Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

9 reviews

living_dead_girl's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

THE TWISTS AND TURNS! I went in having no idea what this book was about outside of that back cover summary and I was genuinely shocked by how much I enjoyed it. It took a few chapters for me to really get into the story, but I had a great time when I did. Harleen is such a precious character, I really enjoyed her perspective. She is a complex character and getting to understand her motives was so interesting. I LOVED how much science/university stuff was discussed - as a university student myself, it felt so relatable - I could totally immerse myself in the book. Not only that but I felt like the author does an absolutely incredible job of addressing the intricacies of rape culture, trauma, and violence against women throughout the book. Certain parts of this book were absolutely heart-wrenching and I couldn't stop crying. But other parts - especially the development of Harleen and her relationships - brought a smile to my face. A rollercoaster of emotions with this one! I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending - the last two chapters + epilogue - but I do understand that the author had to finish off everything nicely to lead into a trilogy. Overall, I LOVED this book. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it. Great character work, a super engaging plot, and strong commentary on the female experience.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Mental illness

My favorite quote from the book (censored as best I could to avoid spoilers but marked just in case!) : "It really was an intense reaction - almost scary. I can't help but think about how there's a whole spectrum of ways that people respond to things like rape and assault. [ ] and [ ] are so different. And [ ] response was different still. And we're different people, so, of course, we all respond differently to trauma... [ ] says she wants to unbreak her... but you can't take a survivor's journey for them. ... Sometimes fighting for all the women who came after you is the most powerful way to heal...How many discoveries and breakthroughs have we lost out on because women were pushed out of science before they had the chance to make them?"

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

<b> The Details: </b>
<i> Narrated by 
Unabridged </i>

I loved this imagining of of Harley Quinn. It had great representation of women in STEM, and of various personality traits too, dismissing this stereotype that 'the hot blonde' can't be intelligent too. 

I loved getting a glimpse into an idea of what her earlier years building up to her career (both as a psychiatrist and as a villan) and getting more of her personality and identity outside of the Joker.

The relationships between the girls in the reckoning was so varied and real. I adored how they grew, became tense and fractured, and then realigned again.

I throughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next one.

The note at the end was very poignant into how women in STEM are treated even still to this day. This whole story was so inspiring.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Torture, Death, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship

harleyc's review

adventurous tense fast-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Death and Sexism

Her father is emotionally abusive, and she forms a sort of girl gang to "punish" offenders who keep getting away with harassment and such. There is also a teacher/student relationship where the teacher is subtly grooming and preying upon the student.

itaby's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad slow-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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse

pedanther's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Sexism, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Confinement, and Death of parent

Minor: Racism and Classism

mediocremasen's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

3.0

I really liked the payoff to the foreshadowing. There were multiple examples of successful foreshadowing meeting satisfying conclusions.
The twists are also very interesting and compelling.
It's a fun read that maybe could have been a bit quicker, but I understand wanting to develop the world and the characters to show the differences with other canon examples.
The friendships were fun and the evolution at the wrapup in the end is realistic, if not a bit sad.

Very interested to see what happens in the next book.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture

_morgueann's review

5.0

OMG! Harley Quinn: Reckoning puts any other attempts at an HQ to shame. Neuroscientist & author Rachael Allen brings us an unrivaled look into the early life of Harleen Quinzel.

Harleen is a promising young scientist, working as an intern in Gotham U's prestigious Bridge Scholars program for recent high school grads. Between working to research SV1 genetic mutations that indicate greater likelihood of being a supervillain, gymnastics, and avoiding her dad, Harleen's life is packed with successes and daily traumas.

Her budding friendship (maybe more?) with another scholar named Bernice takes her down an unexpected path: teaming up with other students to smash the patriarchy through pranks. Their mischief, motivated by justice, starts to change the campus and leads them to investigate a pattern of assaults against women in STEM.

Allen gives Harleen the backstory, nuance and compassion she deserves. Harleen is a intelligent, passionate, and vibrant young adult - who's always looking forward to her next great destination whether it's a education, cupcake, or trip to the hyena exhibit. While she's constantly tied to the past, Harleen is a force of hope who stands up against whatever comes her way. She's brave, talented showswoman who is just a teeny bit impulsive.

CW: Like many HQ stories, this book deals with trauma, assault, and abuse. These topics are handled with care. But, as always, make sure you have a support system if needed. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment

ivybean's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense 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

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Murder, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Rape, Death, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail

jnl00700's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Rape, and Emotional abuse