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briaraq's review against another edition
3.0
I love the premise, but there were more details than story at times. It kinda threw me off. I loooove Abby and Bells though.
This will probably need a reread because this is the second book in a row that I’ve found boring. I’m hoping I’m not in a slump.
This will probably need a reread because this is the second book in a row that I’ve found boring. I’m hoping I’m not in a slump.
mikimeiko's review against another edition
2.0
I should know better than getting my reading recommendations by tumblr.
This is not a BAD book, but I'm not the target audience and I felt it strongly. The first two or three chapters were so uninteresting to me that I almost stopped reading, but the narrative flows nicely enough that I decided to give it a chance and it actually got a little better. That said, there was exactly one twist (in a book of many) that I didn't see coming chapters ahed.
As I said, it's not bad but it's not for me, so I won't keep reading the other books in the series.
This is not a BAD book, but I'm not the target audience and I felt it strongly. The first two or three chapters were so uninteresting to me that I almost stopped reading, but the narrative flows nicely enough that I decided to give it a chance and it actually got a little better. That said, there was exactly one twist (in a book of many) that I didn't see coming chapters ahed.
As I said, it's not bad but it's not for me, so I won't keep reading the other books in the series.
mckinlay's review against another edition
4.0
A corrupt government? wow. how unrealistic. *sarcasm intensifies*
mezzosherri's review against another edition
4.0
Vibrant start to a middle-grade/YA trilogy that brings a welcome spirit of inclusivity to the superhero genre. So, so, so fantastic to have a bisexual young woman of color as the protagonist and POV character--centering her story and perspectives in a way that sci-fi/heroes lit so rarely does. (I'm looking at you, Doctor Strange and Iron Fist...) I also loved the matter-of-fact way that the wealth of LGBTQ+ characters and POC who inhabited Jess's world did so in a way that was fun and authentic and not tokenism.
Admittedly, I was able to predict a bunch of the "plot twists," but I think that was due to the combination of being a middle-aged person reading a middle-grade book, AND the fact that some of the twists were meant to be transparent, as a way of playing with superhero tropes.
Admittedly, I was able to predict a bunch of the "plot twists," but I think that was due to the combination of being a middle-aged person reading a middle-grade book, AND the fact that some of the twists were meant to be transparent, as a way of playing with superhero tropes.
theresab93's review against another edition
4.0
🏳️🌈PRIDE MONTH READS🏳️🌈
Not Your Sidekick was very much a simple superhero/villain story, it wasn't really complex with story in general. However it was still a bit of fun to read
Not Your Sidekick was very much a simple superhero/villain story, it wasn't really complex with story in general. However it was still a bit of fun to read
absynthetix's review against another edition
4.0
This book had significant problems with its structure, pacing, and plot development, and I'm willing to overlook all of that because I loved it so much. It's zany and cute, the characters and plot were amazing and well realized, and it's like watching a melodrama play out where everything is obvious to the audience but the characters are charmingly clueless. I love it.
jocelynsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
veeraptor's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably closer to a 3.5. This is a super cute book that does a cool thing. It manages to make a story about the immigrant experience but bury it under a gay love story about superheroes. The subtext goes super far down and I enjoyed when the book revealed itself in this way. Unfortunately, there are parts that are messy; the prose sometimes doesn’t flow well and I often had to flip back to see what scene was being set. I also felt like Abby never fully became a 3D character, instead remaining a bit of an “idea,” as Jess often said. It’s an easy read though, the romance is super cute, and the world building is intriguing.
jamies_shelves's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! The writing style was easy and enjoyable to read. I found the plot and characters to be fun, so let's talk about what I loved.
Representation. Holy shit was there representation.
The main character is a Bisexual girl who is half Chinese and half Vietnamese. Not only do we see her have attraction to both males and females, but we get to witness her correct someone when they assume that she is a lesbian. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. Also her parents (one Chinese and one Vietnamese) are superheroes who are the pride of their city. Asian superheroes who are celebrated!
Her two best friends include a girl who is adopted and has two moms, and a transgender boy who is described as having dark skin. I didn't even know that Bells was transgender until a good way into the book when Jess makes it clear that she's looking out for his comfort. This was amazing because being transgender was a part of him, not his point as a character. Also the girl she likes would be a lesbian if she returns Jess' feelings, and one that is 100% okay with Jess being bisexual and doesn't ONCE suggest that Jess might cheat with the other gender or anything else that is often used to shame bisexuals.
Supportive family and friends!
Every time we see family in this series (minus one person) they are supportive and this is such a nice change of pace! I'm so used to most of the struggle in a book (especially one that deals with sexuality or gender) being about fear of parents acceptance, but not with this book. Every time we see Jess' parents and her brother they are completely supportive of her being bisexual and of the fact that she didn't inherit superpowers. They also are willing to hear her out at the end of the story when she reveals what has been going on and THEY BELIEVE HER. They don't question her because she's a child, or doesn't have powers. They listen to her. Also every time we see Bells' parents and brothers they are 100% supportive of his transition and love him completely. And all of their friends feel the same. Seeing such supportive people in a book was so important and so refreshing.
The plot.
I think the way the story is going is super interesting. I love what they're doing with the heroes and villains. Such an interesting concept, and one that feels similar, but also different from what I've read before.
I'm excited to read the next book and see where this series goes!
Representation. Holy shit was there representation.
The main character is a Bisexual girl who is half Chinese and half Vietnamese. Not only do we see her have attraction to both males and females, but we get to witness her correct someone when they assume that she is a lesbian. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. Also her parents (one Chinese and one Vietnamese) are superheroes who are the pride of their city. Asian superheroes who are celebrated!
Her two best friends include a girl who is adopted and has two moms, and a transgender boy who is described as having dark skin. I didn't even know that Bells was transgender until a good way into the book when Jess makes it clear that she's looking out for his comfort. This was amazing because being transgender was a part of him, not his point as a character. Also the girl she likes would be a lesbian if she returns Jess' feelings, and one that is 100% okay with Jess being bisexual and doesn't ONCE suggest that Jess might cheat with the other gender or anything else that is often used to shame bisexuals.
Supportive family and friends!
Every time we see family in this series (minus one person) they are supportive and this is such a nice change of pace! I'm so used to most of the struggle in a book (especially one that deals with sexuality or gender) being about fear of parents acceptance, but not with this book. Every time we see Jess' parents and her brother they are completely supportive of her being bisexual and of the fact that she didn't inherit superpowers. They also are willing to hear her out at the end of the story when she reveals what has been going on and THEY BELIEVE HER. They don't question her because she's a child, or doesn't have powers. They listen to her. Also every time we see Bells' parents and brothers they are 100% supportive of his transition and love him completely. And all of their friends feel the same. Seeing such supportive people in a book was so important and so refreshing.
The plot.
I think the way the story is going is super interesting. I love what they're doing with the heroes and villains. Such an interesting concept, and one that feels similar, but also different from what I've read before.
I'm excited to read the next book and see where this series goes!