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A review by toggle_fow
How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) by Cristina Fernandez
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was cute.
Astrid is a sophomore in college, aiming to become a doctor. She is a ball of anxiety, rigid planning, and fear-driven, high-achieving perfectionism. She's a little bit too much of a caricature at first, but the more I read the more I was able to identify with her. She sometimes has panic attacks and freezes in social awkwardness, and sometimes snaps off bantery one-liners like it's her job.
Inconsistent characterization, or simply realism? You be the judge.
Her boyfriend is Max, a generally chill and sweet guy who also happens to be a superhero. Do we know anything else about Max? He likes Pokemon. That's all I can think of. I genuinely don't know what his major even is. But I know he loves Astrid, and is sweet, and a superhero.
A classic Mary Sue, or simply an ordinary bro doing his best? Who can truly say.
The story is simple: Astrid trying to balance the changes being a superhero's girlfriend has brought to her life with the rest of her intense, demanding goals. It's a coming-of-age story as much as it is a romance, and Astrid grapples with her trauma, her identity, and the why behind all her hard work. Astrid and Max kiss a lot, but they don't even have sex. Wholesome.
There is kind of an adventure and plot threaded in, and the "superhero girlfriend training camp" thing, but honestly it's not the main driver of the story.
Did I sometimes wish I was out on the streets with Max instead of once again in Astrid's dorm room as she color-coded her planner? Absolutely, but seeing the superhero story from this perspective was also interesting and I definitely had a good time. Anyone looking for an easy, fluffy read with a good balance of sweet and thoughtful should definitely give this a try.
Astrid is a sophomore in college, aiming to become a doctor. She is a ball of anxiety, rigid planning, and fear-driven, high-achieving perfectionism. She's a little bit too much of a caricature at first, but the more I read the more I was able to identify with her. She sometimes has panic attacks and freezes in social awkwardness, and sometimes snaps off bantery one-liners like it's her job.
Inconsistent characterization, or simply realism? You be the judge.
Her boyfriend is Max, a generally chill and sweet guy who also happens to be a superhero. Do we know anything else about Max? He likes Pokemon. That's all I can think of. I genuinely don't know what his major even is. But I know he loves Astrid, and is sweet, and a superhero.
A classic Mary Sue, or simply an ordinary bro doing his best? Who can truly say.
The story is simple: Astrid trying to balance the changes being a superhero's girlfriend has brought to her life with the rest of her intense, demanding goals. It's a coming-of-age story as much as it is a romance, and Astrid grapples with her trauma, her identity, and the why behind all her hard work. Astrid and Max kiss a lot, but they don't even have sex. Wholesome.
There is kind of an adventure and plot threaded in, and the "superhero girlfriend training camp" thing, but honestly it's not the main driver of the story.
Did I sometimes wish I was out on the streets with Max instead of once again in Astrid's dorm room as she color-coded her planner? Absolutely, but seeing the superhero story from this perspective was also interesting and I definitely had a good time. Anyone looking for an easy, fluffy read with a good balance of sweet and thoughtful should definitely give this a try.