#Review - Sound of Light : A Marvel: School of X Novel by Amanda Bridgeman #SyFy

Series: Marvel School of X
Format: B-Format Paperback, 352 pages
Release Date: November 22, 2022
Publisher: Aconyte
Source: Publisher
Genre: Science Fiction

Dazzler, rock ‘n’ roll, and the children of Cyclops and Magneto launch into space and beyond in this electrifying trans-dimensional adventure from Marvel’s School of X 

When rock star Dazzler walked out on S.H.I.E.L.D., she hoped she’d seen the last of the clandestine organization. But when a rogue agent drops in after a sold-out gig, she must decide whether to work with them again or stick to her solo career. The agent links Mutant Growth Hormone – a dangerous biochemical that wildly enhances mutant powers – with the disappearance of Magneto and Cyclops. Reluctantly, Dazzler takes the case and unfolds a mystery greater than she anticipated. In need of a new team, she recruits the extraordinary mutants Emma Frost, Polaris, and Rachel Grey on a mission to foil a plot to remove mutantkind forever, which blasts them from Earth into a whole new dimension.  

Amanda Bridgeman's Sound of Light is part of Marvel's School of X series. When rock star Dazzler aka Alison Blaire walked out on S.H.I.E.L.D., she hoped she’d seen the last of the clandestine organization. She's the lead singer of Dazzler and The Casablanca's, she seems to be heading in the right direction after nearly having her life ruined by Mystique. But when a agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. drops in after a sold-out gig, she must decide whether to work with them again or stick to her solo career. 

 

MGM (Mutant Growth Hormone) is a dangerous biochemical that wildly enhances mutant powers as well as making humans stronger, faster and more agile, has hit the streets. Dazzler is familiar with the drug since it was taken from her by Mystique who held her hostage for months. With the disappearance of Magneto and Cyclops who were tracking the origins of MGM, as well as her father Judge Carter, Dazzler must put aside her issues and work with Emma Frost.

 

Emma and Logan provide Dazzler that includes Sage (telepath), Polaris (daughter of Magneto), and Rachel Grey daughter of Cyclops in an alternative dimension) as well as A.R.M.O.R (Alternative Reality Monitoring and Operational Response) and S.W.O.R.D (Sentient World Observation and Response Division). Dazzler has an interesting ability which she connects to the music of Lila Cheney. She has the ability to transduce sonic vibrations which reach her body into various types of light. Dazzler can use her conversion ability to act as a very crude form of echolocation. 

 

After singing through an amplifier for a minute, she has displayed the ability to see humanoid shapes through a brick wall. Although the author leaves a whole lot of background information to the reader to do your own research, I have decided to fill in some of the blanks. After leaving the X-Men, Alison was recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D by Maria Hill to be their mutant liaison. Maria Hill is back. Alison was drugged by Mystique who took her place as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. She used her position to draw attention away from Madripoor and used Dazzler to produce MGM. Mystique was eventually captured, but has apparently escaped. 

 

Part of the story also revolves around Emma Frost aka White Queen, who has had an antagonistic relationship with the villain Sebastian Shaw aka the Black King. Following the death of Jean Grey, Emma has assumed the position of co-headmaster of the Xavier Institute alongside Cyclops while Logan is headmaster of a rival school. The story takes place in several places as well as a Space Station. Although the book resolves many issues, I do hope that the author, or another author, continues Dazzler's story.

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