Book Review: Spider-Man's Bad Connection
After bringing us an exciting, original Spider-Man adventure last summer, author Preeti Chhibber is back with Spider-Man’s Bad Connection, the second in her ongoing series that puts the “friendly” and “neighborhood” in “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.”
This time around, following in her uncanny ability to chose a topical villain, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man comes face-to-face with The Spot, who is responsible for a series of mysterious robberies around New York City, which leave Peter and MJ completely baffled.
As if this weren’t enough, the pair of them, along with their friends, are tasked with working on a community project for school, one that unintentionally puts them in the crosshairs of a local politician. It’s only when these seeminly separate events - along with a mysterious new anonymous tipster that is both helping and hindering Spider-Man - start to seem connected that things begin to escalate for the teens.
Like the first book, Spider-Man’s Bad Connection succeeds at being a satisfying, occasionally spooky, mystery for younger readers, that also features relatable teenage protagonists. This time around, more time is given to both Peter and MJ’s budding relationship, as well as their friendships with their peers and outside of school as well.
The story also presents some interesting new dilemmas for Spider-Man, with the burdens of his double life really starting to weigh on him, and the pressures of being the catch-all hero for the city bringing up a conundrum of which problems to prioritize over others. His relationship with MJ is also feeling the strain, with her struggling between trying to be supportive and feeling like she doesn’t really have a place in this double life of his, while also trying to further her own interests, which are not treated as any less important or critical. There’s more than one way to make a difference.
The central mystery is compelling as well, building slowly to a conclusion that will have readers eagerly anticipating book 3 and all the chaos it is sure to bring. I know I can’t wait.
Spider-Man’s Bad Connection hits shelves on September 5. Special thank you to Netgalley and Disney Publishing for the advance copy for review purposes.
