My Fangirl Opinion of Astonishing Adventures

“I think fiercely, concentrating, imagining concentric circles of telepathy emanating from my forehead like an old drawing of Professor X. But if Cal’s picking up on my vice, he doesn’t show it. I’ve gone and lost my best friend in the world.”

 

If you love comic books of any kind, read this book. If you are tired of stereotypical characters, plots, writing style and endings; read The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl written by Barry Lyga.

 

The plot of Lyga’s book is something like everyday life. The main character, who is referred to as Fanboy is fifteen and he lives with his pregnant mom and stepdad. Cal, Fanboy’s only friend secretly loves comic books but appears to everyone else as a sports jock. Fanboy is writing his own graphic novel, that has a unique storyline and the non stereotypical characters. When Fanboy is getting beat up during Gym class, someone is watching and is takes pictures; eventually the two meet up and go on many astonishing adventures. For example, they meet my favorite comic book writer: Benis.

 

Some of the amazing qualities I love about my new favorite book is the ambiguity of never learning the protagonist’s name. Also, there is a whole page with no punctuation except quotation marks. Surprisingly, the book does not end with a happy ending.

There is unexpected twist and turns that every teen know, but even more so every geek knows. Fanboy’s challenges and emotions are real and raw, leaving you – the reader – feeling even more so.