Black Canary: Breaking Silence

DC Icons Series

By: Alexandra Monir

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling series!

DC Icons continues with the first-ever YA origin story of superhero Black Canary, from the internationally best-selling author Alexandra Monir. In this thrilling novel, Dinah Lance's voice is her weapon. And in a near-future world where women have no rights, she won't hesitate to use everything she has - including her song - to fight back.

Dinah Lance was eight years old when she overheard the impossible: the sound of a girl singing. It was something she was never meant to hear - not in her lifetime and not in Gotham City, taken over by the vicious, patriarchal Court of Owls. The sinister organization rules Gotham City as a dictatorship and has stripped women of everything - their right to work, to make music, to learn, to be free.

Now 17, Dinah can't forget that haunting sound, and she's beginning to discover that her own voice is just as powerful. But singing is forbidden - a one-way route to a certain death sentence. Fighting to balance her father's desire to keep her safe, a blossoming romance with mysterious new student Oliver Queen, and her own need to help other women and girls rise up, Dinah wonders if her song will finally be heard. And will her voice be powerful enough to destroy the Court of Owls once and for all?

©2020 Alexandra Monir (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic reviews

Glamour.com, “16 Books for Everyone on Your List, According to Book Influencers"

Tor.com, “8 Amazing Novels about Superheroes”

PopSugar, “Books Everyone Will Be Talking About in December”

Refinery29, “17 Great YA Books to Gift”

Brit + Co, “13 Page Turners for the Book Lovers on Your List”

iO9, “December’s New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books Just Might Help You End 2020 on a Good Note”

"Monir deftly balances familiarity for DC fans and accessibility for new readers, blending superhero origin with coming-of-age tale in an excellent book for fans of comics and dystopian fiction, as well as reluctant readers."—School Library Journal

"Dinah is a powerful protagonist, vibrating with a youthful rage and energy familiar to readers itching for revolution of any kind. Monir never shies away from her tale’s unfortunately pertinent sociopolitical implications, putting a refreshing spin on the feminist dystopia. ... Sure to resonate in today’s volatile climate."—Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling story of resistance, oppression, politics, feminism, rebellion, and revolution. A good story about finding your voice!” –Teen Librarian Toolbox/School Library Journal

Wow! Loved this book!

As a superhero tv and movie fan, I instantly loved this book with all the twists and turns. A great book about female empowerment in the face of a toxic patriarchy. Dinah Laurel Lance is a likable protagonist with a lot of heart and potential. Thrilling story for sure!

DC's version of 1984

The story itself isn't bad. This written specifically with women in mind. The young heroine finds herself with handsome young prince at her side. I had trouble relating with the character. The story is full of things that a female would relate with better.

Good story. Unbelievable Gotham

The story was good, characters were good, narration wasn't the best but not bad. My issue was with Gotham in the big picture. There's no way a city can become an independent dictatorship and still be a part of the country.

I want a sequel

Black Canary: Breaking Silence is inspiring, empowering, a little heart breaking but overall a fun read. A origin story with a twist. Dinah Lance, a 17 year old High school student in a dystopian Gotham City. Where there’s no superhero’s and the GCPD is basically powerless. The city is controlled by the Court of Owls and their minions the Talons to make sure everyone follows the rules, especially women. Women are controlled with pretty much everything they do. But who will stand up to the Court of Owls?

I love audiobooks especially with good narrators. Kathleen McInereny did a really good job. I just wished for the singing part she sung but no worries.

Great audiobook with strong female leads!

I really enjoyed this audio book. The narrator is stellar, and I like that they introduced less known DC characters and had empowering female leads that with a good storyline.

Didn't like the narration

Didn't like the narration. She made the female characters sound like five year olds...all the SAME five year olds. Story was also slow to get moving. Couldn't finish it.

like American Idol tryouts (😒)

Will this get better??
I anticipated this book to continue the DC storyline that are few.  The plot as well as climax left much to be desired, especially with the characters brought in to support the story; nearly handcuffed and handicapping them to this narrative.

Not nearly as enjoyable as WW: Warbringer, Catwoman: Soulstealer, or Batman: Nightwalker stories that preceeded.

Enchanting

This back story on the black canary has been one of my favorites in this series.

I love that she learned she has had the power all along.

My least favorite part of this book is the violence… but it is a DC Legend, so I knew to expect it.

My favorite part is canary working with the green arrow…

Black Canary sings a unique tune!!

When it comes to DC material, especially involving the Batman world, I will most likely give a shot. This is part of the reason I checked this one out, also I am a fan of Black Canary. At first it feels very YA and kinda teen drama in dystopian era Gotham, but once you really get into the story it is really good. Of course, being a fan of the DC Universe, I had to get pass certain inaccuracies like Batman dying of old age before second Black Canary is born when she and Oliver are suppose to be the same age as Batman. Still, how Dinah discovers herself as a hero and how her relationship with Oliver develops is pretty well done. Also, the realistic idea of women having pretty much no rights and power due to a shadow organization like the Court of Owls is intriguing and engaging. All and all, if you are a fan of both the character and the surrounding universe, or of dystopian sci-fi stuff, it is definitely worth checking out.

Great audio adaptation of a comic book!

I really enjoyed this book. Wish there were a sequel to this. If you like DC comics and Black Canary and Green Arrow you will absolutely like it.