Super Adjacent

Gr 7 Up–Twenty-year-old Bridgette has been dating the hottest superhero in the Chicago Warrior Nation chapter: Matt, aka Vaporizer. After four years together she’s tired of being kidnapped by villains, generating hatred from jealous WarNat fans, and being a priority below rescues and social media. While Bridgette is looking for a way out, 17-year-old Claire is looking for her way in, hoping to acquire the prestigious internship that will let her rise from within. On her final task to prove herself worthy, Claire runs into Joy, aka Girl Power, the unexpected replacement for beloved hero Blue Streak, who rescued Claire when she was young. Joy confounds Claire with her lack of WarNat knowledge, but she can’t help but be drawn to her and the pair slowly fall for each other. Claire and Bridgette unite when a threat known as Siege targets the heroes and they have to decide if they should hide or fight. Told in alternating chapters between Bridgette and Claire, this novel offers the perspectives of both a seasoned insider and a WarNat fan learning about the realities of the world. Cestari crafts realistic protagonists who grow and learn throughout the course of this fantasy novel, which contains fully realized and memorable side characters. While this book is often lighthearted, the characters deal with tough situations and life-altering decisions.