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annvsted87's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
eager_reader_'s review
adventurous
funny
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
Book 33 for 2024! 4.5/5 stars for this female superhero read! Another fun series with amazing characters and fun adventures! Can't recommend this series enough! I hope we get more from these characters, but this catches me up on the series for now! It also maybe has a hint of spice.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
5.0
Alright so I don't want to spoil the series so I'm just going to gush about the series in general.
I have said this a million times; this series is so underrated! I didn't find this series until the 3rd book came out but now I eagerly await the next book every year. I am constantly trying to get people to read this series.
I have always loved super hero stories but I get so tired of the same straight white men as heros so this series is such a breath of fresh air. Not only does this series follow women on color who kick ass. We also have a main character and several queer side characters.
This series is also so much fun! Yes each book deals with serious subjects as well but there is always so much fun as well. There is also some great fight scenes like any good hero series needs.
Seriously just do yourself a favor and read this series! You will not regret it! If you enjoy super heros or strong women or you just want an alternative to the same old Marvel or DC formula this is for you.
I have said this a million times; this series is so underrated! I didn't find this series until the 3rd book came out but now I eagerly await the next book every year. I am constantly trying to get people to read this series.
I have always loved super hero stories but I get so tired of the same straight white men as heros so this series is such a breath of fresh air. Not only does this series follow women on color who kick ass. We also have a main character and several queer side characters.
This series is also so much fun! Yes each book deals with serious subjects as well but there is always so much fun as well. There is also some great fight scenes like any good hero series needs.
Seriously just do yourself a favor and read this series! You will not regret it! If you enjoy super heros or strong women or you just want an alternative to the same old Marvel or DC formula this is for you.
mmichellemoore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
theaprilwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
flighty's review against another edition
4.0
Flawed, but the Christmas movie pastiche was well-done and I felt like I was gonna miss these characters as I neared the end, a worthy finale!
renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
Part of binge reading of Heroine Complex series
Finally my binge reading end with Holiday Heroine, the 6th and also the final book for Heroine Complex series. Just like its predecessor and the first arc, the sole narrator for this book is no other than Beatrice "Bea" Tanaka. The wayward little sister, trouble maker and holiday romcom aficionado that decide to move into Maui in the end of book 3. Just like Aveda, Bea kinda redeemed herself of sort, from a girl that love to throw tantrum as a result of unprocessed trauma and grief to be her matured herself. From a super heroine in the verge of abusing her mind control mojo therefore will slip into super villain path to a super heroine that try to resist the allure of villainy. Yet, like Evie and Aveda, the problems is just a start for Bea since she's feel overwhelmed with her new awakening power. She also try to balance things with long distance relationship with Sam Fujikawa, her boyfriend. And things getting awry when Bea suddenly time traveling to a bizarre timeline with Christmas at its core.
Since I read all the books back to back, I can said than the second arc of the book, start from Haunted Heroine follow same patterns. All of the heroine, Evie, Aveda and Bea face inner turmoil result from their unresolved past or result of they try to being mature, changed or to be resilient. Then, they will be away from their one true love. But, in case of Bea, Kuhn up the stake with not only make Bea kinda break up with Sam, but make it a disaster, more that Evie's emotional distance with Nate or Aveda's jealousy with Scott. Bea sure didn't go in easy way, though. Don't fret, Bea and Sam's romance still end up in HEA though, and true to its predecessor they will have heart to heart talk and communication that will solve some Bea's problems. See, patterns. If you read the book in a year gap, the pattern might be not too recognizable. However, since I did a binge reading, it's all pretty glaring.
The time travel thingie is pretty much sketchy and can be confusing as fuck and maybe Kuhn got inspiration from Avengers or what. Of course there's a mention of the said Avengers when in the final showdowns against the Otherworld and none other than Shasta, Bea assemble all the member of Tanaka-Aveda super heroine team. Pretty meta, though. If Evie and Aveda have each other as best friend, then Bea have Leah as her BFF and Leah also provide as support for Bea with things going awry for Sam. I can also feel how Bea herself love Evie so much, despite their hard past. I also liked that Kuhn decide to not write more about Bea and Evie's dad since said Dad didn't deserve their forgiveness; and glad that Bea found a father figure in the form of Pika, the grumpy chef that she befriend in Maui. I also like the theme of the holiday rom-com as part of the time travel and how Kuhn incorporated that happiness is thing that Bea choose. That Kuhn choose to not writing a martyr trope in this book is also a plus point. Sadly, I kinda missed Maisy Kane's blog or commentary since maybe because this book is written from Bea's PoV there's no room for Maisy's witty remarks.
Overall, Heroine Complex series is pretty solid from the first book (Heroine Complex) to the last (Holiday Heroine). All the heroines, Evie, Aveda and Bea, all of them are messy, complicated, unlikable of sort, yet they thrive to be a better person of themselves with the help of their loved ones. This series also pretty much diverse, not only in ethnicity but also sexuality and gender as well. Kuhn also address the problem that PoC faced and maybe it's still relevant to this day. Some of her insight maybe too blatant for my taste like in book 4 or book 5, though I still understand her frustration as well. Being an Indonesian, so basically also Asian like Evie, Aveda and Bea, I understand some of their struggle especially I found myself to be like Evie since we also tend to bottled up our feelings. No wonder that Evie is my favorite and although her own book, Heroine Complex is not that good compared to the next book, I understand that it's just book 1 in series problem. I end up like her second arc book, Haunted Heroine! For Aveda, I like her redemption in Heroine Worship but feel her second arc book follow the same pattern with Haunted Heroine and it's the same case with Bea's final book as well.
With the ups and the downs, I still recommend Heroine Complex series especially if you search for an urban fantasy series that have hearts, messy, unlikable heroines that will make you sympathize with their inner turmoils, swoony romances with different flavour of friend to lover trope, solid teamwork and diverse characters! Just start with book 1, Heroine Complex and enjoy the adventures of the super heroine of San Fransisco in the making!
Finally my binge reading end with Holiday Heroine, the 6th and also the final book for Heroine Complex series. Just like its predecessor and the first arc, the sole narrator for this book is no other than Beatrice "Bea" Tanaka. The wayward little sister, trouble maker and holiday romcom aficionado that decide to move into Maui in the end of book 3. Just like Aveda, Bea kinda redeemed herself of sort, from a girl that love to throw tantrum as a result of unprocessed trauma and grief to be her matured herself. From a super heroine in the verge of abusing her mind control mojo therefore will slip into super villain path to a super heroine that try to resist the allure of villainy. Yet, like Evie and Aveda, the problems is just a start for Bea since she's feel overwhelmed with her new awakening power. She also try to balance things with long distance relationship with Sam Fujikawa, her boyfriend. And things getting awry when Bea suddenly time traveling to a bizarre timeline with Christmas at its core.
Since I read all the books back to back, I can said than the second arc of the book, start from Haunted Heroine follow same patterns. All of the heroine, Evie, Aveda and Bea face inner turmoil result from their unresolved past or result of they try to being mature, changed or to be resilient. Then, they will be away from their one true love. But, in case of Bea, Kuhn up the stake with not only make Bea kinda break up with Sam, but make it a disaster, more that Evie's emotional distance with Nate or Aveda's jealousy with Scott. Bea sure didn't go in easy way, though. Don't fret, Bea and Sam's romance still end up in HEA though, and true to its predecessor they will have heart to heart talk and communication that will solve some Bea's problems. See, patterns. If you read the book in a year gap, the pattern might be not too recognizable. However, since I did a binge reading, it's all pretty glaring.
The time travel thingie is pretty much sketchy and can be confusing as fuck and maybe Kuhn got inspiration from Avengers or what. Of course there's a mention of the said Avengers when in the final showdowns against the Otherworld and none other than Shasta, Bea assemble all the member of Tanaka-Aveda super heroine team. Pretty meta, though. If Evie and Aveda have each other as best friend, then Bea have Leah as her BFF and Leah also provide as support for Bea with things going awry for Sam. I can also feel how Bea herself love Evie so much, despite their hard past. I also liked that Kuhn decide to not write more about Bea and Evie's dad since said Dad didn't deserve their forgiveness; and glad that Bea found a father figure in the form of Pika, the grumpy chef that she befriend in Maui. I also like the theme of the holiday rom-com as part of the time travel and how Kuhn incorporated that happiness is thing that Bea choose. That Kuhn choose to not writing a martyr trope in this book is also a plus point. Sadly, I kinda missed Maisy Kane's blog or commentary since maybe because this book is written from Bea's PoV there's no room for Maisy's witty remarks.
Overall, Heroine Complex series is pretty solid from the first book (Heroine Complex) to the last (Holiday Heroine). All the heroines, Evie, Aveda and Bea, all of them are messy, complicated, unlikable of sort, yet they thrive to be a better person of themselves with the help of their loved ones. This series also pretty much diverse, not only in ethnicity but also sexuality and gender as well. Kuhn also address the problem that PoC faced and maybe it's still relevant to this day. Some of her insight maybe too blatant for my taste like in book 4 or book 5, though I still understand her frustration as well. Being an Indonesian, so basically also Asian like Evie, Aveda and Bea, I understand some of their struggle especially I found myself to be like Evie since we also tend to bottled up our feelings. No wonder that Evie is my favorite and although her own book, Heroine Complex is not that good compared to the next book, I understand that it's just book 1 in series problem. I end up like her second arc book, Haunted Heroine! For Aveda, I like her redemption in Heroine Worship but feel her second arc book follow the same pattern with Haunted Heroine and it's the same case with Bea's final book as well.
With the ups and the downs, I still recommend Heroine Complex series especially if you search for an urban fantasy series that have hearts, messy, unlikable heroines that will make you sympathize with their inner turmoils, swoony romances with different flavour of friend to lover trope, solid teamwork and diverse characters! Just start with book 1, Heroine Complex and enjoy the adventures of the super heroine of San Fransisco in the making!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
delaneybull's review against another edition
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
5.0
jalee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
savannaha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0