Harley Quinn is one of my favorite characters!! Harley is a chaotic girl trying to do her best in an unjust world. After the scandal and press of her last adventure, Harley is focusing extra hard on getting through her internship at Arkham Asylum. Harley meets Talia al Ghūl, who defies all of her expectations, and Harley must reckon with the fact that she has more in common than not with the asylum patients. There are no easy choices at the asylum, where someone is lurking that terrifies the patients. As a deadly villain stalks the halls, Harley must choose whose side she is on and what she will fight to protect. 

Harley Quinn: Ravenous is my favorite new installment in Harley’s origin story!! I love the excellent LGBTQ+ rep and particularly enjoyed Harley’s reaction to meeting the Joker in Arkham. I absolutely cackled; it was so well done! In Ravenous, Harley is learning to be true to herself and balance that with how to achieve her dreams of medical school. It was so much fun to meet Ivy (hope to see more of her in the next book!), for Harley to explore her bisexuality on the page, and to develop a better understanding of the “villains” in Arkham. Harley wrestles with what makes someone a villain and who decides they must be locked away. I loved King Shark so much!! 

Allen’s writing is action-packed and filled with hilarious banter. I would recommend this for fans of Harley Quinn, readers who enjoy a strong and determined protagonist, and readers who want to return to a far more interesting Gotham than ever before. 

Thank you to Rachael Allen, Random House Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nocturne is the tale of Grace Dragotta, a ballerina who grew up owing everything to the strict Mistress of the ballet. When a mysterious patron, Master La Rosa, selects Grace as his chosen one her entire life changes overnight. She is given a highly coveted position in the ballet and forced to move into the patron’s home. Grace is offered a dance with the master at midnight and she starts to question her grip on reality. When dangerous secrets are revealed, Grace must decide if she trusts Master La Rosa. 

Nocturne is a lyrical and chilling story. It's a love letter to Phantom of the Opera, with elements from Hades & Persephone, and themes from Orpheus & Eurydice. The writing is very descriptive, sometimes to a fault. I think if readers do not enjoy overly intricate details, then they will likely struggle with this aspect. Overall, I enjoyed myself and was swept away to a glittering and ominous version of Chicago. Nocturne is a beautiful and tangled tale; the twist took me by surprise! I loved the friendship between Grace and Emilia, they were always there for each other no matter what. I would recommend Nocturne for readers who enjoy lyrical prose, vivid descriptions, and stories that stay in your mind long after the final page. 

Thank you to Alyssa Wees, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.