more difficult than imagined. Amanda Waller's origin in this universe is also explained here. She was a soldier in the Wayne army, also, and she saves Jonathan and Martha (and Aquaman). I enjoyed reading this as a backstory. It adds depth to the overarching main story. 

Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 2 by Tom Taylor et al.

 Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue 2 by Tom Taylor et al.-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5

THE HOUSE OF EL IN DANGER! A sickness has befallen the Els, sending the Kingdom of Metropolis into disarray. But what — or who — could bring true harm to such a powerful royal family? Queen Diana and her Amazonians are intent on finding answers, but what will it cost them? Amidst the chaos, Amanda Waller takes surefooted steps into the vacuum of leadership... but she harbors an agenda far darker and more twisted than anyone yet realizes.

Thoughts: I continue to enjoy reading this sequel to the original series. The world building and illustrations are top notch. I am excited to see where this story goes.

Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue One by Tom Taylor, et al.

 Dark Knights of Steel II: Issue One by Tom Taylor, et al.-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

An entire medieval world was forever changed when a spaceship crashlanded from a doomed planet. Monarchs died, kingdoms rose, long-buried treachery came to light…and a League was born. Now an ancient, violent war brews beneath the waves, one that promises untold destruction should it break the surface. If the League hopes to weather it and protect the lands of its realms and beyond, it must first root out the treasonous agents hiding in plain sight amidst its own ranks! Worldwide bestselling writer Tom Taylor (Detective Comics, Nightwing) and acclaimed artist Otto Schmidt (DC vs. Vampires, Green Arrow) welcome you back to the epic high-fantasy world of Dark Knights of Steel, where the darkest days yet still lie ahead!

Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading the original Dark Knights of Steel, so when I heard about this sequel, I was intrigued. I am enjoying it so far. I really like the fantasy elements mixed in. It's not your normal superhero story.

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 3: Season of the Witch by Kelly Thompson, et al.

 Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 3: Season of the Witch by Kelly Thompson, et al.-216 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5

Eisner Award winners Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman continue their bestselling, critically acclaimed take on Wonder Woman with the debut of Absolute Zatanna!

The Mark of Hecate, the symbol on Diana’s arm, shows up at a series of crime scenes in Gotham, drawing her into Batman’s orbit and kicking off a deadly team-up—the very first in the Absolute Universe!

But back in Gateway City, a familiar face has emerged—Zatanna Zatara, the Mistress of Magic. This time, her appearance is no dream—instead, it’s pure nightmare fuel, as Zatanna and a strange new Suicide Squad are set loose on the city with one mission...kill Wonder Woman at any cost. Will it take a witch to destroy a witch?

Plus, the return of artist Mattia De Iulis for a mythic tale of gods and monsters as Diana journeys to the ends of the Earth to deliver justice!

Collects Absolute Wonder Woman #15-20 and Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual #1.

Thoughts: This series continues to be good. I enjoyed this latest collection and look forward to the next. This ends on quite the cliffhanger.

The Love Hypothesis

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood 373 pages

Synopsis: As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships—but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor—and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. And when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding. . . six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

My Thoughts: This book was great. I enjoyed the flow of their fake relationship. The characters were interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed that the book focused on STEM women and the stigma of women in the field of science. I also watched the movie that's on Amazon Prime and while scenes were out of order and slightly different, they still did an amazing job at keeping the heart of the story and the similarities the same! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes fun romance!