Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 7, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Superheroes
Page Count: 384
Rating: 4/5
Source: Purchase
Goodreads | Indigo | Amazon CAN | Amazon US | Book Depository
When the Bat’s away, the Cat will play. It’s time to see how many lives this cat really has. . . .
Two years after escaping Gotham City’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking.
Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing’s undoing.
“She was a ghost. A wraith.”
In the highly anticipated third installment in the DC Icons series, Selina Kyle discovers her claws, and she’s looking to bring Gotham City to its knees. If you’re a huge DC fan as I am, then Catwoman: Soulstealer is your next read. Thieving, trickery, sexual tension, scheming, sisterly love, friendship, and female leads who know how to look good while stealing are what make the DC nerd in me sing.
The big old Bat is away, and Catwoman returns to the infamous Gotham City, and she’s looking for an all-female crew to swindle the rich and wreak havoc. But when she arrives, ghosts from her past want back what she stole from them. And they’re willing to burn Gotham to the ground to get it.
Catwoman is one of my hotly anticipated reads of the Summer. And before I picked it up, I had large expectations I wasn’t sure Sarah could carry out. She has disappointed me with a few of her books. However, she doesn’t let me down with this one. Catwoman is more rough on the edges. You don’t always see the human side of this multi-faceted character. But Sarah reveals a different perspective of her, and I love it.
Selina turns into a street fighter in order for her and her sister, Maggie, to survive. But when the cops come knocking, Selina must choose either going to jail or giving up her sister by accepting the deal with the League of Assassins. Two years later, she is more lethal, wiser, and determined to fulfill her plan. I love Selina as the villain, the anti-hero, and frankly herself. Her alter-ego doesn’t diminish her as a strong-willed character with scars to show. Sarah gives just enough depth for dedicated fans to appreciate and new readers to enjoy.
Sarah easily incorporates classic DC villains and characters readers love. I savoured every moment Selina has with her sister and the schemes she concocts with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. And as a follower of Sarah, I know her writing will grip me until the very end. Every fight scene, tender moment, and foreshadowing come together to make an explosive plot. This storyline gives readers several gratifying character arcs and shows how deadly Gothman’s streets truly are.
What stands out for me is the bonds of friendship and sisterhood. I adored how Selina slowly lowers her guard when she brings Ivy and Harley into the fray. And even though I prefer Catwoman with Batman, the budding relationship with Luke Fox, or Batwing, is intriguing. However, I felt it’s more obligatory than natural. Why does Selina need a love interest? She doesn’t. Unfortunately, Luke’s character growth isn’t as well developed as Selina’s, and that choice puts a damper on the character himself.
Sarah delivers an action-packed coming-of-age with the right dose of love and an overwhelming amount of sass, snark, and scheming. Friendship is at the heart of this sequel. So if you love Catwoman, find yourself a copy. You won’t want to miss this.
“There are good people in Gotham. Protect them.”
This book has so many mixed extreme reviews.. I am almost amazed at how a book incites so many different passions
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Agreed. I think it’s mainly due to the author. Some readers are so determined to bring down her work, whether it’s good or not.
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Well I have not read any of her book to have an opinion yet. When I do, I will review it. ❤️
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Fantastic review! I can’t wait to read this book.
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Thanks! Have fun reading it. 😉
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Selina…Celaena 😀 I’ve read a lot of negative reviews I think are really valid (regardless of opinion of the author), but I’m still really interested in this book! I may look for it in the library. ^_^
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I’ve seen them as well, and I see their views. Some are a tad too negative with everything she does, not all though.
Enjoy reading it!
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Yay. Glad you enjoyed it. I really need to start in this ‘series’. And I’d love to get into any story that gives more attention to Catwoman 😊
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I still hadn’t read Wonder Woman yet, but I hope to get to it soon.
I hope you enjoy reading it!
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I have a good feeling about them 😄
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This sounds awesome! Maas can be hit or miss for me, but I’ve always wanted to check out this DC icons series.
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I usually like what she writes, except for a few books. Surprisingly, she did good with Catwoman.
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Hahaha you beat me to it! I’ve scheduled my review for thursday – I guess great minds think alike 😉 I’m so glad you loved this as much as I did. There’s being some very mixed and negative reviews so I’m glad we can spread the love. I’m not the biggest super hero fan so I was really here for Sarah’s writing and the banter but I actually loved this. I’m low-key obsessing over all things Gothem now. I’m even going to watch the Dark Night so hell must truly be freezing over haha
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I saw!! 😘 I was wondering when your review would be up.
I’m a huge superhero fan, but I stay away from the comics and most of the books. But I’m loving the DC Icons series though. I’m not sure if I’ll read the last book. I wasn’t sure if Sarah would live up to such a strong character, but she humanizes Selina, who I love even more because of that.
Yassss, do it. It’s one of the best adaptations out there and probably the only one where we get the same actor for more than two movies.
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My brother is a super nerd at heart and is low key obsessed with all things Marvel and DC (probably leans more towards Marvel) so he’s been trying to get me into the films for years, He’s always loved the Dark Night Trilogy. Now we’ve made a deal – I’ll watch the movies if he’ll read Catwoman (he never ever, ever reads). Two birds, one stone 😉 besides – I know he’ll love it he’s just to stubborn to actually pick up a book.
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I’m extremely low key. Not obsessed, but I love it. But I’m the same with Marvel though.
HA! I love the trickery there. Let me know what he thinks about it.
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heeheehee I’m all about the sibling trickery *evilly strokes cat while plotting world domination over said brother*
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I’m really not a fan of Selina having a love interest, buuuut I’m liking the sound of Ivy and Harley, and the dynamics with the ladies in the story…HMM…
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I rolled my eyes when I found out. Selina is such a great character in her own right that she doesn’t need to be connected immediately to a lover.
The three were bloody brilliant. Sarah handled Ivy and Harley’s relationship quiet well.
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ahhh, I’m a sucker for Ivy/Harley, so now you’ve tipped me into needing to check this out, lol.
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Ahh! I’m excited to hear.
I enjoyed Ivy and Harley, but I felt so bad for Ivy though. I hope you get to read it soon.
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