Harley Quinn: Reckoning

5.0

0.0 (0)

1078 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Author(s)

Rachael Allen

Publisher

Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

April 26, 2022

ISBN

9780593429891

Buy This Book

In this new launch of a trilogy within the DC Icons universe, experience the origin story of a Super Villain. This is the feminist Harley Quinn backstory fans have been waiting for. When Harleen Quinzel scores an internship in a psych lab at Gotham University, she's more than ecstatic; she's desperate to make a Big Scientific Discovery that will land her a full-ride college scholarship and get her away from her abusive father. But when Harleen witnesses the way women are treated across STEM departments--and experiences harassment herself--she decides that revenge and justice are more important than her own dreams. Harleen finds her place in an intoxicating vigilante girl gang called the Reckoning, who creates chaos to inspire change. And when Harleen falls for another girl in the gang, it finally seems like she's found her true passions. But what starts off as pranks and mischief quickly turns deadly as one of the gang members is found murdered--and a terrifying conspiracy is uncovered that puts the life Harleen has worked so hard for at stake. Will she choose her future--or will she choose revenge? In this refreshingly feminist spin on the story of our favorite villainess, Harley Quinn: Reckoning traces Harleen's journey from precocious, revenge-obsessed teenage girl to a hardcore justice-seeker on her way to becoming the most captivating Super Villain of all time. Vibrating with youthful energy and rage, this is one story that you won't be able to put down.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Pitch perfect origin story of Harley Quinn

February 07, 2022

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Harleen is spending her gap year working in a psych lab at Gotham University as part of a prestigious scholar's program. Her goal: acceptance into Gotham U with a full scholarship. Her obstacles: her father and the sexist STEM environment at the university. After a party goes wrong and the whisper network sends warnings about a few professors, Harleen pairs up with a few girls on campus to create the Reckoning: a girl gang bent on serving justice. A few pranks start to lead to real change, but just when things seem to be going well, one of their members is murdered and more are attacked. Harleen will have to solve the mystery that may hurt her more than she thinks if she wants the future she always imagined.

I was so excited to see this new series focusing on one of my favorite DC characters ever. Harley Quinn has such a distinctive voice, however, so there was nervousness as well. Rachael Allen absolutely nails the Harley voice with humor, sarcasm, and sparkle. In addition, the characterization is phenomenal. At this stage in Harley's life, she's still growing, learning, and figuring out where her own morality and ethical lines fall. It's so easy to understand how she becomes torn later on.

Alongside the characterization, the relationships in this story shine. First is an adorable (with an edge) romance between Harleen and Bernice. Both are shy to trust and have goals of their own, and they slowly open up to each other. Outside of the romance, I loved the friendships between the members of the girl gang. They have a shared mission that brings them together, and I love the scenes when they support each other outside of the mission too, like when they all attend Harleen's gymnastics meet.

HARLEY QUINN: RECKONING is a pitch perfect take on the early years of Harley Quinn. I can't wait to see where the series goes next, especially after the easter egg at the end featuring another beloved character.