It’s been a while since the latest Marvel movie came out, and I’m tired of waiting for another one. To help pass the time, I’ve compiled a list of some Infinity Saga heroes along with novels that remind me of them in some way.
I decided to stick to the heroes we met in Phases 1, 2, and 3 because we’ve gotten to know them pretty well. So if your favorite is Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova, or one of Wanda and Vision’s children, you’ll have to wait a bit longer for those recommendations! And here is your spoiler warning for all Marvel movies and shows up to this point, as well as the characters’ respective books.
Vision: ‘A Closed and Common Orbit’ by Becky Chambers
While A Closed and Common Orbit is the second book in the Wayfarers series, it’s the one you need to read if you love Vision almost as much as Wanda. The first book follows a space-exploring group and introduces us to the universe. But the second book focuses on an entirely new set of characters. Lovelace is an AI that wakes up in a new body and travels with engineer Pepper.
Lovelace will remind you of Vision in all ways possible. Even better, nobody gets trapped in a magical hex-sphere when things don’t go so smoothly. And you’ll love the relationship between Pepper and Lovelace. You probably haven’t heard of this series before, and that’s a shame. It’s a masterpiece, and you’ll want to read the rest of the series after this one.
Ant-Man: ‘Fake ID’ by Lamar Giles
Fake ID follows Nick Pearson trying to uncover a conspiracy that got his friend killed. The only problem: Nick is one of the most unreliable narrators you’ll meet. In fact, his real name isn’t Nick Pearson, and you’ll want to know just how he came to Stepton, Virginia.
Nick reminds me of Scott, specifically in the first Ant-Man movie. They’re both a little sneaky and secretive, but they also come out of their shells eventually. They also have essentially the same personality, so you can easily imagine this is another Scott Lang story.
See also: All MCU Movies Ranked from Worst to Best
Star-Lord: ‘Light Years’ by Kass Morgan
Light Years tells the story of a group of teens banding together to save their homes. Joining pilot Vesper are Cormak, Arran, and Orelia. Despite coming from different backgrounds–and having a mole among them–they will do what it takes to keep each other alive.
This book has the group atmosphere we love about the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. And it can only get better because there’s a sequel (Supernova) that keeps the story going after the big betrayal comes out. Be sure to grab both when you check them out later.
Gamora: ‘Defy the Stars’ by Claudia Gray
In Defy the Stars, Noemi was raised to be a soldier, and Abel is a robot evolving past what people expected. Despite being on opposite sides of a space war, they must work together to end it once and for all. But what will it cost them and their blossoming relationship?
Noemi reminds me of Gamora in that they were both raised to be foot soldiers for people willing to use and abuse her for more power, and they both fall in love with the most unexpected person. Thankfully, Noemi doesn’t meet death prematurely like Gamora. (Too soon?)
Rhodey: ‘Steelheart’ by Brandon Sanderson
Do you remember that scene in Endgame where Rhodey mentioned traveling back in time and just offing baby Thanos before he could snap half the universe away? The main character of Steelheart, David, would’ve acted on that suggestion. And that’s the main reason I recommend this book to Rhodey fans.
Here’s a quick overview: After the Calamity, Epics were created. Epics are people who were gifted powers and subsequently decided they wanted more power, and they’ll do whatever it takes to get it. The Reckoners are the only people willing to fight. And David wants revenge on Steelheart for killing his father.
See related: Books to Read Based on Favorite ‘Legend of Korra’ Characters
Dr. Strange: ‘Sal & Gabi Break the Universe’ by Carlos Hernandez
I know this is a middle-grade book, but I bet you still love Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, so let it slide. Just by the title alone, Sal & Gabi Break the Universe fits perfectly with where Dr. Strange’s life is heading after he ripped apart the multiverse in No Way Home. This book will fill the void while you wait for Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
Sal and Gabi meet in the principal’s office when Sal is in trouble and Gabi is defending her friend. Shortly after, Gabi sees Sal’s secret: he can conjure objects out of thin air. As they become friends, they start to rip holes in the universe. You’re going to need to read the second book, too, to see what happens to the two friends!
Captain Marvel: ‘Shatter Me’ Series by Tahereh Mafi
Shatter Me is the start of a six-book series about Juliette Thomas and her new friends trying to survive an ongoing war. Juliette can kill someone with one touch – at least, she can kill most people with her touch. There are plenty of twists, turns, and betrayals to keep you on your toes until the end.
Much like Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, Juliette is controlled by a higher power and isn’t using her powers to her full potential. But once she does, she’s almost unstoppable and could destroy the world if she wanted. They’re literally some of the most powerful characters I’ve ever seen.
Bucky Barnes: ‘Four’ by Veronica Roth
Four is the collection of short stories from the Divergent universe about Tobias Eaton, better known as Four. Each of the four short stories captures a significant moment in his life – from becoming Dauntless to meeting Tris to his actions towards the end of the first book, Divergent.
Much like Tobias, Bucky had a really rough life. I mean, he did get tortured by Hydra and then had to go through deprogramming to feel semi-normal again. That’s why Bucky lovers should check out Four’s stories. And you could read the original trilogy, but I’ll let you decide for yourself.
Black Panther: ‘Imaro’ by Charles Saunders
If your favorite character is T’Challa, I’m willing to bet you’d love more African-inspired media, so why not start here? There are three more books after Imaro to enjoy.
Imaro is science fiction blended with fantasy set in a fictional African country. The titular character struggles with being accepted in his home. But, after setting out on his own, he might just earn their respect. The next books follow more of his adventures with his lover.
Loki: ‘The Gospel of Loki’ by Joanne M. Harris
When it came to Loki, I couldn’t pass up on the series narrated by the trickster himself. The Gospel of Loki and The Testament of Loki retell the story of how the Norse gods came into power and eventually fell. We get to finally see his side of the story!
The duology takes Loki’s story that we’re used to seeing and flipping it on its head. Loki isn’t the villain we all think he is. He is a trickster, but there’s so much more to him than that.
See also: Ranking the New MCU Shows So Far
Sam Wilson: ‘Skyhunter’ by Marie Lu
The new Captain America deserves a fantastic book series written by a talented writer. That’s where Skyhunter comes in. This book reminds me of Star Wars mixed with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as there are a lot of overlapping themes in all three series.
Skyhunter tells the story of Talin Kanami, a Striker who will do what it takes to get her home back. She bands together with other Strikers to fight against the Federation. But when a new face pops up in that group, will she be able to trust him? Or will he betray them all?
Wanda: ‘The Bone Witch’ by Rin Chupeco
As we learned in WandaVision, Wanda isn’t like other witches and sorcerers. She’s able to control chaos magic, and she’s feared for it. She’d be able to relate to the main character of The Bone Witch.
As a necromancer, Tea is feared and cast out. However, she finds another witch like her – a bone witch – who’s been living on her own. The older witch takes Tea and her resurrected brother away to help Tea learn her magic. But Tea will have to learn fast because something’s on the horizon – something dark.
See also: Book Recommendations Based on Your Favorite ‘Star Wars’ Characters
Spider-Man: ‘Heroine Complex’ by Sarah Kuhn
Evie is best friends with superhero Aveda Jupiter, but she’s just an ordinary girl. At least that’s what everyone thinks until she masquerades as her bestie and reveals she has powers too. Trying to hide from the news and villains, Evie finds herself needing to become her own hero to save her city.
Heroine Complex will remind you of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker and his journey of trying to find himself again after Endgame. Even better, it’s also reminiscent of the Spider-Man comics. I wish Sony would make Evie a movie superhero, too.
Hawkeye: ‘Sherwood’ by Parke Godwin
You didn’t expect me to recommend a book for Hawkeye lovers that doesn’t involve bows and arrows, right? Good, because I went with the most famous archer in literature: Robin Hood. Hawkeye is essentially the Robin Hood of the Avengers, so it’s only the right thing to do.
Sherwood tells the story of Edward Aelredson as he becomes the Robin Hood we all know of. The second book follows Robin Hood as an older man. Although these books are a retelling of a story we all know, they will still keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hulk: ‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
Much like Bruce and Hulk, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are opposites living in the same body. You probably already know the story, but if you’re like me, you learned it from Scooby-Doo. When you actually read the novella, though, it’s so much more intriguing.
It may have been an obvious choice, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to recommend Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic work. The novella follows Gabriel John Utterson as he investigates the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde after his uncle dies. After years of switching between personalities, someone finally learns the split personality secret.
Black Widow: ‘Etiquette & Espionage’ by Gail Carriger
Were you annoyed every time Marvel pushed back the Black Widow movie? Or what about when we only got one movie centered on Natasha Romanoff? Because I am. That’s why I get my female spy content from Carriger’s Etiquette & Espionage and the six other books in the series.
Sophronia has been sent to finishing school. And when they say “finishing,” they mean it – they teach everything from etiquette to assassination. The first four books in the series follow Sophronia’s espionage missions and adventures. The rest of the series puts the spotlight on Sophronia’s classmates.
Thor: ‘Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard’ Series by Rick Riordan
It would be the biggest mistake ever if I didn’t recommend Thor fans a Norse mythology-inspired book. Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer starts Riordan’s Norse trilogy. It follows Frey’s son Magnus preparing for Ragnarok and going on quests.
Even though Magnus isn’t Thor’s son, the god of thunder’s mythology plays a prominent role in Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor, the second book. And I’m willing to bet if you like Thor, you’d be interested in more Norse mythology
Captain America: ‘Yesterday Is History’ by Kosoko Jackson
If you liked how Captain America was constantly trying to catch up to present-day life and technology, you’re going to love Andre’s story in Yesterday Is History. And for Stucky (Steve and Bucky) shippers, there are two male love interests. Andre has to choose between one in the past and one in the present. Sound familiar to your fanfiction?
Andre received his liver transplant recently. But after passing out one day, he comes to in a new time. Andre switches between the past and present, meeting Blake and Michael. As time goes on and Andre keeps jumping between the boys, he realizes he must choose one. You’ll be up late into the night, turning page after page.
Tony Stark: ‘All Systems Red’ by Martha Wells
Murderbot just wants to live alone and figure out who he is. However, when a group goes dark on a mission, he has to work with the scientists who created him to find them. The series has six books so far, but three more are planned.
Remember when Tony and Bruce made a murderbot, I mean Ultron? All Systems Red is the perfect start to a science-fiction series about a robot with a mechanical heart. He’s already halfway to being Tony, honestly.
