Tags
ADHD, Coming-of age, Death of a parent, Diversity, Humor, LGBTQ, YA Fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: May 5th, 2020
400 Pages
Synopsis: Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD, and the heroes he loves.
Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a super power, right?
After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).
Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer’s Renegades in TJ Klune’s YA debut.
With everything going on I needed something fun that would make me smile and laugh, and The Extraordinaries more than delivered!
Nick Bell is an adorably awkward gay teen who has ADHD and an obsession with superheroes. His relationship with his small group of friends and his dad provide some wonderfully moving moments as well as some humorous ones. The “Extraordinaries” of Nova City themselves, are mainly in the background, but provide context for Nick’s obsession.
The storyline itself is a little rough around the edges at times, especially in regards to Nick’s utter cluelessness about what’s going on with his best friend Seth, but to be honest, Nick’s personality is otherwise so endearing, that I was willing to overlook his shortcomings.
In the end, The Extraordinaries is a memorable coming-of-age story filled with relatable, diverse characters and a fun messy storyline. It’s the perfect escape from what’s happening in the real world and I can’t recommend it enough, especially for fans of authors such as Becky Albertalli, Rainbow Rowell, and Adam Silvera. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
beetleypete said:
Glad you rated it, Kim. Not so sure it is my thing though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s a fun read Pete, but definitely not your cup of tea.
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fragglerocking said:
Probably not my cuppa either Kim, but glad that you are finding happy things to read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Fraggle. My anxiety’s been kicking in so I’m looking for some escapes. Are you guys doing okay?
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fragglerocking said:
Kim, the way we look at it is this, our grandparents survived the Great war, 20 million dead and the Spanish flu which followed, 30 million dead. As kids our parents survived diptheria, polio, TB, and rickets all before antibiotics came along. Then the great depression WW2 and 10 years of rationing. We have good DNA running through our veins! We are being careful and staying at home mostly, but both work in health care so must still deal with patients at work, no self isolation while we stay well. We have food in the freezer, can find alternatives to loo roll if necessary, and can entertain ourselves if we have to go into quarantine. I don’t want to get it because I’m prone to chest infections, but no point in worrying about something that hasn’t happened. I’m staying frosty, and washing my hands, taking all hygienic measures necessary at work and home, and living my life as always. Our PM has announced that all pubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas, leisure centres and gyms must close down tonight for the forseeable future, and that’s fine with me, never went to them anyway! 😀 Don’t fret Kim, stay away from the idiots on social media,and the news, look after you and yours, and have faith in your ancestry and good sense! 😘😘
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Now that’s a healthy attitude my friend! I battle anxiety anyway (goes hand in hand with being chronically ill), so this just adds to it. I have been watching way too much news though, so I’m going to stop that. We’re being very careful because my immune system is wonky and my hubby is prone to bronchitis, plus we have no health insurance… Okay. Not thinking about that. Only happy thoughts allowed!😁
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fragglerocking said:
Happy thoughts and hand washing with soap, not the sanitizer stuff that’s only 60% effective, soap 💯!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yes! I’ve never gone the sanitizer route. I have the loveliest lavender Mrs. Meyers hand soap!🤗
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suzan khoja said:
Wow! Looks like a wonderful story. I am glad you had a good laugh although I haven’t tried an LGBTQ book yet, I am looking forward to trying one. Too many books pending, I will get to this one in a few centuries.😂😂😜✌
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤣😂🤣😂
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