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cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
TJ’s typical humorous, effervescent narration comes to us through the eyes of our lead, Nick, a teen with ADHD who’s life has been divided into the Before & After of his mother’s death. Nick’s had a tough go of things and wishes to be an Extraordinary, this universe’s version of a superhero. There was a lot of borrowing from other universes - a little bit Marvel, a little bit Kick-Ass, and some others sprinkled here & there, but in the end it was a very predictable story. That is unless you’re Nick, who has got to be one of the most clueless leads in existence, to his detriment, because he got rather annoying by the end.
I appreciate the voice that TJ gives to queer and neurodivergent characters, but there is a fine line between representation and stereotyping. Here they’re borderline played for jokes (ex. the angry, Black baby-dyke who’ll kick everyone’s ass if they look at her wrongly & our lead’s ADHD is maxed-out to the point of him being dumb) and it’s a bit cringy. I’m apprehensive about how Nick’s ADHD will be handled
All in all, it was an ok read and I’ll continue the series, but probably my least favourite of TJ’s.
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Grief, and Cursing
Minor: Vomit, Death, and Death of parent
sssssoup's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Drug use, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, and Police brutality
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Ableism
Minor: Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Addiction, and Child abuse
marykillian_'s review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Addiction
library_dreamer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved all of his friends and the relationship he had with his dad. There are some problematic elements concerning his dad and the police department he works for, made worse by the fact that the book was released the day after a very high profile case of police brutality in the U.S., but based on an interview with the author, I am going to withhold judgment on this until I read the sequel this summer.
I would like to know why Klune loves the color cerulean so much, though.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Addiction