Mary Jane 2

I am, as many other reviewers have mentioned, a huge Spider-Man fan (comics and film) and I'm female. I was looking for something different to read and was glad I stumbled across Mary Jane 1 & 2. I couldn't wait to read this book, after finishing Mary Jane #1, and overall I enjoyed it almost as much as the first one. I will say, it didn't deal with serious issues as the first one did... there was no divorce, anorexia, or deaths in the family. Things are quite ordinary here, (read a little slow) with most of the story being about Mary Jane's misunderstanding with her best friend, Wendy, jealousy over Peter's small friendship with Gwen, and a prom dinner that turns out to be more expensive than anticipated, and the reprocussions from all of the above. Spider-Man is mentioned a few times, but MJ encounters him only once, which was kind of disappointing. I also would have really preferred more interaction between Peter and MJ... but when they did have dialog the characterization was great. The end was very touching and inspite of the mild irritation I experienced at the somewhat shallow plot, I was left wanting more. I've been out of high school, for like a hundred years, but Judith O'Brien's writing transports you right back. I really like her style and hope she does a 3rd book. BUT, with the ending of #2 being what it was, I think she would have to include more of Mary Jane's developing relationship with Peter AND Spider-Man - which, I'm not sure she can do. If you have read Ultimate Spider-man, (which inspired this novel) it can get rather scary and dramatic for Mary Jane... like taking Peter to the hospital with a gunshot wound and having her life threatened by Harry's dad. I mean seriously, being Spider-Man's girlfriend is not without drama... I really hope this author writes another and takes it up a notch. I'll be reading it.

I own both books, Mary Jane and Mary Jane 2. Both books I feel were written very well, but especially Mary Jane 2. MJ2 had a great storyline, and the characters were even more developed than in the first novel. The relationships that Mary Jane has with her boyfriend, Peter Parker, her friend Wendy, or even her mom are very realistic, and easy to relate too. I must admit, I wanted this book so badly, just to see how the newly romantic relationship was going with Mary Jane and Peter! It's very cool to be able to read a story that isn't overly dramatic, or has so much going on in it, that you can't keep track of anything. Though, I think this book is more for females than males, I think everyone can enjoy it. Its a good read, especially if you are a fan of Spider-Man. It would be awesome if the author decided to do a Mary Jane 3 novel, I know I would buy it!

PLOT- The new girl at Midtown High, Mary Jane Watson juggles and struggles with her parents' divorce, her love of ballet, and her growing new bond with class nerd Peter Parker - who's about to undergo a startling transformation of his own. SETTING- New York City- The story takes place in various locations in present day NYC. CHARACTERS- Mary Jane Watson- Fifteen-year-old Mary-Jane, MJ to her friends, lived a life of privilege for her first nine-years, until her alcoholic father walked out on her and her mother, forcing the mother-daughter twosome to leave Park Avenue and move into a dumpy apartment in Queens. The only thing Mary-Jane really has to concentrate on other than their move and her mother's drunk, abusive new boyfriend, is ballet. Peter Parker- Peter Parker was orphaned when his parents were killed in a plane crash overseas. He went to live with his uncle and aunt, Ben and May Parker, in Forest Hills, New York. Parker was extremely bright and became a high honors student at Midtown High School. Parker's shyness and scholastic interest often made him a social outcast. Harry Osborn- Harry Osborn was the college roommate of Peter Parker. He worshipped his domineering father, and tried to live up to what he thought his father's exceptions were. THEME- The theme of Mary Jane is that with great power comes great responsibility. Peter's Uncle Ben and Peter both say this. When you have power, you have to have the responsibility to use it wisely.

I have not read this book yet. But i do think that it will be good. Only based on the second spiderman movie. I do hope that anyone that reads or has seen the 1st book or movie will be happy with the second one.