[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Willow is trying to do it all – marching and protesting to care for her community, earning money to take care of her sick mother, spending time with a boy she likes. When her mother’s old friend, E. Nigma, reaches out, she agrees to work for him at his shady secret poker games. The money she makes is helping keep her mother alive.
But working for E. also puts Willow on the radar of a killer. But when she fights back, trying to save herself and the stray dog she loves, something very strange happens – to Willow, and to the dog.
Review
This is an origin story for a new hero in the DC Universe written by E. Lockhart (We Were Liars – ♥♥♥♥, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks – ♥♥♥♥). I think dog lovers are going to get a huge kick out of this hero duo.
I felt like Willow’s story was far more compelling than the hero bits. Her ethical dilemma about working for E. – a criminal and someone her mother doesn’t want in their lives – while being able to save her mom was fascinating. The hero pieces were okay – but I would have liked a stronger exploration of how Willow gets her powers. There’s also a bit of romance here that also could have been stronger.
Readers who love the dog angle or who are intrigued by the ethical questions here, as well as those who love to be in on the beginning of a new hero arc should give this one a try. (Some language)
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
* ♥♥♥½ = Good+