Debbie T. Williamson 
DISCLAIMER CONTENT: Harley Quinn: Reckoning depicts sexism, emotional abuse and sexual assault.
Does the journey of an anti-hero exist in literature? If there is any, Harley Quinn is someone who takes it all in. Harley Quinn: Grateful is the latest entry in the DC Icons line and the first of the books written by Rachael Allen. The YA novel explores the unconventional heroine’s teenage years as she grows from high school graduate to young adult. And I’m absolutely up for the ride.
In Harley Quinn: Grateful, the first book in a new trilogy, we find Harleen filling her gap year between high school and college with a special STEM internship at Gotham University. But just as it seems her dreams are within reach, her life takes a bold turn in a direction she never imagined.
Want to know more? Read on for a breakdown of the book!
Cover repression:
Jen Bartel. Harley Quinn. What else should I say? When Jen Bartel creates a cover, it’s hard to look away. Bright, dazzling artwork fills the book’s single illustration with pops of color ranging from the end of Harley’s pigtails to vibrant geometric patterns in the background. Harley’s wry smile perfectly captures the spirit and spirit of the future villain-turned-anti-hero.
Image of Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass (Art by Steve Pugh)
Tell me a story:
Harleen Quinzel gives everything she has for the chance of a lifetime: a full commute to Gotham U. To win a scholarship, she’ll have to make a big impression during her internship at the psychiatric lab. But the rampant sexism in her department and a fraternal evening that went very wrong quickly disillusioned the young scientist.
Harleen is ready for justice – with a hint of vengeance – and she’s surprised to find kindred spirits on the sprawling campus. Together they form a girl gang known as the Reckoning and along with her friends, Harley unleashes a series of gripping pranks to expose some of the college’s worst offenders. But when a member of the Reckoning is murdered, Harleen risks losing everything she fights for.
Image of Harley Quinn #1 (Art by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair)
Chat dialog:
Account speaks so easily in Harley’s voice that you can practically listen his trademark “M.J” as you read. The fast-paced prose, peppered with all-caps cheers, is every bit as clever as Harleen herself. Along with her hyperactive interactions with her friends, you’ll find quiet moments of deep introspection and poetic observation. For example, Harleen describes a delicious first kiss as a taste of “hot mint chocolate and hope”, a phrase to savor.
When it comes to the rest of the cast of characters, the sexist statements made by Gotham U staff and students might seem way too ridiculous to be realistic. But before you think that “nobody says things like that anymore”, you should know that the author herself has a scientific and academic background, and that she drew inspiration from real life to write her comments.
Picture of Harleen #1 (Art by Stjepan Sejic)
Voted most likely:
Ah, high school superlatives, those coveted awards given out for standing out among your classmates, hopefully in a Well way. What recognition would Harleen’s Gotham High class give her? Well, if you’re guessing that would be an overwhelming vote for “Class Clown,” then you don’t know Harleen Quinzel.
Harleen absolutely deserves the title “Most Likely to Succeed”. From her natural genius to her hard work studying, babysitting and even teaching gymnastics to make ends meet, Harleen is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. She has my vote.
And that brings me to the one question I’d like to ask Harley Quinn…
Image of Harley Quinn #1 (Art by Bill Sienkiewicz)
What would you most like to ask?
Harley Quinn, how do you do all this?
I haven’t even mentioned competing in gymnastics, dealing with family life with her alcoholic father, or flirting with the girl she has a crush on. Obviously, Harleen has a lot to do. Yet she handles it all with a confident smile and great compassion for others.
And Accounthow to do you do everything too? Stock. Romance. Mystery. Plot. DC Comics cameos. And this is only the first volume of the trilogy!
Image of Harley Quinn #24 (Art by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair)
Perfect Food Pairing:
Cupcakes. All cupcakes. Not only does Harley and her friends love celebrating their Reckoning wins with a nice cupcake, but the sweet treats pair well with just about any book. What I’m saying is you deserve a cupcake now. Harley Quinn would approve.
Harley Quinn: Grateful by Rachael Allen is now available in bookstores and libraries in print and as an eBook and audiobook.
Kelly Knox swoons over Superman and obsesses over every story told about when the World’s Finest first met. When she’s not reading comics, she looks forward to upcoming books by Tracy Deonn and Kalynn Bayron. Find her on Twitter at @kelly_knox.
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NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.
