georgialeanne's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS.
This is Harley Quinn’s origin story from being 7 year old Harleen to eventually living a life of crime with The Joker. The story is so well written that it had me hooked from page one and the focus on intense character building throughout meant that the slow loss of Harleen’s sanity was insanely suspenseful.
I will definitely be buying the other Batman novels from this author in the future and I would also recommend this book to anyone, regardless of whether you’re a Batman fan or not. It was overall a really good story.
This is Harley Quinn’s origin story from being 7 year old Harleen to eventually living a life of crime with The Joker. The story is so well written that it had me hooked from page one and the focus on intense character building throughout meant that the slow loss of Harleen’s sanity was insanely suspenseful.
I will definitely be buying the other Batman novels from this author in the future and I would also recommend this book to anyone, regardless of whether you’re a Batman fan or not. It was overall a really good story.
claireyeah's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I was pleasantly surprised with this one, I wasn’t really expecting much but I ended up quite enjoying it.
I loved the storytelling and how it went from young Harley to present day Harley, especially because I wasn’t aware of the background into HQ - especially her childhood, and as one of my favourite DC characters I really enjoyed getting to know about her a bit more.
I’m not a fan of the Joker at all, however in this I didn’t hate him as much as I normally do, but I think that’s down to getting to see a bit of his background too and what he was like in Arkham Asylum. I also enjoyed the addition of some side characters like Poison Ivy. And I very much enjoyed the Batman cameos.
The writing at times was a little iffy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and I would recommend this book to DC fans and fans of Harley Quinn.
I loved the storytelling and how it went from young Harley to present day Harley, especially because I wasn’t aware of the background into HQ - especially her childhood, and as one of my favourite DC characters I really enjoyed getting to know about her a bit more.
I’m not a fan of the Joker at all, however in this I didn’t hate him as much as I normally do, but I think that’s down to getting to see a bit of his background too and what he was like in Arkham Asylum. I also enjoyed the addition of some side characters like Poison Ivy. And I very much enjoyed the Batman cameos.
The writing at times was a little iffy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and I would recommend this book to DC fans and fans of Harley Quinn.
louandlife's review against another edition
3.0
What drew me to this book was the cover. It is so beautiful with the split between Dr Harleen Quinzel and Harley Quinn. Then I read the blurb and I had to get it. I mean, it's a Harley Quinn origin story. I've always been intrigued by the character of Harley Quinn, and I am more of a fan of DC than Marvel. I was always fascinated about the fact that Harley Quinn started off as the Joker's doctor. I hoped that this book would give me one representation of Harley's beginning.
I liked this book but it was a bit disappointing. It started off great. I think it could have easily been a 5/5 if the beginning was kept up. But the middle started to let me down with us as the reader, not truly seeing how the Joker broke the doctor and made her into Harley. From the book, it just made it seem like Harley fell in love with the Joker because he was saying the right things to her, but I didn't really see her character break as much as her just fall in love with the Joker. But it was interesting to see that elements of Harley Quinn was always a part of Harleen but the Joker made those traits the more dominant part of her character.
The plot also fell a bit. I liked the fact that it's seen from the start of Harley and the Joker being in the outside world that it wasn't a healthy relationship, but the journey that they go on when they are outside was a bit boring. It wasn't as action packed as the middle of the book. It felt like it peaked a bit too early. The ending was a bit lacklustre too. It was an open ending-ish, which made me enjoy it a bit less. The ending wasn't as good as it could have been.
I would recommend this book if you like DC, or Harley Quinn, or superheroes. It would fulfil any desires you have for those categories. If you wasn't a fan of any of them, then you may struggle to like this book.
I liked this book but it was a bit disappointing. It started off great. I think it could have easily been a 5/5 if the beginning was kept up. But the middle started to let me down with us as the reader, not truly seeing how the Joker broke the doctor and made her into Harley. From the book, it just made it seem like Harley fell in love with the Joker because he was saying the right things to her, but I didn't really see her character break as much as her just fall in love with the Joker. But it was interesting to see that elements of Harley Quinn was always a part of Harleen but the Joker made those traits the more dominant part of her character.
The plot also fell a bit. I liked the fact that it's seen from the start of Harley and the Joker being in the outside world that it wasn't a healthy relationship, but the journey that they go on when they are outside was a bit boring. It wasn't as action packed as the middle of the book. It felt like it peaked a bit too early. The ending was a bit lacklustre too. It was an open ending-ish, which made me enjoy it a bit less. The ending wasn't as good as it could have been.
I would recommend this book if you like DC, or Harley Quinn, or superheroes. It would fulfil any desires you have for those categories. If you wasn't a fan of any of them, then you may struggle to like this book.
heavymetalheartz's review against another edition
4.0
honestly i love everything and anything harley quinn so i had very high hopes when starting this book. it’s a pretty good book imo it’s just it doesn’t go into as much detail as advertised. loved it overall but not the best harley quinn origin story re-telling.
jacobsm's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
doitsushine92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
robinrm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ivynyx's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it from page one, book didn't start off with her being with Joker already. Loved how they started with her childhood and how she became a psychiatrist. And then how she became Jokers girl. Would recommend to anyone who loves Harley and Joker.
fantaiil's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
I had a lot of fun with this book. And yes, there was character development. Maybe just not for the best.
And I haven't actually read that many comics as a kid and now as an adult, I'm kinda starting to. But seeing Poison Ivy and actually reading a bit more about her...
This would have been my gay awakening, if I had read that as a kid. Now I can proudly say I'm in love in a definitely not heterosexual way 😄
And I haven't actually read that many comics as a kid and now as an adult, I'm kinda starting to. But seeing Poison Ivy and actually reading a bit more about her...
This would have been my gay awakening, if I had read that as a kid. Now I can proudly say I'm in love in a definitely not heterosexual way 😄