Harley Quinn: Reckoning

DC Icons Series, Book 1

By: Rachael Allen

Narrated by: Emma Lysy

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.

©2022 Rachael Allen (P)2022 Listening Library

Critic reviews

A RISE Feminist Book Selection!

"An engaging, refreshing page-turner."–Kirkus Reviews

“Perfect for hard-core fans and new readers looking to fall in love with this smart, rebellious, iconic character.”–Julian Winters, Award-winning author of As You Walk On By

"Maniacally plotted and diabolically feminist, Harley Quinn: Reckoning shreds misogyny with science and features a girl gang that readers won’t be able to get enough of. Every girl who’s ever been pushed aside, overlooked, or held back will root for Harleen and be clamoring for more."—Lisa Maxwell, author of the New York Times Bestselling The Last Magician series

Authors Note

I wish the Author’s note was read first. I would have love the book even more.

Excited for the Next One

Loved it! had me excited to start the next one but I have to wait a year for it!

Pretty Fly for a White Guy

"Meh" is optional review for this work. I'd have enjoyed it much more if, like other reviews have said, the author' context was first not last. the wreaking email chain reigning in the author while simultaneously proding along the anti-patriachy messaging is hatd to ignore. I mean, oof, that's a tough job to ask of anyone.

That said, smart choices to include real world events pay off. Even with a patronizing tone of, you're here for crazy, so we'll have Harley imagine doing crazy... come on. The character shines when managing crazy not dropping a toe into the psychotic. Why not bring as much research into the story for mental illness as for woke narrative.

To the author's credit, including STEM content was a happy medium and it worked. Much of the, "give me a break" vibe (I'm looking at you, every man bad, trope), just distracted from the back story. A lot. Harley felt stained by the same counterculture responsible for destroying a lot of opportunities over the last decade: Star Wars, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman... She-Hulk, ugh. I'm not going to keep going.

With other books, like the Kyoshi Avatar series by F.C. Yee, it should be apparent that you don't need to make someone's sexuality central to the story for it to matter. great writing can balance culture and counterculture adding acceptance the the later without an expense to the former. Harley Quinn has become the fourth largest selling DC property for a reason. And it wasn't because of wokeness. Her character found a place because she speaks to what we know. Women are smart, capable, and often hidden. Everyone I know, wanted her out from the Joker's shadow, and felt satisfied when she got there. She was out long before Margo's Luke warm adaptation. And this book feels dated.

I'll read the next one. I admit it's hard to sell great characters right now, without wrapping them up in hypocritical bows. Question for me is who is the audience here? Does my daughter need to take down the patriarchy, if so, maybe I shouldn't have bought her this book. or taken an interest in it and the world she's growing up in. I can just step aside and go back to reading the Harly Quinn comics that help pave the way for this book, a pretty good book, but not quite as good as the Harely from the '90s. Look into it, tell me I'm wrong. You have my permission, I concent to this romantically spontaneous exchange.

epilogue first

suggest listening to the epilogue first, explains a lot of the decisions taken in the story.

Great origin

I had a little bit of a hard time following but I was also listening to the audiobook while working. For that reason I plan to revisit the hard copy I have soon. Over all, this was a great book and I’m excited for more to come.

Best Harley Quinn Origin story ever

Really brings Harley and the light for her past better than other versions of our origins story.

Harley hits a home run!!!

This story spoke to me level most don't. All should read it at once

Loved it!

I am a huge Harley fan, and also a man. I thought this story was wonderfully well-written. I would have appreciated if there was at least one not-a-piece-of-garbage man in the book to represent those of us who are moral and kind and good, but alas, I understand how it fit into the overall theme.

Thank you, DC and Dr. Allen for a great start to series!

Empowering

As a survivor of child and intimate partner abuse, I’ve often looked to Harley’s character and her healing journey.

This story was empowering.

The depiction of misogyny in academia was accurate and validating to my own experience. This group of women were able to do something about it and it felt incredibly cathartic.

This is the Harley story I’ve been waiting for, thank you 💜

Exceptional YA

YA is the perfect place for wildly extreme emotions living along side nuanced grey areas of life. This book embraces both sides. I'll definitely be getting the sequel. Also: amazing narration.