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_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
mxbenjaminrose's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
Harley Quinn is such an interesting character, when written well. The version of Harley portrayed in the animated series is a particularly good characterization.
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....
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....
Content Warnings
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
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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