A review by thebookbin
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
Finally. Finally. Now this is what I want when I read a YA novel. The target audience is clearly teens and it's not pandering to middle-aged women. This book would have meant so much to me if I had been able to read it as a teen, and as it stands, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. This book is so excruciatingly embarrassing, perfectly encapsulating the mortifying experience of puberty.

Nick, our main character, is riddled with ADHD, so endearingly earnest, the most popular fanfiction writer in his fandom, and is obsessed with superheroes. The only difference is that in Nick's world, superheroes are real, and they're called Extraordinaries. Nick would do anything to be extraordinary, including microwaving a cricket to... eat?

He has the queerest group of friends because Klune knows we stick together and form packs. Jazz and Gibby's relationship was so sweet and pure, and I identify so much with Jazz. I also recognize how much Klune has grown as a writer, because the women and their relationships have so much more care put into them. Also I think Klune has such an insight into the minds of Gen Z. It felt so real. 

But in my opinion, the best relationship in the book is Nick relationship with his dad. Don't get me wrong, the puppy-love romance is tooth-rottingly sweet, but Aaron truly is a great father. Maybe it's just my daddy-issues talking, but the way Aaron is so involved in Nick's life from the in-depth safe sex talks that he had to do research to prepare for because Nick is gay. This man cares. He's also a cop. Now, ACAB but also I do appreciate that this is a part of the genre: vigilantes and cops are two sides of one messed-up American coin. So I get it and I do think the story handles this well. 

Overall, this is exactly what I want from a YA novel. Something that doesn't take itself too seriously, but to the teen characters it's just serious enough that the stakes are interesting. Even though I'm no longer a teen, I am so happy to have read this book. 

5/5 angsty teen superhero stars
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