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boja's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
It was cute.. it was gay.. and easy read...
But too predictable tho... I can see what's gonna happen about 15% in... and there's 3 more books in this series so...
It was cute.. it was gay.. and easy read...
But too predictable tho... I can see what's gonna happen about 15% in... and there's 3 more books in this series so...
charvi_not_just_fiction's review against another edition
3.0
I really like the concept but everything was quite straightforward and predictable whether it was the plot or the romance. I was bored while reading it and continued only because it was an audiobook. I was really into the worldbuilding and the setting up of the conflict but unfortunately the execution was lacking for me.
matthewjulius's review against another edition
3.0
Adorable and fun, but underdeveloped. Was really refreshing how it wasn't the main character herself who had crazy unprecedented powers. For all the story's strengths making its two central characters feel like real teenagers with teenage feelings, everyone else was underdeveloped enough that their own twists and arcs didn't land with any impact. The sister was so absent from the narrative that her heel turn into crazy authoritarian zealotry didn't feel as heartbreaking as the main character was left just saying it was. Enough little things like that brought it down a lot, as charming and commendable as its ability is for weaving a little, personal story of two teenagers figuring out their feelings for each other into a big government corruption story.
billblume's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy comic book superhero action, Not Your Sidekick delivers a great YA spin on the idea. Jess makes for a great main character. Her experiences as the non-superpowered child of two heroes with an older sister who is also a superhero provides a perfect POV for this setting. The twist to the setting is that it's a dystopian world, and the superhero/supervillain shenanigans cover a larger conspiracy. C.B. Lee does a good job saying a lot about our present via this future world.
The ending feels a bit rushed, although that might just be because I was reading it so quickly by that point. Given some of the twists in the story near the end, I'm not quite clear on why Jess and her parents aren't in hiding. I'm hoping the 2017 sequel, Not Your Villain, might better explain that. I'm intrigued that the sequel will turn one of the supporting characters into the main character. Given this is a trilogy, I'm also curious to see who will be the main character in the final book.
I bought this in paperback and the chapter headers include artwork by the cover artist C.B. Messer. The artwork is beautiful, adding something special to the reading experience. C.B. Lee offers her own praise for the artist, even her gratitude for making it clear on the cover that Jess is Asian. That's a big deal, and I was glad to see it, too.
This book reminds me a lot of Lexie Dunne's Superheroes Anonymous (a series I also enjoy a lot) but with a YA spin on things.
The ending feels a bit rushed, although that might just be because I was reading it so quickly by that point. Given some of the twists in the story near the end, I'm not quite clear on why Jess and her parents aren't in hiding. I'm hoping the 2017 sequel, Not Your Villain, might better explain that. I'm intrigued that the sequel will turn one of the supporting characters into the main character. Given this is a trilogy, I'm also curious to see who will be the main character in the final book.
I bought this in paperback and the chapter headers include artwork by the cover artist C.B. Messer. The artwork is beautiful, adding something special to the reading experience. C.B. Lee offers her own praise for the artist, even her gratitude for making it clear on the cover that Jess is Asian. That's a big deal, and I was glad to see it, too.
This book reminds me a lot of Lexie Dunne's Superheroes Anonymous (a series I also enjoy a lot) but with a YA spin on things.
dawn_chen's review against another edition
3.0
Cute friendship gang. Cute f/f romance. Nice asian representation. Generic distopia setting. The climax was a bit scattered and not all that satisfying. The plot was way too mature for the childish tone of the story. Have seen all of the secret identity reveal from a mile away. Might not continue on with the series, but was still a relaxing read.
kerrygibbons's review against another edition
5.0
Love love loved it. So completely ready for the next book. Loved the casual way so many characters were lgbtq. I’m 100% on board for that. And .
This was just an all-around fun book though the ending was a little dissatisfying but most first books are in a series. I wonder how many books the series will be. I also think this book needed ONE more go-over by an editor. There were a bunch of small errors (things like “go in the to the” where it was clear the wording was changed but the old wording never deleted from the sentence).
I loved the characters, the story was great, and I can’t wait to see how things continue to develop.
Spoiler
Bells’ power matches his trans status so nicelyThis was just an all-around fun book though the ending was a little dissatisfying but most first books are in a series. I wonder how many books the series will be. I also think this book needed ONE more go-over by an editor. There were a bunch of small errors (things like “go in the to the” where it was clear the wording was changed but the old wording never deleted from the sentence).
I loved the characters, the story was great, and I can’t wait to see how things continue to develop.
hey_galilei's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
jessthebibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute & diverse read. It is set in a dystopia with super-powered individuals. The protagonist, Jess, is an Asian bisexual teenager who wants to be a superhero like her parents and older sister, but does not have powers. She ends up interning for a technological company with villains as supervisors.
Jess is very likeable & relatable as a character. Her relationships with her parents, siblings, friends and crush (Abby) were realistically portrayed.
However, the following did not work for me:
1) Worldbuilding -Most of the worldbuilding is done via infodumps. Also, for a dystopia set 100 years in the future, there is not much change in social interactions.
2) The title is 'Not Your Sidekick', but there is practically no focus on Jess not wanting to be one.
3) The book synopsis mentions "budding attraction to her fellow intern the mysterious M", but Jess only develops a friendship with M. Her romantic interest is focused on Abby.
4) Claudia - Jess lives in her sister's shadow, so much so that she doesn't participate in school extracurriculars because her sister has already done it all. The book mentioned that the sisters were close as children, but did not elaborate on how/when/why they grew apart.
5) Abby
3 stars for superpowers, diversity and Jess.
Jess is very likeable & relatable as a character. Her relationships with her parents, siblings, friends and crush (Abby) were realistically portrayed.
Spoiler
She becomes a true hero as she empathizes with the Mischiefs' motivations and investigates the changing history records about Gravitus.However, the following did not work for me:
1) Worldbuilding -Most of the worldbuilding is done via infodumps. Also, for a dystopia set 100 years in the future, there is not much change in social interactions.
2) The title is 'Not Your Sidekick', but there is practically no focus on Jess not wanting to be one.
3) The book synopsis mentions "budding attraction to her fellow intern the mysterious M", but Jess only develops a friendship with M. Her romantic interest is focused on Abby.
4) Claudia - Jess lives in her sister's shadow, so much so that she doesn't participate in school extracurriculars because her sister has already done it all. The book mentioned that the sisters were close as children, but did not elaborate on how/when/why they grew apart.
Spoiler
During a confrontation, Claudia taunts Jess "Maybe you should ask our parents what they’ve been keeping from you. I mean, they didn’t seem surprised at all when you didn’t get any powers, did they? Like they knew you wouldn’t?". Jess, who is very inquisitive throughout the book, does not question her parents about this.5) Abby
Spoiler
The reveals about Abby being M and her parents being the town villains were obvious right at the start. Their relationship feels a bit iffy to me as Jess confides in M about her crush on Abby and M encourages Jess to pursue her alter-ego, which is deceptive. Also, Abby is technically Jess's boss, which in the real world would be seen as taking advantage of your subordinates.3 stars for superpowers, diversity and Jess.
_wastelandbaby's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe it's my love for superheroes, maybe it's because it reminds me of another lgbt superhero themed book (Hero), or maybe it's just because this book is freaking amazing but I love it. Characters (even Jess who is so oblivious sometimes), plot, humor, even the romance (which I usually hate). This book is really good and I want to read it hundred times.
Give me sequel already.
Give me sequel already.