Other Girl

Louise has a task in life; it is up to her to train and develop the superhero skills of her best friend Erica. The goal is to engineer Erica’s discovery by the Vigilants. In the mean time there are exams – and the gorgeous Jay to cope with. And what about Toby?
This is an extraordinarily assured debut that presents its narrative with supreme confidence. Both girls are very real with recognisable aspirations and concerns. Or are they? We are presented with a world (21st century without a doubt) in which superheroes (think the Avengers) exist and people discover extraordinary talents which will then be put into the service of more ordinary mortals. Can we believe this? The author presents her scenario in a way that allows no doubt; this world is real and consistent. However, this is also a very convincing story about teenage friendship, aspiration, ambition, hopes and dilemmas. Indeed one might be tempted to see the Superhero scenario as a sustained metaphor, an intriguing undercurrent to a novel that carries off its imaginative premise without apology and with total conviction. The whole is presented with a freshness of voice that cannot but attract. Burstein is clearly a talent to welcome.