How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying)

August 8, 2022
When premed college sophomore Astrid Rose discovers that her boyfriend, Max Martin, is secretly a superhero, her meticulously structured life is thrown into disarray in Fernandez’s imaginative debut. Even if Max doesn’t always fit into Astrid’s vision for her perfect future—he’s consistently canceling dates, showing up late, or bailing halfway through—he’s “annoyingly wonderful, a hearth through the short days of winter, a breath of fresh air in her dusty dorm room, a ray of sunshine breaking through gray clouds.” But after Max saves her from a supervillain who breaks into her dorm room and reveals his alter ego, Kid Comet, she’s enrolled in Eleanor’s Finishing School for Superheroes’ Girlfriends, a program which prepares superhero significant others for inevitable kidnappings and interrogations. As Astrid’s plans are further disrupted by increasingly perilous superhuman hazards, she must rethink her future goals and her relationship. Nonlinear, alternating past and present chapters that chronicle Astrid and Max’s relationship over the course of several years occasionally disorient. Nevertheless, through Astrid’s keenly developed and fiercely independent voice, Fernandez adeptly examines the collateral damage and extraordinary stressors of living in a superhuman world, and resulting underlying trauma and anxieties. Ages 13–up. Agent: Abigail Frank, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc.

September 1, 2022
A college sophomore juggles her impossible schedule and her superhero boyfriend. In a world of superheroes and supervillains, Astrid's ability to infallibly know what time it is may be relatively unimportant, but it has served her well in organizing every moment of her superbusy life. A double major in biochemistry and biophysics, she aspires to be the best pre-med student at Columbia University. Sure, she barely has time to eat and sleep, but at least she manages to build in time for Max. But then Max--her lovely, sweet, earnest boyfriend--reveals that he is the superhero Kid Comet, and Astrid must find time to join a support group for superheroes' significant others. It feels like too much, and Astrid starts to wonder if she can cope with the chaos and complications. This fun and funny take on superheroes goes back and forth in time, looking at the evolution of Astrid and Max's relationship. Though it primarily delves into Astrid's history through defining moments, past trauma, and living with generalized anxiety, the story also looks at what it feels like to be on the sidelines of superhero life. Supporting cast members are not as fleshed out as Astrid is, and overall, the characters sound younger than college students, but cuteness abounds in this charming story. Astrid and Max, who is bi, read White in a cast that is broadly diverse. A romantic, breezy, delightful take on superheroes. (Fantasy. 14-18)

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December 9, 2022

Gr 8 Up-Fernandez's debut YA novel is ostensibly about college sophomore Astrid's struggles to adapt to the realization that her boyfriend, Max, is a superhero. Astrid must find time in her busy schedule to attend weekly survival training with others whose significant others are superheroes, as well as navigate kidnappings, in addition to a grueling pre-med college career. In truth, the story is about Astrid choosing to prioritize love and happiness, overcoming a compulsive PTSD-induced over-scheduling habit, and discovering her own inner hero. The narrative is interspersed with a series of flashbacks to the origins of Astrid and Max's romance. As a protagonist, Astrid is sometimes cold and has destructive levels of self-discipline, which can initially make her an unlikable narrator, but readers will grow attached as they get to know her. There are minimal in-jokes that relate to the current DC and Marvel superhero fandoms, making this an accessible read for non-fans. For a more referential (and darker) treatment of superhero girlfriends, check out The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente. Unfortunately, Astrid's limited view of the superhero world results in major plot points happening off screen and some deus ex machina moments. VERDICT While not the first or best superhero-adjacent story, this accessible book will appeal to fans of superhero worlds, as well as over-scheduled and overworked teens preparing for college.-Tammy Ivins

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