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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
This is a sweet (and often funny) story about love, loss, and hope... told over the backdrop of a San Francisco where superheroes try to keep demons from taking over the city.
It's a smidge closer to YA than the previous installments in the series, but only because Bea is younger than Evie or Aveda were when they had their books. (Honestly, I think this fits New Adult really well, especially given how often Bea has to tell the others she's "not a baby" anymore.) However, there is still plenty of heat between the MC and her love interest, as fits the rest of the series. I actually really liked the romance in this book; it fit both characters really well, and neither partner has any obvious advantage over the other.
I also liked the blend of action and introspection in this book. It's a great combination of Bea dealing with internal and external conflicts, and I love the ways where they overlap. In that sense I feel this is the strongest book in the series yet.
It's a smidge closer to YA than the previous installments in the series, but only because Bea is younger than Evie or Aveda were when they had their books. (Honestly, I think this fits New Adult really well, especially given how often Bea has to tell the others she's "not a baby" anymore.) However, there is still plenty of heat between the MC and her love interest, as fits the rest of the series. I actually really liked the romance in this book; it fit both characters really well, and neither partner has any obvious advantage over the other.
I also liked the blend of action and introspection in this book. It's a great combination of Bea dealing with internal and external conflicts, and I love the ways where they overlap. In that sense I feel this is the strongest book in the series yet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Recent Reads: Heroine's Journey. The third of Sarah Kuhn's romantic superhero novels is a coming of age for a younger sister. Demons find a new road into San Francisco; can Bea overcome her past traumas to defeat them and find her future? Fun with heart.
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner!
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger Warning(s): Grief, racism, manipulation, and bullying.
Reading Challenge(s): Book 16 for #StartOnYourShelfathon.
Rep: Evie and Bea are Irish-Japanese-American. Bea is queer. Aveda is Chinese American. Lucy is Puerto Rican-Mexican-British and is a Lesbian. Rose is Black and queer. Kevin is Black-Latino-Asian. Shruti is Indian-American. Leah is Black-Korean-American and queer. Sam and Nicole are Japanese-American. Nicole is queer. Nate, Scott, Letta, and Maisy are white.
My Thoughts Before Reading: I’ve owned the Heroine Complex series for years. I had initially bought the books because I heard that they would be fun. Also in part because of the rep and the superhero aspect.
I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What I Liked: For this review I’ll be listing everything that I enjoyed in points. Rather than full paragraphs.
1. Bea and Evie's relationship is the most tense that it's ever been. Despite fours years passing since the events of Heroine Worship, the two of them haven't changed their views about each other. Evie still views Bea as a brat, and Bea still views Evie as an annoyingly suffocating older sister. The two of them finally decide to work on their relationship after Bea gets promoted to superheroine in training. There were many bumpy rocks, but they finally work things out. They also decide to see a therapist, so that they can work on their grief.
2. It was great to read about her relationship with Aveda! The two of them didn't really interact in the previous books and I was happy to read about them. I also loved that one scene with Nate.
3. I loved Bea's relationship with Leah! They were so supportive of one-another. We stan positive female friendships.
4. Bea's ex best friend Nicole plays a fairly big role. It was annoying to read about their interactions in the beginning. After some time I started to like what the author was doing. It was nice to see these former best friends reconcile and own up to their faults. I would really like this to be in more novels. Rather than always relying on the mean girl trope.
5. Sam and Bea were fun to read about! I liked their easy going relationship and their academic rivalry. I liked seeing them being more with each other. Opening up to one-another in a way they didn't do earlier. And eventually becoming a couple.
6. I loved Bea's growth! I didn't enjoy reading about her abusing her powers, but I'm glad it happened so that she could grow as a character. I was sad to read about her going to Maui, but it made sense for her character arc.
My Criticism(s): Absolutely nothing!
What I’m Looking Forward To: At this point I've already read (and thoroughly enjoyed) Unsung Heroine. Though I am excited to read Haunted Heroine!
Conclusion: Overall I loved Heroine's Journey! I highly recommend this series.
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger Warning(s): Grief, racism, manipulation, and bullying.
Reading Challenge(s): Book 16 for #StartOnYourShelfathon.
Rep: Evie and Bea are Irish-Japanese-American. Bea is queer. Aveda is Chinese American. Lucy is Puerto Rican-Mexican-British and is a Lesbian. Rose is Black and queer. Kevin is Black-Latino-Asian. Shruti is Indian-American. Leah is Black-Korean-American and queer. Sam and Nicole are Japanese-American. Nicole is queer. Nate, Scott, Letta, and Maisy are white.
My Thoughts Before Reading: I’ve owned the Heroine Complex series for years. I had initially bought the books because I heard that they would be fun. Also in part because of the rep and the superhero aspect.
I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What I Liked: For this review I’ll be listing everything that I enjoyed in points. Rather than full paragraphs.
1. Bea and Evie's relationship is the most tense that it's ever been. Despite fours years passing since the events of Heroine Worship, the two of them haven't changed their views about each other. Evie still views Bea as a brat, and Bea still views Evie as an annoyingly suffocating older sister. The two of them finally decide to work on their relationship after Bea gets promoted to superheroine in training. There were many bumpy rocks, but they finally work things out. They also decide to see a therapist, so that they can work on their grief.
2. It was great to read about her relationship with Aveda! The two of them didn't really interact in the previous books and I was happy to read about them. I also loved that one scene with Nate.
3. I loved Bea's relationship with Leah! They were so supportive of one-another. We stan positive female friendships.
4. Bea's ex best friend Nicole plays a fairly big role. It was annoying to read about their interactions in the beginning. After some time I started to like what the author was doing. It was nice to see these former best friends reconcile and own up to their faults. I would really like this to be in more novels. Rather than always relying on the mean girl trope.
5. Sam and Bea were fun to read about! I liked their easy going relationship and their academic rivalry. I liked seeing them being more with each other. Opening up to one-another in a way they didn't do earlier. And eventually becoming a couple.
6. I loved Bea's growth! I didn't enjoy reading about her abusing her powers, but I'm glad it happened so that she could grow as a character. I was sad to read about her going to Maui, but it made sense for her character arc.
My Criticism(s): Absolutely nothing!
What I’m Looking Forward To: At this point I've already read (and thoroughly enjoyed) Unsung Heroine. Though I am excited to read Haunted Heroine!
Conclusion: Overall I loved Heroine's Journey! I highly recommend this series.
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In the final installment of the Heroic Trio, Kuhn shines the spotlight on Bea. Before we looked at characters who had worked for superhero status, who were defined by their powers, or who had never wanted powers to begin with. But Bea is an entirely different case - there's nothing she seems to want more than to be a part of the superhero squad. Constantly being put on the side burner, Bea struggles to manage what she wants with her relationships, her future, and her family.
By this point, you should know that Kuhn delivers whip smart dialogue, fast paced action, and character journeys. But there is consistently a few things that stand out to me from the entire series such as the emphasis on family, the forefront of these superheroines of color, and, which Heroine's Journey examines in detail, the responsibility of our powers. Not only does this book deal with Bea's relationship to her sister Evie, but her dad makes a sudden appearance and secrets, and mystery, surround their mom surfaces. Talk about complex relationships, and Kuhn isn't afraid to give the people their fair share of weaknesses.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-heroines-journey-by-sarah-kuhn/
In the final installment of the Heroic Trio, Kuhn shines the spotlight on Bea. Before we looked at characters who had worked for superhero status, who were defined by their powers, or who had never wanted powers to begin with. But Bea is an entirely different case - there's nothing she seems to want more than to be a part of the superhero squad. Constantly being put on the side burner, Bea struggles to manage what she wants with her relationships, her future, and her family.
By this point, you should know that Kuhn delivers whip smart dialogue, fast paced action, and character journeys. But there is consistently a few things that stand out to me from the entire series such as the emphasis on family, the forefront of these superheroines of color, and, which Heroine's Journey examines in detail, the responsibility of our powers. Not only does this book deal with Bea's relationship to her sister Evie, but her dad makes a sudden appearance and secrets, and mystery, surround their mom surfaces. Talk about complex relationships, and Kuhn isn't afraid to give the people their fair share of weaknesses.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-heroines-journey-by-sarah-kuhn/
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes