About the Book
-
Author:
- Alexandra Monir
- Genre:
- Dystopia
- Voices:
- Cis Girl
- Straight
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Dystopian Origin
Bonus Factors: Gotham City, Black Canary
Anti-Bonus Factor: Patriarchy
Relationship Status: Partners in Crime(fighting)
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
Although this isn’t the greatest cover I’ve ever seen, I am SO pumped the publishers are moving away from the previous covers of these DC Icons books. They were … fine … but didn’t do much for me. This cover, on the other hand, is a fabulous mix of comic art and color, and the woman on it looks like a total badass—appropriate for a prose novel about a superhero. (I love Jen Bartel’s art, so they did themselves a favor on that front, too.)
The Deal:
The Gotham City of yesteryear—one protected by superheroes like Batman and his protégés—is no more. The villainous Court of Owls have taken over and rule with an iron fist. There’s no more superheroes, and citizen’s rights—particularly those of the female members of society—have been stripped. Women can’t even sing any longer, thanks to a chemical toxin Mayor Chester Cobblepot (nephew of Oswald, a.k.a Penguin) released on the city. Few people remember what it was like before, and even fewer are willing to speak out against the Owls and their vicious Talon enforcers.
Dinah Laurel Lance is one of the few who know, thanks to her parents making sure to tell her about the Gotham City of old. And although Dinah’s father is a member of the Gotham City Police Department, Dinah needs to keep a low profile, as much as it pains her to do so. But then Oliver Queen moves to town, and Dinah’s need to see change happen in Gotham only gets worse.
BFF Charm: Yay
Dinah’s a strong-willed, passionate young woman—a bad combination for someone who lives in an autocracy. She tries to respect the fact that keeping a low profile is vital for the safety of her loved ones (and herself), but it’s a constant struggle to remain civil when she knows the truth of her situation, and the freedoms she’s lost. I recognize and appreciate her struggle, and would love to be her much less rebellious, rule-follower friend.
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Oliver Queen is a wealthy playboy who Dinah can’t quite figure out, especially when he’s nice to her but hangs out with the kids of the Court of Owls—people who are decidedly not nice. But the chemistry between the two is real … or so Dinah hopes?
Talky Talk: Dystopian Origin
All of the DC Icons books are alternate origin stories for famous (or infamous) DC comic heroes. Black Canary: Breaking SIlence is the first I’ve read for a superhero I’m not very familiar with. It’s also the first, I think, to play with the setting; although Dinah does canonically grow up in Gotham City, it’s not a Gotham run by the Court of Owls, nor is it a Gotham in which females have lost nearly all rights. Monir was super smart to reset Dinah’s story in this way and frame her struggle as one of rebellion against a Handmaid’s Tale-like oppressor; it’s a timely change that goes well with current societal issues and a story that incites a lot of fist-pumping moments. The theme of women using their voices as a way to fight the patriarchy is superb—and a nice tie-in to a superhero whose power is literally her voice.
That said, the resolution was a bit rushed, and the fact that Oliver was brought into the story somewhat lessens the girl power message. (He’s there for a plot reason, of course, and it makes sense to include him from a love interest perspective given their comic history, but I can’t help but feel like someone else could have served the same purpose.)
Bonus Factor: Gotham City
Gotham City is one comic city I’d never want to visit, “normal” or no. Pretty much ever incarnation of it is gritty and dark and dirty and dangerous. And yet, I find it fascinating, and its history/reputation certainly lends itself well to stories like this. (Could I imagine an autocratic society ruling in Metropolis or Themyscira? No way.)
Bonus Factor: Black Canary
It makes me happy to see that DC’s branching out from the Justice League for the DC Icons series. (Although I think it’s time to move away from the white, cisgender characters, too …)
Anti-Bonus Factor: Patriarchy
Ugh, men.
Relationship Status: Partners in Crime(fighting)
I might not have superpowers, Book, but I’m willing to put in time and effort in training, even if I’m ultimately relegated to a sidekick. I want to fight the good fight with you!
Literary Matchmaking
For another alternate (and fist-pumpy) Black Canary origin story, check out Meg Cabot and Cara McGee’s Black Canary: Ignite.
Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer is another great alternate origin story, this time for everyone’s favorite Amazon.
And if you need more Gotham in your life, Sarah J. Maas’s Catwoman alternate origin story, Catwoman: Soulstealer, is also set there.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Random House Books for Young Readers, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Black Canary: Breaking Silence is available now.
