Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

7 reviews

pedanther's review

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

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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 against another edition

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.

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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

imstephtacular's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

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

littlewishling's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A super fun take on Harley Quinn with lots of badass female characters taking on misogyny and the patriarchy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, and Sexism

Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

ivybean's review against another edition

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

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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 against another edition

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. 

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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

jnl00700's review against another edition

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

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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