Even though we thought we’d be well into the MCU’s next phase by now, reveling in everything that Black Widow‘s flashback outing had to offer, we can at least rest easier knowing that we got to witness the end of the Infinity Saga. So, what better time to look back on all the movies that have made up this cultural phenomenon so far? And what better way than to recommend books that would go along perfectly with a rewatch?!
The books below have been selected for each movie based on a few things: content and plot, obviously, but also themes and conflicts, characters and villains. If you look at Iron Man, we have Rebelwing and Want to spotlight its innate tech adventure and survival story, but also Graceling, a fantasy novel that kicked off the genre as we know it, and The Thief, a book that launched a sprawling series with a finale 20 years in the making. And so the list goes, so every reader should love at least one book recommended for each movie. While we wait to see what the MCU has for us next, we hope this helps you find your new favorite book.
Oh, and for easy browsing, we’ve colored each film within a series the same. So for Captain America, just search for the blue headers! Avengers? That’d be purple. Happy reading!
Book Recs Inspired by the MCU
FIND A BOOK FOR YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO MOVIE
Find the books featured above:
- Iron Man: Want by Cindy Pon, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Rebelwing by Andrea Tang
- The Incredible Hulk: Monster by Michael Grant, The Young Elites by Marie Lu, Wicked Fox by Kat Cho, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
- Iron Man 2: Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Warcross by Marie Lu, The Athena Protocol by Shamim Sarif
- Captain America: The First Avenger: The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein, The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor, Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh, Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
- Thor: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer, All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace, Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
- The Avengers: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Renegades by Marissa Meyer, Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley, Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano
- Iron Man 3: The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken, The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia, Crier’s War by Nina Varela
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Thor: The Dark World: The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco, Mirage by Somaiya Daud, These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch
- Avengers: Age of Ultron: Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst, The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff, Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff, Light Years by Kass Morgan, The Disasters by M.K. England, Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
- Ant-Man: Fake ID by Lamar Giles, Diamond City by Francesca Flores, Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- Captain America: Civil War: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess
- Doctor Strange: The Diviners by Libba Bray, The Chosen by Taran Matharu, Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, Reverie by Ryan La Sala
- Spider-Man: Homecoming: Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds, A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro, Infinity Son by Adam Silvera, Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
- Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray, Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
- Thor: Ragnarok: Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch & Kristen Simmons, The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White, The Valiant by Lesley Livingston, Angel Mage by Garth Nix
- Black Panther: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy, Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi, Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
- Avengers: Infinity War: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Legend by Marie Lu, Fireborne by Rosaria Munda, Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody, Nocturna by Maya Motayne
- Captain Marvel: Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Empire of Dreams by Rae Carson, Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
- Avengers: Endgame: Furyborn by Claire Legrand, The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell, King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, Invictus by Ryan Graudin
- Spider-Man: Far From Home: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee, A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney, Rebel by Marie Lu
What other books would you recommend? Let us know in the comments!