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A review by jamies_shelves
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee
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!