Overemotional, by David Fenne - Nicola
I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book. It has characters that you will fall in love with, evil villains, superhuman powers, action, adventure, friendship mixed with some good old Great British humour, and somewhere in the background, a beautiful love story emerges too.
Steven is a teenager with mock exams and big decisions about finishing school to deal with, but he also has a terrible secret… his emotions make strange things happen, and not in a “normal” human way; in a “I’m so happy that I’m kissing this boy … ooooops his head has just exploded” way. As if regular puberty isn’t enough to deal with – he has this too!
So he flees from his beautiful home town in Dorset (love the local link!) to go somewhere that is completely miserable so that he can keep everyone safe. He is completely alone in the miserable town of Grunsby-on-sea – but because he’s miserable, it means the people he loves are safe. Little did he know the deep dark secret that Grunsby-on-sea is hiding and the true origin of his “tricks”. Once secret becomes uncovered, Steven realises just how much he needs other people to survive.
This book had a brilliant start with some great characters to get to know; slowed down around chapter 3, but then became un-put-down-able around chapter 8 – and I literally read the second half of the book in an afternoon.
It is a brilliant adventure, with some huge plot twists … and oh, by the way, the main character is gay! I love that this is a queer teen fiction novel, where the character’s sexuality is not the main storyline and there is no neon beacon over his head, forcing him to come out. This story is different, it is inclusive, funny, thrilling and (despite it being about a kid with superpowers) it’s so very real. But my goodness, it is also so refreshing to see characters from all walks of life who interact together for no other reason than the fact that they like each other’s company.
Cannot wait for the sequel!
Nicola
