I enjoyed this book a lot more than I was expecting.

I felt it was a bit slow to get into the story and for me to really get on board with our main character, but once i was there, i couldn't put this down, I needed to know how it would end.

This book is well written, the story moves quite quickly and the author uses some very interesting plot devices and writing styles to keep you interested.

The book follow our lead character Nick who writes fan-fiction about superheroes in the city, he dreams of being one and getting with the hero of the city. He

I found the characters interesting, but personally not all that relatable, I did enjoy reading about an ADHD sufferer as our lead but I cannot confirm whether it was an accurate representation. I would have loved some more time learning about the other characters, as there was often a lot hinted at but not explored that thoroughly.

The book ends with a solid resolution but leave more than enough open for a sequel, which I imagine will be coming out soon. I will eagerly be awaiting to get my hands on the next instalment to see where these characters end up.

TJ Klune has such range. I just recently read the House in the Cerulean Sea and was surprised by the style shift of this book, but it certainly didn't lack in heart or humor. The characters were a lovely and real interpretation of a modern day super hero tale, and I eagerly await the next book in the series.

***Honest review given in exchange for an ARC***

Straight up—I‘d happily read TJ’S grocery list if he gave it to me. I would thrust myself into a writhing mass of non-mask-wearing folks during this pandemic if he asked me to, just so I could have a peak into his brilliant, wordsmith brain. Luckily, he (typically) doesn’t make us fans sacrifice ourselves quite so brutally and offers us ARC’s here on Netgalley, but I just wanted to throw the offer out there in case TJ reads this.

In any case, if you thought this book was about superheroes, you are correct. If you thought this book was JUST about superheroes, you would be wrong. The Extraordinaries is complex. It ventures through grief and loss, growing friendship, budding love, and coming of age tales; dealing with having a brain that constantly works against you and how you navigate in a world that doesn’t understand that brain.

I think my favorite aspect of this whole story is that it’s queer and happy. There is no struggle in it. A lot of YA novels have the protagonist coming to terms with their sexuality, and it’s refreshing to read something where the protagonist is already comfortable with his sexuality, and so are the people around him.

I highly recommend this book for anyone and everyone. I can’t think of a single reason why a person wouldn’t want to read this book. Five stars from me.

Stay extraordinary, folks.

The Extraordinaires is written to be enjoys by teens who read superhero comics and graphic novels - probably mostly young men, but young women who are into that genre of literature would certainly enjoy it. As a more mature reader, I did not find it as engaging - it was not written for me. the premise was interesting and unique, though the mystery at the denouement was obvious by the middle of the book, with one twist that did not come clear until later in the book. Setting aside the lack of connection with the genre and the writing level aimed at the target audience, it was a sensitively written book. It is good to see a book where pretty much all of the main characters are not "not cool" kids. Being and honoring who you are is a major theme. Seeking those who support your best is emphasized. I liked most of the characters and that they were imperfect, but being the best they could. in most cases. Most impressive was the diversity of some of the character and that fact they were were loving as was natural to them without apologizing more making the fact an issue.

This book is a quirky, fun exploration of teenage crushes and superheroes. I had no idea what to expect, but I really enjoyed it.

While it’s in third person, it focuses on Nick, a teen with ADHD and a massive crush on the city’s leading Extraordinary, which basically is code for super hero in the text. His friends are a great mix of supportive and snarky, and it was neat to only have his ideas about what was going on. It adds a level of mystery to figuring out what’s going on around him.

There’s also a touch of fan fiction, which I wasn’t sure I would enjoy, but it led to some great moments.

If you want something fun and different to escape into, I recommend this one. I look forward to the next book.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for a copy of the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am never more pleased than when I can write a glowing five-star review about a book. This book is going to be amazing for many people, and not only that, I feel that it captures so much in its pages. I started reading the book and about 3% in I was crying. Why was I crying? I was crying because we open with something that brought back such good, and excellent memories of things I used to love. And the book only got better.

The Writing
If I could describe the wording in one word…no, I can’t. Impossible. Klune is a fabulous writer. There is something that is relatable and charged in his writing. This book can be read by adults, but I felt so strongly that this book will resonate with today’s teens, there are so many references to things in this book that even I am aware of. Lots of cult classic references…there was a lot to love jampacked into this book.

The Pacing
I will admit, at first, I worried, because I am never sure. But the pacing in this one was fantastic, but I think in part it is because you sort of know what is going on…and well…it worked. I have a tough time discussing the pacing of this novel without giving too much away.

The Plot
I cannot talk about the plot of this book too much, because it would give so much away! Suffice to say all the characters in this book are awesome and the plot rocks. If you like superheroes, and fanfiction, and weird cultural references, then you’ll love the plot of this book. Literally, I cannot say anything about this plot, other than Nick is terribly adorable, and well…that’s all!!!

The Characters
I feel like my plot section bled into my character section, but the characters were very much the plot. Seth, Nick, Gibby and Jazz…can I love them any more than I do? No. NO. Because they are amazing. They are so personable, and real and there. They have these quirks and this friendship that is amazing. But it isn’t perfect and I adore it. I love the naturalness of their conversations, of their interactions…it brought back some memories for me.
This book does a lot of that. I felt absolutely absorbed in this book because of these amazing characters and their relationships.
Nick also has ADHD, and I thought it was great to have that type of representation. Also, pretty much everyone is queer. (It’s awesome.)

The Worldbuilding
Nova City is very reminiscent of typical superhero cities, but it also feels like a real city in this world, and the combination of that, and superhero powers worked for me.

Overall
I love Klune’s writing and books so much, and this just solidifies how amazing of a writer he is. I laughed and cried my way through this book, and I will be buying this as soon as I can! If you love clueless romance, superheroes, funny jokes, weird moments or great friendships, this is the book for you. There are some darker moments, but overall, a lighthearted and splendid book.

REVIEW: The Extraordinaries by Tj Klune.

As someone who relates so heavily to the main character, Nick Bell, I’m not sure I’ve ever loved a book more. Finally getting a #ownvoice story about a gay teen with adhd made me feel, complete. Nick struggles to keep his thoughts focused throughout the story which adds to the level of “what’s happening” which is constantly keeping the reader on their toes. The story felt more like a contemporary with the superhero aspect taking a backstage to the author tackling teenage issues such as ex boyfriends, teenage love, and friendships. This book was easily a 10/10 for me.
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I would recommend this book to anyone age maybe 12/13 and up, who love stories about friendship, finding love, and trying to get superpowers. This book will make you laugh out loud and also feel all the good feels at the end. This is a queer story, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, this novel won’t be for you.
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Normally I would list a few flaws to the story, but I honestly don’t have any. Which Is surprising.
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I definitely can’t wait for more books in this series, it makes you want to know what happens next for Nick and his group of friends.
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I already pre-ordered the book because it MUST be on my shelves. In both the US edition and the U.K. version which I decided to feature today.
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I’d like to thank Tor Teen publishing and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review.



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This was the review I posted on my Instagram and to goodreads. Will be posting on amazon once the book releases. Thank you Tor Teen for the opportunity.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.


Book: The Extraordinaires


Author: T.J. Klune


Book Series: The Extraordinaires Book 1


Rating: 5/5


Diversity: ADHD rep, gay main character, bi love interest, lesbian friends.


Publication Date: July 14, 2020


Genre: YA Contemporary


Recommended Age: 14+ (ADHD, death mention, medication usage)


Publisher: Tor Teen


Pages: 400


Amazon Link


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 superpower, 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 reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick's best friend (and maybe the love of his life).


Review: I really liked this one! It was rich with detail and character development. The writing was amazing and I loved the representation of ADHD! I thought that Nick was perfectly portrayed from what I know about it. It was also rich in LGBT friendly characters.

However, the pacing can be slow, especially in the beginning. Other than that I was swept away by this novel!


Verdict: Highly recommend this one!

This is a sweet, funny book. I especially enjoyed the diverse cast of characters, and the heartfelt depiction of complicated family dynamics. I don't love the depiction of the main character's ADHD medication as bad, especially in the plot twist in the epilogue. I also felt like some of the depictions of characters fell back on stereotypes (especially descriptions of Gibby).

The Extraordinaries tells the story of Nick, a gay teenager with ADHD, who is obsessed with the extraordinary, Shadow Star, who is trying to save his town, Nova City from his archnemesis, Pyro Storm. in his town of Nova City. He is obsessed to the point that he would go to all measures to become one of these extraordinaries. Things aren't all as they seem though and things slowly begin to unfold as Nick is trying to became one of his superheroes.

It took me a while to get into this one as there are a lot of characters to keep track of. I had a hard time remembering which character is which and the relationships that they have with each other. Once I got past that and was about six chapters into the book I just couldn't put it down. It's like each of these characters have their secrets and you need to read to find out what they are. The characters are so sweet and the friendship that they have with each other is so caring and loving.

I love reading the tension between Seth and Nick and trying to guess why that tension is there. You kind of root for them to get together but also really like their friendship and want that to remain intact. I love how you can tell that they have feelings for each other but Nick wants something else and that gets in the way of their friendship and potential relationship.

I also really loved that all the main characters in this book were LGBTQ+ characters. I was so happy to get to read a superhero book where the characters are not typical and also loved that Nick isn't neurotypical. That really made a difference in him being a superhero and how he viewed himself. I feel that it added an extra layer to the story.

Something I really enjoyed was how you feel that you solved the mystery early on but this book keeps you invested because you have to know if your suspicions are correct. I love that at no point was I 100% sure that what I was suspecting was correct. The best part of this whole thing was the twist in the book that is close to the end and everything you thought you knew is twisted. I loved the whole book and the ending was great, cant wait for more.

How do you get the attention of an Extraordinary when you are simply a bit extra? The Extraordinaries is a wonderfully clever story about superheroes, friendship and discovering that sometimes the things we want most in life are actually much more within reach than we thought.
Nick Bell is your typical teenager, for the most part. Aside from having ADHD, a borderline obsessive crush on the day saving superhero Shadow Star and being one of the most popular FanFic writers on the internet that is. (Though nobody knows that last one is him, aside from his best friend ever, Seth). When Nova City’s superhero, Shadow Star, crosses paths with Nick in real life, Nick’s obsession somehow manages to reach all new levels, as his real life seemingly begins to mimic the fan fiction he writes. Living in a world where being Extraordinary is being someone special, Nick is convinced that the key to having Shadow Star fall madly in love with him, returning Nick’s own feelings, is to become Extraordinary himself. We follow Nick through some less than ideal plans, including much loved comic favourites, *cough* – spider – *cough*, and ultimately the one decision that leads to a great unravelling and spectacular cinema worthy ending. T.J Klune has the ability to write characters you cannot help but fall in love with, stories which keep you turning the pages and enough of a teaser at the end to make you furious the next book isn’t available yet. Nick is entirely loveable as our lead character, at times heartbreaking, hilarious and oblivious to the glaringly obvious, he is in good company with the supporting characters and no matter how hair brained the idea, a small part of me wanted him to succeed each time. The Extraordinaries has been one of my favourite reads for this year so far and I cannot wait for what happens next.

Well, dang. What an ending.

Content warnings include: ADHD, frequent mentions of death of parents, injury, hospitalization, medication.

Not gonna lie, this started off a bit slow for me. I couldn't tell exactly where it was going, and Nick, like many of Klune's protagonists, was... a lot. He's very over the top, which I did find suited him as a sixteen year old quite well, if still sometimes overly ridiculous and oblivious. This is typical to the author's style, so it didn't bother me, and it didn't actually get to the point of being annoying.

While the beginning dragged a bit, the rest was breathtaking, and I read through more than half of the book in a single sitting, completely unable to put it down. It was very emotional - so many scenes brought tears to my eyes, both way before the final climax and during it. The plot around the Extraordinaries and Nick's quest to become one was exciting, with a lot of expected twists that turned into unexpected surprises and revelations both anticipated and not, making it a delightful mix of eagerly awaiting what you know is going to happen and being stunned by it going somewhat different than expected.

I also adored the side characters. Nick's friend group was great, and I loved the big role his relationship with his father played.
Particularly in connection with his father, grief and sudden loss of a loved one is a big topic, as well as what it does to someone, the trauma inherent with such an event, and how it can affect relationships of the ones left behind.

Despite the quite serious plot and topics, the book was also hilarious. The banter between Nick and his dad (and occasionally his dad's boss) in particularly made me grin so wide my cheeks hurt.
The humor, as well as the previously mentioned over-the-top-ness, was very much typical of Klune's style, though if you are familiar with his older works, I feel like it has also very much... matured over the years, a bit more restrained and poignant now in comparison.

Representation wise the book was also great. Nick's ADHD was portrayed impressively to me as someone who doesn't have it. Nick is also gay, and his love interest is bisexual. There are also lesbian side characters, one of who is a black baby butch.

The book has a satisfying and mostly closed off story arc, but there are quite a few hints alluding to a sequel, as well as an after-epilogue that features a juicy reveal.

Another fantastic book from TJ Klune! I cannot emphasize enough how much I love this author and his books. Definitely recommend both this and House on the Cerulean Sea if you haven't read it yet! Both are perfect for the times we're in!

There’s so much to love about this amazing, action-packed, LGBT+ romance filled YA book. ⁣
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𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞: ⁣
I’ve never read a book with so many characters that are full of this much life and personality. They’re also very realistic to how teens would be. This book had me laughing out loud over and over and over again. I love how totally oblivious Nate is to so many “signs” in his life. I love his relationship with his dad. And the ADHD representation and how beautifully written Nick’s character voice is, too. I also loved all the romance in here (even the very slow to develop one). ⁣
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The only thing that kept it from 5⭐️ is I felt it was very predictable. I guessed from very early in the book the general direction it was going, although there were a few twists I didn’t expect. I still really enjoyed it though! ⁣
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𝗪𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭: Anyone who likes YA fiction and wants to read a unique and quirky YA contemporary with lots of teen angst and some romance. And anyone who is a big fan of LGBTQ+ representation in books since this has tons. ⁣
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CW for anxiety attacks (minimal, 2 main parts and they’re handled well) and parental loss. ⁣
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In summary, I loved this book and need the sequel ASAP immediately.

This book was everything I needed to read right now. It was often laugh out loud hysterical and our hero, Nick Bell, is so incredibly endearing. A little misguided and impulsive, but his heart is in the right place. The book is told entirely in third person from his POV, but it never got old or tiring because he's just so damn likeable.

The cast of secondary characters was equally great, from Nick's dad to his best friend, Seth, to their small group of friends, Every one of them was unique and true and jumped off the page just as vividly as Nick.

And the storyline was just...fun! It didn't take itself too seriously while at the same time it addressing relevant topics in a humourous way that kept me reading and not wanting to put this down.

This is the book everyone needs in their lives. While the writing was more simplistic than I've come to expect from TJ Klune, owing most likely to the fact this is a young adult novel, it didn't detract at all from the overall plot and character development, or from my enjoyment. It's an un-put-downable book, that's for sure. Highly recommend if you like funny, queer heroes getting into shenanigans supported by a great cast!

The Extraordinaries kicks off with a chapter from our main character Nick’s fan fiction that he writes about his favorite superhero Shadow Star. Right from the beginning I absolutely fell in love with Nick as a character. He is the perfect quirky and lovable character. Klune successfully created a main character that was quirky, relatable, and sometimes completely clueless without it coming across as cringey.
At the surface this book is a fun fast-paced LGBTQ+ superhero story about a teenage boy who just wants to be something bigger and better than he is, and that was something I think my teenage self could really relate to. When you look past the sheer entertainment factor of this story you will find it digs much deeper. What really stands out to me with this story was the relationships. I found myself SO invested in these characters and their relationships with each other. A book hasn’t made me truly weep in a long time, and this one got me.
The stand out for me was the relationship between Nick and his father. We see them go through unimaginable heartache, as well as normal teenage-parent arguments. They have a loving and playful relationship that hit me hard. We have a relationship between Nick and Owen that was such a relatable high school “lust” relationship. You have an incredibly strong “best friends since childhood” relationship in Nick and Seth that gave me goosebumps at times. Their love for each other was so raw and real and left me wanting more. We also have Gibby and Jazz. I am a sucker for a good lesbian couple involving the rich cheerleading captain.
The only hold back for me on giving this book 5 stars is that the pacing felt slightly off. It wasn’t SUPER off putting, but looking back I felt like not much happened in the first 50% and then the last half everything happened almost too quickly. I also found a lot of the story predictable. By the halfway point I had a pretty good idea of what was going on and I would say that I was about 75% correct.
Overall it was a great story and I cannot wait for more of you to get your hands on it and hear your thoughts! Let me know your feelings on superhero stories. I always thought I wasn’t a fan, however I enjoyed this story as well as Renegades by Marissa Meyer. Maybe it is a genre I need to look into more.

*I was provided a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My review will be posted on my blog and socials closer to publication date.

Nick Bell is a gay teenager with ADHD who lives in Nova City, which is also home to a pair of Extraordinaries, masked men with superhuman abilities. Nick is in love with his hero, Shadow Star, and writes popular fan fiction about him and his super-villain arch-nemesis, Pyro Storm. After a run-in with Shadow Star himself, Nick hatches a plan to become an Extraordinary himself. He'll have to enlist the help of his best friends, reject the help of his shifty ex-boyfriend, and keep it all a secret from his father, a Nova City police officer. On the way, he will have to face some difficult truths about his relationships and himself.

This book is unlike anything I've ever read. It was a mix of screwball comedy, super hero comic books, romance, and coming of age. The friendships and father-son relationship were very sweet and well done. I got drawn into the story at about the 60% mark when the plot took a more dramatic turn, and we had some more heartfelt moments. This is where I thought the writing really shone, and the relationships paid off emotionally. In the front half of the book, I felt the pacing lagged due to an excess of exposition and comedy, which did not appeal to me personally.

Another confusing aspect was that some of the reveals were made obvious very early in the story. I'm assuming this was intentional to highlight the obliviousness of the main character, but it confused me as a reader who is used to discovering the story along with the protagonist. I also felt like the book had two climaxes and dragged a bit in the latter half. Overall, I'd say this story didn't need quite so much book.

In the end, the story was satisfying, and fans of super hero stories and queer YA will likely enjoy it. While this book was not exactly for me, I appreciate the author's talent and plan to read more of his work that I think would appeal more to my tastes!

Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review!

"The Extraordinaries" is my new co-number one read of 2020. This unforgettable story had me laughing from start to finish. With a remarkable and precious main character at the end, readers will walk away from this story with a whole new - dare I say it - extraordinary sense of self.

Nick is a character after my own heart. He is beyond kind and incredibly quirky. He has the best group of friends that are the ultimate squad goals. Klune illustrates a well-rounded representation of ADHD.

Nick's journey to be as extraordinary as the superhero, Shadow Star, is a journey unlike any other. His infatuation is the very definition of fanboy and I was loving every minute of it. Nick's character growth drives home the point that disabled does not mean one is able.

Nick's dad is my new father fictional dad/father figure. The love for his son is so beautiful. He only wants the best for his son, to be able to independently navigate life without getting into trouble. And Cap, Nick's dad's boss, is also an incredible father-figure to Nick.

This might be a cooler superhero story than "The Incredibles," which is saying a lot. The existence of superheros, aka Extraordinaries, is so effortlessly a normal aspect of every day life. Plus Nova City, the setting of the story, sounds like a classic name for a place you'd read about in any superhero comic. And then there's the names give to the two heroes focused on in the story: Shadow Star and Pyro Storm!

I did not see the plot twist coming! I thought I knew but was pleasantly wrong. It made the story even more amazing and meaningful - almost allegorical!

Also, poor Officer Rookie! He was not prepare to take on a person like Nick Bell and his friends. Their interactions were hilarious!

Also, also, the obvious romances was just too adorkable - loved it!

"The Extraordinaries" is an phenomenal story that everyone should read. With likable characters, a creative plot, hysterical dialogue, and feel-good moments, you will not be disappointed.

OMG this book was hilarious. I've always loved T.J. Klune's sence of humor, and this one made me laugh out loud in several scenes! It was fantastic. I think at one point I started crying out of laughter.

Besides that, the book itself is amazing and I loved it. I don't know how to start describing it: it's like a urban fantasy with superheroes called "Extraordinaries" and the main character is obsessed with them, I mean, he writes fanfiction about them (in which he's the main character and one -very famous- Extraordinary is in love with him lol.) It also has ADHD rep and obviously LGBT rep.

I really liked the plot, it has some twists and turns, and though I guessed them all, the ride was enjoyable! And I think the author does a good job foreshadowing everything. What I loved the most about this books are the characters, especially Seth, who is Nick's best friend.

The main character is Nick Bell. He's the one with ADHD and also the one that is obsessed with the Extraordinaries. He's endearing and never shuts up. He also has the best lines. Then we have Seth, who is a cinnamon roll that wears bow ties to school and is so obviously in love with Nick. Then we have Gibby and Jazz, who are simply the BEST.

Oh, and Nick's dad! He was the real MVP in this book. I love that we get to know him, that he's not an absent parent and that we get to see his relationship with Nick. It was one of the best aspects of the book: the father and son relationship.

The only thing I didn't really like in this book is that the characters (especially Nick) sometimes felt really immature for their age. There were scenes that made me roll my eyes and others that were a little cringy, but that's all.

So... yes, I recommend this book. It's lighthearted and soft and fun, but it also deals with some dark and serious stuff. I can't wait to read the second installement! Too bad I have to wait more than ONE YEAR for it. UGH.

Also, I will post a full review on my Youtube Channel when it's time for the April Wrap Up.

* ARC provided by NetGalley.
---- Trataré de escribir pronto la reseña en español.

This was the softest, fluffiest read with adorkable boys and no time for toxic masculinity. Cannot wait for the next installment (please tell me there's a next installment?!)