How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) is a charming, irresistible young adult story about superheroes, villains, a crushing premed course load--and the everyday bravery involved in being vulnerable with friends and in falling in love. I adored this and am in for all future books by Fernandez.
In Cristina Fernandez's new young adult book How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying), main protagonist and Columbia premed undergrad Astrid is dating Max Martin, a sweet, nerdy boy she knew back in high school.
Astrid is always on time, always. Her sense of time and what it's possible to achieve within windows of time is practically her superpower. (You should see her day planner with its advanced highlighting and scheduling.)
On the other hand, Max is always crashing in late for their dates and dashing off abruptly in the middle of their time together. And it seems like trouble gravitates to him--he's always in the middle of some kind of Life-and-Death Problem.
Astrid is still adjusting to the pure joy she gets from being with Max. He adores her, and she adores him--and aside from her best friend David, her relationship with Max is her only non-academic joy. Only David or Max could inspire her to take time out from her grueling studies.
But when a supervillain breaks into Astrid's apartment to kidnap her--she has organic chemistry to study for and she really does not have time for this!--she has to face facts: It really seems undeniable that Max...is a superhero.
Superheroes exist--but Astrid never planned to get involved with one. In fact, she's reminded again that her schedule really doesn't allow time for romantic entanglements in the first place.
Max is wonderful, but now Astrid is expected to be part of a training and support group that helps superheroes' significant others protect themselves and cope with the entire complicated situation of caring for and being involved with a superperson. And worrying about Max's safety as he fights the bad guys could be its own full-time job.
How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) is a wonderfully romantic story about finding your own true self, listening to your gut, finding the strength to put yourself on the line for other people, the bravery of falling in love, and the importance of treasuring every day. Cristina Fernandez has crafted an irresistibly charming story that I absolutely adored.
I received a prepublication copy of this book courtesy of HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley.
Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book?
Cristina Fernandez began writing this book when she was in college. I hope she's prolific, because I'm in for all of her future books!
The tone is very different, but the superhero element of this book reminded me of Hench, a darkly charming story by Natalie Zina Walschots that I absolutely loved.