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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?"kylieqrada's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
This was fun and hard-hitting at the same time. Teen Harley is super well developed, and the author wrote this novelization so it would fit with her canon backstory without romanticizing some of the more unsavory aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape, Death, and Mental illness
christikb's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.5
I had no idea what to expect of Harley Quinn: Reckoning. For all that Harley Quinn was introduced in an animated TV series ostensibly geared for children, her character development since then has been anything but. So a young adult book series focusing on Harleen Quinzel before she ever became a psychiatrist, before she ever fell in love with the Joker? I guess you could say I was skeptical, but because she's one of my favorite characters of all time I had to read it. And I absolutely enjoyed it! Yeah, it wasn't full-tilt, uninhibited Harley Quinn, but it wasn't meant to be. You could see how she'll develop into it, but right now, she's still at that weird 18-19 year old phase where everybody reads like a sociopath and we're just looking for our people. This book NAILED the found family aspect of Harley, her intelligence, her deep-seated loyalty, and her genuine dark moments that evolve into Harley Quinn. There were a few out-of-character YA moments of, "we can't let her really kill this guy, right?" that frustrated me a smidge, but I was far too obsessed with the story of a girl gang meting out feminist justice and coming face to face with the villains of Gotham to really get upset about it. Honestly, this book gave me all of the feminist vigilantism I could ever want and did it with a deeply diverse cast of girls "from the wrong side of the tracks." Plus it was WONDERFUL to read a Harley written by a woman!!! Really looking forward to book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
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.
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.
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
notabookseller's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Harley Quinn: Reckoning is one of the best science/mystery/girl gang/origin stories I’ve ever read. Ever.
Basically, Harleen Quinzel is participating in a prestigious science program at Gotham University where she meets peer and fast friend Bernice; after they were both assaulted at a Gotham U frat party they decide that if the university won’t do anything then it’s up them to protect each other and all other women silenced by violent men and the systems that keep those men in positions of power.
Throughout this novel we get to learn so much about Harley’s life and her childhood; we get to see what her home life is like and watch her fall in love and find her family and her purpose all while battling the darkness that she knows exists inside of her, but she refuses to let get in the way of her dreams. The events of this novel ring so true with what it means and feels like to exist as a woman in today’s society and what it’s like tone a woman/non-male person working in STEM/STEAM fields.
The cast of characters is full and varied and complex and they work together in the best ways to create a story that you can really lose yourself in and also provides potential for future stories in this universe. The mystery aspect is intriguing and engaging and it is woven together with the antics and adventures of a vigilante girl group in a way that does not detract from either aspect. I highly recommend this book to fans of Harley Quinn and other DC comics and readers who are looking for stories about queer love, mysteries, found family, and vengeance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Harley Quinn: Reckoning is now available for purchase and at your local libraries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
notromeoandjuliet's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
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
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