Laurent Linn

A very strong YA coming out story, enhanced by beautiful drawings from the hero, an artist who learns to be his own superhero. I didn't find it as charming as 2014's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but the plot was much more serious (and occasionally violent). Aidan and the object of his affection also aren't as articulate as the two MC's in Simon, but their awkwardness and clumsiness is probably a much more realistic portrayal of adolescent boys. Not sure how I feel about the inclusion show more of the sassy black female friend - yay for diversity but boo for stereotypes. show less

Adrian is a 16 year old high school student, gay, and in the closet to all but his two best friends, Audrey, a heavy set girl with sass and class, and Trent, a six foot three goth who detests hanging out with other goths. In his free time, Adrian draws elaborate comics with his own gay super hero, Graphite, which he anonymously posts online.
He's content with this life until one night out with his friends he witnesses a brutal beating of fellow gay high school student who is not in the closet show more at all. This sets Adrian on a path of self-discovery, which will involve facing his worst fears, finding his first romance, and coming out once and for all.

The beating episode was graphic and intense. It bothered me to read it. But I suppose it was supposed to. And it was necessary for the rest of the book that followed. One of the mysteries of the book, I had figured out several hundred pages before the answer was revealed, but I was happy that Linn didn't make a simplistically happy ending of that aspect of the book. In the end, what I was afraid would be unbelievable, was at least mostly reasonable. show less

Original, engaging and hopeful. I loved this visit to the mind of a teen superhero.

Original, engaging and hopeful. I loved this visit to the mind of a teen superhero.