Tremendous fun. This is a sequel, but I followed along just fine without having read the first. Captures Harley's voice and spirit while making a mark with some fun and surprising storytelling.

I was so excited to see a Harley Quinn novel that I didn't notice that this was a sequel when I requested my review copy--oops! But it turns out I didn't need to read the first one to understand what was going on in this one, because everything important or relative that happened then is mentioned for our convenience. That was a relief.

I really enjoyed it too! Though I couldn't help but feel as though the two sections of the book felt a little wonky in their order. I felt like having Harley remember things as she's going through the process of getting her memories back would have been better than presenting all of her (incomplete) memories first and then revealing that she doesn't recall anything. It didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, but the structure did make it feel a bit stilted when I came to part two.

I'm really happy about the inclusion of Harlivy (Harley x Ivy) and it was really neat seeing how all these classic comic book characters are introduced and put through new origin stories and scenarios. It's really fun and I'm excited to see how it concludes in the next book. Also, it was cool learning some things about psychology.

(Also I adore King Shark with every iota of my being.)

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

Harley Quinn Ravenous picks up where Harley Quinn Reckoning left off and Harley is now a college freshman. I loved reading about her adventures in college. And I’m even happier that the joker only makes an appearance as a side character and does not take the focus away from Harley.

Title: Harley Quinn Ravenous

Author: Rachael Allen


Ch: 50


Pg: 368


Series: DC Icons:Harley Quinn 2


Genre: retelling comic


Rating: 4 stars


Publisher: Random house


Harley Quinn Ravenous picks up where Harley Quinn Reckoning left off and Harley is now a college freshman. I loved reading about her adventures in college. And I’m even happier that the joker only makes an appearance as a side character. So no no Harley Quinn abuse by joker in sight. I refuse to call it a relationship.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Thanks so much for this advanced copy. I am such a big Harley fan and I really had fun reading this book.

As good as the first one! I can not wait for the third one in this series! I also really love how we are seeing Harley starting in Arkham with Talia al Ghūl instead of the Joker. This entire experience and the interactions between these two characters was honestly a thrilling experience. To watch how Talia changed Harley but also how Harley adapted to the situation was a really good twist on her comic history.

I love the books in this series and can't wait for book three! This series promotes women in science/STEM and are written by a female scientist. Feminist vibes with plenty of action and the perfect voice for a much loved character from DC comics. The book is fast paced and truly has something for everyone when it comes to genres. Sweet romances, an overarching mystery, crazy action scenes and it touches on trauma and how our choices and life events can shape our future. I can't say enough good things about this and book 1-Harley Quinn: Reckoning. Rachel Allen has made me a fan for life.

I had a tough time putting this book down. It starts with Harleen not feeling so great, and waking up in a hospital for some reason. Once she starts an internship at Arkham Asylum, she tries real hard to stay on the straight and narrow this year. She makes a few friends, and even falls in love once or twice. But when it seems someone is causing harm to people, she can’t help but get involved. A drastic decision ends up changing her life forever. Once this story comes to a close, life for Harleen is never going to be the same.

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Fun novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Overall Rating: 5/5

Oh man, this book was a blast! I gotta say, I enjoyed it even more than the first one. The way we got inside Harley's head and experienced her inner monologue was just so well done. It added this whole new dimension to the story!

Overall, this book is just a super fun time. Getting to know Harley on a deeper level and seeing her thoughts woven into the story was amazing. If you're up for an exciting adventure and a guaranteed good time, this book is a no-brainer. Go for it, you won't regret it!

Harleen Quinzel has just woken up from a terrible accident. The only problem is she doesn't know how it happened nor does she have any memory of the last few month. As she tries to find the missing pieces to the puzzle of what actually happened there are a few things she knows. She knows she's a Gotham University student and that she just started interning at Arkham Aslyum paired with the infamous inmate Talia al Ghūl. To make matters worse, there's someone terrorizing women with their worst fears.

I LOVED this second installment in Harley's DC Icons series. In fact, I thought it was better than the first. The chemistry between Harley and Ivy is there and we all know where that's leading. <3 And then there's King Shark. King Shark! Being just as precious as he was in Gunn's Suicide Squad. (Thank you Allen for that!) I think it goes without saying that I CAN'T WAIT to read the third installment! It can't come soon enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. If you love Harley like I do, then definitely pick up this book!

This rollicking novel, part of the DC Icons series, reimagines the fan-favorite Batman villainess Harley Quinn and her origin story. Here, Harleen Quinzel is nineteen years old, still reeling from the events of the previous book, and trying to find both a place in Gotham where she really belongs...and herself. As she embarks on an internship at Arkham Asylum, she encounters other iconic, reimagined Batverse characters, and finds herself getting deeper and deeper into the danger that lurks barely beneath the surface at the notorious old hospital, on a collision course with the decision of a lifetime: is she meant for heroism, or for villainy? Rachael Allen does an excellent job at keeping fresh storylines running smoothly, and introducing audiences to a new iteration of such a familiar character. This was a surprisingly emotional ride, from out-loud laughs to actually-painful moments (in the best way), and it'll be a joy to see what else Allen does with her little corner of the expanded DC Icons world.

okay i ACTUALLY squealed when i saw i got approved for this arc

this book. was so perfect. i deadass want to read it over and over

the author clearly understands who Harley is and her character, Rachael Allen deserves hundreds of chefs kisses

gonna go out and buy both Ravenous and Reckoning as soon as i can now


also bisexual representation yes 😌

Book Review of Harley Quinn: Ravenous (DC Icons: Harley Quinn #2) by Rachael Allen

Cover Story: Harlequin, Wada-Style
BFF Charm: Caution
Talky Talk: I’m Known to Be Quite Vexing
Bonus Factor: King Shark
Anti-Bonus Factor: Scarecrow
Relationship Status: Partners in Crime, But Not the Illegal Type

Content Warning: Harley Quinn: Ravenous features scenes of bullying and violence.

Red alert! Harley Quinn: Ravenous is the second book in the DC Icons: Harley Quinn series. If you have not read the first book in the series (Harley Quinn: Reckoning), man your battle stations turn away now, as there might be spoilers in this review. If you’re caught up, however, feel free to continue below.

Cover Story: Harlequin, Wada-Style
I didn’t realize this when I reviewed the first book in this series, but DC’s bringing out some big names for the versions of Harley on these covers. The first was by Jen Bartel and this one is by Kevin Wada—both artists I greatly admire, and who are known for their fantastic comic art. This version of Harley is perfectly punky and poised (to kick some butt).

The Deal: 
Harleen Quinzell is back at Gotham University for her first full year of college. She’s working hard to put the events of her gap year—and the actions of her girl gang, The Reckoning—behind her. She has an internship at Arkham Asylum where she’ll be working with the infamous Talia al Ghūl, one of Gotham’s only female supervillains.

But then she wakes up in the hospital, pretty much the entire first year of school missing from her memory and her skin and hair bleached an otherworldly white thanks to an alleged dip in some toxic chemicals. 

Harleen has to figure out what happened to her, before it’s too late. For what, she’s not sure. But she know she was involved in something big.

BFF Charm: Caution
Harley continues her slow slide toward antihero in this book, and while I love that for her, it’s not a quality I’d look for in a BFF. I’d always be on edge, and I have enough issues with anxiety already.

Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Harley continues to break hearts and take names in Ravenous, moving on from her relationship with Bernice (who, uh, happens to be in prison) to one with a safe, handsome, three-last-named Boy Scout (her words, not mine) who’s another intern at Arkham. But then she runs into a red-haired, green-eyed woman named Pamela who throws Harley for a loop. But they’re just best friends, right?

Talky Talk: I’m Known to Be Quite Vexing
Allen continues to nail Harley’s manic personality; even when Harley herself isn’t entirely sure of who she is, thanks to the amnesia, she’s unapologetically herself. 

I like the line Allen walks in Ravenous, too, introducing Talia al Ghül as a foil to Harley’s actual mentor Dr. Morales. They’re both powerful women but on two very different sides of the law. (They’re the embodiment of the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.) But Allen makes it clear that it’s not as cut and dry as one might think.

Bonus Factor: King Shark
Harley is smitten by the misunderstood shark man—and so am I. He’s a gentle giant who deserves better than to be stuck in Arkham, that’s for sure.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Scarecrow
As cheesy as pretty much every incarnation of him has looked—I mean, the burlap sack mask is a look, but I wouldn’t say it’s a good one—he’s frightening AF. I would not like to run into him in a dark hallway, well-lit gymnasium, anywhere, really. That fear serum will mess. you. up.

Relationship Status: Partners in Crime, But Not the Illegal Type
Things are feeling a bit more familiar, Book, and therefore a bit more frightening. But I do love to root for an underdog, and there’s more to you than meets the eye. I’m in this for the long run, if you can promise me you’ll let me check out when you decide to lean into those anarchistic ideals.

I really enjoyed this book and the continuation of this series. I enjoyed the twists in this and found the amnesia/memory loss part of this story incredibly interesting. The setting and familiar characters were used so well and I would love to see even more of her story in the future.

This was so much fun! I loved this even more than the first book, I adored the fact we see Harley's brain and her inner monologue it was so well done, . It is an extremely fun and in-character story , this is a wild rollercoaster of a ride from start to finish and well worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sequel to Harley Quinn: Reckoning, Ravenous is great fun and an alternate take on a character who has taken on a life of her own. College student and sorority girl Harley Quinn is beginning her internship at Arkham Asylum, until something happens that causes her to lose her memory. Reconstructing her steps, Harley comes into contact with other Batman villains from Talia al-Ghul to the Scarecrow. Unlike her comics version, this Harley does not get sucked into the Joker's orbit, with a scene that made me stand up and cheer. Harley's relationship with Pam Isley is lovely and sweet, and her bi identity is enthusiastically defended. Moments with her sorority fell a bit flat, but some iconic moments stand out, including Harley being gifted a baseball bat inspired by a Taylor swift song, itself inspired by Harley (holy recursion, Batman!). As a character, Harley has transcended her origins, and this novel is a great example of that.

This is a great series and I really enjoyed seeing Harley's continued evolution. The amnesia aspects of the story are particularly captivating and added an interesting layer to the mystery. I really enjoyed seeing Arkham, it's a great setting and was used so well. It was also great seeing more characters from this world and how they are depicted in this series. Allen has a great balance of using familiar characters but adding enough of a new story to keep the story captivating. I particularly love Ivy and can't wait to see more of her story.

This newest edition in the DC Icon's series, and second book in the Harley trilogy is worth the read!   As Harley wakes from an accident, readers get to see her piece things back together, get new perspectives as villains and new characters, such as Talia, get introduced to the story, and find out more about Harleen becoming Harley. Exploring Harley's work at Arkham Asylum, and her trying to be good was entertaining and enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.