An inspiring and epically-conceived teen drama. Deals with serious issues both deeply personal and on a global scale.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Fueled by her grandmother’s dour predictions, the stress and anxiety of the pandemic, and her own father’s hateful viewpoints, Isabel has become convinced that the world is a thoroughly evil place. Then she discovers one potential source of hope: an online forum discussing the existence of super-powered humans among us. Isabel becomes obsessed with this idea, believing that Supers could tip the world’s balance from evil to good. In lieu of her senior year of high school, she plans a trip around the world to search for Supers and promises her best friends Chio and Sam that she will meet them in Mexico during their spring break. Staying at hostels and working odd jobs, Isabel travels to Asia, Australia, and South America on her quest. Will she find what she’s looking for? And how will she know if she does? Thought-provoking and compelling, Actually Super will appeal to teens who share Isabel’s desire to travel, as well as those who are searching for good in the world around them.

This book is built on a peculiar concept with a peculiar execution. While each experience by these characters is interesting in and of itself, I'm not sure about the intent of the book over all. I was interested in the assorted cultural experiences but I wasn't so sure about the hunt for heroes. It's a sort of meandering book.

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.

I really enjoyed the premise of this as Izzy leaves everything she's ever known to go search for those with super powers (and also escaping a conspiracy theorist and conservative father). The search for supers takes Izzy all over the world where she meets new people and experiences humanity. The book alternates between her trip and her two friends at their designated meeting spot a year later...where Izzy has failed to show up.

I think this book struggles, though, because it switches too much between those with super powers aren't real and they're just humans and people with legit powers. Like, I thought it was about finding the good in humanity and then all of a sudden there are legit powers that are unexplainable? It just kind of felt weird, almost.

I really did like the characters and this journey Izzy went on, though.

Well. This is the first book to give me goosebumps.

As someone who often feels the ills of the world are very heavy and overwhelming, this book deeply resonated with me.

Isabel grew up with a grandmother whose parents survived the holocaust and whose father thought and later spoke terrible things about most people. The negativity, the hate, the anger and the hurt she saw so prevalent in the world drove her down into depression.

She finds solace in a corner of the internet where they believe super heroes to be real. And eventually she decides that as soon as she turns 18 she’s going to travel the world to find them as she is desperate to find the good in the world.

What she finds is a mixed bag of good and bad, her own powers and the peace in a quiet, simple life.

Her story is told in tandem with her friends’ Sam and Chio as they search for her after she fails to show to a promised meeting one year after her travels.

If you’ve ever felt squashed under the despair of the world, please read this.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and hope through the eyes of Isabel, a high school student grappling with an existential crisis. Tired of the negativity she encounters in the world, Isabel delves into an online forum that discusses the existence of real-life heroes, individuals quietly performing acts of heroism. Intrigued, she embarks on a quest to find these supers and restore her faith in humanity.

The premise of the story is captivating, as Isabel sets off on an adventure across different countries, from Japan to Australia, Argentina to Mexico, in search of proof that supers exist. This globetrotting journey adds a sense of excitement and discovery to the narrative, allowing readers to experience various cultures and settings alongside the protagonist.

One aspect that stands out in Actually Super is the portrayal of believable and realistic characters. Isabel's struggles and doubts are relatable, and her longing for hope and goodness in the world resonates with readers. The theme of perception is also explored, as Isabel learns that what we seek is often what we find. This idea encourages introspection and challenges the reader to consider their own perspectives.

While the story presents an engaging and escapist narrative, there is a valid concern regarding the plausibility of a teenager dropping out of high school and traveling the world alone without proper plans or supervision. This aspect may raise eyebrows and require some suspension of disbelief.

Overall, Actually Super offers an intriguing concept and an enjoyable read. Adi Alsaid's storytelling draws readers into Isabel's quest for hope and showcases the transformative power of personal experiences and human connections. Although there may be some reservations about the practicality of certain elements, the book successfully captures the essence of searching for meaning in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming. For those seeking an escapist adventure with thought-provoking themes, Actually Super is a worthwhile choice.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Isabel is every teeenager, trying to sort out what she believes in, what is real, what is true, and how it all fits into what she knows of the world. She is brave and strong, and knows her own mind.
Then it goes a little left field. I don't know of any 17 year old whose parents would let them drop out of before high school graduation and travel the planet all alone with no real plans or direction other than a dream. So, this part was enjoyable in the sense that it's a bit fantastical.

Characters were attractive and believable. The people Isabel meets on her journey are realistic and interesting. The way story builds and moves captured my attention and held it all the way through.

This one, I could see being a movie. The writing lends itself to that possibilty right away. It's escapist story, and a satisfying.