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Batman: Nightwalker

Book 2 in the series:DC Icons

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Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu is a retelling of Bruce Wayne's origin story before becoming Batman. Set in Gotham City, the story follows Bruce as he navigates his teenage years, facing challenges and mysteries that will shape his future as the Dark Knight. The plot unfolds with Bruce getting involved with the Nightwalkers, a gang targeting the wealthy of Gotham, and his encounters with characters like Madeleine, who adds complexity to the narrative. The writing style captures the essence of Gotham with detailed descriptions, action-packed scenes, and a touch of romance, providing a new perspective on the iconic superhero.

Characters:

The characters reflect various layers of complexity, particularly Bruce as a naive yet intelligent teenager, and Madeleine as a morally ambiguous figure, along with notable supporting roles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging, with a focus on character development and a balance of suspenseful action that is suitable for young adult readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a young Bruce Wayne grappling with his emerging identity while encountering crime in Gotham, specifically involving the Nightwalkers, leading to his complicated interactions at Arkham Asylum.

Setting:

The setting vividly portrays Gotham City and the grim environment of Arkham Asylum, emphasizing the darker themes associated with wealth inequality and crime.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with a slow start that transitions to more action-oriented scenes later, balancing dialogue and plot development.
Now he pushed the car to its limits, indulging in the roar of its engines, the way it responded to his slightest touch as it hugged the sunset streets right outside Gotham City. The vehicle was a gift...

Notes:

Batman: Nightwalker is part of the DC Icons series, which explores the origins of young adult superhero characters.
Marie Lu, known for her popular YA works, was chosen to write the Batman installment due to her strong storytelling skills.
The story follows an 18-year-old Bruce Wayne who is not yet Batman and is dealing with the trauma of losing his parents.
Bruce must perform community service at Arkham Asylum after a reckless attempt to help the police.
He develops a complicated relationship with a young woman named Madeline, who is connected to a criminal group called the Nightwalkers.
Madeline's character adds complexity to the plot as she manipulates Bruce while being morally ambiguous herself.
The book incorporates themes of privilege and wealth disparity in Gotham City.
Readers noted the refreshing portrayal of Bruce as reflective and emotionally vulnerable, contrasting with other adaptations of the character.
The appearance of well-known characters like Alfred, Lucius Fox, and Harvey Dent adds familiarity to the story.
While some praised the depth of character development, others felt the plot lacked the expected dark elements of a typical Batman story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Warnings include themes of loss, violence, and references to crime and criminal behavior.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the story, primarily portrayed through Bruce and Madeline's interactions.

From The Publisher:

This dark and twisty BATMAN in the blockbuster DC Icons series is an action-packed thrill ride from #1 New York Times bestselling author MARIE LU.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Before he was Batman, he was Bruce Wayne. A reckless boy willing to break the rules for a girl who may be his worst enemy.

The Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and Bruce Wayne is next on their list. Bruce is turning eighteen and inheriting his family's fortune, not to mention the keys to Wayne Industries and all the tech gadgetry that he could ever desire. But on the way home from his birthday party, he makes an impulsive choice that leads to community service at Arkham Asylum, the infamous prison. There, he meets Madeleine Wallace, a brilliant killer with ties to the Nightwalkers. A girl who will only speak to Bruce. She is the mystery he must unravel, but is he convincing her to divulge her secrets, or is he feeding her the information she needs to bring Gotham City to its knees?

Bruce Wayne is proof that you don't need superpowers to be a super hero, but can he survive Madeleine's game of tense intrigue and deception?

Act fast! The first printing includes a poster of Bruce! Each first printing in the DC Icons series will have a limited-edition poster-collect them all to create the full image!

"Masterful. . . . A great story for any Dark Knight fan."

-Den of Geek

Don't miss the rest of the DC Icons series! Read them in any order you choose:

* Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

* Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

* Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (8):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (3)
 
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