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iam's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Oh man I'm kinda torn about this.
But not in the same way as I was about Not Your Sidekick. Mood-wise, I liked Not Your Villain better than its prequel.
I loved Bells. He was great and I related to him a lot and reading from his POV was wonderful.
The plot was good, too, but my issues lie with how its tied together.
The decision to start the book before book1 starts and tell the events from there from Bells' view made sense, but it also lead to several weeks worth of events just being directly told to the reader, which was... not smooth? Technically, someone who hasn't read book1 could this read this and understand, but it leaves out so many nuances and details that I am not sure if it would really work.
What bothered me the most was how Not Your Villain goes from one big event to the next, leaving out completely what happens in between. I understand that getting from point A to point B doesn't always makde sense to describe in detail, but here so many details and questions are just ignored that it startled me. The protagonists are all wanted by a government that does not value privacy and has been established to basically track every transaction that is connected to the Net in any ways (which in this future world means basically anything) and yet...
I might not be describing this well; My point is, reading this made me go "wait.... but how can they even do that given what was revealed/happened earlier????" constantly about a wide variety of things, since it seemed to contradict (or simply ignore or forget about) things learned in book1 or earlier in the book itself.
I still enjoyed reading Not Your Villain a lot. It's entertaining and exciting, I love this group of teenagers and I'm looking forward to the next book, told from Emma's POV.
Oh man I'm kinda torn about this.
But not in the same way as I was about Not Your Sidekick. Mood-wise, I liked Not Your Villain better than its prequel.
I loved Bells. He was great and I related to him a lot and reading from his POV was wonderful.
The plot was good, too, but my issues lie with how its tied together.
The decision to start the book before book1 starts and tell the events from there from Bells' view made sense, but it also lead to several weeks worth of events just being directly told to the reader, which was... not smooth? Technically, someone who hasn't read book1 could this read this and understand, but it leaves out so many nuances and details that I am not sure if it would really work.
What bothered me the most was how Not Your Villain goes from one big event to the next, leaving out completely what happens in between. I understand that getting from point A to point B doesn't always makde sense to describe in detail, but here so many details and questions are just ignored that it startled me. The protagonists are all wanted by a government that does not value privacy and has been established to basically track every transaction that is connected to the Net in any ways (which in this future world means basically anything) and yet...
I might not be describing this well; My point is, reading this made me go "wait.... but how can they even do that given what was revealed/happened earlier????" constantly about a wide variety of things, since it seemed to contradict (or simply ignore or forget about) things learned in book1 or earlier in the book itself.
I still enjoyed reading Not Your Villain a lot. It's entertaining and exciting, I love this group of teenagers and I'm looking forward to the next book, told from Emma's POV.
amandaexe's review against another edition
4.0
When I started reading it, I thought I was going to like the first book more, but in the end I like them both the same, I can't choose a favorite between them. My favorite thing about this is the world, it's so well rounded, and so realistic even with all the sci-fi and superhero elements. I was impressed with it in the first one, and this one just kept adding to it. I really like the characters in this. Their dynamic as a group is so interesting that I like all of them, which is hard to do when you have so many characters. The plot was really interesting and well-paced, and honestly this would make an amazing adaptation, if it ever came to that. I could imagine everything that was happening so vividly, I had a blast reading it. The only downside of this was the first part, which was, in my opinion, redundant and could have been comprised into a single chapter. (It's basically the last part of the first book, but from another character's perspective)
beepbeepbitches's review against another edition
recording quality too distracting to finish
re_do_876's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
I’m only giving this 3.5 stars as part one is a retelling, although a shortened one, of the events of not your sidekick from Bells perspective and while we learn some useful bits, it really didn’t work for me. Part 2 is much better, where we move into the action!
I loved Bells in book one so it’s great to see his side of things. I did miss Jess’ voice and seeing more of her and Abby, but we get some really great moments as a result.
My absolute favourites are the two times Bells thinks that if Abby doesn’t return his affection that he will be okay with being friends. A++++++! His jealousy over Carlos aside, it was lovely.
I also loved getting to see insight into him as a trans guy with the ability to change his body. I love that he realises that it is something he really feels like he needs, but that he’s still him without it. Plus he still uses a binder so he doesn’t have to transform all the time, so I like that he sort of respects that his power isn’t always the solution (even if it’s just because of the effort involved!)
**mild spoilers**
Bells and Jess are so cute, and Jess at the end utterly broke me. This is the ace rep I have been wanting - where she’s not sure and just wants to fit in. This feels much closer to my experience than other books (which I still love!) and seeing it out on the page was so awesome. Even in this future and accepting world it’s not always easy to accept who you are.
Right, back to no spoilers! Not as much Jess and Abby as I’d have liked, but I loved the action and seeing all the fallout from the end of book 1. Cant wait to get to book 3!
I loved Bells in book one so it’s great to see his side of things. I did miss Jess’ voice and seeing more of her and Abby, but we get some really great moments as a result.
My absolute favourites are the two times Bells thinks that if Abby doesn’t return his affection that he will be okay with being friends. A++++++! His jealousy over Carlos aside, it was lovely.
I also loved getting to see insight into him as a trans guy with the ability to change his body. I love that he realises that it is something he really feels like he needs, but that he’s still him without it. Plus he still uses a binder so he doesn’t have to transform all the time, so I like that he sort of respects that his power isn’t always the solution (even if it’s just because of the effort involved!)
**mild spoilers**
Bells and Jess are so cute, and Jess at the end utterly broke me. This is the ace rep I have been wanting - where she’s not sure and just wants to fit in. This feels much closer to my experience than other books (which I still love!) and seeing it out on the page was so awesome. Even in this future and accepting world it’s not always easy to accept who you are.
Right, back to no spoilers! Not as much Jess and Abby as I’d have liked, but I loved the action and seeing all the fallout from the end of book 1. Cant wait to get to book 3!
lenahe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
3.75
I really like this series. It's very accessible for younger readers, and I love the queer representation in it. It also reflects on power and information control on our modern age.
However, this installment suffers from second book syndrome. The first 40% of the book are before the timeline of the previous book, and It just felt too long a recap. The second half is nice, but also here the pacing felt a bit off.
However, this installment suffers from second book syndrome. The first 40% of the book are before the timeline of the previous book, and It just felt too long a recap. The second half is nice, but also here the pacing felt a bit off.
juphip's review
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This books series almost bums me out because it has the potential to be reaallllyyy good but like sooo many editing and writing errors among the 3 books out and like it just feels like a first draft among all the books. It’s such a cool idea and I like the queer and diverse characters. I would love for each one of these books to be returned to by the author and just redone. Specifically the third it just really went in random directions losing a plot line.
arsenic's review against another edition
4.0
Le livre est la suite de Not Your Sidekick mais cette fois, le personnage principal est Bells (et la suite aura Emma comme perso principal).
Le premier tiers du livre rappelle les évènements de Not Your Sidekick ce que je pensais être pas mal vu que je ne me souvenais pas de tous les détails du premier tome. En fait, j'étais un peu déçue, c'est pas mal quand Bells est seul (et encore, j'aurais aimé en voir plus sur l'entrainement) mais les évènements quand ils se retrouvent tous sont un peu résumés de façon précipitée. Si on a pas lu le livre d'avant, on comprend rien, si on s'en souvient mal, on s'en rappelle vaguement mieux.
Du coup, j'ai trouvé ça un peu long mais en même temps, pas assez détaillé... :/
Je trouve le monde dans lequel les personnages évoluent vraiment intéressant : un mélange entre Sky High, Les Indestructibles et un truc post apocalyptique futuriste (c'est l'impression que ça me donne en tout cas ! :D). Dommage que certains aspects ne soient pas plus détaillés.
Les personnages sont top. Bells est vraiment attachant. Il a super bon caractère, il est enthousiaste et c'est un super ami. Sa famille est top aussi, j'ai beaucoup aimé les parents qui soutiennent leurs enfants et qui les connaissent assez pour savoir qu'ils ne tiendront pas en place ^^
On retrouve avec plaisir Jess et Abby et on en sait plus sur le petit frère de Jess qui est finalement assez fun. Certains échanges sont vraiment très réussis, entre Bells et Orion, quand Emma parle de ce qu'elle ressent, la frustration d'Abby, le fait que Bells se sente comme la 5e roue du carrosse, etc.
J'ai également aimé l'humour un peu nerd (le Han shot first était magique ! XD)
En matière de représentation, c'est vraiment top, y'a des persos LGBT, des persos racisés,... mais y'a pas de drama autour de ça et ça fait du bien aussi de lire ce genre d'histoires.
Dans les points négatifs, je trouve que tout est précipité. Ça manque souvent de transitions (à un moment, je me suis même demandé si j'avais pas loupé une page tellement j'étais surprise de trouver un personnage dans la situation où il était). Il se passe plein de choses mais en même temps, le livre n'est pas très long donc tout parait se succéder rapidement. Certaines choses auraient mérité d'être plus détaillées.
J'aurais souhaité mettre 3.5 mais vu qu'on peut pas, je mets un peu plus en étant consciente que le bouquin n'est pas parfait.
Le premier tiers du livre rappelle les évènements de Not Your Sidekick ce que je pensais être pas mal vu que je ne me souvenais pas de tous les détails du premier tome. En fait, j'étais un peu déçue, c'est pas mal quand Bells est seul (et encore, j'aurais aimé en voir plus sur l'entrainement) mais les évènements quand ils se retrouvent tous sont un peu résumés de façon précipitée. Si on a pas lu le livre d'avant, on comprend rien, si on s'en souvient mal, on s'en rappelle vaguement mieux.
Du coup, j'ai trouvé ça un peu long mais en même temps, pas assez détaillé... :/
Je trouve le monde dans lequel les personnages évoluent vraiment intéressant : un mélange entre Sky High, Les Indestructibles et un truc post apocalyptique futuriste (c'est l'impression que ça me donne en tout cas ! :D). Dommage que certains aspects ne soient pas plus détaillés.
Les personnages sont top. Bells est vraiment attachant. Il a super bon caractère, il est enthousiaste et c'est un super ami. Sa famille est top aussi, j'ai beaucoup aimé les parents qui soutiennent leurs enfants et qui les connaissent assez pour savoir qu'ils ne tiendront pas en place ^^
On retrouve avec plaisir Jess et Abby et on en sait plus sur le petit frère de Jess qui est finalement assez fun. Certains échanges sont vraiment très réussis, entre Bells et Orion, quand Emma parle de ce qu'elle ressent, la frustration d'Abby, le fait que Bells se sente comme la 5e roue du carrosse, etc.
J'ai également aimé l'humour un peu nerd (le Han shot first était magique ! XD)
En matière de représentation, c'est vraiment top, y'a des persos LGBT, des persos racisés,... mais y'a pas de drama autour de ça et ça fait du bien aussi de lire ce genre d'histoires.
Dans les points négatifs, je trouve que tout est précipité. Ça manque souvent de transitions (à un moment, je me suis même demandé si j'avais pas loupé une page tellement j'étais surprise de trouver un personnage dans la situation où il était). Il se passe plein de choses mais en même temps, le livre n'est pas très long donc tout parait se succéder rapidement. Certaines choses auraient mérité d'être plus détaillées.
J'aurais souhaité mettre 3.5 mais vu qu'on peut pas, je mets un peu plus en étant consciente que le bouquin n'est pas parfait.
raeanne's review against another edition
4.0
I LOOOOVED Not Your Sidekick. Of course, I had to read the next one. I finally got to and while I did enjoy it, it's as a strong love. I was anxious to find out what happened next while the first quarter of the book is catching up on what Bells was doing during the first book. And the romance has so much going for it, but it's not the linear sweet happy romance like Abby & Emma's in Not Your Sidekick. I love the trans and ace rep. I love the unusual powers and the twists and all. But it did drag a bit and felt meandering. At least, before the end where it fixes it. I will of course read the next one. I think that will go better with all three of them caught up and on the right track.
Notes From Listening:
>>First several chapters run concurrent with the beginning of Not Your Sidekick from Bells' day of leaving for summer
>>Aww the name choosing scene!!
>>Interesting about the farming.
>>Emma = crush volleyballer
>>Jess + Abby = <3
>>Chapter 3 Jess gets internship, getting rides with Abby
>>Chapter 4 the heart to heart
>>Chapter 5 Emma's Heart
>>Chapter 6 Jess's House
>>Brandon aka B Mastermind is Jess's little bro
>>Ouch the rejection
>>But no need to be an asshole!
>>LOL Christine!! Smart Clever Girl!!!
>>Awww the kitty sock lol
>>KISS KISS KISS KISS
>>Why mind cluttered with all these junk!?!?
>>Bells is bi or pan?!? YES
>>Aww no chemistry :((((
>> Interesting triple date
>>Hmmmm developments
>>Oh you idiot!!
>>Stealing the registry feels like National Treasure
>>Aww Abby & Emma! <3
>>Bells...WTF...Stupid...Smart
>>Robo revolt thread finally picked up at like 75%
>>Aww Emma giving Bells the binder!!
>>I'm kinda disappointed they didn't think of this before...
>>I do love how food and sustainability & independence are included
>>haha you show 'em Bells!
>>Good ace talk w/ Emma. Sounds kinda like demi??
>>Wait, skipped the escape?? Straight to the train??
>>Awww
>>Wait more skipping around??
>>Awwwwwww <3
>>Okay the resistance thread comes back and is not useless
Notes From Listening:
Spoiler
>>First several chapters run concurrent with the beginning of Not Your Sidekick from Bells' day of leaving for summer
>>Aww the name choosing scene!!
>>Interesting about the farming.
>>Emma = crush volleyballer
>>Jess + Abby = <3
>>Chapter 3 Jess gets internship, getting rides with Abby
>>Chapter 4 the heart to heart
>>Chapter 5 Emma's Heart
>>Chapter 6 Jess's House
>>Brandon aka B Mastermind is Jess's little bro
>>Ouch the rejection
>>But no need to be an asshole!
>>LOL Christine!! Smart Clever Girl!!!
>>Awww the kitty sock lol
>>KISS KISS KISS KISS
>>Why mind cluttered with all these junk!?!?
>>Bells is bi or pan?!? YES
>>Aww no chemistry :((((
>> Interesting triple date
>>Hmmmm developments
>>Oh you idiot!!
>>Stealing the registry feels like National Treasure
>>Aww Abby & Emma! <3
>>Bells...WTF...Stupid...Smart
>>Robo revolt thread finally picked up at like 75%
>>Aww Emma giving Bells the binder!!
>>I'm kinda disappointed they didn't think of this before...
>>I do love how food and sustainability & independence are included
>>haha you show 'em Bells!
>>Good ace talk w/ Emma. Sounds kinda like demi??
>>Wait, skipped the escape?? Straight to the train??
>>Awww
>>Wait more skipping around??
>>Awwwwwww <3
>>Okay the resistance thread comes back and is not useless
alexbooksandmore's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series is so fun, full of adventures and diversity, both in terms of sexuality and ethnic background.
If the first book main character was Jess, in the second book we have Bells in the center, a trans boy, who is discovering his power as Chameleon. Everything goes well until Jess tells him the truth about the superheroes squad and powers. And they start to fight to make eveything right.
The story takes place in the future, where watching old movies and interacting with the past is strictly forbidden.
I cannot wait to get to the next book.
If the first book main character was Jess, in the second book we have Bells in the center, a trans boy, who is discovering his power as Chameleon. Everything goes well until Jess tells him the truth about the superheroes squad and powers. And they start to fight to make eveything right.
The story takes place in the future, where watching old movies and interacting with the past is strictly forbidden.
I cannot wait to get to the next book.