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Marvel Press Novels
Mary Jane
Written by the award-winning romance and young adult novelist Judith O'Brien, this traditional prose novel is a high school romance updated for today's teens! The new girl at Midtown High, Mary Jane Watson juggles and struggles with her parents' divorce, her love of ballet, and her burgeoning new bond with class nerd Peter Parker - who's about to undergo a stunning transformation of his own.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2003
23 people are currently reading
1447 people want to read
About the author
Judith O'Brien
19 books46 followersWriting romance novels has got to be the way to make a living in the world. What other career allows you to send the kids off to school, walk the dog, and vanish into the most fascinating of historical times and places, with the most glorious of men, to escape danger and find everlasting love for the rest of the day?
Like most writers, I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer. Well, almost. Actually, writing was the third choice on my short list of career possibilities, right after Fairy Princess and Prima Ballerina. The first two didn't work out. So after college I moved to New York, where I worked for Seventeen Magazine. Not only had I never really been to New York before, but I believe I was the only editorial assistant in the magazine industry who still wore knee socks. Soon I was promoted to Editor of the "Letters to the Editor" department. Yes, there really IS an editor for the letters to the editor column. But it allowed me to write articles, answer the personal problems of teens (boys and zits were the big topics of concern), and rummage through the back files of the magazine. I found Sylvia Plath's original carbon of a short story she submitted while still in high school. There were articles on up-and-coming talents with names like Judy Holiday, Marlon Brando and Elvis. And very occasionally I was employed as a last-minute makeover subject. That was me looking miserable after getting the "Brideshead Revisited" bob.
Then I lucked into a fabulous job - as a jacket copy writer at a publishing house called Pocket Books. There I first read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood in manuscript form, and from those I would compose the blurbs for the book covers. It was heaven. I would read straight through my lunch hour, thus accounting for the chicken salad and iced tea on the returned manuscripts. But as much as I loved reading those marvelous stories, what I really wanted to do was to write one. Just one. Just to see what would happen.
Life interfered. I went back into magazines, this time at Self as an editor and writer. I got married, then had my son. I was still on maternity leave, writing general health articles while bouncing a newborn on my knee, that I began to dream once again of writing a romance novel. So that is exactly what I did. And I modestly claim to have written the most horrendous first three chapters of ANY book, in ANY genre, at ANY time in history. Unfortunately, still addled by the turmoil of being a new mom (hey, it's an excuse), I actually sent the wretched chapters to agents and publishers.
The rejections were polite form letters. Dozens of them. I shoved them into a bottom drawer and stuck to articles, becoming a free-lance writer and full-time mom. A few years later I gave romance writing another try. This time I sent it to only one person, Linda Marrow, with whom I had worked at Pocket Books years earlier. I certainly did not expect her to accept the manuscript. But I did hope she would let me know which editor at whatever house just might be interested in my time-travel romance.
Instead, I received a call from Linda three days later, offering me a two book contract.
Now I am a single mom. My son is twelve. I live in Brooklyn. And I'm lucky enough to write romance novels for a living. So please excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable. Such as Civil War Atlanta, or Tudor England, or Georgian Ireland, or....Did I mention how much I love this job?
Like most writers, I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer. Well, almost. Actually, writing was the third choice on my short list of career possibilities, right after Fairy Princess and Prima Ballerina. The first two didn't work out. So after college I moved to New York, where I worked for Seventeen Magazine. Not only had I never really been to New York before, but I believe I was the only editorial assistant in the magazine industry who still wore knee socks. Soon I was promoted to Editor of the "Letters to the Editor" department. Yes, there really IS an editor for the letters to the editor column. But it allowed me to write articles, answer the personal problems of teens (boys and zits were the big topics of concern), and rummage through the back files of the magazine. I found Sylvia Plath's original carbon of a short story she submitted while still in high school. There were articles on up-and-coming talents with names like Judy Holiday, Marlon Brando and Elvis. And very occasionally I was employed as a last-minute makeover subject. That was me looking miserable after getting the "Brideshead Revisited" bob.
Then I lucked into a fabulous job - as a jacket copy writer at a publishing house called Pocket Books. There I first read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood in manuscript form, and from those I would compose the blurbs for the book covers. It was heaven. I would read straight through my lunch hour, thus accounting for the chicken salad and iced tea on the returned manuscripts. But as much as I loved reading those marvelous stories, what I really wanted to do was to write one. Just one. Just to see what would happen.
Life interfered. I went back into magazines, this time at Self as an editor and writer. I got married, then had my son. I was still on maternity leave, writing general health articles while bouncing a newborn on my knee, that I began to dream once again of writing a romance novel. So that is exactly what I did. And I modestly claim to have written the most horrendous first three chapters of ANY book, in ANY genre, at ANY time in history. Unfortunately, still addled by the turmoil of being a new mom (hey, it's an excuse), I actually sent the wretched chapters to agents and publishers.
The rejections were polite form letters. Dozens of them. I shoved them into a bottom drawer and stuck to articles, becoming a free-lance writer and full-time mom. A few years later I gave romance writing another try. This time I sent it to only one person, Linda Marrow, with whom I had worked at Pocket Books years earlier. I certainly did not expect her to accept the manuscript. But I did hope she would let me know which editor at whatever house just might be interested in my time-travel romance.
Instead, I received a call from Linda three days later, offering me a two book contract.
Now I am a single mom. My son is twelve. I live in Brooklyn. And I'm lucky enough to write romance novels for a living. So please excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable. Such as Civil War Atlanta, or Tudor England, or Georgian Ireland, or....Did I mention how much I love this job?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 31, 2015
Believe it or not, this is a great novel!
ULTIMATE MARY JANE
This is a book that many readers may not giving importance and it's a shame, since it's indeed a great novel.
This book is centered in the "Ultimate" version of Mary Jane Watson, the girlfriend of Peter Parker a.k.a. the Ultimate Spider-Man.
This book was published in the middle of the run of the original Ultimate Spider-Man comic book, when that title was one of the hottest comic books that you can be reading back then.
Since the beginning of the comic book, I got amazed of how wonderful was the character of "Ultimate" Mary Jane Watson.
She was one of the strongest reasons to keep me reading that title until they decided that it can be "cool" to interchange the minds of Peter and Wolverine and even has the cynicism of naming the issue "Jump the Shark", ... ... ..., what?!!!
Do they think that I got for free the comic books?!
That was my last issue of that run (I just got some issue here and there that picked my interest but it never be the same anymore).
BACK TO MJ
Okay, getting back to this great novel.
This prose novel covers the first year (according to the beginning of Ultimate Spider-Man title) in the life of Mary Jane Watson, told from her point of view, and so, you will see what was doing Mary Jane on the moments that she isn't spotted on the comic book.
So, don't expect much appearances of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man but you will get some surprises of him anyway, don't worry, but don't get mistaken, this novel is about "Ultimate" Mary Jane Watson and she is definitely the main protagonist here.
A NOVEL FOR BOTH GENRES
I feel that, Judith O'Brien, the author, did a wonderful work with the character giving her a lot of depth and realism.
You can perceive "Ultimate" Mary Jane as a real teenage girl, with real life problems, on current times.
I can understand that having a "heart" in the cover of the book can alienate some male readers, but I am a male reader and I can assure that if you liked the original run of Ultimate Spider-Man and if you like Mary Jane Watson, then you may give a chance to the book, and I really think that you will enjoy it a lot.
Female readers, not matter if you read before or not the run of Ultimate Spider-Man, even if you don't know much about the swinging hero, but you want to read a prose novel about the real life of a character that not only is a super-hero's girlfriend but a person of her own, with her own dreams, her own fears and her own hopes.
A very real and believable character on her teenage years.
You will enjoy a lot the book. Highly recommended.
P.S.
There is a sequel to this novel, that I read too, however it isn't as good as the first one, not totally bad or anything but sadly not as good as this first novel)
ULTIMATE MARY JANE
This is a book that many readers may not giving importance and it's a shame, since it's indeed a great novel.
This book is centered in the "Ultimate" version of Mary Jane Watson, the girlfriend of Peter Parker a.k.a. the Ultimate Spider-Man.
This book was published in the middle of the run of the original Ultimate Spider-Man comic book, when that title was one of the hottest comic books that you can be reading back then.
Since the beginning of the comic book, I got amazed of how wonderful was the character of "Ultimate" Mary Jane Watson.
She was one of the strongest reasons to keep me reading that title until they decided that it can be "cool" to interchange the minds of Peter and Wolverine and even has the cynicism of naming the issue "Jump the Shark", ... ... ..., what?!!!
Do they think that I got for free the comic books?!
That was my last issue of that run (I just got some issue here and there that picked my interest but it never be the same anymore).
BACK TO MJ
Okay, getting back to this great novel.
This prose novel covers the first year (according to the beginning of Ultimate Spider-Man title) in the life of Mary Jane Watson, told from her point of view, and so, you will see what was doing Mary Jane on the moments that she isn't spotted on the comic book.
So, don't expect much appearances of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man but you will get some surprises of him anyway, don't worry, but don't get mistaken, this novel is about "Ultimate" Mary Jane Watson and she is definitely the main protagonist here.
A NOVEL FOR BOTH GENRES
I feel that, Judith O'Brien, the author, did a wonderful work with the character giving her a lot of depth and realism.
You can perceive "Ultimate" Mary Jane as a real teenage girl, with real life problems, on current times.
I can understand that having a "heart" in the cover of the book can alienate some male readers, but I am a male reader and I can assure that if you liked the original run of Ultimate Spider-Man and if you like Mary Jane Watson, then you may give a chance to the book, and I really think that you will enjoy it a lot.
Female readers, not matter if you read before or not the run of Ultimate Spider-Man, even if you don't know much about the swinging hero, but you want to read a prose novel about the real life of a character that not only is a super-hero's girlfriend but a person of her own, with her own dreams, her own fears and her own hopes.
A very real and believable character on her teenage years.
You will enjoy a lot the book. Highly recommended.
P.S.
There is a sequel to this novel, that I read too, however it isn't as good as the first one, not totally bad or anything but sadly not as good as this first novel)
August 19, 2017
This book is basically bad Spider-Man fan fiction. Like, really bad. I remembered reading it ages ago, and when I saw it at the library I was at with some friends I picked it up to flip through just for the heck of it, and it was /unbelievable/. I wish I still had a copy so I could show you at least the scene when she discovers Peter's six-pack. It's. I can't begin to explain. Maybe I'll try to get it from my library so I can type up some excerpts because I was crying with laughter at some parts.
To be fair, there were a couple parts that gave me some emotions, like when Uncle Ben died. But the rest of it was such a mess that those bits got drowned out.
Honestly, quality-wise, this probably deserves one star, but it provided so much entertainment for my friends and me that I'm giving it two. I regret nothing.
EDIT: the infamous six-pack scene
"Buff wasn't the word. Ripped was a little closer, but still not quite accurate to describe the torso he just revealed. It was like something out of a comic book, some giant warrior beast from another planet. Or a kids' action figure. Every muscle was huge, defined as if it had been drawn for an anatomy textbook on the uber-male.
'Jeez, Peter,' she gasped. 'You're embossed! Can I touch it?'
'Yeah, sure. Go ahead.'
Gingerly she stepped towards him, and ran her fingertips over his abdomen. It was almost unreal, inhuman, hard as if made of something other than mere flesh. He was honed.
Yet it was also warm, soft.
Wow."
To be fair, there were a couple parts that gave me some emotions, like when Uncle Ben died. But the rest of it was such a mess that those bits got drowned out.
Honestly, quality-wise, this probably deserves one star, but it provided so much entertainment for my friends and me that I'm giving it two. I regret nothing.
EDIT: the infamous six-pack scene
"Buff wasn't the word. Ripped was a little closer, but still not quite accurate to describe the torso he just revealed. It was like something out of a comic book, some giant warrior beast from another planet. Or a kids' action figure. Every muscle was huge, defined as if it had been drawn for an anatomy textbook on the uber-male.
'Jeez, Peter,' she gasped. 'You're embossed! Can I touch it?'
'Yeah, sure. Go ahead.'
Gingerly she stepped towards him, and ran her fingertips over his abdomen. It was almost unreal, inhuman, hard as if made of something other than mere flesh. He was honed.
Yet it was also warm, soft.
Wow."
September 4, 2016
I've always loved Mary-Jane Watson. It doesn't matter if its the comic MJ, the cartoon show MJ or Kirsten Dunst movie version MJ (OH & I'm SO excited for Zendaya to play MJ in the next movie version). So I was super pumped to read this because Mary-Jane is the protagonist. I was less pumped when I was reading it.
It's kind of an immature book. Sure, MJ is still in High School but it's definitely a book for younger readers. It doesn't have a lot of depth and it certainly doesn't deal with issues thoroughly. This is going to sound harsh but the book was more like a rough first draft of a book. Some scenarios were fleshed out while others should have been marked with a "*elaborate more on this" memo or "*maybe cut this out" memo etc. Of course we also got a magical happy ending too that was super forced and unrealistic.
The writing was okay. It was simple and accessible but the dialogue... Oh my goodness, it was beyond unrealistic in almost every clump of dialogue there was and it just wasn't good. It was unnatural and it didn't do it for me at all. I didn't mind the slight deviations from the Spider-Man stories which surprised me.
It wasn't all bad. Nothing wildly wonderful is coming to my mind now but like I did mildly enjoy it and I liked it more than I disliked it. There is a sequel that I will probably get around to reading but I'll see.
It's kind of an immature book. Sure, MJ is still in High School but it's definitely a book for younger readers. It doesn't have a lot of depth and it certainly doesn't deal with issues thoroughly. This is going to sound harsh but the book was more like a rough first draft of a book. Some scenarios were fleshed out while others should have been marked with a "*elaborate more on this" memo or "*maybe cut this out" memo etc. Of course we also got a magical happy ending too that was super forced and unrealistic.
The writing was okay. It was simple and accessible but the dialogue... Oh my goodness, it was beyond unrealistic in almost every clump of dialogue there was and it just wasn't good. It was unnatural and it didn't do it for me at all. I didn't mind the slight deviations from the Spider-Man stories which surprised me.
It wasn't all bad. Nothing wildly wonderful is coming to my mind now but like I did mildly enjoy it and I liked it more than I disliked it. There is a sequel that I will probably get around to reading but I'll see.
November 24, 2016
I love the idea of telling the Spiderman story from Mary Jane's perspective—of giving her more of a story and a personality than the love interest is usually afforded in superhero tales—but the execution felt a bit lackluster here. It hews closely enough to the original Superman story that there isn't actually that much room for Mary Jane's end of things...almost everything comes right back to Peter Parker. (Meanwhile, I don't even like him much; he becomes something of an arrogant jerk as soon as his abilities develop.) There are also some pretty big plot holes: Mary Jane jumps right back into ballet at the end without any suggestion that so much time off might cause difficulties; when stuff goes down at the end and the evil corporation with an evil product is revealed to be, you know, an evil corporation with an evil product, there's no discussion of whether Peter will retain his abilities; there's no explanation for Peter's uncle's death; there's not really much of a climax. I expect some of this is followed up on in the second book, but as far as I'm concerned, this one should stand alone.
One thing I do love pretty unreservedly: there are full-page drawings throughout the book, and they're really well done. Nice tie-ins to the book without being too too obvious, and they make the characters look like ordinary people as opposed to...flawless models, I guess.
One thing I do love pretty unreservedly: there are full-page drawings throughout the book, and they're really well done. Nice tie-ins to the book without being too too obvious, and they make the characters look like ordinary people as opposed to...flawless models, I guess.
January 7, 2022
This was about what I expected from a 2003 YA romance novel based on a marvel comic. The writing feels like it was dated at the time, but I have no way of proving that. It's appropriately topical, discussing eating disorders in that 2000s way where they seem to think mental health struggles just go away as a person outgrows them. Some of the jokes also haven't aged well. It makes fun of masculine women a few times in a way that made me roll my eyes.
It was still interesting though. I was curious if it would be one of those weird stories where the female protagonist doesn't actually solve any of her own problems since, you know, Spider-Man. MJ has a decent amount of agency though. The author also manages to incorporate Peter Parker's quipping in a way that made him sort of dorky but endearing, which is perfect for the character.
Overall this was a reasonably enjoyable time capsule into the early 2000s Spider-Man explosion.
It was still interesting though. I was curious if it would be one of those weird stories where the female protagonist doesn't actually solve any of her own problems since, you know, Spider-Man. MJ has a decent amount of agency though. The author also manages to incorporate Peter Parker's quipping in a way that made him sort of dorky but endearing, which is perfect for the character.
Overall this was a reasonably enjoyable time capsule into the early 2000s Spider-Man explosion.
February 19, 2014
This book sparked my interest for a very good reason—it told about the distaff side to the Peter Parker-Mary Jane relationship. How would it show me Mary Jane Watson, before she became Mrs. Peter Parker?
Here we meet her as a teenaged girl, still reeling from the abandonment of her drunken father and her mother’s new dependence on a creepy boyfriend. She’s dealing with the move to yet another high school and the uncertainty of new faces…and the reappearance of a certain bespectacled nerd she knew in her old school.
In the beginning, the author falls back on the well-worn use of diary entries to show us the inner workings of Mary Jane’s mind. But she swiftly abandons this easy tactic as Mary Jane’s life takes some unexpected turns. The dialogues with other girls, boys and adults, the familiar names from the comics (Flash Thompson, Harry and Norman Osborn) and new people like Alison Myers and Wendy Gonzales, Mary Jane’s new best friend are fun to read, modern without being irritatingly slangy and give individual feels to the characters. Harry’s easy superiority and yet discomfort in his father’s wealth, Flash’s stupid braggadocio and utter misery at being eclipsed athletically, e.g., give us rounded characters, rather than one-dimensional cartoon figures.
Speaking of cartoons, this book comes with illustrations. They’re very realistic drawings of human figures and profiles. They’re excellent but at the same time a little too posed, as if the illustrator was drawing them with an anatomy lesson or action comic in mind. E.g., chapter eight is prefaced by a picture of Mary Jane being rescued by Spider-Man. The action is obvious from the juxtaposition of her body with his. But it omits a backpack that the text clearly states Mary Jane has with her when she is scooped up by the webslinging hero. Why? Because the backpack would have spoiled the lines of both figures. This means the illustrations are anatomically correct but a little lifeless in places.
The life of this Mary Jane is different than what is usually portrayed in the comics or movies: she is interested in the ballet rather than acting, becomes a cheerleader, is quite utterly indifferent to Flash Thompson and has an absentee father rather than mother. But none of this detracts from the redhead’s feisty persona. I found myself liking this version of Mary Jane Watson, rooting for her to succeed and admiring her spirit as she struggled with familiar themes of popularity, anorexia, boy-hungry girls and girl-hungry boys. Apart from her burgeoning relationship with Parker, she’s quite the lady and I found myself actually sorry to come to the end of this novel. Here’s hoping Ms. O’Brien gives us more about her in the future.
Here we meet her as a teenaged girl, still reeling from the abandonment of her drunken father and her mother’s new dependence on a creepy boyfriend. She’s dealing with the move to yet another high school and the uncertainty of new faces…and the reappearance of a certain bespectacled nerd she knew in her old school.
In the beginning, the author falls back on the well-worn use of diary entries to show us the inner workings of Mary Jane’s mind. But she swiftly abandons this easy tactic as Mary Jane’s life takes some unexpected turns. The dialogues with other girls, boys and adults, the familiar names from the comics (Flash Thompson, Harry and Norman Osborn) and new people like Alison Myers and Wendy Gonzales, Mary Jane’s new best friend are fun to read, modern without being irritatingly slangy and give individual feels to the characters. Harry’s easy superiority and yet discomfort in his father’s wealth, Flash’s stupid braggadocio and utter misery at being eclipsed athletically, e.g., give us rounded characters, rather than one-dimensional cartoon figures.
Speaking of cartoons, this book comes with illustrations. They’re very realistic drawings of human figures and profiles. They’re excellent but at the same time a little too posed, as if the illustrator was drawing them with an anatomy lesson or action comic in mind. E.g., chapter eight is prefaced by a picture of Mary Jane being rescued by Spider-Man. The action is obvious from the juxtaposition of her body with his. But it omits a backpack that the text clearly states Mary Jane has with her when she is scooped up by the webslinging hero. Why? Because the backpack would have spoiled the lines of both figures. This means the illustrations are anatomically correct but a little lifeless in places.
The life of this Mary Jane is different than what is usually portrayed in the comics or movies: she is interested in the ballet rather than acting, becomes a cheerleader, is quite utterly indifferent to Flash Thompson and has an absentee father rather than mother. But none of this detracts from the redhead’s feisty persona. I found myself liking this version of Mary Jane Watson, rooting for her to succeed and admiring her spirit as she struggled with familiar themes of popularity, anorexia, boy-hungry girls and girl-hungry boys. Apart from her burgeoning relationship with Parker, she’s quite the lady and I found myself actually sorry to come to the end of this novel. Here’s hoping Ms. O’Brien gives us more about her in the future.
July 26, 2024
2024 update: still a wonderful book to read at Comic Con!!
I remember the joy of being at the San Diego comic con and finding this book. And for the next two years going and looking for its sequels (it sadly only had one sequel) such an amazing book. It takes you into the life of Mary Jane as a teenager and what she is struggling with in her life. I connected to her so much and I loved seeing her character grow. Peter Parker is his awesome good boy self and stays true to his character. Of course comic fans will know this book isn't truthfully with the original comic meeting of Mary Jane and Peter. They were set up on a blind date (her famous "Face it tiger" line) but still an awesome take on if they knew each other at a younger age! Can't recommend it enough. Truthfully joining Goodreads bummed me out now I couldn't pretend this book didn't have a huge amount of sequels I just didn't know about!! ;)
I remember the joy of being at the San Diego comic con and finding this book. And for the next two years going and looking for its sequels (it sadly only had one sequel) such an amazing book. It takes you into the life of Mary Jane as a teenager and what she is struggling with in her life. I connected to her so much and I loved seeing her character grow. Peter Parker is his awesome good boy self and stays true to his character. Of course comic fans will know this book isn't truthfully with the original comic meeting of Mary Jane and Peter. They were set up on a blind date (her famous "Face it tiger" line) but still an awesome take on if they knew each other at a younger age! Can't recommend it enough. Truthfully joining Goodreads bummed me out now I couldn't pretend this book didn't have a huge amount of sequels I just didn't know about!! ;)
May 7, 2024
For each fan of Spiderman. I m too! Maybe its not a Spiderman the Movies, but I think that I can add this book to my Marvel Spiderman collection :) I m a big Fan !
November 20, 2025
I'm starting to have an issue with adults giving poor ratings to books clearly intended for younger audiences. I especially have an issue with those who say something along the lines, "I loved this book as a kid, but I reread it recently and it just doesn't hold up." Hmm, could it be that the book is no longer meant for you? I think that's what happened to this book's ratings, because I genuinely think it's excellent. Not excellent in the way of Pulitzer prize winning adult books, but I certainly think it would be an engaging story for young teens, especially girls who can see themselves in Mary Jane's story. And it's a great one; she's nuanced, complicated, and layered, exactly what we want female protagonists to be. So give this book a chance, but do try and read it from a teen girl's perspective, not your adult one.
November 2, 2014
I feel like I was being too generous with my first initial rating of 3 stars, simply for EXISTING, and as a desperate sweaty nerd, wanting to like this more than I actually do. After some thought and really breaking down my likes/dislikes about this novel, Mary Jane isn't really that great, it's just an "OK" read and you're not missing out on much.
I didn't completely dislike the novel; I'd say the second half was more enjoyable than the first, but the results were very underwhelming. I feel like this is a great concept, to tell the story of Spider-Man through the eyes of a leading female, but it results in wasted potential. It's oversimplified, lacks creative integrity, feels very lazily put together and does NOT offer enough intrigue to look forward to a sequel.
Mary-Jane's character isn't very likable, which is a shame, since this novel is centered around her, but she isn't completely intolerable. I do like her friendship with Peter. I liked how this novel spends some time with Peter's parents, and we get a little bit of a sense of the kind of people Richard and Mary Parker, are. I liked that it dealt with teenage problems, the whole body image issue going on with Mary-Jane, the bullying at the school. I liked that it didn't shy away with the more grown up people problems [Madeline Watson and her deadbeat boyfriend.]
I didn't like the high school, the educators were bullies, Miss Ingram had her moments, and the P.E teacher/coach was awful. They were like caricatures from a sitcom. I don't know what kind of educating facility finds their behavior acceptable enough to keep them employed, but as someone who went to high school, when people in education are portrayed as such jerks in media, it just takes me out of the element; it doesn't feel REAL that these people exist in modern times but then again, I didn't go to Midtown High.
Harry and Flash were plot devices, Flash's character could have been written out, or dubbed bully #6, it wouldn't have made a difference/impact to the story.
Norman Osborn uses expensive technology and bright minds at Oscorp to create sports drinks for teenagers. Not sure how I feel about that. It was a clever way to explain Peter's changes/behavior after the spider bite, and thus, dismissing the potential of his secret identity. On the other hand, it seems like a waste of Norman's potential to develop OZ and use it in this form. Oscorp doesn't develop weapons and tamper in questionable genetic experiments, they make sports drinks with steroids; that sounds really stupid.
My last main complaint/dislike, is the quick fixes. I liked that this novel dealt with real world problems but they were wrapped up in the easiest most unrealistic way. Mary-Jane's epiphany about the damage she's done to her health/body from anorexia was handled very lightly. The build up was great, the way she changed her eating habits, the obsession with calories and tracking her weight loss, but when it came down to addressing the problem; she just handled rehabilitation like a pro on the first try. You do kind of get of sense of the thoughts going through her head but by simplifying this part of the ordeal, it waters down the severity of the issue, in this case anorexia.
Unless you're like me, and you feel the compulsive NEED to read anything you can get your hands on dealing with the Spider-Man Universe, then go ahead and check it out but you wont remember it in t-1 hour. I'd rather re-read Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Vol. 1.
I didn't completely dislike the novel; I'd say the second half was more enjoyable than the first, but the results were very underwhelming. I feel like this is a great concept, to tell the story of Spider-Man through the eyes of a leading female, but it results in wasted potential. It's oversimplified, lacks creative integrity, feels very lazily put together and does NOT offer enough intrigue to look forward to a sequel.
Mary-Jane's character isn't very likable, which is a shame, since this novel is centered around her, but she isn't completely intolerable. I do like her friendship with Peter. I liked how this novel spends some time with Peter's parents, and we get a little bit of a sense of the kind of people Richard and Mary Parker, are. I liked that it dealt with teenage problems, the whole body image issue going on with Mary-Jane, the bullying at the school. I liked that it didn't shy away with the more grown up people problems [Madeline Watson and her deadbeat boyfriend.]
I didn't like the high school, the educators were bullies, Miss Ingram had her moments, and the P.E teacher/coach was awful. They were like caricatures from a sitcom. I don't know what kind of educating facility finds their behavior acceptable enough to keep them employed, but as someone who went to high school, when people in education are portrayed as such jerks in media, it just takes me out of the element; it doesn't feel REAL that these people exist in modern times but then again, I didn't go to Midtown High.
Harry and Flash were plot devices, Flash's character could have been written out, or dubbed bully #6, it wouldn't have made a difference/impact to the story.
Norman Osborn uses expensive technology and bright minds at Oscorp to create sports drinks for teenagers. Not sure how I feel about that. It was a clever way to explain Peter's changes/behavior after the spider bite, and thus, dismissing the potential of his secret identity. On the other hand, it seems like a waste of Norman's potential to develop OZ and use it in this form. Oscorp doesn't develop weapons and tamper in questionable genetic experiments, they make sports drinks with steroids; that sounds really stupid.
My last main complaint/dislike, is the quick fixes. I liked that this novel dealt with real world problems but they were wrapped up in the easiest most unrealistic way. Mary-Jane's epiphany about the damage she's done to her health/body from anorexia was handled very lightly. The build up was great, the way she changed her eating habits, the obsession with calories and tracking her weight loss, but when it came down to addressing the problem; she just handled rehabilitation like a pro on the first try. You do kind of get of sense of the thoughts going through her head but by simplifying this part of the ordeal, it waters down the severity of the issue, in this case anorexia.
Unless you're like me, and you feel the compulsive NEED to read anything you can get your hands on dealing with the Spider-Man Universe, then go ahead and check it out but you wont remember it in t-1 hour. I'd rather re-read Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Vol. 1.
January 13, 2012
Lauren Sandico
01/05/2012
Literature 7b
Spiderman
Did you ever want to be a superhero? This paperback book called Mary Jane written by Judith O’Brien is a fiction novel about boy meets girl. You would clearly love it because it's interesting from the start to the end and you can't stop reading the book if you already started it. This book is fantastic, fascinating, happy/sad situation and everything a book should have.
Mary Jane is about romance and drama.The main characters are Mary Jane, Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and Harry Osborn's father. In this story, their was a lot of problems like Mary Jane making decision of being friends with Peter who was her best friend when they were kids until she moved but she cared about her appearance and Peter was a nerd in the school, the school is turning into a jungle because of the OZ drink which was invented by Harry's father, and Mary Jane choosing the most popular guy(Harry Osborn) or Peter Parker (her best friend before) they both like Mary Jane. Who would she choose?
For this book was really interesting. I like how they combined romance and action together that is one of thing why I didn't stop reading it. The prologue was really catchy and heart breaking because of its not an ordinary family bonding and happy family situation, it's basically the parents are always fighting and that her mom and her have to move to another place which made it even sad because the best friend Mary and Peter have to move away from each other. The first part was very catchy too up when it goes farther it becomes a little boring, the catchy part was when they(Mary and Peter) see each other again but there was something went wrong she cared about her appearance more than her best friend before. The middle was okay because she became more closer to Peter and I really liked their friendship but then it's really sad because Peter's father was killed because of a robbery before that Mary Jane got in the cheer team and when she got in, a letter was sent to her saying that she has scholarship in her old ballet school. Based on the middle they make people sad then in return a happy thing just pops out of no where. The last was happy and sad but I am not going to spoil it for you.
I think this book will more fascinate girl in teenage years because boys cannot stand romance, they don't appreciate the meaning of love in stories and they are more of action and killing. The book should be read in your 13-16 I guess. They should read this book because it has a fantastic start and fascinating end, I really really recommend girls in 13-16 to read this book. This book is as great as the book hunger games, so girls won't regret reading it and it will make them watch Spiderman and buy the book (Mary Jane 2).
My overall statement is that this book is really interesting, for me I don't really like reading but I choose this book because this got my attention, so it led me to reading it.
I don't like many books and if I read this book and I didn't stop reading it, for me it's a miracle I read this book. So, I think this a good read for teens.
01/05/2012
Literature 7b
Spiderman
Did you ever want to be a superhero? This paperback book called Mary Jane written by Judith O’Brien is a fiction novel about boy meets girl. You would clearly love it because it's interesting from the start to the end and you can't stop reading the book if you already started it. This book is fantastic, fascinating, happy/sad situation and everything a book should have.
Mary Jane is about romance and drama.The main characters are Mary Jane, Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and Harry Osborn's father. In this story, their was a lot of problems like Mary Jane making decision of being friends with Peter who was her best friend when they were kids until she moved but she cared about her appearance and Peter was a nerd in the school, the school is turning into a jungle because of the OZ drink which was invented by Harry's father, and Mary Jane choosing the most popular guy(Harry Osborn) or Peter Parker (her best friend before) they both like Mary Jane. Who would she choose?
For this book was really interesting. I like how they combined romance and action together that is one of thing why I didn't stop reading it. The prologue was really catchy and heart breaking because of its not an ordinary family bonding and happy family situation, it's basically the parents are always fighting and that her mom and her have to move to another place which made it even sad because the best friend Mary and Peter have to move away from each other. The first part was very catchy too up when it goes farther it becomes a little boring, the catchy part was when they(Mary and Peter) see each other again but there was something went wrong she cared about her appearance more than her best friend before. The middle was okay because she became more closer to Peter and I really liked their friendship but then it's really sad because Peter's father was killed because of a robbery before that Mary Jane got in the cheer team and when she got in, a letter was sent to her saying that she has scholarship in her old ballet school. Based on the middle they make people sad then in return a happy thing just pops out of no where. The last was happy and sad but I am not going to spoil it for you.
I think this book will more fascinate girl in teenage years because boys cannot stand romance, they don't appreciate the meaning of love in stories and they are more of action and killing. The book should be read in your 13-16 I guess. They should read this book because it has a fantastic start and fascinating end, I really really recommend girls in 13-16 to read this book. This book is as great as the book hunger games, so girls won't regret reading it and it will make them watch Spiderman and buy the book (Mary Jane 2).
My overall statement is that this book is really interesting, for me I don't really like reading but I choose this book because this got my attention, so it led me to reading it.
I don't like many books and if I read this book and I didn't stop reading it, for me it's a miracle I read this book. So, I think this a good read for teens.
January 12, 2012
The Story of Mary Janes Life
Do you know what happened in Mary Janes life and before she had meet Spider- Man? Well, I have read about her life in a book called Mary Jane. The book Mary Jane was a fiction and paper back book, which was written by Judith O' Brien. What I thought of the book was that it was a romantic, yet exciting novel. After reading the first part of the book, it made me want to continue the second part of the book. This book was kind of a mysterious and romantic novel which happened between Mary Jane and Spider Man. The main character of the book was Mary Jane, and it took place in her house, school, and Spider Mans house. Mary Jane's problems were mostly her mother, her mothers boyfriend, her love of dance, school, and her family.
What I thought of the book was that it was an interesting, mysterious, and romantic book, because most of the time the things that happened was between Mary Jane and Spider- Man. The ages that people should read this book is grades 6th and up because most of the parts of the book the kids can't understand and sometimes the parts aren't understandable to them.
The book Mary Jane was about how her life started. Do you know how her life started before everything? When, Mary Jane moved from her old place to a new place, at first she didn't like it until she had met Peter. Are you wondering why Spiderman's name is Peter? Well, you are going to find out right know! At school Spider- Man was a regular kid, until they went on a field trip in which case he got bit by a spider. After he got bit by the spider he started acting different, in which case he started shooting webs out of his hand and also climbing walls. But, after everything he started to keep secrets and also turned started acting strange to Mary Jane.
One time, she had to do a project (her partner was Peter). Mary Jane and Peter did their project on the OZ drink that they had in their school. Once she had to go under cover so she can find out what was inside the OZ drink because people started acting different. When she went under cover, but she got the copy of the OZ drink because her friends dad didn't know about it. When she walked out of the house a bus was coming, she was about to get hit by the bus, but Spider- Man came and swopped her over to the side walk. She asked who he was and he said Peter, but Mary Jane didn't believe him so she went over to his house and he was their.
After what had happened at the end, their friendship never stayed the same ever again. Once you start reading this book, you wouldn't want to stop it would just make you continue the second part of the story.
Do you know what happened in Mary Janes life and before she had meet Spider- Man? Well, I have read about her life in a book called Mary Jane. The book Mary Jane was a fiction and paper back book, which was written by Judith O' Brien. What I thought of the book was that it was a romantic, yet exciting novel. After reading the first part of the book, it made me want to continue the second part of the book. This book was kind of a mysterious and romantic novel which happened between Mary Jane and Spider Man. The main character of the book was Mary Jane, and it took place in her house, school, and Spider Mans house. Mary Jane's problems were mostly her mother, her mothers boyfriend, her love of dance, school, and her family.
What I thought of the book was that it was an interesting, mysterious, and romantic book, because most of the time the things that happened was between Mary Jane and Spider- Man. The ages that people should read this book is grades 6th and up because most of the parts of the book the kids can't understand and sometimes the parts aren't understandable to them.
The book Mary Jane was about how her life started. Do you know how her life started before everything? When, Mary Jane moved from her old place to a new place, at first she didn't like it until she had met Peter. Are you wondering why Spiderman's name is Peter? Well, you are going to find out right know! At school Spider- Man was a regular kid, until they went on a field trip in which case he got bit by a spider. After he got bit by the spider he started acting different, in which case he started shooting webs out of his hand and also climbing walls. But, after everything he started to keep secrets and also turned started acting strange to Mary Jane.
One time, she had to do a project (her partner was Peter). Mary Jane and Peter did their project on the OZ drink that they had in their school. Once she had to go under cover so she can find out what was inside the OZ drink because people started acting different. When she went under cover, but she got the copy of the OZ drink because her friends dad didn't know about it. When she walked out of the house a bus was coming, she was about to get hit by the bus, but Spider- Man came and swopped her over to the side walk. She asked who he was and he said Peter, but Mary Jane didn't believe him so she went over to his house and he was their.
After what had happened at the end, their friendship never stayed the same ever again. Once you start reading this book, you wouldn't want to stop it would just make you continue the second part of the story.
December 21, 2016
This book left me a little underwhelmed. I think it's a great idea to tell the story of Peter Parker and his beginnings from a different point of view, and there was a TON of potential for this story. That being said, the story jumps around a little too much, and I just found MJ to be a bit...annoying. I think there were some themes in this story that, if explored, could have really enhanced the entire book. I know that O'Brien was using the comics as a basis, but there was room for more development.
MJ's mom dumping her boyfriend, and having no....issue with that seemed unbelievable. This guy is a seedy asshole, and definitely the abusive type. So for him to just walk away, no problem, doesn't flow well with reality. I don't know if this is something that O'Brien will explore in the sequel, but it left me confused.
I think it is fantastic that Anorexia was dealt with in this book. It is important for our youth to see how easy it is to feel pressured by society, and fall into an eating disorder. That being said, there's no way that MJ could have kicked her disorder and harmful thoughts in one day, with one meal. Realistically, that's not going to happen. Recovery is a process. That's not to say it can't be done, but not like that. And MJ is still in an environment with triggers and a bunch of pressure (the ballet school at the end of the story) and it is hard to believe that this would not cause a relapse or something similar.
Flash and Harry were introduced and used to move the plot along, but were discarded so quickly that they felt flat and useless to the overall feel of the story. If there was more development, more fallout from their bullying ways, then I would have enjoyed their parts in this story.
I'm not sure if I will be reading the sequel, but never say never right? I think that this was a fun way to look at Peter Parker's origin story - and that's what I'll be taking away from this book.
MJ's mom dumping her boyfriend, and having no....issue with that seemed unbelievable. This guy is a seedy asshole, and definitely the abusive type. So for him to just walk away, no problem, doesn't flow well with reality. I don't know if this is something that O'Brien will explore in the sequel, but it left me confused.
I think it is fantastic that Anorexia was dealt with in this book. It is important for our youth to see how easy it is to feel pressured by society, and fall into an eating disorder. That being said, there's no way that MJ could have kicked her disorder and harmful thoughts in one day, with one meal. Realistically, that's not going to happen. Recovery is a process. That's not to say it can't be done, but not like that. And MJ is still in an environment with triggers and a bunch of pressure (the ballet school at the end of the story) and it is hard to believe that this would not cause a relapse or something similar.
Flash and Harry were introduced and used to move the plot along, but were discarded so quickly that they felt flat and useless to the overall feel of the story. If there was more development, more fallout from their bullying ways, then I would have enjoyed their parts in this story.
I'm not sure if I will be reading the sequel, but never say never right? I think that this was a fun way to look at Peter Parker's origin story - and that's what I'll be taking away from this book.
February 28, 2014
I am a superhero fan, married to an even bigger superhero fan. Peter Parker, AKA the Amazing and Spectacular Spider-Man, is my husband's favorite Marvel Comics hero. Because of that, I've gotten to be a pretty big Parker fan myself, and a fan of his girlfriend/wife, Mary Jane Watson. This book has been out a while, and only recently did I run across it again and picked it up to read.
The book is all about Mary Jane, with Peter Parker playing second-fiddle to this pretty redhead who loves ballet and has had a rough life up until now. I won't get into all of it, but this teenager has endured hardships that a lot of kids won't ever have to. She and Peter meet when they're young, at a prestigious school in New York City. Problems arise for both families, and the two don't meet up again until high school.
It was fun reading about MJ, a character that Marvel introduced as a foil to Peter's girlfriend in the comics, Gwen Stacy. MJ was such a hit that Marvel ended up killing off Gwen in order for Peter to hook up with MJ. In this first Mary Jane book, Gwen isn't mentioned. It's about MJ and Peter reconnecting and him becoming Spider-Man (although because the entire book is from MJ's POV, you don't get to see it happen). MJ has a lot going on in her life, and readers will nod their heads at certain times, remembering how they felt in high school.
Fun and refreshing, I really enjoyed this book. I'm currently reading the second volume, and enjoying that one too. Maybe more writers should acknowledge the girlfriends/wives of the superheroes (much like Brad Meltzer did in the superb "Identity Crisis" graphic novel). Yes, we love our superheroes, but it's fun seeing how their companions deal with them putting themselves in harm's way for a living, and how they deal with life in general.
The book is all about Mary Jane, with Peter Parker playing second-fiddle to this pretty redhead who loves ballet and has had a rough life up until now. I won't get into all of it, but this teenager has endured hardships that a lot of kids won't ever have to. She and Peter meet when they're young, at a prestigious school in New York City. Problems arise for both families, and the two don't meet up again until high school.
It was fun reading about MJ, a character that Marvel introduced as a foil to Peter's girlfriend in the comics, Gwen Stacy. MJ was such a hit that Marvel ended up killing off Gwen in order for Peter to hook up with MJ. In this first Mary Jane book, Gwen isn't mentioned. It's about MJ and Peter reconnecting and him becoming Spider-Man (although because the entire book is from MJ's POV, you don't get to see it happen). MJ has a lot going on in her life, and readers will nod their heads at certain times, remembering how they felt in high school.
Fun and refreshing, I really enjoyed this book. I'm currently reading the second volume, and enjoying that one too. Maybe more writers should acknowledge the girlfriends/wives of the superheroes (much like Brad Meltzer did in the superb "Identity Crisis" graphic novel). Yes, we love our superheroes, but it's fun seeing how their companions deal with them putting themselves in harm's way for a living, and how they deal with life in general.
February 21, 2017
Sweet retelling of the relationship between young Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson from her point of view with some present day hurdles thrown in for good measure.
January 27, 2015
I'll admit to the fact that I really only checked out and then read this book because of my love of comics and attachment to Spiderman.
And that's why I liked this book. it definitely isn't deserving of five stars, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I liked it because it was just a fun thing to read. It wasn't overly intellectual, it dealt with some more serious issues, but not really in depth, so it was just a quick, entertaining book.
It's a romance novel focused around Peter Parker's first love, Mary Jane. The book starts out when they're both very young, so from start to pretty much finish it's just about them growing up, and falling in love, and it's very "cutesy".
I think it could have been done much better, that's for sure. Mary Jane has a lot of problems, and her life is pretty rough. I've gone through some of the things she did in the book, and I feel like the book kinda of glossed over them, and made them seem less serious then they would be in real life. However, I think that's okay, because the book is really focused around their relationship, and her getting away from those things in her life, or at least that how I see it.
Because of this, and really other parts of the book as well, I feel as though it could have been more developed, and furthered the reader's understanding of the beginning of Peter and Mary's lives more.
However, it was well written, fun enough, and about spiderman, so I enjoyed it.
If you're a hardcore marvel fan, and you're looking for something really well written, entirely accurate and infallible, this is definitely not for you. I feel like it's just a light-hearted fun novel, especially if you are into the Marvel universe, and want something just a little bit different.
And that's why I liked this book. it definitely isn't deserving of five stars, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I liked it because it was just a fun thing to read. It wasn't overly intellectual, it dealt with some more serious issues, but not really in depth, so it was just a quick, entertaining book.
It's a romance novel focused around Peter Parker's first love, Mary Jane. The book starts out when they're both very young, so from start to pretty much finish it's just about them growing up, and falling in love, and it's very "cutesy".
I think it could have been done much better, that's for sure. Mary Jane has a lot of problems, and her life is pretty rough. I've gone through some of the things she did in the book, and I feel like the book kinda of glossed over them, and made them seem less serious then they would be in real life. However, I think that's okay, because the book is really focused around their relationship, and her getting away from those things in her life, or at least that how I see it.
Because of this, and really other parts of the book as well, I feel as though it could have been more developed, and furthered the reader's understanding of the beginning of Peter and Mary's lives more.
However, it was well written, fun enough, and about spiderman, so I enjoyed it.
If you're a hardcore marvel fan, and you're looking for something really well written, entirely accurate and infallible, this is definitely not for you. I feel like it's just a light-hearted fun novel, especially if you are into the Marvel universe, and want something just a little bit different.
December 8, 2011
Honestly, I adored this book and I really want to go out and buy my own copy [I borrowed it from the library =) ]. I am a HUGE fan of Spider-Man and Marvel in general. Spider-Man is the greatest superhero hands down.
A lot of my friends have said that they absolutely hate mary jane and think she's a whore.....I beg to differ. I have always had a certain admiration towards Mary Jane. She comes from a relatively broken family, her starter relationships are kinda shallow, and her final boyfriend/spouse is a crime fighter that ALL the girls want. Come on, that's one tough life.
One of the reasons I liked this book, was because it shows even more than the comic books and movies did. Here we get the emotional tension that comes with high school and relationships. In the movie, you get all the great action--but you still kinda miss out on the development, which is understandable considering movies can only be so long.
As much as I love the Spider-Man movies and comic books, I still believed this to be a great add-on to the series overall. Us girls can read comic books all we like, but its nice to see a beloved story from a girl's perspective. I liked that now, Mary Jane actually appeared to have a life that she also struggles with. She's had losses just like Peter. She is insecure like all girls get at one time or another. She has fights with her best friend and in the end she gets the guy. Everyone's happy....except Flash, but Flash doesn't really matter.
I found no reason to hate this book and I am earnestly looking forward to reading Mary Jane 2 =)
A lot of my friends have said that they absolutely hate mary jane and think she's a whore.....I beg to differ. I have always had a certain admiration towards Mary Jane. She comes from a relatively broken family, her starter relationships are kinda shallow, and her final boyfriend/spouse is a crime fighter that ALL the girls want. Come on, that's one tough life.
One of the reasons I liked this book, was because it shows even more than the comic books and movies did. Here we get the emotional tension that comes with high school and relationships. In the movie, you get all the great action--but you still kinda miss out on the development, which is understandable considering movies can only be so long.
As much as I love the Spider-Man movies and comic books, I still believed this to be a great add-on to the series overall. Us girls can read comic books all we like, but its nice to see a beloved story from a girl's perspective. I liked that now, Mary Jane actually appeared to have a life that she also struggles with. She's had losses just like Peter. She is insecure like all girls get at one time or another. She has fights with her best friend and in the end she gets the guy. Everyone's happy....except Flash, but Flash doesn't really matter.
I found no reason to hate this book and I am earnestly looking forward to reading Mary Jane 2 =)
August 30, 2009
The superhero elements are tangential to the teen's personal problems-her absent father, self-centered mother, financial woes, and struggle with anorexia. The novel begins with Mary Jane and Peter Parker as nine-year-olds working on a science project together. Peter may be nerdy, but Mary Jane warms to him and his loving parents, so different from her own.
The one part I loved about this book was the in-depth detail of Mary Jane and Peter's relationship, which isn't exactly shown in comics and movies. All of the characters that have always been in this story are here: Peter, Mary Jane, Uncle Ben and Aunt May, Harry and Norman Osborn, and Flash Thompson.
The rest of the story centers on Mary Jane's family woes and the stresses of starting a new school, while Peter's transformation after his spider bite and an evil plan engineered by classmate Harry Osborn's father are more peripheral. A story about first love and self-acceptance, "Mary Jane" chronicles one girl's struggle to trust herself and gather the courage to go after what--and who--she truly wants.
Book Details:
Title Mary Jane: Inspired by the Best-Selling Ultimate Spider-Man Graphic Novels
Author Judith O'Brien
Reviewed By Purplycookie
The one part I loved about this book was the in-depth detail of Mary Jane and Peter's relationship, which isn't exactly shown in comics and movies. All of the characters that have always been in this story are here: Peter, Mary Jane, Uncle Ben and Aunt May, Harry and Norman Osborn, and Flash Thompson.
The rest of the story centers on Mary Jane's family woes and the stresses of starting a new school, while Peter's transformation after his spider bite and an evil plan engineered by classmate Harry Osborn's father are more peripheral. A story about first love and self-acceptance, "Mary Jane" chronicles one girl's struggle to trust herself and gather the courage to go after what--and who--she truly wants.
Book Details:
Title Mary Jane: Inspired by the Best-Selling Ultimate Spider-Man Graphic Novels
Author Judith O'Brien
Reviewed By Purplycookie
January 18, 2008
Mary Jane is headed off to yet another new school after her father has deserted her and her mom. But, much to her surprise Mary Jane finds her old fourth grade friend, Peter Parker, at this new school. Six years later, Mary Jane is tall, blonde,thin and gorgeous. Peter is as dorky as ever. When Peter is bitten by a chemically engineered spider, life for Mary Jane and Peter does a 360. As Mary Jane struggles with anorexia, Mom’s new creepy boyfriend, and Peter’s sudden metamorphic life as a jock, her life becomes troubled and confusing at times.
This science fiction tale takes a twist on the story of Peter Parker’s alter ego, Spiderman, as Mary Jane’s point of view is at the forefront. You may learn some things you didn’t know before.
This science fiction tale takes a twist on the story of Peter Parker’s alter ego, Spiderman, as Mary Jane’s point of view is at the forefront. You may learn some things you didn’t know before.
May 29, 2015
I remember reading this book when it first came out -- back during the height of my obsession with the Sam Raimi film adaptations of Spider-Man (although only the first film had come out at that time.) While the book was a lot simpler in plot than I remember it being (granted, I'm over a decade older now), I still found it a fun adventure. I like that they gave Mary Jane some clear life struggles outside of the fact that her friend Peter is acting weird and she suspects him of being Spider-Man. Because, sadly, most of the stuff about the lead female loves of superheroes tend to forget that said ladies have a life and character outside of their romantic interest. And I really enjoyed seeing how Mary Jane developed.
December 29, 2008
I think the important thing to do while reading the Mary Jane books by O'Brien is to take them as their own entity. Do they follow the backstory from the Spiderman comics exactly? Absolutely not. Are they fun chapter books for the female Marvel reader making Mary Jane a believable character and not just Peter Parker's hot love interest? Totally. Just accept it to be so that O'Brien is going to change some things around and give Mary Jane a bit more then a "Go Get em Tiger!" attitude, and there is a good chance you can enjoy these books.
June 2, 2012
I never really liked Mary Jane as a character in the Spiderman series. Since this was a book for teens with pictures in it I thought it would be cute, sweet and make me appreciate her more and get a sense of who she REALLY is. Seeing the story of Spiderman unfold through her eyes seemed interesting. The book really let me down though. It was pretty depressing and when not dragging me through the dirt with death and eating disorders it was mindlessly bubbling with confused teenage love. Blech, not for me personally.
July 7, 2012
A quick read, however, the characters were really undeveloped - to the extent that, if I hadn't read the comics or seen the films, I would have known next to nothing about them. The plot didn't really pick up until the last third or so either. I had higher hopes for this one, to be honest - the telling of a superhero narrative, but from Mary Jane's p.o.v, had the potential to be really interesting. As a fan of both Spiderman and YA fiction generally... this failed to hit the mark as either type of tale.
September 28, 2012
My knowledge of Spiderman is limited to what I saw in the Spiderman movies. I'm not even talking about the version with Andrew Garfield, either. (Although it's lame to say the Tobey McGuire movies are SOOOOOOOOOOO old.) It was nice to see Mary Jane's point of view! I actually like the character more. It was sad to see her struggle with an eating disorder for, you know, a few weeks. BUTBUTBUTBUT. I enjoyed the book! It felt like fanfiction, though. ALTHOUGH... I guess that's what you can call this?
March 5, 2015
I really enjoy this novel and it is a quick read. The story is about Mary Jane and her life and before she knows that Peter is Spider-Man. This story takes place in the Ultimate world so O'Brien had more liberty with the story. I have to admit that I came into this book just because of Spider-Man but enjoyed the parts with just Mary Jane more then with Peter. The only thing is that is the story there is a OZ sports drink thing that really didn't seem liked it matter and was just thrown in there and that why it's not a 5 out of 5.
August 2, 2007
I'm not usually a fiction kind of person, but I liked Mary Jane 1 and 2. It's the story from MJ's point of view. She never finds out that Peter Parker is Spiderman, and you see things from her side. She has real life problems (father leaving the family, battling an eating disorder, her mother loosing her job, etc). Both books were very well written, I thought. :)
August 2, 2009
Jesse bought me this for Christmas. I wasn't sure what to expect from it but I ended up really liking it. O'Brien's MJ is believable, although... I am pretty sure this is the first time MJ's dealt with some of these particular issues. Still, it was a solid first novel for the series, and I'd like to read the others.
March 10, 2016
This is what happens when you let someone who isn't a fan of comics write a book based off a secondary female character just so that little girls out there will have a fictional role model. Lame. Nobody gives a crap about popular high school girls or what they're going through, especially when the author changes Peter Parker's character to a popular jock. She tried to ruin Spider-Man.
August 16, 2012
I found this book pretty good, considering I've never read or watched anything about Spiderman before. Except for the cartoon, "Spiderman and his Amazing Friends," which I don't think really counts? It was interesting to see how it unfolded, and the illustrations in the book were very realistic too.
January 18, 2014
I loved every bit of this book! It was very well written and could be read quickly and gives you a closer look at one of Marvel's most popular female character.
FOR FULL REVIEW PLEASE VISIT MY REVIEW ON MY BLOG!
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FOR FULL REVIEW PLEASE VISIT MY REVIEW ON MY BLOG!
http://callievamp.blogspot.com/2014/0...
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