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renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Part of Heroine Complex series binge reading.
Heroine Complex is the first book of...Heroine Complex series. Dunno why the series called the same with the first book, publisher decisions not mine. For me, this book is dramatic, all over the place and extra. But, in a good way. I admit I decide to collect the set because the premise of Asian superhero (or super heroine) are unique back then in 2016, long before we got Shangchi or Ms Marvel. Reading Heroine Complex feel like reading a superhero comic or movie but in a novel format. That's why there some sound effect that a little bit weird when written in the book, but after awhile I don't mind it.
Told thoroughly from Evie Tanaka's first PoV, the Asian stereotype is so true, it's hurt to admit it. Being Indonesian myself, so basically, also Asian, I understand some of Evie's inner turmoil. She used to bottle up her feeling, avoiding conflict to finally just snap up and awaken her true power, a fire-wielding power. I get why Aveda Jupiter, Evie's childhood friend turn boss, getting jealous because she feel that Evie now steal the spotlight while Evie in the first place just want to hide her ability. The book is painful to read because it's pretty glaring that Evie and Aveda's relationship is basically a toxic friendship. Evie feel grateful because Aveda back then defend her when they are in the kindergarten and then again when Evie drop out from college because her power lashed out. But, I think Aveda take it all for the granted and with her penchant for diva-ness. Even their school friend, Scott, now that Evie and Aveda is being toxic to each other. Although, Kuhn finally address this toxicity with Evie stand up to Aveda and Aveda kinda redeemed herself in the end. Just a little bit, though.
The world-saving plot is just like your usual plot and what make Heroine Complex interesting is more like in the dynamic between the characters. We get to know Maisy, a mean and nasty antagonist blogger that ready to tear Aveda apart in the online community, and Shasta, her sidekick that apparently hide a secret of her own. We also got introduced to people under Jupiter HQ, from Lucy, the bodyguard slash karaoke enthusiast and Evie's rebellious sister, Bea, that manage to get under Evie's skin by being difficult (she's a teenager, teenager supposed to act difficult). The romance department didn't disappoint since Nathaniel Jones aka Nate, Evie's love interest is an dorky and grumpy beta hero but I liked that Kuhn incorporated tropes that I liked. Basically, friend to lover; although Nate and Evie can't be considered as friend, more like colleague but in a close proximity, and also he feel first, she feel harder. Although at first, the romantic relationship can be categorized into insta-lust at first, but because Evie and Nate already know each other for a long time, this is more like hate-to-love things.
The villain is pretty much comical and the tone of this book also pretty light, so don't take this very seriously. Although, again, the strength of Heroine Complex is the character development and the dynamic. The Asian stereotype might not for everyone forte, but if you are an Asian, you might be feel related to what Evie feels. Also, since she's a first kid, I know very well the pain to be a role model to your sister especially if you also got to be her parents figure. In the end, Evie finally become a super heroine of her own right and the next book, Heroine Worship is told from Aveda's PoV. I admit, I'm intrigued. Aveda is known by her diva attitude and I wonder what Kuhn have for Aveda story in the future.
Heroine Complex is the first book of...Heroine Complex series. Dunno why the series called the same with the first book, publisher decisions not mine. For me, this book is dramatic, all over the place and extra. But, in a good way. I admit I decide to collect the set because the premise of Asian superhero (or super heroine) are unique back then in 2016, long before we got Shangchi or Ms Marvel. Reading Heroine Complex feel like reading a superhero comic or movie but in a novel format. That's why there some sound effect that a little bit weird when written in the book, but after awhile I don't mind it.
Told thoroughly from Evie Tanaka's first PoV, the Asian stereotype is so true, it's hurt to admit it. Being Indonesian myself, so basically, also Asian, I understand some of Evie's inner turmoil. She used to bottle up her feeling, avoiding conflict to finally just snap up and awaken her true power, a fire-wielding power. I get why Aveda Jupiter, Evie's childhood friend turn boss, getting jealous because she feel that Evie now steal the spotlight while Evie in the first place just want to hide her ability. The book is painful to read because it's pretty glaring that Evie and Aveda's relationship is basically a toxic friendship. Evie feel grateful because Aveda back then defend her when they are in the kindergarten and then again when Evie drop out from college because her power lashed out. But, I think Aveda take it all for the granted and with her penchant for diva-ness. Even their school friend, Scott, now that Evie and Aveda is being toxic to each other. Although, Kuhn finally address this toxicity with Evie stand up to Aveda and Aveda kinda redeemed herself in the end. Just a little bit, though.
The world-saving plot is just like your usual plot and what make Heroine Complex interesting is more like in the dynamic between the characters. We get to know Maisy, a mean and nasty antagonist blogger that ready to tear Aveda apart in the online community, and Shasta, her sidekick that apparently hide a secret of her own. We also got introduced to people under Jupiter HQ, from Lucy, the bodyguard slash karaoke enthusiast and Evie's rebellious sister, Bea, that manage to get under Evie's skin by being difficult (she's a teenager, teenager supposed to act difficult). The romance department didn't disappoint since Nathaniel Jones aka Nate, Evie's love interest is an dorky and grumpy beta hero but I liked that Kuhn incorporated tropes that I liked. Basically, friend to lover; although Nate and Evie can't be considered as friend, more like colleague but in a close proximity, and also he feel first, she feel harder. Although at first, the romantic relationship can be categorized into insta-lust at first, but because Evie and Nate already know each other for a long time, this is more like hate-to-love things.
The villain is pretty much comical and the tone of this book also pretty light, so don't take this very seriously. Although, again, the strength of Heroine Complex is the character development and the dynamic. The Asian stereotype might not for everyone forte, but if you are an Asian, you might be feel related to what Evie feels. Also, since she's a first kid, I know very well the pain to be a role model to your sister especially if you also got to be her parents figure. In the end, Evie finally become a super heroine of her own right and the next book, Heroine Worship is told from Aveda's PoV. I admit, I'm intrigued. Aveda is known by her diva attitude and I wonder what Kuhn have for Aveda story in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Alcohol, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
jenn_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Body horror, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Racism, and Vomit
Demons, creatures, animated disembodied body partsankonyx's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
skylarkindareads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
meltheadorable's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent
quasinaut's review
The writing style didn't work for me -- too quippy and snarky. While the premise had potential, the dialogue and descriptions just seemed like they were trying too hard.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
e_flah's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Heroine Complex has a super neat premise and a cute romance. I really enjoyed Evie's character development over the course of the story. My biggest struggle with Heroine Complex was the writing style just wasn't for me. It's written in a quirky, kind of snarky tone that I didn't particularly care for. Additionally, lot of the plot hinges around Evie's friendship and sense of obligation to her boss, Aveda, which I just never bought. Aveda is insufferable for most of the book and her sudden change of heart toward the end of the story didn't seem earned.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Not gonna lie, this one was a bit of a struggle to finish. I had such high hopes for the book after hearing about it on the Reading Glasses podcast, but the characters were so hard to like for so much of the book! I liked it more than I thought I would by the end of it, but I definitely won't be rushing to pick up the next ones from the library anytime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm not saying this book is a Romance, but I'm not saying it's not a Romance either.
Finally picked this book up from my TBR as I have the mass market version (#MassMarketMay) and it's written by an Asian American author (3rd generation Japanese). This book was a lot more than I thought it would be based on the synopsis.
If you enjoy (female) superheroes incinerating demons, girl squads, nerdy love interest that's gone for the heroine from the beginning, family squabbles, highly recommend.
Sure, there are some parts that are more predictable (hello, superhero fantasy, not expecting any twists) than others. Still enjoyed the nicer very much. Overall, solid debut by Sarah Kuhn. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Heroine Complex series.
Finally picked this book up from my TBR as I have the mass market version (#MassMarketMay) and it's written by an Asian American author (3rd generation Japanese). This book was a lot more than I thought it would be based on the synopsis.
If you enjoy (female) superheroes incinerating demons, girl squads, nerdy love interest that's gone for the heroine from the beginning, family squabbles, highly recommend.
Sure, there are some parts that are more predictable (hello, superhero fantasy, not expecting any twists) than others. Still enjoyed the nicer very much. Overall, solid debut by Sarah Kuhn. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Heroine Complex series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic relationship
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