Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Convoluted crime wave slows adventure's momentum.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
At the beginning of CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER, master thief Selina Kyle returns to Gotham City after spending two years away with a cult of female assassins. She claims to be socialite Holly Vanderhees and coincidentally moves in next to Luke Fox, also known as the crimefighter Batwing. She recruits two partners -- Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy -- to assist in instigating a crime wave that has the entire city up in arms. But the true nature of Selina's plans remain a mystery to friends and opponents alike.
Is It Any Good?
Superheroics don't always translate well to prose, and such is the case with this overlong adventure that might work better as a graphic novel. Catwoman: Soulstealer author Sarah J. Maas develops Catwoman's backstory so that readers can understand some of the criminal choices she makes, but some of the details feel a little heavy-handed.
The straight-ahead action scenes mostly work, and Maas knows how to orchestrate a fight scene for maximum punch. The dialogue is off-kilter and often funny, especially for the supporting cast. But midway through, the plot seems to drag, and it's a long haul to rebuild momentum for the finale. The book probably works best for true Catwoman fans. More casual readers might be less engaged.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Catwoman: Soulstealer might differ from a graphic novel version of the same material. What kinds of effects are easier in comics than in prose?
Selina Kyle is a criminal, but she is still a sympathetic protagonist. How do antiheroes function in fiction? Why are some "bad" characters more interesting than "good" ones?
Selina and Luke make assumptions about each other based on a few personal details. How do prejudices get in the way of understanding people?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 7, 2018
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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