Super Adjacent

A pair of young women teams up to save their superhero significant others when the Chicago chapter of Warrior Nation comes under siege. Paper artist Bridgette Rey has been dating Matt Rodriguez, aka the invisibility-wielding Vaporizer, for years, but she’s tired of his heroic exploits taking priority. Aside from a childhood rescue by iconic Chicago Warrior Blue Streak, hero-obsessed Warrior Nation intern Claire Rice never met a hero before newcomer strongwoman Joy Goodwin, alias Girl Power. The two develop an intense attraction after Joy rescues Claire from a kidnapping. When all four Chicago heroes vanish mysteriously, Claire and Bridgette bond over their shared concern. As the national Warrior Nation organization ostensibly turns its back on the situation, the young women lean on each other, cultivating a deep friendship as they work together to be their own heroes, unravel conspiracies, and find their missing partners. The relationships are charming, but friendship is the real highlight, as are resonant messages about empathy and agency (“After all, if I’m not the hero of my own story, who is?”). Readers don’t have to be super fans to appreciate this fun, empowering romp. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jessica Regel, Foundry Media. [em](Mar.) [/em]