Shuri came to our attention over the summer, before the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, but in light of his loss I decided to wait a few months before posting this review.
It's printed with purple ink! Yes! Purple. Can it get any more...girly? And techie? And warrior-y...you know what I mean.
Ok, on to the story. This is Shuri's story and it takes place right before T'Challa goes out to face the Jabari tribe's challenger (in the movie, remember?).
Something is killing the purple flower, the plant that when crushed and given to the leader of Wakanda bestows the Black Panther all his (or her -- someday!) power. She has a scary vision outside the Palace and discovers a fungus of sorts is growing on the plants and killing them.
When she can't figure out how to stop what's killing the plant in her lab, Shuri's determined to go to others for help, because Wakanda's elders will squabble over what exactly to do for ages. She and her assigned-best friend, K'Marah, who's training to be a Dora Milaje but is enjoying an online flirtation with a boy she's never met, visit neighboring Kenya and Queen Ororo.
That's right, the silver-haired storm-powered X-woman makes an appearance in this book! She's an ally of Wakanda, but agrees to take Shuri and K'Marah to London to meet her uncle, the White Wolf, Hunter.
There she finds the fabric she'll need for T'Challa's new suit, and she figures out K'Malah's admirer is more than either of the girls feared.
I won't spoil the ending, just know Shuri saves the day, with both her tech and her bravery. This was a great, fun read and will do well under the tree!
And if your Shuri book reader wants more Shuri, check out Marvel.com for her series!
