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Galilee Falls Trilogy #1
Justice
For Det. Joanna Fallon, it’s damn hard being a police officer in Galilee Falls, a city with the highest concentration of superheroes and villains in the country, and working under the specter of the city’s champion, Justice. It’s even harder watching her best friend, the man she’s secretly in love, with planning to marry another woman while keeping the growing relationship with her boss a secret.
When the city’s vilest supervillain, acid spewing Alkaline, escapes from maximum security prison, and an attack close to home, Joanna must contend with her increasing fear and prejudices while struggling to choose between her soul-mate and her new-found love.
With a coy blend of whimsy and vivid imagination, Justice delivers humor and thrills in an action-packed and edgy blend of comic book cool, fantasy-noir, hard-boiled mystery, and bitter-sweet romance.
When the city’s vilest supervillain, acid spewing Alkaline, escapes from maximum security prison, and an attack close to home, Joanna must contend with her increasing fear and prejudices while struggling to choose between her soul-mate and her new-found love.
With a coy blend of whimsy and vivid imagination, Justice delivers humor and thrills in an action-packed and edgy blend of comic book cool, fantasy-noir, hard-boiled mystery, and bitter-sweet romance.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Harlow
28 books408 followersJennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virgina home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
May 27, 2013
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Justice
Wow. Just...wow. Justice has become one of my favorite reads so far this year!
After reading the synopsis I knew there was no way I could pass up a story about superheroes, supervillains, a complicated romance, and an emotionally damaged protagonist. But I had no idea that I would be pulled in so completely that I would have the entire novel read in one night.
Justice had a unique feel to it. There was a fantasy element with the superheroes, supervillains and the special powers they possessed. But it was also a mystery with detectives piecing together clues in order to apprehend the bad guys. And it was a romance as well, filled with complications, difficult choices, and plenty of heartache. All of these combined created a refreshing new story that stood apart from any others that I've read.
Although the story revolves around superheroes and supervillains, the real heroes of Justice are the members of the Galilee Falls Police Department. The protagonist, Detective Joanna Fallon, is a member of GFPD's Priority Homicide division. She's a complex character with a lot of admirable qualities and plenty of faults that made her feel more real and relatable. Even if she made decisions I didn't agree with, the reasons were always understandable and felt true to her character.
"Anything could be out there. These could be my final moments on the planet for all I know. What a fucking rush."
What I loved most about Joanna was her courage and determination. She wasn't afraid of taking on villains that possessed superpowers. She was confident that with their guns, intellect, instincts, and perseverance that GFPD had all of the tools they needed to deliver justice. She was also selfless, refraining from interfering with her best friend's relationship even though it was tearing her up inside.
I also enjoyed reading about the darker aspects of Joanna's character. She had a difficult past that had a large affect on her life. When she was a young girl she lost her father to a violent crime and this drove her to depression and a suicide attempt.
"You can only be strong for so long before you break. I broke."
As a result of his death, she harbors ill feelings toward superheroes, especially Justice, since she felt that he should have been there to save her father's life. Now she views them simply as vigilantes and an unwelcome interference. This is particularly a problem since Justice often shows up unexpectedly and seems to have taken an interest in her safety.
Relationships also proved to be a difficult part of Joanna's life. She's in love with her childhood friend who saved her when she was only 12. But he's marrying a woman who even Joanna admits is perfect for him. She has never seen him happier, so she must plaster on a fake smile and suffer through the gut-wrenching heartache and jealousy for the sake of her best friend. And to complicate matters even further, Joanna has a secret relationship with her boss, Lieutenant Harry O'Hara.
"This city needs you. I need you. Because I know as long as I have you, I can survive anything."
In addition to her emotional troubles, Joanna must deal with the escape of a very dangerous villain who has the entire city in fear. It becomes her job not only to comb through evidence and investigate witnesses, but she is also given the responsibility of holding press conferences to update the media and reassure the public.
During the investigation she discovers her life is in danger when the villain begins leaving clues that show Joanna is his next intended victim.
"You really can't save anyone. This is not a world for heroes." - Alkaline
The ending to Justice broke my heart and I'm still recovering from the emotional turmoil. By the time it was all over, sacrifices were made and lives were turned upside down. But we ultimately learn that you don't have to possess superpowers to be a hero and that, in time, the side of good will always prevail.
This story isn't aimed solely at fans of superheroes. It's for anyone who enjoys complex characters, complicated relationships, crime fighting and intriguing mysteries. And really, who wouldn't enjoy all of that?
http://www.addicted2heroines.com/2013...
July 17, 2013
Braine's Talk Supe review
Jennifer Harlow's latest novel, JUSTICE, book 1 of her brand new series, Galilee Falls in one word is INSPIRED. Yes it's a superhero story but it's nothing like those 2D cartoon shows I grew up watching where everything is wholesome. Good and evil are clearly demarcated and punches and hits are accompanied by cartoonish POWs and BAMs. JUSTICE is dark as it's funny with demigod characters who are as flawed and human as the rest of us.
I see Galilee Falls as a town every fanboy and girl would love to live in, it's like Marvel Town or Gotham City with all these supers running around causing havoc to an otherwise idyllic place on a regular basis. And the conflict-resolution, the soul of the story, is frickin' SUPED UP! I cannot articulate how clever, dramatic and spectacular the entire thing is. Like I said JUSTICE is frickin' inspired you HAVE to read it to understand. All the scheming, conspiring, double-crossing is so brilliant I can only list superlatives to articulate myself. Yes it's that good!
Jennifer Harlow's latest novel, JUSTICE, book 1 of her brand new series, Galilee Falls in one word is INSPIRED. Yes it's a superhero story but it's nothing like those 2D cartoon shows I grew up watching where everything is wholesome. Good and evil are clearly demarcated and punches and hits are accompanied by cartoonish POWs and BAMs. JUSTICE is dark as it's funny with demigod characters who are as flawed and human as the rest of us.
I see Galilee Falls as a town every fanboy and girl would love to live in, it's like Marvel Town or Gotham City with all these supers running around causing havoc to an otherwise idyllic place on a regular basis. And the conflict-resolution, the soul of the story, is frickin' SUPED UP! I cannot articulate how clever, dramatic and spectacular the entire thing is. Like I said JUSTICE is frickin' inspired you HAVE to read it to understand. All the scheming, conspiring, double-crossing is so brilliant I can only list superlatives to articulate myself. Yes it's that good!
June 3, 2013
This book was recommended to me by Cat here on Goodreads. It’s written by a relatively new author, that hasn’t gotten much press (there was only one review on Amazon when I downloaded this book), but Justice made me wonder where Jennifer Harlow had been all my life. Yes, this book is that good. I cheered, I cried like a baby, and I hugged the book on completion. This is easily the best novel I’ve read this year.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Justice is a story that may seem familiar at first glance. Anyone that has ever loved comic book heroes will recognize common tropes. There is a cop that has lost her faith, a billionaire philanthropist, and a down trodden city, full of crime - a city in need of heroes. While the canvas this story is painted on might seem familiar at first, the similarities end when you look deeper.
I just wish they’d all go away. Even the good ones. They give us false hope that when a mugger approaches, Justice or Olympia will swoop in and save the day. People should know the only person who can really save them is themselves. I learned that at twelve, forty-year-olds should know better.
Our heroine is Joanna Fallon was born in the slums. Her mother was an abusive alcoholic, and her father was murdered in a convenience store when she was thirteen. On that day, she lost her faith in the city’s supers, and decided to become a cop, to become her own savior, and a force for good in her own right. I loved Joanna’s character– she’s a perfect combination of all the traits look for in my urban fantasy heroines. She’s smart, tough, self-reliant. She doesn’t look for anyone to save her. She has no special powers, but she doesn’t need them to be a hero. All she needs is courage, competence, and stubborn determination to always do the right thing. She’s flawed: insecure, disbelieving that she deserves love, and brash. But she doesn’t let her weaknesses hold her back. Perhaps Joanna’s greatest flaw (and strangely also her greatest strength) is the fact that she’s head over heels in love with her best friend – Justin Pendergast - a man that is marrying another woman.
“Because you’re a symbol to him, Joanna. You are the first person he ever saved, and that saved him. You’re an extension of himself, and everything he stands for. You represent his whole world. All his pain and sacrifice for the greater good… You have to go out in the world, live a good life apart from him, contribute, otherwise what is all this sacrifice for? And that’s what makes you the most important person in his life.”
Joanna and Justin’s friendship is beautiful and heartbreaking. It takes up a relatively small part in the book, and is overshadowed by the dire events going on in Galilee, yet it is one of the most vital and brilliant things in the story. These two became friends as teens, when Justin prevented her suicide attempt. While he is unaware of her deeper feelings for him, they both need one another desperately, but for different reasons. I adored Justin. He’s a normal guy, and an amazing friend. I love how he worries about Joanna. He’s juggling wedding plans, and the demands of his billion dollar business, but he still has time to call her and ensure she’s safe. I appreciate Joanna for the care and support she shows Justin, even when supporting him means giving him away. They are beautiful together, and need each other even more due to the events in this book. Justin's presence adds an element of heartbreak that somehow makes Joanna even more sympathetic. Most of us can relate to loving someone from afar, but with the surety that they are completely beyond our reach.
Every second of the timeline in this story is packed with action. The man hunt plays out like an episode of 24, with escalating suspense, and big events occurring regularly. There are things that happen in this book that will really destroy you emotionally. Consider yourself warned.
But it’s not about what’s fair, it’s about what’s right. I get that now. It’s not about dying for Justice, it’s about maintaining justice. Much harder.
It’s hard to sum up everything I appreciated about this story when I loved just about everything in it, but here’s a few things that were amazing: Joanna herself. Her secret boyfriend Harry who loves her exactly as she is, and supports her through every part of this story. Justin and his finance Rebecca – their love was beautiful, even though it broke my heart. The villain – he’s sadistic, frighteningly intelligent, and creepy as all hell. He made me believe he might just succeed in his bid to destroy Justice and the city. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out the identities of the superheroes in Galilee, especially that of Justice, Galilee’s main super. I loved Justice’s relationship with Joanna and how it develops. She worshiped him as a child, hated him as an adult. I loved seeing how he became her hero again. The message of hope in the story. This book is well named. It isn’t really a story about the super hero named Justice, but rather a story about how normal people can make their world a better place, and find their own justice with a little courage and determination.
Justice made me fall in love with super heroes all over again. It’s an amazing book, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you like gritty, dark urban fantasy with strong heroines, then you will love this book. Even if you think super heroes are cheesy, give it a shot. Check out the sample chapters on Amazon. I think this is a story that has something for everyone. I don’t know where Ms. Harlow has been all my life, but I'm a huge fan now, and will be counting the days until she releases book 2 of this series.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Justice is a story that may seem familiar at first glance. Anyone that has ever loved comic book heroes will recognize common tropes. There is a cop that has lost her faith, a billionaire philanthropist, and a down trodden city, full of crime - a city in need of heroes. While the canvas this story is painted on might seem familiar at first, the similarities end when you look deeper.
I just wish they’d all go away. Even the good ones. They give us false hope that when a mugger approaches, Justice or Olympia will swoop in and save the day. People should know the only person who can really save them is themselves. I learned that at twelve, forty-year-olds should know better.
Our heroine is Joanna Fallon was born in the slums. Her mother was an abusive alcoholic, and her father was murdered in a convenience store when she was thirteen. On that day, she lost her faith in the city’s supers, and decided to become a cop, to become her own savior, and a force for good in her own right. I loved Joanna’s character– she’s a perfect combination of all the traits look for in my urban fantasy heroines. She’s smart, tough, self-reliant. She doesn’t look for anyone to save her. She has no special powers, but she doesn’t need them to be a hero. All she needs is courage, competence, and stubborn determination to always do the right thing. She’s flawed: insecure, disbelieving that she deserves love, and brash. But she doesn’t let her weaknesses hold her back. Perhaps Joanna’s greatest flaw (and strangely also her greatest strength) is the fact that she’s head over heels in love with her best friend – Justin Pendergast - a man that is marrying another woman.
“Because you’re a symbol to him, Joanna. You are the first person he ever saved, and that saved him. You’re an extension of himself, and everything he stands for. You represent his whole world. All his pain and sacrifice for the greater good… You have to go out in the world, live a good life apart from him, contribute, otherwise what is all this sacrifice for? And that’s what makes you the most important person in his life.”
Joanna and Justin’s friendship is beautiful and heartbreaking. It takes up a relatively small part in the book, and is overshadowed by the dire events going on in Galilee, yet it is one of the most vital and brilliant things in the story. These two became friends as teens, when Justin prevented her suicide attempt. While he is unaware of her deeper feelings for him, they both need one another desperately, but for different reasons. I adored Justin. He’s a normal guy, and an amazing friend. I love how he worries about Joanna. He’s juggling wedding plans, and the demands of his billion dollar business, but he still has time to call her and ensure she’s safe. I appreciate Joanna for the care and support she shows Justin, even when supporting him means giving him away. They are beautiful together, and need each other even more due to the events in this book. Justin's presence adds an element of heartbreak that somehow makes Joanna even more sympathetic. Most of us can relate to loving someone from afar, but with the surety that they are completely beyond our reach.
Every second of the timeline in this story is packed with action. The man hunt plays out like an episode of 24, with escalating suspense, and big events occurring regularly. There are things that happen in this book that will really destroy you emotionally. Consider yourself warned.
But it’s not about what’s fair, it’s about what’s right. I get that now. It’s not about dying for Justice, it’s about maintaining justice. Much harder.
It’s hard to sum up everything I appreciated about this story when I loved just about everything in it, but here’s a few things that were amazing: Joanna herself. Her secret boyfriend Harry who loves her exactly as she is, and supports her through every part of this story. Justin and his finance Rebecca – their love was beautiful, even though it broke my heart. The villain – he’s sadistic, frighteningly intelligent, and creepy as all hell. He made me believe he might just succeed in his bid to destroy Justice and the city. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out the identities of the superheroes in Galilee, especially that of Justice, Galilee’s main super. I loved Justice’s relationship with Joanna and how it develops. She worshiped him as a child, hated him as an adult. I loved seeing how he became her hero again. The message of hope in the story. This book is well named. It isn’t really a story about the super hero named Justice, but rather a story about how normal people can make their world a better place, and find their own justice with a little courage and determination.
Justice made me fall in love with super heroes all over again. It’s an amazing book, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you like gritty, dark urban fantasy with strong heroines, then you will love this book. Even if you think super heroes are cheesy, give it a shot. Check out the sample chapters on Amazon. I think this is a story that has something for everyone. I don’t know where Ms. Harlow has been all my life, but I'm a huge fan now, and will be counting the days until she releases book 2 of this series.
July 24, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Dark and action packed urban fantasy superhero tale that will keep you on edge until the story ends.
Opening Sentence: The wolves are at the gate.
The Review:
Justice is a dark superhero tale about an unpowered detective — Joanna Fallon. Since her father died when she was 12, all Joanna has done is hate on superheroes. Most of all she blames the superhero Justice for not saving her father’s life during a robbery. Right after her father died, Joanna planned to commit suicide but she was saved by a boy named Justin before she could jump off the highest bridge in Galilee Falls. Joanna and Justin quickly became friends, oftentimes they were inseparable.
Joanna decides to become a cop so she can save the people that the superheroes cannot. When Justice begins she is a detective on the elite Priority Homicide squad. Her job is dangerous but when she is called to the superhero maximum security prison to interview an incarcerated inmate, she is the witness of a breakout for another superhero, A. A has the disgusting ability to squirt out acid from his wrists to melt anything and anyone he wants. Joanna begins the manhunt to capture A before he can kill more people, to end his reign of terror once more.
Meanwhile, Joanna is dealing with huge amounts of jealousy. Justin is engaged to an incredibly beautiful doctor, Rebecca and inside it is killing Joanna to be around Justin. She has been in love with him since he saved her life but she has always hidden those feelings. He being the rich kid and she being the loser from the poor part of town, it has always been perceived that she is after his money. She hides her love so that she can prove those people wrong.
Joanna is a character who knows she has flaws, like sleeping with her boss. She even tries to justify it for herself but eventually she doesn’t care anymore. She kind of has a death wish in the fact that she doesn’t care if she puts herself in danger to save those around her. She taunts A into coming after her. She has a dark and funny sense of humor that gets her through her day.
This is one of those novels that isn’t so much predictable, you just know, even though it is oblivious to the main character. Justice was a wonderfully dark, tragic novel with hints of humor. This novel made me laugh and it even made me cry. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait for the interactions between Joanna and Justice. I just knew that she shouldn’t talk to him like that. That she shouldn’t be so carefree with her conversations with a masked man. Although Joanna’s interactions with A were pretty stellar too, there is only so much you can say to a man who is seriously off his rocker. That is what held my rapt attention the most, I had to know how it would play out for Joanna. I still feel like it shouldn’t have ended the way it did, but it had to if Joanna was going to be able to move on with her life.
The world wasn’t overwhelming with superheroes. It was a world that just was, it accepted that there were these individuals and let them get on with their day. Justice really only involved a couple superpowers, others were mentioned, but not in a way that it took over the story. Justice was really about Joanna and how she coped with trying to be a superhero in her own way.
Overall, Justice is a dark, unforgettable novel that just doesn’t stop until the last page. I have already recommended this book and I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series whenever it comes out. I want to know if the next book continues Joanna’s story or if we see someone new in Galilee Falls.
Notable Scene:
A tech rushes in, eyes wide. He looks at me, almost afraid, before turning to Harry. “Sir, we found something.” He glances at me again. “You should all see this.”
We follow him out into the living room where three techs huddle around the now closed front door taking pictures and dusting for prints. They stop and part as we walk up, worry all over their faces. There’s a photo tacked onto the back of the door. It’s from today’s newspaper, the same one I was reading a lifetime ago. The first family of Galilee all smiling. Except for me. My face is burned off by a single drop of acid.
All eyes turn to me to gage my reaction, but I feel nothing. Not anger like Cam or terror like Harry. I’m just numb. Maybe I’m in shock. I’m not cold, which happens to people in shock. I’m more upset by the people watching me. I don’t like it. I walk back to the kitchen.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Harlow graciously provided me with a copy of Justice. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Dark and action packed urban fantasy superhero tale that will keep you on edge until the story ends.
Opening Sentence: The wolves are at the gate.
The Review:
Justice is a dark superhero tale about an unpowered detective — Joanna Fallon. Since her father died when she was 12, all Joanna has done is hate on superheroes. Most of all she blames the superhero Justice for not saving her father’s life during a robbery. Right after her father died, Joanna planned to commit suicide but she was saved by a boy named Justin before she could jump off the highest bridge in Galilee Falls. Joanna and Justin quickly became friends, oftentimes they were inseparable.
Joanna decides to become a cop so she can save the people that the superheroes cannot. When Justice begins she is a detective on the elite Priority Homicide squad. Her job is dangerous but when she is called to the superhero maximum security prison to interview an incarcerated inmate, she is the witness of a breakout for another superhero, A. A has the disgusting ability to squirt out acid from his wrists to melt anything and anyone he wants. Joanna begins the manhunt to capture A before he can kill more people, to end his reign of terror once more.
Meanwhile, Joanna is dealing with huge amounts of jealousy. Justin is engaged to an incredibly beautiful doctor, Rebecca and inside it is killing Joanna to be around Justin. She has been in love with him since he saved her life but she has always hidden those feelings. He being the rich kid and she being the loser from the poor part of town, it has always been perceived that she is after his money. She hides her love so that she can prove those people wrong.
Joanna is a character who knows she has flaws, like sleeping with her boss. She even tries to justify it for herself but eventually she doesn’t care anymore. She kind of has a death wish in the fact that she doesn’t care if she puts herself in danger to save those around her. She taunts A into coming after her. She has a dark and funny sense of humor that gets her through her day.
This is one of those novels that isn’t so much predictable, you just know, even though it is oblivious to the main character. Justice was a wonderfully dark, tragic novel with hints of humor. This novel made me laugh and it even made me cry. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait for the interactions between Joanna and Justice. I just knew that she shouldn’t talk to him like that. That she shouldn’t be so carefree with her conversations with a masked man. Although Joanna’s interactions with A were pretty stellar too, there is only so much you can say to a man who is seriously off his rocker. That is what held my rapt attention the most, I had to know how it would play out for Joanna. I still feel like it shouldn’t have ended the way it did, but it had to if Joanna was going to be able to move on with her life.
The world wasn’t overwhelming with superheroes. It was a world that just was, it accepted that there were these individuals and let them get on with their day. Justice really only involved a couple superpowers, others were mentioned, but not in a way that it took over the story. Justice was really about Joanna and how she coped with trying to be a superhero in her own way.
Overall, Justice is a dark, unforgettable novel that just doesn’t stop until the last page. I have already recommended this book and I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series whenever it comes out. I want to know if the next book continues Joanna’s story or if we see someone new in Galilee Falls.
Notable Scene:
A tech rushes in, eyes wide. He looks at me, almost afraid, before turning to Harry. “Sir, we found something.” He glances at me again. “You should all see this.”
We follow him out into the living room where three techs huddle around the now closed front door taking pictures and dusting for prints. They stop and part as we walk up, worry all over their faces. There’s a photo tacked onto the back of the door. It’s from today’s newspaper, the same one I was reading a lifetime ago. The first family of Galilee all smiling. Except for me. My face is burned off by a single drop of acid.
All eyes turn to me to gage my reaction, but I feel nothing. Not anger like Cam or terror like Harry. I’m just numb. Maybe I’m in shock. I’m not cold, which happens to people in shock. I’m more upset by the people watching me. I don’t like it. I walk back to the kitchen.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Harlow graciously provided me with a copy of Justice. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 12, 2013
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ju...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Vanessa
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
There are not enough good things I can say about this book. Right from the get go Justice grabs you and doesn’t let go. From the first page you are drawn into the intense and gripping world of Galilee Falls. The storyline is exceptional and the descriptions & world building are phenomenal. I absolutely loved the main character, Joanna. She was a kick-ass character and she came alive right off the pages. Joanna wasn’t whiney like so many of the female leads I often encounter, which is a real pet peeve of mine!
A story about superheros and villain’s could easily come off cheesy and ridiculous but the author creates a believable world that’s both convincing and entrancing. Justice has something for everyone: romance, action, mystery and more. There are twists, turns and more surprises than I ever expected. Jennifer Harlow clearly isn’t afraid to push the boundaries in order to create a more believable story.
What I really enjoyed was that the secondary characters were just as well written as Joanna. They each had their own unique feel and were relatable in their own ways. I also didn’t feel that there were characters or elements that were just thrown into the story to lengthen or take up space. Every moment you experience in Justice is directly related to character growth or plot development.
I did end up figuring out a few of the plot twists (which I won’t mention!) before they were revealed in the story, but that didn’t in any way minimize my enjoyment. I found myself saying “just one more page” late into the night. There is something so captivating about Justice. The characters are raw and gripping and the story takes the idea of superheroes to a new level. Great pacing, a well developed plot and balanced characters really make this one of my new favorite reads.
I honestly think this would have made a fantastic film! Even if Justice doesn’t sound like your normal cup of tea, give it a try, you won’t regret it!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Vanessa
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
There are not enough good things I can say about this book. Right from the get go Justice grabs you and doesn’t let go. From the first page you are drawn into the intense and gripping world of Galilee Falls. The storyline is exceptional and the descriptions & world building are phenomenal. I absolutely loved the main character, Joanna. She was a kick-ass character and she came alive right off the pages. Joanna wasn’t whiney like so many of the female leads I often encounter, which is a real pet peeve of mine!
A story about superheros and villain’s could easily come off cheesy and ridiculous but the author creates a believable world that’s both convincing and entrancing. Justice has something for everyone: romance, action, mystery and more. There are twists, turns and more surprises than I ever expected. Jennifer Harlow clearly isn’t afraid to push the boundaries in order to create a more believable story.
What I really enjoyed was that the secondary characters were just as well written as Joanna. They each had their own unique feel and were relatable in their own ways. I also didn’t feel that there were characters or elements that were just thrown into the story to lengthen or take up space. Every moment you experience in Justice is directly related to character growth or plot development.
I did end up figuring out a few of the plot twists (which I won’t mention!) before they were revealed in the story, but that didn’t in any way minimize my enjoyment. I found myself saying “just one more page” late into the night. There is something so captivating about Justice. The characters are raw and gripping and the story takes the idea of superheroes to a new level. Great pacing, a well developed plot and balanced characters really make this one of my new favorite reads.
I honestly think this would have made a fantastic film! Even if Justice doesn’t sound like your normal cup of tea, give it a try, you won’t regret it!
August 10, 2013
More like a 4.5.
This book is just SO MUCH FUN! The world building is original, even if the plot is a bit predictable. And it has a proper heroine, thank God.
I totally recommend reading it!
This book is just SO MUCH FUN! The world building is original, even if the plot is a bit predictable. And it has a proper heroine, thank God.
I totally recommend reading it!
July 5, 2013
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I really like the world, but hated much of the plot and the characters.
Our heroine Jo also is prone to intense, irrational drama-llamas, and that really bothers me in a cop character. (No, I don't know what profession is best for drama-llamas. But I feel like you wouldn't make it more than a year or two as police if your thoughts, and occasionally actions, tended toward hysterical teenage outbursts.) Also, she's apparently a deeply stupid investigator of the variety. Except Jo is supposed to be a detective. In Priority Homicide. Which, I'm sorry, I will always associate with the beloved Miss Brenda Leigh Johnson. So Jo's lack of detecting and her overall shitty police work bothers me.
I don't understand the villain's motivations. That prologue is not enough setup for me. Fine, vendetta. I'll go with it. But then look at how he acts out his vendetta. He's treated as an ubersmart and uberevil genius, but gets back at the hero by .
Justin, for whom Jo pines, is dull as dishwater. And possibly a robot given his reactions after a major tragedy.
I could go on, but thinking about this book further at present will just frustrate me. So much potential, so little fulfillment.
(A fun note: Was it just me or did anyone else see references to some TV favorites, like Veronica Mars and True Blood? Fantastic.)
I really like the world, but hated much of the plot and the characters.
Our heroine Jo also is prone to intense, irrational drama-llamas, and that really bothers me in a cop character. (No, I don't know what profession is best for drama-llamas. But I feel like you wouldn't make it more than a year or two as police if your thoughts, and occasionally actions, tended toward hysterical teenage outbursts.) Also, she's apparently a deeply stupid investigator of the variety. Except Jo is supposed to be a detective. In Priority Homicide. Which, I'm sorry, I will always associate with the beloved Miss Brenda Leigh Johnson. So Jo's lack of detecting and her overall shitty police work bothers me.
I don't understand the villain's motivations. That prologue is not enough setup for me. Fine, vendetta. I'll go with it. But then look at how he acts out his vendetta. He's treated as an ubersmart and uberevil genius, but gets back at the hero by .
Justin, for whom Jo pines, is dull as dishwater. And possibly a robot given his reactions after a major tragedy.
I could go on, but thinking about this book further at present will just frustrate me. So much potential, so little fulfillment.
(A fun note: Was it just me or did anyone else see references to some TV favorites, like Veronica Mars and True Blood? Fantastic.)
December 15, 2013
Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year. Loved it. Fantastic characters and great story writing. Reading such a ballsy heroine was a pleasure. She is confident, human and complex. Loved the whole superhero mythology the author created. Some of the mystery I cottoned onto early on, but it did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. Couldn't put it down.
Cannot wait to read the next one in the series. I have some hopes... This one ended, but feel like there is some unfinished business. Roll on book 2!
Cannot wait to read the next one in the series. I have some hopes... This one ended, but feel like there is some unfinished business. Roll on book 2!
July 22, 2013
Loved it! I'm.so forming a Jennifer Harlow Fan Club! Amazing new series with great wow first book. Full review coming soon go Cabin Goddess. Jennifer is in my top author to read in 2013. So far I 've five and I've read two books from two including Jennifer.
Its self published So go grab your copy today!
Its self published So go grab your copy today!
July 11, 2013
I first saw this book in the giveaways and signed up to win a free copy. When I didn't win I was understandably disappointed because I knew from the description that I would really like it. But, gotta love technology, because I just purchased a digital copy for my e-reader and read it right then and there. And I discovered that my original assumption was indeed correct -- I loved the book!
First of all, I love the voice of the main character/narrator, Detective Joanna Fallon. She is a small person with an enormous personality and a very facetious, cynical, and refreshing outlook on life.
The book begins with her at the mansion of her long-time best friend -- whom she has been secretly in love with for 20 years -- where she is congratulating him and his perfect fiancee on their engagement. Naturally, being in love with her best friend, Justin, this is no easy task for her.
Not much later Joanna gets a call from her partner to meet him at the prison. The story immediately brings you from one major theme to another -- the super-villain. I loved that about this book. It just moved right along. There were no unnecessary lulls in the story. And the prison scene with the super-villain even contained an action scene. Right off the bat; beginning of the story. Love that.
The next major theme was swiftly introduced upon Joanna's departure from the prison and arrival at her apartment. Her boyfriend. So despite her unrequited love for her best friend, she does in fact have a boyfriend who seems to very much adore her. Though her feelings for one of the men in her life are unreturned, I still feel the two of them give the story a small love triangle. And I love a love triangle.
There is, of course, also a superhero in this book. In fact, the book is titled after him. But I find it hard to say anything about him without revealing too much. Though, it does not take a genius to figure it out! :)
I certainly would hate to give too much of the story away, but I will say that I was both laughing and crying throughout it. I always find it pretty powerful when an author is able to elicit such strong emotions, and an array of them at that. This book definitely has its fair share of tragedy. But it has even more action and a whole lot more humor... all with a dash of romance. Gotta love a love story thrown in there. I won't read 'em any other way.
I will say, I started to get worried as I neared the end that this book would wrap up in such a way that the sequels would be about totally different characters and from totally different narrators/POVs. But it seems that will not be the case. Thank goodness, I hate series that do that! I am totally ready for the next installment and to see what happens with Joanna Fallon and the town of Galilee Falls.
Merged review:
I first saw this book in the giveaways and signed up to win a free copy. When I didn't win I was understandably disappointed because I knew from the description that I would really like it. But, gotta love technology, because I just purchased a digital copy for my e-reader and read it right then and there. And I discovered that my original assumption was indeed correct -- I loved the book!
First of all, I love the voice of the main character/narrator, Detective Joanna Fallon. She is small person with an enormous personality and a very facetious, cynical, and refreshing outlook on life.
The book begins with her at the mansion of her long-time best friend -- whom she has been secretly in love with for 20 years -- where she is congratulating him and his perfect fiancee on their engagement. Naturally, being in love with her best friend, Justin, this is no easy task for her.
Not much later Joanna gets a call from her partner to meet him at the prison. The story immediately brings you from one major theme to another -- the super-villain. I loved that about this book. It just moved right along. There were no unnecessary lulls in the story. And the prison scene with the super-villain even contained an action scene. Right off the bat; beginning of the story. Love that.
The next major theme was swiftly introduced upon Joanna's departure from the prison and arrival at her apartment. Her boyfriend. So despite her unrequited love for her best friend, she does in fact have a boyfriend who seems to very much adore her. Though her feelings for one of the men in her life are unreturned, I still feel the two of them give the story a small love triangle. And I love a love triangle.
There is, of course, also a superhero in this book. In fact, the book is titled after him. But I find it hard to say anything about him without revealing too much. Though, it does not take a genius to figure it out! :)
I certainly would hate to give too much of the story away, but I will say that I was both laughing and crying throughout it. I always find it pretty powerful when an author is able to elicit such strong emotions, and an array of them at that. This book definitely has its fair share of tragedy. But it has even more action and a whole lot more humor... all with a dash of romance. Gotta love a love story thrown in there. I won't read 'em any other way.
I will say, I started to get worried as I neared the end that this book would wrap up in such a way that the sequels would be about totally different characters and from totally different narrators/POVs. But it seems that will not be the case. Thank goodness, I hate series that do that! I am totally ready for the next installment and to see what happens with Joanna Fallon and the town of Galilee Falls.
So, I beg of you, Miss Harlow, please release it ASAP! :)
First of all, I love the voice of the main character/narrator, Detective Joanna Fallon. She is a small person with an enormous personality and a very facetious, cynical, and refreshing outlook on life.
The book begins with her at the mansion of her long-time best friend -- whom she has been secretly in love with for 20 years -- where she is congratulating him and his perfect fiancee on their engagement. Naturally, being in love with her best friend, Justin, this is no easy task for her.
I know I am a horrible friend, I know this. When your best friend finds the love of his life, and is blissfully happy, and you're trying to figure out the best way to frame his bride for drug possession, this becomes abundantly clear. Mind you, I get some points for not actually doing it, but just the thought makes me feel better.
Not much later Joanna gets a call from her partner to meet him at the prison. The story immediately brings you from one major theme to another -- the super-villain. I loved that about this book. It just moved right along. There were no unnecessary lulls in the story. And the prison scene with the super-villain even contained an action scene. Right off the bat; beginning of the story. Love that.
The next major theme was swiftly introduced upon Joanna's departure from the prison and arrival at her apartment. Her boyfriend. So despite her unrequited love for her best friend, she does in fact have a boyfriend who seems to very much adore her. Though her feelings for one of the men in her life are unreturned, I still feel the two of them give the story a small love triangle. And I love a love triangle.
There is, of course, also a superhero in this book. In fact, the book is titled after him. But I find it hard to say anything about him without revealing too much. Though, it does not take a genius to figure it out! :)
I certainly would hate to give too much of the story away, but I will say that I was both laughing and crying throughout it. I always find it pretty powerful when an author is able to elicit such strong emotions, and an array of them at that. This book definitely has its fair share of tragedy. But it has even more action and a whole lot more humor... all with a dash of romance. Gotta love a love story thrown in there. I won't read 'em any other way.
I will say, I started to get worried as I neared the end that this book would wrap up in such a way that the sequels would be about totally different characters and from totally different narrators/POVs. But it seems that will not be the case. Thank goodness, I hate series that do that! I am totally ready for the next installment and to see what happens with Joanna Fallon and the town of Galilee Falls.
Merged review:
I first saw this book in the giveaways and signed up to win a free copy. When I didn't win I was understandably disappointed because I knew from the description that I would really like it. But, gotta love technology, because I just purchased a digital copy for my e-reader and read it right then and there. And I discovered that my original assumption was indeed correct -- I loved the book!
First of all, I love the voice of the main character/narrator, Detective Joanna Fallon. She is small person with an enormous personality and a very facetious, cynical, and refreshing outlook on life.
The book begins with her at the mansion of her long-time best friend -- whom she has been secretly in love with for 20 years -- where she is congratulating him and his perfect fiancee on their engagement. Naturally, being in love with her best friend, Justin, this is no easy task for her.
I know I am a horrible friend, I know this. When your best friend finds the love of his life, and is blissfully happy, and you're trying to figure out the best way to frame his bride for drug possession, this becomes abundantly clear. Mind you, I get some points for not actually doing it, but just the thought makes me feel better.
Not much later Joanna gets a call from her partner to meet him at the prison. The story immediately brings you from one major theme to another -- the super-villain. I loved that about this book. It just moved right along. There were no unnecessary lulls in the story. And the prison scene with the super-villain even contained an action scene. Right off the bat; beginning of the story. Love that.
The next major theme was swiftly introduced upon Joanna's departure from the prison and arrival at her apartment. Her boyfriend. So despite her unrequited love for her best friend, she does in fact have a boyfriend who seems to very much adore her. Though her feelings for one of the men in her life are unreturned, I still feel the two of them give the story a small love triangle. And I love a love triangle.
There is, of course, also a superhero in this book. In fact, the book is titled after him. But I find it hard to say anything about him without revealing too much. Though, it does not take a genius to figure it out! :)
I certainly would hate to give too much of the story away, but I will say that I was both laughing and crying throughout it. I always find it pretty powerful when an author is able to elicit such strong emotions, and an array of them at that. This book definitely has its fair share of tragedy. But it has even more action and a whole lot more humor... all with a dash of romance. Gotta love a love story thrown in there. I won't read 'em any other way.
I will say, I started to get worried as I neared the end that this book would wrap up in such a way that the sequels would be about totally different characters and from totally different narrators/POVs. But it seems that will not be the case. Thank goodness, I hate series that do that! I am totally ready for the next installment and to see what happens with Joanna Fallon and the town of Galilee Falls.
So, I beg of you, Miss Harlow, please release it ASAP! :)
August 23, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation for my opinion of the reading material provided. I rated it 5 out of 5 Stars.
While I've never been a huge fan of graphic novels, I will admit to a certain fondness for a good super hero movie. Being over a certain age (yeah so not telling you how old I am), and watching plenty of horrible super hero adaptations, I can quite honestly say that Justice by Jennifer Harlow is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in years. Ms. Harlow's character development is superb, the plot moves at an engaging pace and the bittersweet romance is heart gripping. While strictly fiction, Justice is full of what I can only assume to be Ms. Harlow's commentary on society, the fight between good versus evil and just what it takes for us to change the world we live in.
Growing up in a city like Galilee Falls, Detective Joanna Fallon knows what it's like to watch the battle between good and evil on a daily basis. A city inhabited by a number of "super heroes and villains", Galilee Falls is also home to Joanna's best friend, Justin Pendergast, the city's golden boy and the man she's secretly been in love with for twenty years. While dealing with crime is hard, having to watch, and even take part in Justin's upcoming wedding to someone else is even worse. Just when it doesn't seem things could get any worse, Alkaline, the city's worst villain, escapes from his maximum security prison and terrorizes the city. Something Joanna is determined to put an end to.
Leading the investigation against Alkaline with her partner, Joanna has to deal with her boss, Captain Harry O'Hara, her secret lover, and with Justice, the super hero who caught Alkaline and put him in prison the last time he was on a rampage. Both men are concerned with Joanna's "kick butt" attitude and her personal safety. Unfortunately Joanna could care less what Justice wants, she's no longer a fan of his because he let her down when she was just a child.
Told from the first person perspective of Joanna, Ms. Harlow introduces us to a strong willed woman who won't take no for an answer - regardless of the personal cost. Determined to prove that the police are the best answer to dealing with evil, and that they need to do away with all "supers" and "super villains", Joanna is relentless, hard working and more driven than everyone around her. She's also vulnerable when it comes to her heart, afraid to make a choice about her love life, and incredibly judgmental about herself. She is her own worst critic and takes responsibility for everything bad that happens around her or in the lives of those she loves.
Besides giving us an incredibly strong and very human heroine, Ms. Harlow gives us great dialogue (both internal and external) and a heroine with a snarky sense of humor. I seriously fell in love with Joanna within a couple of pages. The secondary characters, from Justin to Harry, make great contributions to the story and it's easy to see why Joanna is attracted to both (though Harry is her senior by more than 10 years).
The villain of the story is seriously evil - just like he should be and Justice is the hero everyone wants him to be. Even though his secret identity was easy for me to figure out - it took Joanna almost to the end of the book to discover it. Her reaction is just what you would expect it to be too.
Will Joanna and the police prove they can capture a super on their own? Will Justice end up making more than one sacrifice to save Galilee Falls? And will Joanna finally make up her mind about her love life? You'll have to read Justice to find out, I loved it and can't wait to see what takes place in Galilee Falls next.
While I've never been a huge fan of graphic novels, I will admit to a certain fondness for a good super hero movie. Being over a certain age (yeah so not telling you how old I am), and watching plenty of horrible super hero adaptations, I can quite honestly say that Justice by Jennifer Harlow is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in years. Ms. Harlow's character development is superb, the plot moves at an engaging pace and the bittersweet romance is heart gripping. While strictly fiction, Justice is full of what I can only assume to be Ms. Harlow's commentary on society, the fight between good versus evil and just what it takes for us to change the world we live in.
Growing up in a city like Galilee Falls, Detective Joanna Fallon knows what it's like to watch the battle between good and evil on a daily basis. A city inhabited by a number of "super heroes and villains", Galilee Falls is also home to Joanna's best friend, Justin Pendergast, the city's golden boy and the man she's secretly been in love with for twenty years. While dealing with crime is hard, having to watch, and even take part in Justin's upcoming wedding to someone else is even worse. Just when it doesn't seem things could get any worse, Alkaline, the city's worst villain, escapes from his maximum security prison and terrorizes the city. Something Joanna is determined to put an end to.
Leading the investigation against Alkaline with her partner, Joanna has to deal with her boss, Captain Harry O'Hara, her secret lover, and with Justice, the super hero who caught Alkaline and put him in prison the last time he was on a rampage. Both men are concerned with Joanna's "kick butt" attitude and her personal safety. Unfortunately Joanna could care less what Justice wants, she's no longer a fan of his because he let her down when she was just a child.
Told from the first person perspective of Joanna, Ms. Harlow introduces us to a strong willed woman who won't take no for an answer - regardless of the personal cost. Determined to prove that the police are the best answer to dealing with evil, and that they need to do away with all "supers" and "super villains", Joanna is relentless, hard working and more driven than everyone around her. She's also vulnerable when it comes to her heart, afraid to make a choice about her love life, and incredibly judgmental about herself. She is her own worst critic and takes responsibility for everything bad that happens around her or in the lives of those she loves.
Besides giving us an incredibly strong and very human heroine, Ms. Harlow gives us great dialogue (both internal and external) and a heroine with a snarky sense of humor. I seriously fell in love with Joanna within a couple of pages. The secondary characters, from Justin to Harry, make great contributions to the story and it's easy to see why Joanna is attracted to both (though Harry is her senior by more than 10 years).
The villain of the story is seriously evil - just like he should be and Justice is the hero everyone wants him to be. Even though his secret identity was easy for me to figure out - it took Joanna almost to the end of the book to discover it. Her reaction is just what you would expect it to be too.
Will Joanna and the police prove they can capture a super on their own? Will Justice end up making more than one sacrifice to save Galilee Falls? And will Joanna finally make up her mind about her love life? You'll have to read Justice to find out, I loved it and can't wait to see what takes place in Galilee Falls next.
December 20, 2014
This is the first book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy by Jennifer Harlow. I haven't read anything by Ms. Harlow before, but when I saw this was about Super Heroes, I decided to give this book a try. After all, Geek Girl here, and we do love our Super Heroes. :)
The story opens with a prologue from the villain's POV. Our bad guy, Akaline, is about to be captured by the police in his home base and is tying up loose ends in preparation of going to jail. But we know from his commentary, that this is just a small set back. He plans to win the war, even if he has lost this battle.
Chapter one begins three years. Detective Joanne Fallon is at a party to welcome her best friend's fiance's mother to town, as she has come to help with their wedding. This is incredibly tough on Joanne since she has been in love with her best friend Justin for over 20 years. Since the night he stopped her from jumping off a bridge at 12 years old and then became her best friend. But Justin doesn't see Joanne that way and never has. Justin's fiance Rebecca, is the perfect in Joanne's eyes. She is an pediatric surgeon, is gentle, kind and has the sweetest most even disposition. She even has a young daughter, Daisy, giving Justin the instant family he has always wanted. The worst part as far as Joanne is concerned is that Rebecca wants to be her best friend too. It's all just one big happy family.
Joanne feels that she has gotten a reprieve when she gets a call from her partner Terrance Cameron about an interview that needs to be conducted at the prison immediately. But when they get there and get inside, it turns out that Alkaline has engineered an escape plan. Joanne recognizes him just a bit too late and he escapes into the night. This leads to a task force being set up and calls for Justice, the masked hero who tracked Alkaline down and captured him once, to do so again. A fact that irks Joanne no end. See she can't stand Supers. Thinks they do more harm that good, with the destruction they bring. After all, several of the local villains had donned masks specifically to take down some of the local heroes. Joanne thinks that the Supers should all leave the hero work to those actually trained to to it.
This was an awesome book. I can tell you how good it is with this anecdote: I was having lunch at a local fast food restaurant and reading this on my ereader. When I got up to leave, a woman at the next table stopped me and asked what I was reading. She said that it must be a good book, because I kept smiling and giggling to myself. When I told her a little about what was going on, she wrote the name and author on a napkin to take home to look up herself. Of course, it was a good thing it was early in the book while I was there. Later on that evening, when I got towards the end of the book, there were several times when I was crying and sobbing so hard I couldn't read the words on the page. Oh, yes, sobbing, I who hates to read books or watch movies that I know will make me cry. It's a superhero story for heaven's sake!!
This book took my on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. All wrapped up in the beautiful geekiness of a superhero universe. At this point I don't know how Ms. Harlow plans to aim higher for book 2, but rest assured, I will can't wait to find out. This was a most awesome Goodreads 5 star review.
The story opens with a prologue from the villain's POV. Our bad guy, Akaline, is about to be captured by the police in his home base and is tying up loose ends in preparation of going to jail. But we know from his commentary, that this is just a small set back. He plans to win the war, even if he has lost this battle.
Chapter one begins three years. Detective Joanne Fallon is at a party to welcome her best friend's fiance's mother to town, as she has come to help with their wedding. This is incredibly tough on Joanne since she has been in love with her best friend Justin for over 20 years. Since the night he stopped her from jumping off a bridge at 12 years old and then became her best friend. But Justin doesn't see Joanne that way and never has. Justin's fiance Rebecca, is the perfect in Joanne's eyes. She is an pediatric surgeon, is gentle, kind and has the sweetest most even disposition. She even has a young daughter, Daisy, giving Justin the instant family he has always wanted. The worst part as far as Joanne is concerned is that Rebecca wants to be her best friend too. It's all just one big happy family.
Joanne feels that she has gotten a reprieve when she gets a call from her partner Terrance Cameron about an interview that needs to be conducted at the prison immediately. But when they get there and get inside, it turns out that Alkaline has engineered an escape plan. Joanne recognizes him just a bit too late and he escapes into the night. This leads to a task force being set up and calls for Justice, the masked hero who tracked Alkaline down and captured him once, to do so again. A fact that irks Joanne no end. See she can't stand Supers. Thinks they do more harm that good, with the destruction they bring. After all, several of the local villains had donned masks specifically to take down some of the local heroes. Joanne thinks that the Supers should all leave the hero work to those actually trained to to it.
This was an awesome book. I can tell you how good it is with this anecdote: I was having lunch at a local fast food restaurant and reading this on my ereader. When I got up to leave, a woman at the next table stopped me and asked what I was reading. She said that it must be a good book, because I kept smiling and giggling to myself. When I told her a little about what was going on, she wrote the name and author on a napkin to take home to look up herself. Of course, it was a good thing it was early in the book while I was there. Later on that evening, when I got towards the end of the book, there were several times when I was crying and sobbing so hard I couldn't read the words on the page. Oh, yes, sobbing, I who hates to read books or watch movies that I know will make me cry. It's a superhero story for heaven's sake!!
This book took my on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. All wrapped up in the beautiful geekiness of a superhero universe. At this point I don't know how Ms. Harlow plans to aim higher for book 2, but rest assured, I will can't wait to find out. This was a most awesome Goodreads 5 star review.
August 1, 2013
As a fan of superhero stories I thought I knew what to expect when reading Justice. Upon completing it though I realized it was so much more than specially-powered individuals duking it out as it took on a more average joe perspective when defining a hero. There were numerous twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and an immensely likable cast of characters that kept me fully invested in this story's outcome. As the start to a series it's set up an intriguing premise that has me greatly anticipating the next installment.
It's an unending battle between super-powered individuals that keeps the officers of the Galilee Falls police force on their toes. With the escape of a particularly vile super villain it will take every member of the force, along with assistance from superhero Justice, to track down Alkaline before he brings the city to its knees. The lead officer is Joanna whose childhood was one of sadness that left her contemplating suicide on a bridge's ledge. From the darkness she's risen to become a no-nonsense strong-willed woman who's still fighting the feelings she has for the man who saved her on the bridge, billionaire Justin. They worry for each other and have an exceptionally strong friendship that brought a tear to my eyes. Even though Joanna has more than friendly feelings for him she doesn't begrudge the happiness he's found with his upcoming nuptials and keeps a smile on her face to show her support. Even though she's the kind of woman who acts like she doesn't need a man I thoroughly enjoyed the clandestine romance she has with her boss as it brings out a particularly naughty girl side to her that's unexpected given her badass attitude. Her boss is supportive and let's her be who she is, never feeling the need to change her.
The mystery surrounding Alkaline's escape is a cleverly concealed one that was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the explosive conclusion. That were a few red herrings before the surprising reveal that actually made me gasp. The reveal led to further heartache in some emotionally intense scenes that were completely unexpected but left me in awe of the author's gutsiness. No one was safe in this story which meant even more tears being shed. The conclusion was particularly gut-wrenching and completely upended the story's perceived theme. Ultimately this story is about the strength of the everyday person in triumphing over evil. True justice is never simple or straight-forward and there are no true HEA. This story leaves you in tears but also leaves you with hope and I look forward to the remaining characters rising from the ashes of their losses to fight another day.
From the immensely likable main characters to the equally fleshed-out secondary characters this story had me hooked. There was nothing comical in the battle between those with superpowers as they each displayed human weaknesses throughout the story. The subtle romance between Joanna and her boss was given enough time to make it meaningful but not overshadowed the powerful mystery with its fast-paced action. Ms. Harlow's created unforgettable and larger than life characters and I look forward to revisiting this cleverly created world.
It's an unending battle between super-powered individuals that keeps the officers of the Galilee Falls police force on their toes. With the escape of a particularly vile super villain it will take every member of the force, along with assistance from superhero Justice, to track down Alkaline before he brings the city to its knees. The lead officer is Joanna whose childhood was one of sadness that left her contemplating suicide on a bridge's ledge. From the darkness she's risen to become a no-nonsense strong-willed woman who's still fighting the feelings she has for the man who saved her on the bridge, billionaire Justin. They worry for each other and have an exceptionally strong friendship that brought a tear to my eyes. Even though Joanna has more than friendly feelings for him she doesn't begrudge the happiness he's found with his upcoming nuptials and keeps a smile on her face to show her support. Even though she's the kind of woman who acts like she doesn't need a man I thoroughly enjoyed the clandestine romance she has with her boss as it brings out a particularly naughty girl side to her that's unexpected given her badass attitude. Her boss is supportive and let's her be who she is, never feeling the need to change her.
The mystery surrounding Alkaline's escape is a cleverly concealed one that was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the explosive conclusion. That were a few red herrings before the surprising reveal that actually made me gasp. The reveal led to further heartache in some emotionally intense scenes that were completely unexpected but left me in awe of the author's gutsiness. No one was safe in this story which meant even more tears being shed. The conclusion was particularly gut-wrenching and completely upended the story's perceived theme. Ultimately this story is about the strength of the everyday person in triumphing over evil. True justice is never simple or straight-forward and there are no true HEA. This story leaves you in tears but also leaves you with hope and I look forward to the remaining characters rising from the ashes of their losses to fight another day.
From the immensely likable main characters to the equally fleshed-out secondary characters this story had me hooked. There was nothing comical in the battle between those with superpowers as they each displayed human weaknesses throughout the story. The subtle romance between Joanna and her boss was given enough time to make it meaningful but not overshadowed the powerful mystery with its fast-paced action. Ms. Harlow's created unforgettable and larger than life characters and I look forward to revisiting this cleverly created world.
June 22, 2013
I would've posted this review sooner but I had already written a review of this and saved it but then it magically disappeared on me so that's why it took me a while.
Justice by Jennifer Harlow introduces us to a brilliant world full of superheroes (tights and everything), complex but interesting characters and of course can't have superheroes without some very evil supervillains.
This story follows the fierce but emotionally damaged detective Joanna Fallon, who has her own personal problems with superheroes. Especially city champion Justice and also being in love for over twenty years with her best friend, Justin, and having a secret relationship with her boss, Harry. On top of all that she gets targeted by supervillain Alkaline.
I've been a fan of Jennifer Harlow's books ever since I read her Freaks books. I love them but I have to say that I think Justice easily is her best writing so far. It's a very different story and boy, is it a bittersweet ending but damn I loved it so much. Although I wasn't sure I was gonna like it at the beginning because Joanna's voice is so different from other heroines I've read. She's so very complex, damaged and has a lot of flaws but that's why I like her so much. She's real. Jennifer Harlow write her so well. I was really impressed by how totally amazing this book was.
The other characters were also very interesting to read about from Justin to Harry to Justice and Alkaline. I loved reading about them all so much and never got bored everytime I picked this book up.
The ending was so sad, I got all weepy eyed. But it was a good ending even though it felt like I was kicked in the chest. And also what good book doesn't have an unexpected betrayal in them? Jennifer Harlow really writes amazingly unexpected plot twists. You'd think with her you would start expecting them but no, takes me by surprise every single time and with this book it was no different. Loved it!
Overall Justice by Jennifer Harlow isn't your typical superhero story. It's a story about love, friendship, sacrifice and doing the right thing. Joanna isn't a superhero, she just a normal person with her own problems but she sure can kick some ass! This story was in my opnion exceptionally well written and the story line was superb! One of the best books I've read so far this year + all-time. I can't wait to read the second book. I hope it'll be just as amazing as Justice was!
Justice by Jennifer Harlow introduces us to a brilliant world full of superheroes (tights and everything), complex but interesting characters and of course can't have superheroes without some very evil supervillains.
This story follows the fierce but emotionally damaged detective Joanna Fallon, who has her own personal problems with superheroes. Especially city champion Justice and also being in love for over twenty years with her best friend, Justin, and having a secret relationship with her boss, Harry. On top of all that she gets targeted by supervillain Alkaline.
I've been a fan of Jennifer Harlow's books ever since I read her Freaks books. I love them but I have to say that I think Justice easily is her best writing so far. It's a very different story and boy, is it a bittersweet ending but damn I loved it so much. Although I wasn't sure I was gonna like it at the beginning because Joanna's voice is so different from other heroines I've read. She's so very complex, damaged and has a lot of flaws but that's why I like her so much. She's real. Jennifer Harlow write her so well. I was really impressed by how totally amazing this book was.
The other characters were also very interesting to read about from Justin to Harry to Justice and Alkaline. I loved reading about them all so much and never got bored everytime I picked this book up.
The ending was so sad, I got all weepy eyed. But it was a good ending even though it felt like I was kicked in the chest. And also what good book doesn't have an unexpected betrayal in them? Jennifer Harlow really writes amazingly unexpected plot twists. You'd think with her you would start expecting them but no, takes me by surprise every single time and with this book it was no different. Loved it!
Overall Justice by Jennifer Harlow isn't your typical superhero story. It's a story about love, friendship, sacrifice and doing the right thing. Joanna isn't a superhero, she just a normal person with her own problems but she sure can kick some ass! This story was in my opnion exceptionally well written and the story line was superb! One of the best books I've read so far this year + all-time. I can't wait to read the second book. I hope it'll be just as amazing as Justice was!
August 6, 2013
Review to come. Book tour. LOVED IT. Cannot wait for book 2!
In all honesty, I can't sum it up better than the blurb. I was so excited to see the invite to the tour and even more excited to land it. You see...I love super heroes. I love them flawed, I love them gritty, I love them shining and perfect. I love a tough cookie heroine who shows signs of vulnerability and yet musters on. This book did not disappoint me. Entertaining, sweet, action-filled, and wonderful from the dedication: Dedicated to anyone who saw injustice and had the strength to say, “Not on my watch.” to the very last page, which is not a cliffhanger ending, and yet you want more. If asked what I thought at the very end of the book, I would answer you, "Mmm. MORE!"
For anyone who has ever been in love with their best friend, you sympathize with Joanna. You do, despite some of the pettiness. You don't just sympathize, you empathize. Happy your best friend is happy, annoyed at the love of his/her life that should've been you. Through a few chapters, you see the lovely messiness of human emotions, the entanglements we weave for ourselves, the love we close ourselves off to without even realizing it, and then the pain that tears us open, able to hold even more love.
But this isn't a romance; it just has some romance in it. This is a super-hero book. Okay, technically a super vigilante, at least according to Jo. But if superheros are sworn in as deputies, then they're no longer vigilantes, right?!
The secret identity is not so secret and quite obvious from the first few pages, the first SCENE really where you see a couple glance at one another. I found it obvious. And I found a certain someone's completely obliviousness funny.
Vividly written, I could practically see this novel unfold in my head like a wonderful comic. A graphic novel version would be amazing, however, I'd really like books two and three in the Galilee Falls trilogy first! I snorted at some parts, teared up at others, nodded along, cheered when the character did what I wanted her to do, and was happy that they were prepared for the inevitable.
There are well-placed hints and yes, you could call some of the plot predictable. For me, it in no way damaged my enjoyment. I kept reading and loved it.
In all honesty, I can't sum it up better than the blurb. I was so excited to see the invite to the tour and even more excited to land it. You see...I love super heroes. I love them flawed, I love them gritty, I love them shining and perfect. I love a tough cookie heroine who shows signs of vulnerability and yet musters on. This book did not disappoint me. Entertaining, sweet, action-filled, and wonderful from the dedication: Dedicated to anyone who saw injustice and had the strength to say, “Not on my watch.” to the very last page, which is not a cliffhanger ending, and yet you want more. If asked what I thought at the very end of the book, I would answer you, "Mmm. MORE!"
For anyone who has ever been in love with their best friend, you sympathize with Joanna. You do, despite some of the pettiness. You don't just sympathize, you empathize. Happy your best friend is happy, annoyed at the love of his/her life that should've been you. Through a few chapters, you see the lovely messiness of human emotions, the entanglements we weave for ourselves, the love we close ourselves off to without even realizing it, and then the pain that tears us open, able to hold even more love.
But this isn't a romance; it just has some romance in it. This is a super-hero book. Okay, technically a super vigilante, at least according to Jo. But if superheros are sworn in as deputies, then they're no longer vigilantes, right?!
The secret identity is not so secret and quite obvious from the first few pages, the first SCENE really where you see a couple glance at one another. I found it obvious. And I found a certain someone's completely obliviousness funny.
Vividly written, I could practically see this novel unfold in my head like a wonderful comic. A graphic novel version would be amazing, however, I'd really like books two and three in the Galilee Falls trilogy first! I snorted at some parts, teared up at others, nodded along, cheered when the character did what I wanted her to do, and was happy that they were prepared for the inevitable.
There are well-placed hints and yes, you could call some of the plot predictable. For me, it in no way damaged my enjoyment. I kept reading and loved it.
May 28, 2013
*Genre*
*Rating* 4 full stars
*Full Review Shortly*
Need the second book now! This was a really amazing read with a pretty decent lead character. Definitely a series I want to continue reading!
Published May 2013 by Devil on the Left Books
*Rating* 4 full stars
*Full Review Shortly*
Need the second book now! This was a really amazing read with a pretty decent lead character. Definitely a series I want to continue reading!
Published May 2013 by Devil on the Left Books
December 15, 2013
Ms. Harlow has killed me. She has left me in a pile of goo after the emotional wringer that she put me through. Whenever I start one of her books, real life just pisses me off until I can finish reading. Bring it on Galilee Rising - bring it on.
June 1, 2013
Awesome book! Full review coming soon.
August 21, 2016
This book isn't by any means impressive literature but it was damn fun.
January 15, 2020
I see this book has gotten a bunch of good reviews but I did not like it, not even a little bit.
I can read a book and while reading I believe in magic, in superheroes and a whole lotta good stuff else but not this book, it just did not work for me, a Ben 10 episode is more believable. Likewise the characters, I can believe in a whole load of diverse characters, indestructible warrior women, cyborgs, almost human androids aliens, flying people and I actually love Mary Sues. but not these characters, not any of them, they just did not have that 'real' feeling about them.
I hated this book and the characters but I see a lot of other folks liked it, this is good because if we all liked the same thing it would be a boring world. I may come back to the series later to see if I have mellowed, but I doubt it.
Recommended for people who believe Scooby Doo is real
I can read a book and while reading I believe in magic, in superheroes and a whole lotta good stuff else but not this book, it just did not work for me, a Ben 10 episode is more believable. Likewise the characters, I can believe in a whole load of diverse characters, indestructible warrior women, cyborgs, almost human androids aliens, flying people and I actually love Mary Sues. but not these characters, not any of them, they just did not have that 'real' feeling about them.
I hated this book and the characters but I see a lot of other folks liked it, this is good because if we all liked the same thing it would be a boring world. I may come back to the series later to see if I have mellowed, but I doubt it.
Recommended for people who believe Scooby Doo is real
October 3, 2017
It’s hard enough for Joanna to be an officer in the town of Galilee, but to watch someone else marry the man you have been in love with for a long time, is tough enough. Great writing.
June 26, 2015
I'm giving this four stars because once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down and heavily resented interruptions. There were some plot points I really didn't like and will list later, but that's my personal preference and not bad writing so I feel as though it would be unfair to dock points.
What I liked about the story was its originality. Stories about superheroes tend to revolve about their incredible powers and how helpful they are, or maybe their tragic origin stories. Justice deals with the day-to-day issues raised by having heroes and villains running around: property damage, the resulting extremely high taxes, etc. I liked that it told the story of a detective trying to do her job in spite of the superheroes running around, not because of them. The author also did a very good job of leading the reader away from the clues. I guessed the identity of several people at the beginning of the book, but the plot threw me off and made me reconsider even though I was right. I like it when books can keep me guessing.
Joanna would have been a much better character if the author hadn't written her to be the stereotypical "I'm not like other girls" trope. She's portrayed as better than her romantic rival because of her tough attitude and refusal to wear makeup as opposed to Rebecca's traditional femininity. It always bugs me when a woman has to be given traditionally "masculine" attributes in order to be considered strong. Having been to a shooting range myself, I can say with absolute certainty that wearing makeup will not mess up your aim. But I digress.
Jo had the tendency to be willfully ignorant and self-sabotaging in her relationships. What I will say to her credit is that when other people call her on her bullshit she apologizes instead of arguing, and does not let it interfere with her professional life.
Her best friend Justin and his fiance actually both seemed like very lovely people. Both play important roles in the story by existing, though they aren't necessarily on stage until later in the novel. Jo acknowledges that her hatred toward Rebecca is unfair and tries to quash it, which I appreciated.
I was pleasantly surprised by the behavior of Jo's fellow police officers. They clearly respect her and work well together. I liked that their interactions were focused almost exclusively on the case instead of spending boring time having Jo battle workplace sexism.
What I didn't like was how sad the story ended up being. I feel duped! The description made it seem like a lot of fun, and I expected interesting chaos as superheroes and villains tore up the city. It ended up being filled with repercussions of Jo's horrible childhood and how she lost her faith. I felt as though there were some unnecessary character deaths that were pure shock factor and didn't actually do much to advance the plot. The author could have worked around it, and that's what kept this book from being 5 stars for me. I liked the story and concept a great deal but in the end I don't see myself continuing the series.
Spoilers for who dies and why I didn't like it:
What I liked about the story was its originality. Stories about superheroes tend to revolve about their incredible powers and how helpful they are, or maybe their tragic origin stories. Justice deals with the day-to-day issues raised by having heroes and villains running around: property damage, the resulting extremely high taxes, etc. I liked that it told the story of a detective trying to do her job in spite of the superheroes running around, not because of them. The author also did a very good job of leading the reader away from the clues. I guessed the identity of several people at the beginning of the book, but the plot threw me off and made me reconsider even though I was right. I like it when books can keep me guessing.
Joanna would have been a much better character if the author hadn't written her to be the stereotypical "I'm not like other girls" trope. She's portrayed as better than her romantic rival because of her tough attitude and refusal to wear makeup as opposed to Rebecca's traditional femininity. It always bugs me when a woman has to be given traditionally "masculine" attributes in order to be considered strong. Having been to a shooting range myself, I can say with absolute certainty that wearing makeup will not mess up your aim. But I digress.
Jo had the tendency to be willfully ignorant and self-sabotaging in her relationships. What I will say to her credit is that when other people call her on her bullshit she apologizes instead of arguing, and does not let it interfere with her professional life.
Her best friend Justin and his fiance actually both seemed like very lovely people. Both play important roles in the story by existing, though they aren't necessarily on stage until later in the novel. Jo acknowledges that her hatred toward Rebecca is unfair and tries to quash it, which I appreciated.
I was pleasantly surprised by the behavior of Jo's fellow police officers. They clearly respect her and work well together. I liked that their interactions were focused almost exclusively on the case instead of spending boring time having Jo battle workplace sexism.
What I didn't like was how sad the story ended up being. I feel duped! The description made it seem like a lot of fun, and I expected interesting chaos as superheroes and villains tore up the city. It ended up being filled with repercussions of Jo's horrible childhood and how she lost her faith. I felt as though there were some unnecessary character deaths that were pure shock factor and didn't actually do much to advance the plot. The author could have worked around it, and that's what kept this book from being 5 stars for me. I liked the story and concept a great deal but in the end I don't see myself continuing the series.
Spoilers for who dies and why I didn't like it:
January 21, 2017
Originally reviewed at Dark Faerie Tales: http://darkfaerietales.com/review-jus...
Quick & Dirty: Dark and action packed urban fantasy superhero tale that will keep you on edge until the story ends.
The Review:
Justice is a dark superhero tale about an unpowered detective — Joanna Fallon. Since her father died when she was 12, all Joanna has done is hate on superheroes. Most of all she blames the superhero Justice for not saving her father’s life during a robbery. Right after her father died, Joanna planned to commit suicide but she was saved by a boy named Justin before she could jump off the highest bridge in Galilee Falls. Joanna and Justin quickly became friends, oftentimes they were inseparable.
Joanna decides to become a cop so she can save the people that the superheroes cannot. When Justice begins she is a detective on the elite Priority Homicide squad. Her job is dangerous but when she is called to the superhero maximum security prison to interview an incarcerated inmate, she is the witness of a breakout for another superhero, A. A has the disgusting ability to squirt out acid from his wrists to melt anything and anyone he wants. Joanna begins the manhunt to capture A before he can kill more people, to end his reign of terror once more.
Meanwhile, Joanna is dealing with huge amounts of jealousy. Justin is engaged to an incredibly beautiful doctor, Rebecca and inside it is killing Joanna to be around Justin. She has been in love with him since he saved her life but she has always hidden those feelings. He being the rich kid and she being the loser from the poor part of town, it has always been perceived that she is after his money. She hides her love so that she can prove those people wrong.
Joanna is a character who knows she has flaws, like sleeping with her boss. She even tries to justify it for herself but eventually she doesn’t care anymore. She kind of has a death wish in the fact that she doesn’t care if she puts herself in danger to save those around her. She taunts A into coming after her. She has a dark and funny sense of humor that gets her through her day.
This is one of those novels that isn’t so much predictable, you just know, even though it is oblivious to the main character. Justice was a wonderfully dark, tragic novel with hints of humor. This novel made me laugh and it even made me cry. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait for the interactions between Joanna and Justice. I just knew that she shouldn’t talk to him like that. That she shouldn’t be so carefree with her conversations with a masked man. Although Joanna’s interactions with A were pretty stellar too, there is only so much you can say to a man who is seriously off his rocker. That is what held my rapt attention the most, I had to know how it would play out for Joanna. I still feel like it shouldn’t have ended the way it did, but it had to if Joanna was going to be able to move on with her life.
The world wasn’t overwhelming with superheroes. It was a world that just was, it accepted that there were these individuals and let them get on with their day. Justice really only involved a couple superpowers, others were mentioned, but not in a way that it took over the story. Justice was really about Joanna and how she coped with trying to be a superhero in her own way.
Overall, Justice is a dark, unforgettable novel that just doesn’t stop until the last page. I have already recommended this book and I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series whenever it comes out. I want to know if the next book continues Joanna’s story or if we see someone new in Galilee Falls.
Quick & Dirty: Dark and action packed urban fantasy superhero tale that will keep you on edge until the story ends.
The Review:
Justice is a dark superhero tale about an unpowered detective — Joanna Fallon. Since her father died when she was 12, all Joanna has done is hate on superheroes. Most of all she blames the superhero Justice for not saving her father’s life during a robbery. Right after her father died, Joanna planned to commit suicide but she was saved by a boy named Justin before she could jump off the highest bridge in Galilee Falls. Joanna and Justin quickly became friends, oftentimes they were inseparable.
Joanna decides to become a cop so she can save the people that the superheroes cannot. When Justice begins she is a detective on the elite Priority Homicide squad. Her job is dangerous but when she is called to the superhero maximum security prison to interview an incarcerated inmate, she is the witness of a breakout for another superhero, A. A has the disgusting ability to squirt out acid from his wrists to melt anything and anyone he wants. Joanna begins the manhunt to capture A before he can kill more people, to end his reign of terror once more.
Meanwhile, Joanna is dealing with huge amounts of jealousy. Justin is engaged to an incredibly beautiful doctor, Rebecca and inside it is killing Joanna to be around Justin. She has been in love with him since he saved her life but she has always hidden those feelings. He being the rich kid and she being the loser from the poor part of town, it has always been perceived that she is after his money. She hides her love so that she can prove those people wrong.
Joanna is a character who knows she has flaws, like sleeping with her boss. She even tries to justify it for herself but eventually she doesn’t care anymore. She kind of has a death wish in the fact that she doesn’t care if she puts herself in danger to save those around her. She taunts A into coming after her. She has a dark and funny sense of humor that gets her through her day.
This is one of those novels that isn’t so much predictable, you just know, even though it is oblivious to the main character. Justice was a wonderfully dark, tragic novel with hints of humor. This novel made me laugh and it even made me cry. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I couldn’t wait for the interactions between Joanna and Justice. I just knew that she shouldn’t talk to him like that. That she shouldn’t be so carefree with her conversations with a masked man. Although Joanna’s interactions with A were pretty stellar too, there is only so much you can say to a man who is seriously off his rocker. That is what held my rapt attention the most, I had to know how it would play out for Joanna. I still feel like it shouldn’t have ended the way it did, but it had to if Joanna was going to be able to move on with her life.
The world wasn’t overwhelming with superheroes. It was a world that just was, it accepted that there were these individuals and let them get on with their day. Justice really only involved a couple superpowers, others were mentioned, but not in a way that it took over the story. Justice was really about Joanna and how she coped with trying to be a superhero in her own way.
Overall, Justice is a dark, unforgettable novel that just doesn’t stop until the last page. I have already recommended this book and I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series whenever it comes out. I want to know if the next book continues Joanna’s story or if we see someone new in Galilee Falls.
June 9, 2021
I wanted to like this more than I did. I love superhero stories and the deconstruction of them too, but they work best when they have a single issue or event they're pinpoint focused on. It doesn't have to be simple, for example you can have Bad Dee trying to smash the city up and tell a story about how emergency services are the real heroes at the same time, but if you add too many distractions it becomes muddled.
This book is that muddle.
It wanted to tell me heroes are flawed individuals just like everyone, and Joanna as a homicide detective is the real hero even though she doesn't wear a costume, and Alkaline wants revenge against the city, and you can't save everyone, and doing the right thing can be dangerous, and... Well, you get the idea. Because it wanted to go in so many directions it ended up not really telling me anything in a satisfying manner.
Also the characters themselves were very hit and miss, especially Joanna. I wanted to like her so much as a person who was dealt a bad hand at birth and triumphed regardless, yet she was so broken and unhappy with her lot in life that I couldn't cheer for her. For a character who was written as acting so brash and cocksure, she also let absolutely everyone treat her like a doormat. Her best friend, her secret boyfried, her work partner, they all manipulated or threw her under the bus to greater or lesser extents, usually justifying it as being for her own good somehow, and she takes it because she has no self-worth. It just didn't appeal to me.
The final thing I want to touch on is how the end of the story felt pretty weak and a little contradictory to me. How things play out it seems to underscore the astronomical cost and futility of heroism, but at the same time what it says is that as long as there are good people who do the right thing and stand against evil then it can never win. I feel like it really needed to pick one or the other, to be a "downer" ending that provokes thoughtful questions (to be picked up in further books), or an "upbeat" ending that ends on a positive note and makes the reader feel good. This one was neither and so fell flat for me.
Overall I'm left underwhelmed. The writing was adequate, but it wasn't special enough to allow me to overlook the issues I took with the story and characters. Having snuck a peek at the synopsis for the second book only to discover that nearly everything that happened in this one is seemingly changed/ irrelevant leaves me feeling completely cold. Rather than wanting to read to find out how/ why, I now just want to cut my losses and run.
This book is that muddle.
It wanted to tell me heroes are flawed individuals just like everyone, and Joanna as a homicide detective is the real hero even though she doesn't wear a costume, and Alkaline wants revenge against the city, and you can't save everyone, and doing the right thing can be dangerous, and... Well, you get the idea. Because it wanted to go in so many directions it ended up not really telling me anything in a satisfying manner.
Also the characters themselves were very hit and miss, especially Joanna. I wanted to like her so much as a person who was dealt a bad hand at birth and triumphed regardless, yet she was so broken and unhappy with her lot in life that I couldn't cheer for her. For a character who was written as acting so brash and cocksure, she also let absolutely everyone treat her like a doormat. Her best friend, her secret boyfried, her work partner, they all manipulated or threw her under the bus to greater or lesser extents, usually justifying it as being for her own good somehow, and she takes it because she has no self-worth. It just didn't appeal to me.
The final thing I want to touch on is how the end of the story felt pretty weak and a little contradictory to me. How things play out it seems to underscore the astronomical cost and futility of heroism, but at the same time what it says is that as long as there are good people who do the right thing and stand against evil then it can never win. I feel like it really needed to pick one or the other, to be a "downer" ending that provokes thoughtful questions (to be picked up in further books), or an "upbeat" ending that ends on a positive note and makes the reader feel good. This one was neither and so fell flat for me.
Overall I'm left underwhelmed. The writing was adequate, but it wasn't special enough to allow me to overlook the issues I took with the story and characters. Having snuck a peek at the synopsis for the second book only to discover that nearly everything that happened in this one is seemingly changed/ irrelevant leaves me feeling completely cold. Rather than wanting to read to find out how/ why, I now just want to cut my losses and run.
May 29, 2013
Joanne Fallon is a detective in Galilee Falls. The world is not normal, by our standards. There are "supes" both villains and vigilantes. Joanne has a long standing best friend, Justin, who is the town's prodigal son. Joanne is also involved in a secret affair. But Joanne has always been in love with Justin. They met at age 12/13. Justice is the superhero, who Joanne despises. When Joanne was a girl, her father was murdered, and she placed some of the blame on Justice, who did not save her father. Book begins with Justice capturing one of the baddies, Alkaline. Alkaline is able to shoot acid from bones in his arms, his body produces it. Super speed, an ability to heal quickly is shared by both Justice and Alkaline. Alkaline escapes from prison after 3 years, and the chase is on. Will Joanne capture him or will Justice? To complicate matters, Alkaline has developed an unnatural interest in Joanne.
I very much enjoyed this book. I read it in one day. I was curious to read something by this author. I had noted her on Goodreads, and I read her blog regularly. I like her humor, and most of all, her style of writing is very enjoyable for me to read. I like a little snark in my heroes/heroines. OH important point: I was expecting the premise of future, meaning "this takes place in the year 2065". Nope! I am not a big fan of futuristic books. I was pleasantly surprised that the storyline was in present day.
This book is not the Avengers, Batman, Superman, X-Men, Iron Man. It isn't Bones, or Castle. What it is, is a very entertaining read, and, I think, a better combination of all. I like all of the comic books, movies and TV shows I mentioned. This book is something different, and I could see it made into a TV series (Pay attention Kevin Smith, Josh Whedon!).
All said, I could not put this book down. I found one bit of dialogue predictable, and that would be the only criticism. This may be a new genre Ms. Harlow has created. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I am also going to check out her other books as well.
Do yourself a favor and read this book.
I very much enjoyed this book. I read it in one day. I was curious to read something by this author. I had noted her on Goodreads, and I read her blog regularly. I like her humor, and most of all, her style of writing is very enjoyable for me to read. I like a little snark in my heroes/heroines. OH important point: I was expecting the premise of future, meaning "this takes place in the year 2065". Nope! I am not a big fan of futuristic books. I was pleasantly surprised that the storyline was in present day.
This book is not the Avengers, Batman, Superman, X-Men, Iron Man. It isn't Bones, or Castle. What it is, is a very entertaining read, and, I think, a better combination of all. I like all of the comic books, movies and TV shows I mentioned. This book is something different, and I could see it made into a TV series (Pay attention Kevin Smith, Josh Whedon!).
All said, I could not put this book down. I found one bit of dialogue predictable, and that would be the only criticism. This may be a new genre Ms. Harlow has created. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I am also going to check out her other books as well.
Do yourself a favor and read this book.
November 16, 2015
Really really enjoyed! An urban fantasy novel set in a United States where superheros are real. This is the first book in what will be a trilogy and it focuses on the city of Galilee Falls, where Justice is the local superhero.
If you've ever seen a superhero movie, this book is completely predictable. But it doesn't matter because you don't go to see Batman or Superman to be surprised with the story arc. You go to see how the story you already know will reveal itself in this telling. With these characters. And that is the case here. It doesn't matter that you can guess the ending. Its still a great read and super enjoyable to watch how it all unfolds.
One of the reasons its so enjoyable is the main character, Joanna Fallon, who is a police detective. Despite the story being named for the superhero, this is really her story. You might know how the story is going to unfold but she doesn't and its interesting to watch her grapple with it. Joanna is after super-villain, Akaline, who has managed to escape from prison and seems to have his eyes on her as part of his game plan for revenge against Justice.
I thought this was a really great start to the trilogy. It sets up an interesting city and some really fascinating characters. It's a satisfying complete read on its own but it sets up enough of a premise for the second book. It's very much an urban fantasy novel. There are a number of relationships in the story but they aren't the main focus, instead setting the scene and the hunt for Akaline are the priority.
2nd Read - November 2015: I reread this right after finishing the third book in the series. Still enjoyed it very much and it was interesting to notice a certain person in this book. But it really shows just how well Harlow planned out this trilogy in advance and I really appreciate the little details like that. Having now finished the trilogy I can say this is a really great beginning to a series that is incredibly satisfying and well planned out.
If you've ever seen a superhero movie, this book is completely predictable. But it doesn't matter because you don't go to see Batman or Superman to be surprised with the story arc. You go to see how the story you already know will reveal itself in this telling. With these characters. And that is the case here. It doesn't matter that you can guess the ending. Its still a great read and super enjoyable to watch how it all unfolds.
One of the reasons its so enjoyable is the main character, Joanna Fallon, who is a police detective. Despite the story being named for the superhero, this is really her story. You might know how the story is going to unfold but she doesn't and its interesting to watch her grapple with it. Joanna is after super-villain, Akaline, who has managed to escape from prison and seems to have his eyes on her as part of his game plan for revenge against Justice.
I thought this was a really great start to the trilogy. It sets up an interesting city and some really fascinating characters. It's a satisfying complete read on its own but it sets up enough of a premise for the second book. It's very much an urban fantasy novel. There are a number of relationships in the story but they aren't the main focus, instead setting the scene and the hunt for Akaline are the priority.
2nd Read - November 2015: I reread this right after finishing the third book in the series. Still enjoyed it very much and it was interesting to notice a certain person in this book. But it really shows just how well Harlow planned out this trilogy in advance and I really appreciate the little details like that. Having now finished the trilogy I can say this is a really great beginning to a series that is incredibly satisfying and well planned out.
June 7, 2013
It’s hard being a regular police officer in Galilee Falls, a city with the highest concentration of superheroes and villains in the country. It’s even harder watching your best friend, the man you’re secretly in love with your whole life, planning to marry another woman. Detective Joanna Fallon has to contend with both. When the vilest supervillain in the city’s history, Alkaline, the former crime boss who can shoot acid from his wrists, escapes from the maximum security prison, the whole city is gripped by panic.
Leading the pursuit is Captain Harry O’Hara, Joanna’s boss and secret lover, and the city’s champion superhero Justice, who caught the villain last time, much to Joanna’s chagrin. Before her father was murdered in a mugging twenty years earlier, Joanna worshiped the hero, but when he disappeared and failed to save her father, that adoration turned to contempt for all supers. After Alkaline attacks too close to home and targets Joanna as his next victim, tough-as-nail Joanna has to contend with her increasing fear while struggling to choose between her life-long crush and her new-found love.
At turns vulnerable and fierce, equally mordant and winsome, Joanna is an earnest yet emotionally damaged heroine, who despite the tough breaks of her childhood sees the good in people and vow to protect her beloved city at all costs. An ass-kicking petite firecracker with no superpowers of her own, she charges after supervillains unflinchingly, never losing her wit even when facing her toughest fight.
With a coy blend of whimsy and vivid imagination, Jennifer delivers both humor and thrills in an action-packed and edgy blend of comic book cool, fantasy-noir, and bitter-sweet romance. A real marvelous page-turner, it will keep you up past your bedtime, as it did me.
As her literary agent, I have seen Jennifer's writing grow leaps and bounds throughout the years. This is hands down her best book yet.
Leading the pursuit is Captain Harry O’Hara, Joanna’s boss and secret lover, and the city’s champion superhero Justice, who caught the villain last time, much to Joanna’s chagrin. Before her father was murdered in a mugging twenty years earlier, Joanna worshiped the hero, but when he disappeared and failed to save her father, that adoration turned to contempt for all supers. After Alkaline attacks too close to home and targets Joanna as his next victim, tough-as-nail Joanna has to contend with her increasing fear while struggling to choose between her life-long crush and her new-found love.
At turns vulnerable and fierce, equally mordant and winsome, Joanna is an earnest yet emotionally damaged heroine, who despite the tough breaks of her childhood sees the good in people and vow to protect her beloved city at all costs. An ass-kicking petite firecracker with no superpowers of her own, she charges after supervillains unflinchingly, never losing her wit even when facing her toughest fight.
With a coy blend of whimsy and vivid imagination, Jennifer delivers both humor and thrills in an action-packed and edgy blend of comic book cool, fantasy-noir, and bitter-sweet romance. A real marvelous page-turner, it will keep you up past your bedtime, as it did me.
As her literary agent, I have seen Jennifer's writing grow leaps and bounds throughout the years. This is hands down her best book yet.
August 11, 2013
Oh, I liked this one. Also, I might be THE MOST emotional person on the planet right now because this is the 3rd or 4th book recently that reduced me to teary-eyed reading. Dangit. What can I say? When the truth gets dropped on someone like a ton of bricks and shatters trust, it gets to me.
Joanna. Joanna, Joanna, Joanna. Besides her unrelenting contempt for all super heroes, she was remarkably well balanced. Sure, she has an unrequited love thing going on and she's having an affair with her boss, but she's fearless and she steps in when she has to to do what's right. I can totally respect that. And that contempt she has toward those of the superhero persuasion? I won't say it's justified but I can see where she's coming from and I can see how it's driven her to be a better police officer.
Admittedly, some of the big secrets that drive the plot, I saw coming. For me, it was Joanna's utter devastation when she has to deal with these secrets that laid me low, rather than the reveal of the secret itself. Joanna's a good person. Other than keeping her affair with her boss secret and not telling her best friend that she loves him (which is understandable, in my opinion), she's remarkably above board. She doesn't pull her punches and she expects the same of those she trusts.
I'm going to point out that normally I'm not a fan AT ALL of secrets being kept from main characters. But it worked in this book. I could TOTALLY buy it. And maybe that's why it hurt so much.
I'm still kind of flaily over this book. It's sticking with me and I'm VERY curious where things will go in the next installment of the series. Between the heroes and the villains and Joanna herself, I want more.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Joanna. Joanna, Joanna, Joanna. Besides her unrelenting contempt for all super heroes, she was remarkably well balanced. Sure, she has an unrequited love thing going on and she's having an affair with her boss, but she's fearless and she steps in when she has to to do what's right. I can totally respect that. And that contempt she has toward those of the superhero persuasion? I won't say it's justified but I can see where she's coming from and I can see how it's driven her to be a better police officer.
Admittedly, some of the big secrets that drive the plot, I saw coming. For me, it was Joanna's utter devastation when she has to deal with these secrets that laid me low, rather than the reveal of the secret itself. Joanna's a good person. Other than keeping her affair with her boss secret and not telling her best friend that she loves him (which is understandable, in my opinion), she's remarkably above board. She doesn't pull her punches and she expects the same of those she trusts.
I'm going to point out that normally I'm not a fan AT ALL of secrets being kept from main characters. But it worked in this book. I could TOTALLY buy it. And maybe that's why it hurt so much.
I'm still kind of flaily over this book. It's sticking with me and I'm VERY curious where things will go in the next installment of the series. Between the heroes and the villains and Joanna herself, I want more.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 6, 2013
JUSTICE is full of action, adventure, conflict and emotion. The story was addictive, the characters are flawed and likeable and I could not put the book down.
I really enjoyed the comic world feel of the book. The action is non stop and Joanna really can kick ass when it is needed (and trust me it always seems to be needed). Joanna was an interesting character. She met her best friend Justin after he stopped her from committing suicide as a child and has been in love with him ever since. Unfortunately he does not know that and is getting ready to marry another woman. Justin is the rich boy to her poor girl. They are like water and fire but depend on each other at every turn. Then there is Joanna's secret lover/boss Harry. Even though Harry is older, they fit well together. They don't seem to expect the world from each other but they are happy with each other and grow together throughout the book. Although things tend to be completely obvious to you, you can see why Joanna does not see what is right in front of her most of the time. I don't want to dive into much more about the story or the world because I think you will enjoy the book more without guessing what will happen beforehand.
I always get excited when I see a new book coming out in Jennifer's F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series. I was a little skeptical when she contacted me to review JUSTICE because I am not a comic type of girl. JUSTICE was so much more than I thought it would be and I do not see myself turning down any book that Jennifer puts out in the future. I have loved everything I have read from her and I know you will too.
I really enjoyed the comic world feel of the book. The action is non stop and Joanna really can kick ass when it is needed (and trust me it always seems to be needed). Joanna was an interesting character. She met her best friend Justin after he stopped her from committing suicide as a child and has been in love with him ever since. Unfortunately he does not know that and is getting ready to marry another woman. Justin is the rich boy to her poor girl. They are like water and fire but depend on each other at every turn. Then there is Joanna's secret lover/boss Harry. Even though Harry is older, they fit well together. They don't seem to expect the world from each other but they are happy with each other and grow together throughout the book. Although things tend to be completely obvious to you, you can see why Joanna does not see what is right in front of her most of the time. I don't want to dive into much more about the story or the world because I think you will enjoy the book more without guessing what will happen beforehand.
I always get excited when I see a new book coming out in Jennifer's F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series. I was a little skeptical when she contacted me to review JUSTICE because I am not a comic type of girl. JUSTICE was so much more than I thought it would be and I do not see myself turning down any book that Jennifer puts out in the future. I have loved everything I have read from her and I know you will too.
August 13, 2015
Justice is a book of superheros, super villains and the people stuck in between. I was never a heavy reader of comic books, though I have read more than a few in my lifetime. I haven't followed series involving The Flash, despite him being my favorite superhero. My husband is a fan with knowledge of just about every universe written and rewritten and revamped and revised and brought back to life by Marvel, DC and Dark Horse. He's the one that pulled me into the online game, City of Heroes. How did I respond? I loved it! Why hadn't I discovered this world of heroes while growing up?
So when I was contacted about the Justice book tour, my curiosity pushed me to read it. I was not disappointed. Justice is titled after the superhero in the story, a hero with lightning speed and super strength. With the escape of Alkaline, we are quickly introduced to the hero. But don't assume the book is focused on him. If it were, I have no doubt it would be a boring read, at least for me. Honestly, I have no desire to read about Superman (zzzzzzz). With Jo (aka Joanna), I could identify with her attitude. Despite the starry eyed public around her, she's less than impressed with Justice. I fear I can't say much more, otherwise I'd spoil the story. Trust me, it's worth checking out. I truly enjoyed reading Justice.
For superhero fans (die hard or just starting) this is an entertaining read and one I'd recommend to my friends. For those who love stories with action, love and intrigue, give Justice a try. The writing style is entertaining, the dialogue is smooth and the story is overall good.
**Note: I received a free copy of Justice in ebook format in exchange for an honest review.**
So when I was contacted about the Justice book tour, my curiosity pushed me to read it. I was not disappointed. Justice is titled after the superhero in the story, a hero with lightning speed and super strength. With the escape of Alkaline, we are quickly introduced to the hero. But don't assume the book is focused on him. If it were, I have no doubt it would be a boring read, at least for me. Honestly, I have no desire to read about Superman (zzzzzzz). With Jo (aka Joanna), I could identify with her attitude. Despite the starry eyed public around her, she's less than impressed with Justice. I fear I can't say much more, otherwise I'd spoil the story. Trust me, it's worth checking out. I truly enjoyed reading Justice.
For superhero fans (die hard or just starting) this is an entertaining read and one I'd recommend to my friends. For those who love stories with action, love and intrigue, give Justice a try. The writing style is entertaining, the dialogue is smooth and the story is overall good.
**Note: I received a free copy of Justice in ebook format in exchange for an honest review.**
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