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runes_reads's review
- 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
4.75
I finished this read in under a week, in about four sittings. It was so good, one I started a page, I couldn’t put it down for a while. The liked the dedication at the beginning, and I was able to get a feel for Harley’s character right away through the writing of her POV. I was rooting for her right away, but I felt like I continued to discover more and more about her, especially as she grew throughout the story. Her character was able to remain consistent, and still evolve as a person. The main cast was so lovable, I was cheering for everyone on of them.
The representation is great, with the main characters being a part of a multiple socioeconomic classes, races, ethnicities, and neurotypes. Harley herself, the protagonist, was confirmed ADHD in the story, and has had romantic relationships with both men and women, although she doesn’t put a label on it.
There’s definitely some heavier content warnings on this, so be sure to check them out before reading. Unfortunately, there’s no content warnings in the book. The dedication was nice, and really fit with the story. I loved the cover art and design as well!
I would say this book is medium paced, but more fast paced towards the end. There’s flashbacks which are done well, as well as sheets of notebook paper written on by a character. I won’t spoil that part, but it’s done well.
Overall, this book was a 4.75 for me! I really enjoyed it, and can’t wait to get me hands on the sequel. According to Amazon, there’s a third book coming out in April of 2024. There were so many twists, but they were foreshadowed so cleverly! It’s not a five star for me, only because I feel like conversations like this need to include trans people, and near the end I got a bit confused. I enjoyed this book a ton overall, there are many tropes that I adore in it.
Graphic: Misogyny, Addiction, Medical content, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Drug use, Stalking, Grief, Drug abuse, and Murder
kylieqrada's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape, Death, and Mental illness
christikb's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
emilyyjjean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
pedanther's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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.
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
imstephtacular's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Classism, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Torture, Terminal illness, Stalking, Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Grief and Bullying
notromeoandjuliet's review
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
mxbenjaminrose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What Rachael Allen does here, however, was fantastic. The DC Icons series takes larger than life superhero characters and places them in more realistic settings to tell YA stories. Allen has really biting and meaningful commentary here on young women in STEM fields, issues of harassment and abuse cover-ups in higher education, family trauma, and more. In some ways it's a murder mystery, while also being a queer coming-of-age story for a brave young woman who has all the cards stacked against her.
At the same time, it's also an origin story for the anti-hero we know and love, Harley Quinn, and it feels close enough to her characterization in (recent) comics and TV that it *feels* like Harley Quinn. I was honestly impressed and surprised at how well fleshed out and engaging this was! I'm so glad it will be a trilogy, and thrilled to read Allen's take on the character introduced in the epilogue....
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, Death, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping
jnl00700's review
- 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
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