Harley Quinn: Reckoning (DC Icons, #1)

by Rachael Allen

In this new launch of a trilogy within the DC Icons universe, experience the origin story of a Super-Villain. This is the Harley Quinn backstory fans have been waiting for.

“Allen’s Harley is a fierce, righteous, brilliant, and preternaturally brave ball of chaos. I loved and feared every single minute with her.” –Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer

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. This is one story that you won't be able to put down.

• ISBN10: 0593429869
• ISBN13: 9780593429860
• Publish Date: 26 April 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593429860

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Yes! I've been keeping my eye on the DC Icons series (reading them here and there), but I just knew that I had to read this one. Harley Quinn: Reckoning, by Rachael Allen, is precisely what I was hoping to see from this series.

Harleen Quinzel has been working hard towards her goals. So when she finally gets her big break – an invitation to intern in the psych lab at Gotham University – she jumps at the chance. Perhaps literally.

Despite her joy at finally making headway in her goals, Harleen can't turn away from what is happening on campus. Women in STEM are not treated well. Seeing (and experiencing) it every day is breaking something inside her.

Harley Quinn fans should be taking note right now because Harley Quinn: Reckoning was written for them (I believe it was also written by a fan if the justice to her character has anything to say about it).

I've read (and see) more than a few Harley origin stories at this point. So I was an odd mixture of emotions going into this book. Excited, concerned (never know how new origins will turn out), and curious mostly. Having read it, I can say that it is ABSOLUTELY worth reading. If you liked the unique spin on Catwoman's origin, you'll enjoy how Harley's origin has been adapted for this telling. And that's coming from a Harley Quinn fan, mind you (my favorite rendition will always be Harley as seen in the Batman animated series).

Okay, I'll confess that Rachel Allen managed to work Harley's hyenas into the mix was a massive sell for me. I wouldn't have rioted if they hadn't appeared (younger version of her and all that), but I am thrilled to death that they made it in.

So, rather than have me list out all the other things I loved about this book, let me say this: read Harley Quinn: Reckoning.

Thanks to Random House and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks