Catwoman by Sarah J. Maas - HIGH

Catwoman: Soulstealer (D.C. Comics, #3) by Sarah J. Maas, 360 pages.  Random House, 2018.  $19.  

Content: Language: R (100+ swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH      

At seventeen, Selina has been raising her sister, Maggie, for a few years because of her irresponsible parents.  Maggie has cystic fibrosis and her medical costs to stay comfortable are high, so Selina fights for the underground gang called the Leopards.  When Selina is arrested, her only concern is for Maggie, so when a wealthy woman offers to take care of all of Maggie’s needs, if Selina will train with her league of assassins, Selina takes the offer.  On the other side of Gotham, Luke is a wealthy war veteran who protects the city as the hero, Batwing. When Maggie returns she is under the guise of Holly Vanderhees and she is Luke’s neighbor.  Holly is wanted by the assassins who trained her and she is also a thief.  Luke and Maggie’s paths cross and life gets interesting.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this spin on Catwoman.  I’ve never really loved her character, but this book gives a great back story with interesting characters that I felt empathy for.  Maas is an amazing writer and I loved the pace of the plot and all the minor characters as well.  The violence includes fighting and killings and the mature content is make-outs.  If not for the high swear count this book would be essential.  

C. Peterson