Member Review
Review by
Chelsea Z, Reviewer
Thanks to Disney Books Publishing and NetGalley for the digital arc!
Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is one of the most fun and heartwarming books I've read so far this year. Following a 16-year-old Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the middle-grade novel charts the teen's adventures both in and out of the Spidey suit - from the daily struggle of trying to make it to class on time and drumming up the courage to ask out MJ to swinging through New York City and stopping bad guys.
The main villain of the novel is Sandman/Flint Marko, but the true big baddie of this new series (this is book 1 of 3) is a mysterious, possibly alien entity who is just getting started in Spider-Man's Social Dilemma.
The book is an engaging, quick read and perfect for its younger target audience as well as older fans who love both classic comic Spider-Man and the MCU web-slinger.
The biggest highlights of this novel are Peter's naturally adorable awkwardness in most social situations and with MJ - and equally, her awkwardness because she has just as much of a crush on him - and the attention to detail author Preeti Chhibber pays to the world-building.
New York City and particularly the world of Spider-Man aren't new to readers, but Chhibber's writing feels fresh and tuned to the elements young readers would most want to see. Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is just as much about navigating the obligations of school, friendships, family, and the online world as it is about Spidey thwipping around Queens and stopping Sandman.
Overall, the book is an engaging story that mixes comic book action with an inspiring and heartfelt narrative that more than earns its place among the canon of Spider-Man stories. I'm excited to see what happens next!
Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is one of the most fun and heartwarming books I've read so far this year. Following a 16-year-old Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the middle-grade novel charts the teen's adventures both in and out of the Spidey suit - from the daily struggle of trying to make it to class on time and drumming up the courage to ask out MJ to swinging through New York City and stopping bad guys.
The main villain of the novel is Sandman/Flint Marko, but the true big baddie of this new series (this is book 1 of 3) is a mysterious, possibly alien entity who is just getting started in Spider-Man's Social Dilemma.
The book is an engaging, quick read and perfect for its younger target audience as well as older fans who love both classic comic Spider-Man and the MCU web-slinger.
The biggest highlights of this novel are Peter's naturally adorable awkwardness in most social situations and with MJ - and equally, her awkwardness because she has just as much of a crush on him - and the attention to detail author Preeti Chhibber pays to the world-building.
New York City and particularly the world of Spider-Man aren't new to readers, but Chhibber's writing feels fresh and tuned to the elements young readers would most want to see. Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is just as much about navigating the obligations of school, friendships, family, and the online world as it is about Spidey thwipping around Queens and stopping Sandman.
Overall, the book is an engaging story that mixes comic book action with an inspiring and heartfelt narrative that more than earns its place among the canon of Spider-Man stories. I'm excited to see what happens next!
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