Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
When I realized this was the third book in the series I sped read my way through book one before tackling this book. Having read this one, I would say you don't have to read the first two books, but they will definitely lend some insight into this book.
The third book in Sarah Kuhn's trilogy is narrated by the younger sister of Evie Tanaka, Bea. Bea is a teenager, with some anger problems, but after her mother died and her father bailed it all seems reasonable. Bea is a foul mouthed genius with a heart. There is still a ton of superheroing to accomplish in this book, and as Bea becomes convinced she should be a superhero with her sister and Aveda Jupiter we see her in action for real.
I loved getting more of an insight into Bea's world including her friends outside of the Heroine Headquarters. Bea, Evie, and Aveda's stories as Asian superheroines is magical and exciting while being important and crucial at a time when the need for diversity cannot be understated.
The third book in Sarah Kuhn's trilogy is narrated by the younger sister of Evie Tanaka, Bea. Bea is a teenager, with some anger problems, but after her mother died and her father bailed it all seems reasonable. Bea is a foul mouthed genius with a heart. There is still a ton of superheroing to accomplish in this book, and as Bea becomes convinced she should be a superhero with her sister and Aveda Jupiter we see her in action for real.
I loved getting more of an insight into Bea's world including her friends outside of the Heroine Headquarters. Bea, Evie, and Aveda's stories as Asian superheroines is magical and exciting while being important and crucial at a time when the need for diversity cannot be understated.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
Part of binge reading Heroine Complex series.
I don't think that the series will get emotionally wrecked and yet Heroine's Journey proved me otherwise. Heroine's Journey is the third book of Heroine Complex series and now the story told from Beatrice Tanaka's first PoV. If you already read book 1 and 2 (and yes, books must be read in order. Can't be read as stand alone), then you already know about Bea. We know her first as Evie's younger sister, a kinda spoiled 17 y.o brat with tantrums rivaled Aveda's. Although we got explanation that behind all that tantrums was a girl with grief so big after Evie and Bea's mother died of cancer. Heroine Journey's timeline is fast forward 4-5 years later. Bea is no longer 17, she's now in her 22 y.o, a respectable adult (in her opinion anyway). The book start with Bea feeling frustrated because Evie and Aveda disagree with her decision to become a super heroine and suddenly an invisible entity called to Bea. Much to Bea's surprise, the entity is Bea's deceased Mom! Or is she really her mom or another demonic being with malicious intent?
Did Bea still throwing tantrum here and there? Yep. But, you said she's already in her 22? I think, in my 22, I too somehow act like Bea, lel. I just realized that all of the heroine of this series, from Evie, then Aveda and Bea, all of them are kind of unlikable. Evie with her pushover tendencies, Aveda with her magnanimous attitudes and then Bea with her spoiled brat personality. Yet, in the end Kuhn managed to love them all with all their insecurities and weakness. Because, she write them with so much personal development, make them feel like a real person. Yes, Bea is constantly anger and she do some unethically things with her mind mojo. She also easily bored and always distracted with shiny things, a fact that make Evie disagree with Bea's want to be superheroine beside Evie also still a worrywart of mom figure. Yet, with the story unfold, I guess Journey's big theme is about how Bea processed her grief. Bea lost her Mom in the tender age of 12 and the event was traumatic she withdraw from real life, from her best friend, then always angry to the world. We always know a saying that said time will heal the wounds. Yet, it's need 10 years for Bea to finally let go of her sadness and pain, then decide to moving forward with her choices.
This book is pretty much family drama with super heroine, mind mojo and demonic invasion as added flavors. The found family theme is pretty well executed especially if you already follow the heroic trio (Evie, Aveda, Bea) from the beginning. The stake is pretty much mild since the focus of the book is how Bea become a better person and make amend with Evie regarding their sisterhood relationship. I also liked while all books featured romance with trope friend to lover, Kuhn managed to make them all different! In Evie and Nate's case, it's more like colleague to lovers, complete with insta-lust if that your things. Aveda and Scott are childhood friend that drift apart because of misunderstanding to finally give each other second chance to start love. While Bea and Sam is more like your high school friend slash rival slash platonic friend then develop into love. All of them guaranteed HEA and I liked that the romance is pretty much natural in case of Bea and Sam. I mean, their romance is pretty much my catnip and while the sex scenes more like fade to black (aka vanilla) the sexual tension are plenty.
Heroine Complex series have its up and down, and yet I still enjoy Evie, Aveda and Bea's story. Since all of them told from first PoV, their story feel personals and some things are resonated deeply for me. The Asian American and PoC's problems in overall also well executed, provide some insight. Yep, all the books are pretty much diverse, in race and also sexuality, since Bea herself is a bi and her best friend, Leah is a lesbian (not forget, Lucy too). Heroine Journey's mark the end of the first arc of the heroic trio and will continue in the second arc, start again with our first ordinary people turn super heroine, Evie. I admit, I liked her PoV since we both first born and I kind of resonated with Evie's problems as a first born.
I don't think that the series will get emotionally wrecked and yet Heroine's Journey proved me otherwise. Heroine's Journey is the third book of Heroine Complex series and now the story told from Beatrice Tanaka's first PoV. If you already read book 1 and 2 (and yes, books must be read in order. Can't be read as stand alone), then you already know about Bea. We know her first as Evie's younger sister, a kinda spoiled 17 y.o brat with tantrums rivaled Aveda's. Although we got explanation that behind all that tantrums was a girl with grief so big after Evie and Bea's mother died of cancer. Heroine Journey's timeline is fast forward 4-5 years later. Bea is no longer 17, she's now in her 22 y.o, a respectable adult (in her opinion anyway). The book start with Bea feeling frustrated because Evie and Aveda disagree with her decision to become a super heroine and suddenly an invisible entity called to Bea. Much to Bea's surprise, the entity is Bea's deceased Mom! Or is she really her mom or another demonic being with malicious intent?
Did Bea still throwing tantrum here and there? Yep. But, you said she's already in her 22? I think, in my 22, I too somehow act like Bea, lel. I just realized that all of the heroine of this series, from Evie, then Aveda and Bea, all of them are kind of unlikable. Evie with her pushover tendencies, Aveda with her magnanimous attitudes and then Bea with her spoiled brat personality. Yet, in the end Kuhn managed to love them all with all their insecurities and weakness. Because, she write them with so much personal development, make them feel like a real person. Yes, Bea is constantly anger and she do some unethically things with her mind mojo. She also easily bored and always distracted with shiny things, a fact that make Evie disagree with Bea's want to be superheroine beside Evie also still a worrywart of mom figure. Yet, with the story unfold, I guess Journey's big theme is about how Bea processed her grief. Bea lost her Mom in the tender age of 12 and the event was traumatic she withdraw from real life, from her best friend, then always angry to the world. We always know a saying that said time will heal the wounds. Yet, it's need 10 years for Bea to finally let go of her sadness and pain, then decide to moving forward with her choices.
This book is pretty much family drama with super heroine, mind mojo and demonic invasion as added flavors. The found family theme is pretty well executed especially if you already follow the heroic trio (Evie, Aveda, Bea) from the beginning. The stake is pretty much mild since the focus of the book is how Bea become a better person and make amend with Evie regarding their sisterhood relationship. I also liked while all books featured romance with trope friend to lover, Kuhn managed to make them all different! In Evie and Nate's case, it's more like colleague to lovers, complete with insta-lust if that your things. Aveda and Scott are childhood friend that drift apart because of misunderstanding to finally give each other second chance to start love. While Bea and Sam is more like your high school friend slash rival slash platonic friend then develop into love. All of them guaranteed HEA and I liked that the romance is pretty much natural in case of Bea and Sam. I mean, their romance is pretty much my catnip and while the sex scenes more like fade to black (aka vanilla) the sexual tension are plenty.
Heroine Complex series have its up and down, and yet I still enjoy Evie, Aveda and Bea's story. Since all of them told from first PoV, their story feel personals and some things are resonated deeply for me. The Asian American and PoC's problems in overall also well executed, provide some insight. Yep, all the books are pretty much diverse, in race and also sexuality, since Bea herself is a bi and her best friend, Leah is a lesbian (not forget, Lucy too). Heroine Journey's mark the end of the first arc of the heroic trio and will continue in the second arc, start again with our first ordinary people turn super heroine, Evie. I admit, I liked her PoV since we both first born and I kind of resonated with Evie's problems as a first born.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Aw, this was so good!!!! I love these characters and I'm so glad to see the books are expanding beyond this original trilogy.
BEA I LOVE YOU. Seriously, this may be my favourite in the series. I absolutely adore Bea and was so excited for her book. It did not disappoint! Bea’s relationship with Evie was hard to watch but I loved seeing them become closer. The romantic subplot was everything I wanted from this, it was super cute while also being hot as hell. Initially it felt a bit rushed but I quickly got over that. Anyway, without leaving spoilers all I can say was this was really great and if you haven’t picked up this series yet then do it asap!
Sarah Kuhn, please write faster. I need more of your books please.
This series is such a blast, I'm delighted that this isn't the last time we get to visit this world. I was a bit nervous to discover surly teenage empath Bea was going to be our protagonist, but turns out 22 year old Bea is just as much an engaging heroine as her predecessors. One of the many things I love about this series is the willingness of the author to give her characters depth, with real flaws and lets them mess up without it ever quite feeling overdone. Bea talks too fast, gets her feelings easily hurt and flirts more with the dark side than either Evie or Annie ever did, but she's also sparkier and funnier, and I dearly hope her poster boards exist in the real world and that someone took pictures.
This entry also has the most compelling mystery and the supernatural goings on held my attention and kept me guessing throughout. We got a great romance, awesome friendships, vivid food descriptions (I really want some katsu soon please) and a one-eyed dog based on a real life superstar bookselling dog. Seriously, what more could you want?
So please, Sarah Kuhn, I'm begging you, write faster, the world needs more of your books.
This series is such a blast, I'm delighted that this isn't the last time we get to visit this world. I was a bit nervous to discover surly teenage empath Bea was going to be our protagonist, but turns out 22 year old Bea is just as much an engaging heroine as her predecessors. One of the many things I love about this series is the willingness of the author to give her characters depth, with real flaws and lets them mess up without it ever quite feeling overdone. Bea talks too fast, gets her feelings easily hurt and flirts more with the dark side than either Evie or Annie ever did, but she's also sparkier and funnier, and I dearly hope her poster boards exist in the real world and that someone took pictures.
This entry also has the most compelling mystery and the supernatural goings on held my attention and kept me guessing throughout. We got a great romance, awesome friendships, vivid food descriptions (I really want some katsu soon please) and a one-eyed dog based on a real life superstar bookselling dog. Seriously, what more could you want?
So please, Sarah Kuhn, I'm begging you, write faster, the world needs more of your books.
Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Heroine’s Journey is a blast to read. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed adventure coupled with a journey of growth. Add in a vibrant cast of characters, a steamy romance, wonderful friendships, a scene-stealing dog, and a to-die-for bookstore and it’s easy to see why I didn’t want to put this book down.
It’s been four years since readers last visited Jupiter/Tanaka, Inc. and the superhero duo of Aveda Jupiter and Evie Tanaka is a well-oiled machine that works for everyone. Everyone except Beatrice Tanaka, that is. Bea is desperate to convince her sister to let her become a superhero, but she’s blocked at every turn. Until Bea finds herself at the center of a new wave of demonic activity, one far different and more personal than anything she and her loved ones have ever seen.
Bea is easy to adore. She’s brilliant, bold, and a butt-kicking heroine in her own right. I loved how fast her mind moved and could understand how her brain jumped from one thing to another. But beneath her lively exterior is a young woman still feeling the pain of her mother’s death. There’s a hole in Bea she cannot seem to fill and that just broke my heart. Heroine’s Journey is an apt title because a lot of the book is Bea struggling to come into her own and defining what exactly that means. Bea is a wonderfully flawed heroine and I loved that she made mistakes because her imperfections were relatable. I was rooting for her every step of the way which is part of the reason I was glued to the book. Another reason was Bea’s friendships with Leah and Sam. Leah is an amazing best friend, a smart, creative, kind person who supports Bea but doesn’t hesitate to warn her when she’s going down a potentially dangerous path. And Sam… How best to describe Sam? He’s a sexy-as-hell mechanic with charm to spare, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. He’s as quick-minded as Bea and I absolutely adored their ongoing competition. But few people besides Bea see beneath the surface of Sam and I really enjoyed watching the layers being peeled back and exposing his vulnerabilities. He and Bea have some deliciously hot sexual tension brewing, but whether or not anything comes of it I’ll leave readers to discover.
Heroine’s Journey is the third book in the Heroine Complex series and if you’re new to the series (and don’t mind spoilers) you can dive in here. Returning fans of the Tanaka/Jupiter crowd will be delighted to revisit favorite characters and see how their lives have grown over the past four years. I loved seeing more of my favorite characters from Heroine Complex and Heroine Worship and I really enjoyed seeing a different side of the dynamics between our three superhero leads. Bea’s relationship with Evie is central to the story and the love and frustration on both sisters’ sides gave emotional heft to the book. And for some fun, Aveda’s self-appointed role as Bea’s mentor made me grin (I have a huge soft spot for Aveda).
I focused a lot on the characters of Heroine’s Journey because Sarah Kuhn’s talent for creating such amazing characters is what sticks with me the most. But it’d be remiss of me not to mention the action, danger, and mystery in the story. As with the first two Heroine Complex books, the fight scenes and the mystery of the demonic attacks are quirky, interesting, and exciting. Ms. Kuhn is brilliant at balancing popcorn thrills with more weighty storylines and I loved every bit of it. Heroine’s Journey is an engrossing story that blends the real and the fantastical perfectly. I loved every bit of it and I hope to see lots more of Bea, Sam, Leah, Evie, Nate, Aveda, Scott, Lucy, Rose, and Shruti in the future!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Heroine’s Journey is a blast to read. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed adventure coupled with a journey of growth. Add in a vibrant cast of characters, a steamy romance, wonderful friendships, a scene-stealing dog, and a to-die-for bookstore and it’s easy to see why I didn’t want to put this book down.
It’s been four years since readers last visited Jupiter/Tanaka, Inc. and the superhero duo of Aveda Jupiter and Evie Tanaka is a well-oiled machine that works for everyone. Everyone except Beatrice Tanaka, that is. Bea is desperate to convince her sister to let her become a superhero, but she’s blocked at every turn. Until Bea finds herself at the center of a new wave of demonic activity, one far different and more personal than anything she and her loved ones have ever seen.
Bea is easy to adore. She’s brilliant, bold, and a butt-kicking heroine in her own right. I loved how fast her mind moved and could understand how her brain jumped from one thing to another. But beneath her lively exterior is a young woman still feeling the pain of her mother’s death. There’s a hole in Bea she cannot seem to fill and that just broke my heart. Heroine’s Journey is an apt title because a lot of the book is Bea struggling to come into her own and defining what exactly that means. Bea is a wonderfully flawed heroine and I loved that she made mistakes because her imperfections were relatable. I was rooting for her every step of the way which is part of the reason I was glued to the book. Another reason was Bea’s friendships with Leah and Sam. Leah is an amazing best friend, a smart, creative, kind person who supports Bea but doesn’t hesitate to warn her when she’s going down a potentially dangerous path. And Sam… How best to describe Sam? He’s a sexy-as-hell mechanic with charm to spare, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. He’s as quick-minded as Bea and I absolutely adored their ongoing competition. But few people besides Bea see beneath the surface of Sam and I really enjoyed watching the layers being peeled back and exposing his vulnerabilities. He and Bea have some deliciously hot sexual tension brewing, but whether or not anything comes of it I’ll leave readers to discover.
Heroine’s Journey is the third book in the Heroine Complex series and if you’re new to the series (and don’t mind spoilers) you can dive in here. Returning fans of the Tanaka/Jupiter crowd will be delighted to revisit favorite characters and see how their lives have grown over the past four years. I loved seeing more of my favorite characters from Heroine Complex and Heroine Worship and I really enjoyed seeing a different side of the dynamics between our three superhero leads. Bea’s relationship with Evie is central to the story and the love and frustration on both sisters’ sides gave emotional heft to the book. And for some fun, Aveda’s self-appointed role as Bea’s mentor made me grin (I have a huge soft spot for Aveda).
I focused a lot on the characters of Heroine’s Journey because Sarah Kuhn’s talent for creating such amazing characters is what sticks with me the most. But it’d be remiss of me not to mention the action, danger, and mystery in the story. As with the first two Heroine Complex books, the fight scenes and the mystery of the demonic attacks are quirky, interesting, and exciting. Ms. Kuhn is brilliant at balancing popcorn thrills with more weighty storylines and I loved every bit of it. Heroine’s Journey is an engrossing story that blends the real and the fantastical perfectly. I loved every bit of it and I hope to see lots more of Bea, Sam, Leah, Evie, Nate, Aveda, Scott, Lucy, Rose, and Shruti in the future!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Maybe don’t go running off believing the mysterious voices no one else can hear? At least entertain the idea they could be wrong?
Frankly, while engaging, overall eh. All three of the Heroine Complex series follow the same formula - angsty, flawed superheroes deal with demons and their angsty, flawed relationships with each other, coupled with hooking up with their respective hottie love interests.
Honestly, Bea was for the most part of the book a royal B (no surprises there) and I couldn’t empathize with her much. She says she’s changed because she’s an adult, but her actions prove otherwise, and she gets called out for it. Not that that would stop her. She’s right about one thing: considering how much she fights with Evie, it’s a miracle her older sister hadn’t burned her to death. I certainly would have.
And as with Heroine Worship, I really didn’t care for the romance, especially with an MC so unpleasant. Though nice that the Asian guy is a hottie, therby bucking bs stereotypes, I guess.
Apparently, this series is gonna continue. I think I’ll just read Evie’s story and call it a day, since she’s the only one I actually care about. Given how formulaic the story’s become, I can anticipate her struggling with her quarter-demon baby. Apparently, the demon side they inherited from Nate is a lot more dominant. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is going to be the plot. Heck, I anticipated after Heroine Worship that she would get pregnant, and look how that turned out. 😒
Honestly, Bea was for the most part of the book a royal B (no surprises there) and I couldn’t empathize with her much. She says she’s changed because she’s an adult, but her actions prove otherwise, and she gets called out for it. Not that that would stop her. She’s right about one thing: considering how much she fights with Evie, it’s a miracle her older sister hadn’t burned her to death. I certainly would have.
And as with Heroine Worship, I really didn’t care for the romance, especially with an MC so unpleasant. Though nice that the Asian guy is a hottie, therby bucking bs stereotypes, I guess.
Apparently, this series is gonna continue. I think I’ll just read Evie’s story and call it a day, since she’s the only one I actually care about. Given how formulaic the story’s become, I can anticipate her struggling with her quarter-demon baby. Apparently, the demon side they inherited from Nate is a lot more dominant. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is going to be the plot. Heck, I anticipated after Heroine Worship that she would get pregnant, and look how that turned out. 😒