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debz_guzman's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I really struggled with getting into it at first, until I changed my expectations...I understood on my third try, that I was looking at this book too seriously.
I was expecting something like " Under the whispering door", and this is not it, is the same author, same queerness and same sense of humor; but it was lacking substance.
Then, I started reading it as it was, this is a book about teenagers being teenagers (so....kind of stupid and horny all the time), with a Gilmore Girls type of banter, that mocks all clichés on superheroes stories (including the classic "everybody knows the true identity of the hero, but their clueless love interest").
P.S.: I think you will enjoy this book, if you like Jake Peralta on Brooklyn 99.
I really struggled with getting into it at first, until I changed my expectations...I understood on my third try, that I was looking at this book too seriously.
I was expecting something like " Under the whispering door", and this is not it, is the same author, same queerness and same sense of humor; but it was lacking substance.
Then, I started reading it as it was, this is a book about teenagers being teenagers (so....kind of stupid and horny all the time), with a Gilmore Girls type of banter, that mocks all clichés on superheroes stories (including the classic "everybody knows the true identity of the hero, but their clueless love interest").
P.S.: I think you will enjoy this book, if you like Jake Peralta on Brooklyn 99.
memjacks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
linde26's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bibliobrittish's review against another edition
5.0
4.5⭐️ - What can I say other than that I adored this? TJ Klune is the king of wholesome cackling, the stellar narration only adding to the hilarity (and heartfelt moments).
From the outset, I was transported into a world not unlike my t(w)eenage binge-watch of Sky High, filled with angsty, teenage superheroes in skin-tight, sparkly costumes. But the capes? Edna would not approve. Seriously, starting with Nick's fan-fiction world was the perfect choice. And the awkward! I loved the awkward, especially once the Extraordinary meet-cutes began. I mean, LION UNDERWEAR SUPERVILLAIN MEET CUTE??? But I digress...
Klune brings so much heart to his comedy, from Nick talking openly about his struggles with ADHD (his mind is beautifully represented throughout the book) to queer-positive sex-ed talks with dad to an incredible found family of queer high schoolers. And at the heart of that family is a deep sense of mutual respect that shines through even in the difficult moments and misunderstandings, of which there are a lot. But if you want dorky superhero disaster kids, this one's for you.
From the outset, I was transported into a world not unlike my t(w)eenage binge-watch of Sky High, filled with angsty, teenage superheroes in skin-tight, sparkly costumes. But the capes? Edna would not approve. Seriously, starting with Nick's fan-fiction world was the perfect choice. And the awkward! I loved the awkward, especially once the Extraordinary meet-cutes began. I mean, LION UNDERWEAR SUPERVILLAIN MEET CUTE??? But I digress...
Klune brings so much heart to his comedy, from Nick talking openly about his struggles with ADHD (his mind is beautifully represented throughout the book) to queer-positive sex-ed talks with dad to an incredible found family of queer high schoolers. And at the heart of that family is a deep sense of mutual respect that shines through even in the difficult moments and misunderstandings, of which there are a lot. But if you want dorky superhero disaster kids, this one's for you.
sannerebecca's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book just diagnosed me as not having ADHD. :p
jenmccoy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nburnett978's review against another edition
5.0
This book has become one of my all time absolute favorite books ever.
This book did not fail to capture my interest and I was sucked in with in minutes of having started reading. I have only ever been so emotionally invested in a book a few times and reading this book was most definitely one of those times. I recommend this book to everyone over the age of 11-12. So long as you support the LGBTQ+ community and love superheroes, I believe that you will love this book.
This book did not fail to capture my interest and I was sucked in with in minutes of having started reading. I have only ever been so emotionally invested in a book a few times and reading this book was most definitely one of those times. I recommend this book to everyone over the age of 11-12. So long as you support the LGBTQ+ community and love superheroes, I believe that you will love this book.
lisa_kissane's review against another edition
4.0
Fangirl meets The Incredibles.
I really enjoyed this book with its sassy, quick-witted, angst-ridden teen narrative. There were many moments at which I laughed out loud, quite unattractively! Whilst it was a cheesy and predictable story, there were frequent hilarious moments and I really liked many of the characters. It's difficult to come up with fresh ways to tell a classic superhero story but I feel this novel has done as much, weaving LGBT themes throughout very organically, just as it should be. I also think Nick's ADHD was portrayed very well; it was easy to imagine what a real-life Nick would be like. This character, above all others, truly came to life.
Towards the end, I felt as if the story was dragging a little and I was eager to get to the conclusion. It has been left wide open for a follow up, and I will definitely look forward to more from Nick's universe.
I really enjoyed this book with its sassy, quick-witted, angst-ridden teen narrative. There were many moments at which I laughed out loud, quite unattractively! Whilst it was a cheesy and predictable story, there were frequent hilarious moments and I really liked many of the characters. It's difficult to come up with fresh ways to tell a classic superhero story but I feel this novel has done as much, weaving LGBT themes throughout very organically, just as it should be. I also think Nick's ADHD was portrayed very well; it was easy to imagine what a real-life Nick would be like. This character, above all others, truly came to life.
Towards the end, I felt as if the story was dragging a little and I was eager to get to the conclusion. It has been left wide open for a follow up, and I will definitely look forward to more from Nick's universe.
drh617's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is the most ridiculous book I’ve ever read, but I loved every second of it. You just have to know what you’re getting yourself into, which is an incredibly campy, very queer, YA superhero romance involving teenage boys with severe ADHD.
If you enjoy TJ Klune’s sense of humor, you will find this book to be laugh out loud funny, but for how unserious this was, it had surprising emotional depth. I may have even teared up once or twice. The romance between Nick and Seth is just so stinking sweet I can’t stand it.
If I was rating this on pure enjoyment it would be 5 stars, but I did have 2 issues with the book. Firstly, on a more serious note, The Extraordinaries is filled with pro-police sentiments that romanticize their role in society, painting cops as real life hero’s. It’s not even veiled in the slightest. If that will seriously bother you, you may not want to read this book. I can’t say I was fond of that aspect of it, but this was written prior to a lot of the major police brutality events we’ve seen and Klune has since addressed this issue. My other problem is that while I found Nick to be endearing and hilarious, his antics did eventually start to wear on me. Perhaps if this book had been 75 pages shorter, that would not have been the case, but I can only take so much insanity.
Overall, loved. Can’t wait for book 2.
If you enjoy TJ Klune’s sense of humor, you will find this book to be laugh out loud funny, but for how unserious this was, it had surprising emotional depth. I may have even teared up once or twice. The romance between Nick and Seth is just so stinking sweet I can’t stand it.
If I was rating this on pure enjoyment it would be 5 stars, but I did have 2 issues with the book. Firstly, on a more serious note, The Extraordinaries is filled with pro-police sentiments that romanticize their role in society, painting cops as real life hero’s. It’s not even veiled in the slightest. If that will seriously bother you, you may not want to read this book. I can’t say I was fond of that aspect of it, but this was written prior to a lot of the major police brutality events we’ve seen and Klune has since addressed this issue. My other problem is that while I found Nick to be endearing and hilarious, his antics did eventually start to wear on me. Perhaps if this book had been 75 pages shorter, that would not have been the case, but I can only take so much insanity.
Overall, loved. Can’t wait for book 2.
sestreet's review against another edition
5.0
Charming and so fun!! I wasn’t expecting to laugh so much during this or have a permanent smile affixed to my face! The plot was predictable but o also felt like the author wasn’t trying to pretend like it wasn’t! It all worked.