Customer Reviews

Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Asia, ingenious but amoral immortal Sin Tzu begins taking control over vast parts of the continent either through diplomatic guile or a blood show of force. His success is so rapid and easy, he feels like a modern Alexander the Great with no real competition to keep him from ennui. However, he learns of the Dark Knight across the ocean in Gotham City and wonders if he might prove a worthy opponent.

Sin Tzu begins his deadly game of cat and bat by allowing his adversary to catch him and lock him up in Arkham Asylum, home for some of most dangerous predators on the planet. Applying his arcane skills, Sin Tzu recruits three subordinates, Bane, Clayface, and the Scarecrow. This trio leads his army of cutthroats and murderous lunatics against Batman and his three superhero allies, Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl. The stakes is simply the population of Gotham City and surrounding areas.

Taken from a game with the same name; BATMAN: RISE OF SIN TZU is an exciting fantasy tale starring one of the great characters of fiction. Batman's foe is as tough as they come and is supplemented from some of the Dark Knight's stronger antagonists including Bane who broke his back. The story line is fast-paced, never slowing down once Sin Tzu arrives in North America; yet the essence of the four superheroes stay true. Fans of Batman will appreciate his latest crime fighting thriller.

Harriet Klausner

I agree with the above reviewer that the writing styles are inconsistent, but the stuff in the good chapters (about 80% of the book) makes it worth wading through the bad ones (only four total, I think). The chapters are all written from the point of view of different characters including Batman himself and Nightwing and Robin and even the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. While they're participating in the main plotline, they also reflect on their histories (I think this is Animated Series continuity) with Gotham and with each other, and some of the in-character insights are really powerful and moving (and funny!) I don't know why they decided to make a book out of a video game, but I can't imagine one being much better than this! There are some hidden treasures in here that it would be a shame to miss.

To me, this book is all about Point Of View. I love that the chapters are told from a diffferent POVs. Normally having more that one writer on a book is a bad idea, but becasue of the format(different POVs), I was okay with it in this book. The way the characters think would be different; and having different writers, with different writing styles, doing the POVs helps show that. I thought the story line was interesting as well.

I loved getting to see what the villians thought of Batman, since I don't think we usually get enough of their thoughts. I also thought the writers did a good job with the relationships withing the BatClan.

I would recommend this book to any Batman fan.

This book proves the adage that too many cooks spoil the soup. While story itself is decent, the pacing is great and the story is thrilling, the major complaint about this book is that the writing style comes across as very schizophrenic and why shouldn't it? Two people with two completely different styles and writing skill collaborate when they should have run in fear at the mere thought. One can tell immediately which author wrote which section and it made the reading tiresome, annoying, and constantly jolting. Miss Grayson writes with a unique style and grace that is as identifiable as it is enjoyable. On the other hand, Mr. Dille should really stick to writing game books, grocery lists, or perhaps recipes at the very most.

I give it 3 stars out of 5, but would give easily given it more if it has been written entirely by Miss Grayson. I look forward to more of her solo work

I've tended to avoid delving into superhero novels largely because, of those I've read, I haven't been as overwhelmed by a great story without the graphics that generally accompany superhero adventures. As a result, there's something lost from the 'bang,' 'pow,' and 'ziff' in the translation from panel-to-panel stories to straight prose ... but, wow, THE RISE OF SIN TZU is different ... so strongly different, in fact, that I could imagine a whole series of Batbooks (non-comic) to spring up in the years ahead. This adventure is just that good.

Devin Grayson and Flint Dille know a thing or two about the Batman and his Rogues Gallery: in fact, Flint Dille is responsibility for the video game, BATMAN: THE RISE OF SIN TZU ... these are no lightweights. What they've accomplished here is no small feat: through an interesting narrative device -- dedicating each chapter to an entirely different person in this well-told tale -- is lay the foundation for superhero novels that could and should follow in these footsteps.

Gotham City's darkest fears have come to pass: someone dastardly has freed all of the inmates of Stonegate Prison, as well as several select lunatics from Arkham Asylum, to send the city swirling into chaos. The leader behind it all -- the mysterious Sin Tzu -- appears to have a simple purpose in mind: destroy the city ... when, in reality, his true goal is far more despicable: destroy Batman.

Terrific supporting players from the Bat-universe (Nightwing, Commissioner Gordon, Robin, Batgirl, Alfred, etc.) are all along for the ride, and the individualized focus that the writers give each of these players brings out yet even more fascinating characterizations for the players as well as for their unique perspective on the Batman, what he does, why he does it, and what it means to the city-at-large.

An exciting tale told at breakneck speed, THE RISE OF SIN TZU is one great yarn from start to finish!

Must have in order to finish the game. Easy to follow instructions and walkthroughs

I like Sun-Tzu, and I like the ultimate detective Batman is occasionally written as. This book superficially appeared as a battle of titanic deduction against titanic military cunning. That book, I wanted to read it.

Instead I got one chapter, near the end. One single chapter from Batman's perspective, more a physical battle than a mental one. What a disappointment. Each chapter is from a different character's perspective, including Sin-Tzu (boo at revealing the villain's plans), henchmen, Batgirl, Alfred, Robin, and mid-boss villains like Clayface.

The is genre pulp fiction, not the clash of great minds. If you are really into Batman, you'll like it. If you are expecting an intricate plot and dynamic strategic give-and-take between the Great General and the Great Detective, you'll be disappointed like me.

The Batman Murders
To Stalk A Spectre
Captured By The Engines

If you can find em, check em out, they're pretty good, especially - to stalk a spectre.