Othergirl by Nicole Burstein

Louise and Erica have been best friends since forever. They're closer than sisters and depend on each other for almost everything. Just one problem: Erica has superpowers.

When Erica isn't doing loop-the-loops in the sky or burning things with her heat pulse powers, she needs Louise to hold her non-super life together. After all, the girls still have homework, parents and boys to figure out. But being a superhero's BFF is not easy, especially as trouble has a way of seeking them out. Soon Louise discovers that Erica might be able to survive explosions and fly faster than a speeding bullet, but she can't win every fight by herself.

Life isn't a comic book - it's even crazier than that.

Louise doesn't just have the normal school, homework, boys and friends stuff to worry about, she also has best friend who might set fire to something while trying to save it! As Erica's back-up, Louise has made her costume, helped her find out more about her powers, train with her and down everything she can to get the attention of the Vigil's, the official superhero team. 

I'm in a superhero binge, so I did really like this. Plus it was a girl superhero! However, not only did it feel a bit young and simplified, there was also no in-depth explanation for the superhero's and where their powers came from. That back story I would have loved; we did get Erica's progression, which showed how far she'd come and her strength, but beyond the fact that she suddenly had powers, it wasn't explained. 

I love a good and healthy girl friendship and these two might have had their ups and downs but in the end, they were there for each other. Having said that, it did feel quite one sided at times; Louise was the one stuck at home, doing both of their homework, keeping Erica's secret, while Erica apparently just needed Louise around as a confidence booster. I don't know, it was from Louise's perspective so maybe Erica really did need her support but I got annoyed with her, I don't know how Louise didn't! 

Maybe a little young for me, but definitely enjoyable and refreshing to see a female, not to mention still learning, superhero and the emphasis on female friendship.

Published 2nd April 2015 by Anderson Press.