Harley Quinn: Reckoning

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.

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

“Harley Quinn: Reckoning is a powerhouse of a villain origin story that sizzles with tension and terror, humor and heart. Allen deftly weaves weighty themes, such as sexism, classism, the way our experiences shape who we become and the way we shatter expectations, into a gripping and witty whodunit. This version of Harley Quinn is my new fave supervillain-in-the-making and I can't wait to read more!”—Gilly Segal, New York Times bestselling author of I'm Not Dying With You Tonight

Authors Note

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

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.

Excited for the Next One

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