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afutt92's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series so much! The premise and setting are awesome, as are even the smallest details about the world (can I get a MonRobot to come clean my house please?). There is so much racial, ethic, gender, and sexuality diversity among the characters, which I love. And the relationships are sweet and it's nice to see them form and grow. I loved reading this novel from Bells's point of view! I can't recommend this series more.
nyx_hook's review against another edition
4.0
The makings of a really good YA superhero series, love the post-post-apocalypse world with the sinister government being pretty good at not seeming sinister. The powers are interesting and nicely limited. I like this switching of POV characters each books, intrigued to see Emma's perspective in the next book. Had a bit of middle book syndrome in not having a definite ending and the start being a little recappy(probs not a word). Fun, inclusive books, plus great covers!
linaa13's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ambb's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I was a bit disappointed to find the story didn’t actually start until about 100 pages in. Bells’ backstory was interesting and necessary, but could definitely have been shortened. Especially since the main story has become even bigger in this part - you could fill a 1000 pages more. That’s also a bit of a negative though. There were a few abrupt time jumps, where I felt like I was missing out on something happening.
Apart from these more technical/practical faults, the story keeps luring me in. The world-building is so good, and it’s one of those universes that feels so real in the back of your mind. The characters are very lovable and the diversity is e v e r y t h i n g. It’s so refreshing to have queer, bipoc characters be a part of the story, whilst the ways they’re marginalized aren’t the sole focus of their personalities/the story. Their differences are being noticed and handled respectfully. It really shines through how C.B. Lee put their heart into this.
EDIT: I’m positively stoked at how Brendon is being involved in the Sidekick Squad. In every other book the little sibling would have been ignored, the parents would have said the kids were crazy, etc. C.B. perfectly denounces these much-too-common tropes.
Apart from these more technical/practical faults, the story keeps luring me in. The world-building is so good, and it’s one of those universes that feels so real in the back of your mind. The characters are very lovable and the diversity is e v e r y t h i n g. It’s so refreshing to have queer, bipoc characters be a part of the story, whilst the ways they’re marginalized aren’t the sole focus of their personalities/the story. Their differences are being noticed and handled respectfully. It really shines through how C.B. Lee put their heart into this.
EDIT: I’m positively stoked at how Brendon is being involved in the Sidekick Squad. In every other book the little sibling would have been ignored, the parents would have said the kids were crazy, etc. C.B. perfectly denounces these much-too-common tropes.
theatre_reader123's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
This series is an instant serotonin hit.
With a fast paced, action packed plot, unique superpowers, casual diverse inclusivity of sexuality and race and an instantly loveable cast of characters, this series has everything you could ever want from a superhero story and I can't wait to continue.
With a fast paced, action packed plot, unique superpowers, casual diverse inclusivity of sexuality and race and an instantly loveable cast of characters, this series has everything you could ever want from a superhero story and I can't wait to continue.
louandlife's review against another edition
5.0
This series has become one of my new all time favourite series. I can't wait to finish it and film a video all on why people are missing out on this series!
This book follows Bells, and it follows him from before Book 1, [b:Not Your Sidekick|29904219|Not Your Sidekick (Sidekick Squad, #1)|C.B. Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460486105l/29904219._SY75_.jpg|50278232]. I was confused when I first started this book because I thought that it would start off from the end of book 2. After a chapter or two, I understood what the book was doing. It was taking us through all of Bells important scenes before book 1, during book 1, and then continues the story. This did mean that the story was slow paced in the beginning as it starts before any of the action. This entire book was a lot slower in pace than book 1 because the adult were more involved in the story. They did adult things and prevented their teenage children from participating. I did understand this but I also felt like they should have had parental supervision.
I did like the story less in this book because of the pacing but also the plot wasn't as gripping. In addition, the books do not conclude story lines. I'm hoping that we get a conclusion to everything in the next books. However, I do like the fact that we got to know Bells better and see key memories of his life and what made him Bells. I also like the fact that Jess and Abby are still around in this book because of how much I loved them in the first book. I also do appreciate Emma exploring her sexuality and figuring out if she is asexual (and that asexuality is a spectrum).
I didn't particularly like the romance for Bells though. The whole series builds up to it, but because the person that he's interested doesn't appear to be interested in him until the end, it makes me not invested in them as a couple. However, I do hope that my feelings change in the next book.
Overall, I'm really glad to have found this series and I can't wait to read the next book! I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a superhero story filled with LGBT+ representation (own voices for bi rep) written by an Asian author.
This book follows Bells, and it follows him from before Book 1, [b:Not Your Sidekick|29904219|Not Your Sidekick (Sidekick Squad, #1)|C.B. Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460486105l/29904219._SY75_.jpg|50278232]. I was confused when I first started this book because I thought that it would start off from the end of book 2. After a chapter or two, I understood what the book was doing. It was taking us through all of Bells important scenes before book 1, during book 1, and then continues the story. This did mean that the story was slow paced in the beginning as it starts before any of the action. This entire book was a lot slower in pace than book 1 because the adult were more involved in the story. They did adult things and prevented their teenage children from participating. I did understand this but I also felt like they should have had parental supervision.
I did like the story less in this book because of the pacing but also the plot wasn't as gripping. In addition, the books do not conclude story lines. I'm hoping that we get a conclusion to everything in the next books. However, I do like the fact that we got to know Bells better and see key memories of his life and what made him Bells. I also like the fact that Jess and Abby are still around in this book because of how much I loved them in the first book. I also do appreciate Emma exploring her sexuality and figuring out if she is asexual (and that asexuality is a spectrum).
I didn't particularly like the romance for Bells though. The whole series builds up to it, but because the person that he's interested doesn't appear to be interested in him until the end, it makes me not invested in them as a couple. However, I do hope that my feelings change in the next book.
Overall, I'm really glad to have found this series and I can't wait to read the next book! I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a superhero story filled with LGBT+ representation (own voices for bi rep) written by an Asian author.
aquietglow's review against another edition
4.0
This is still a very cute and enjoyable series! I guess I thought this would be a bit more independent? And each story would very much belong to its principal character. But I still really like the group and the story.
shksprsis's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ginnikin's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first. The pacing on this is not good. I did like the conflict between the parents and the kids on timelines and what to do, but sometimes I would like the parents to be more right.