Spider-man: The Darkest Hours

This is apparently a ‘Marvel Pocket Books Novel' and I'm not sure if that means it's one of a series, or if that's just what marvel labeled all the actual books that came out at this time. 
This has some cool MCU level references and name drops and even a featured appearance from Wong and Doctor Strange, which is very on brand for the actual movie franchise now too. But other than that, it is entirely it's own Spider-Man story. 
Spider-Man and Black Cat work to stop ancient beings that want to eat powered people that draw their strength from an animal... IE. A spider or a cat. The ancients also hired the mercenary Rhino, so it was nice to see an OG spidey villain as well. 
The action itself is hard to get right in a novelized version of Spider-Man. This one does a pretty solid job and it's almost there, but it was missing something. The author had the personality of Peter and Spider-Man perfect though, and the narrator delivered his quips perfectly. I'm glad I went with the audio. 

When it comes to getting people into certain genres of fiction, I have one general rule: Start with what you already know or like and work your way out from there. Do you want to get into Science Fiction because you like Star Trek? Then read the companion novels, as many of their authors also went on to make their own original material. Like the Expanse series on Scifi? The books are just as good (and run longer than the show) and the authors both have their own original work to boot. The same can be said of Jim Butcher. Famous for his Dresden Files series, some may be hesitant to commit to a series that currently consists of over ten installments. This is where I would ask them to pick up this book, as Spider Man: Darkest Hours is an excellent and action packed adventure for the reader, and may just convince a lover of New York's favorite Web head to pick up the series of books about Chicago's favorite Wizard.

One of the best aspects of this text is just how much the writing for Peter Parker and Harry Dresden are so similar. Butcher is an excellent author and he brings all the humor that he is known for with Harry Dresden here into Peter Parker's inner thoughts. This makes for a very funny novel, especially when compared to the other renditions of Spider Man in popular media (I'm looking at you Toby McGuire). The story itself is also enjoyable with a number of Spider Man characters making an appearance including Black Cat, Mary Jane and The Rhino, just to name a few. This makes the world feel real, and as though this is based in Spider Man's reality.

And to that end, let me make another point: if you do not know much about Spider Man and his cast of characters, then this is not the novel for you. Little is explained about him or the people in his world beyond what is absolutely necessary. This has the benefit of streamlining the story for fans, since we know how Peter got bitten by a radioactive spider, however, this is not even mentioned so an uninitiated reader will feel lost. The same goes for other characters of the novel.

Still, I would say that this is a very well-done novel, with plenty to like. I'd go more into the details of it, but I think this is one best experienced for yourself. I give this book a five out of five. Go to your local library and pick this book up. You won't regret it.