As someone who is a pretty big secret fan of Marvel, you know I was interested in a YA novelization! The Unstoppable Wasp tells the story of Nadia. It’s based on the comic books, which I haven’t read, but you can definitely enjoy the story without them! Keep reading this book review to find out all my thoughts on this Marvel YA novel!
Summary
Nadia Van Dyne is new to this. New to being a Super Hero, new to being a real friend and stepdaughter (to one of the founding Avengers, no less), new to running her own lab, and new to being her own person, far, far away from the clutches of the Red Room-the infamous brainwashing/assassin-training facility. She’s adjusting well to all of this newness, channeling her energy into being a good friend, a good scientist, and a good Super Hero. It’s taking a toll, though, and Nadia’s finding that there are never quite enough hours in a day. So, when she’s gifted a virtual assistant powered by the most cutting-edge A.I. technology that the world has to offer, Nadia jumps at the opportunity to “do less, experience more”-just like the advertisements say.
The device works-really works. Nadia has more time to pursue her passion projects and to focus on new discoveries. But it’s never quite that simple, and not everything is as it seems. This thrilling adventure finds Nadia confronting her past as she tries to shape her future, and learning that sometimes the best way to effect big change is to think small-maybe even super small, Unstoppable Wasp-style. She’ll need the help of her genius G.I.R.L. (Genius In action Research Labs) squad and found family to save herself and (not to be too dramatic) the entire world as we know it. Along the way, Nadia discovers that when she teams up with the people who love her the most, they’re totally Unstoppable. Just another day in the life of your way, way above average teenage Super Hero.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I heard ace spectrum and I came running. I can’t keep up with all the recent novelizations of comic book worlds, but once I heard w/w SC and ace spectrum MC plus Marvel I was so sold I immediately requested The Unstoppable Wasp on Netgalley! The Unstoppable Wasp is such a great story because I think we can have this perception that being a superhero is a singular role. But in reality, it takes so many people to get a superhero where they need to be, for backup, for tech, for everything. The Unstoppable Wasp examines us asking for help and for accepting help.
Themes
Nadia is on the ace spectrum, but she’s also bipolar and deals with coping tactics as well as therapy. Nadia feels this almost crushing sense of responsibility and also drive for productivity – which felt too much pointed at my own life – and so taking a breath and asking for help is a huge struggle. Maybe it’s because these two issues felt so close to me, that I loved Nadia so much? She is juggling all these things and feelings of commitment, that she feels so overwhelmed and wanting to take on more and more. I don’t want to delve more into why we clicked so much, because that would expose me, but if you ever felt this obsession with productivity you would love Nadia.
The Unstoppable Wasp also looks at the ethics of technology. What are the implications for our research? We create the tools, but then do we wash our hands of the responsibility? Just watching to see how our technology is used by others? Weaponized? What duty do we have to our inventions and discoveries? It’s something I’ve been thinking about even more and The Unstoppable Wasp felt eerily timely. It also asks us about scientists who might be so driven by science that it could lead us astray. Into making compromises, deals, and more.
Overall,
Ultimately, The Unstoppable Wasp is an entertaining read for any Marvel YA fans. Featuring science facts, cute footnotes, and action, it is a book that asks us timely questions which will only become more pertinent as AI progresses. Can we come to terms with our past? What responsibility do we have for our creations?
Find The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop. Org & The Book Depository.