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?!)

⭐2 Stars ⭐

Predictable bordering on infuriating, Klune’s YA debut is lacking in many areas. I am unsure if his characters were immature for their age or just poorly characterised despite how much we learn about their backstories. I feel that this book encompassed 2012 Tumblr culture very well (which is not a sentence I thought I would ever have to write), and I think it would do very well back then but in 2020 I found a lot of the dialogue and the internal monologue cringe-worthy.

Although I can endlessly praise the diversity in this novel, for me it doesn't make up for the repetitive narration, flashbacks and dialogue. There is an audience for this novel, but I am afraid I am not part of it.

What dropped this rating from three stars to two was the ending of the novel as it seemed to invalidate the message of the story. This is a spoiler-free review so I won't be detailing it here, but I felt like it was only written in that way to create the need for a sequel in an otherwise complete story.

You Should Read This Book if you Like:
+ Diverse reads
+ Interesting Superhero Concepts
+ Fight Scenes

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Greif, References to Drug Addiction.

I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚.

I was really excited to read this because I thought the story was interesting. I found up until the big reveal, it's rather boring and dull. There's too much and not enough going on. Nick tries to become an Extraordinary aka superhero but has terrible plans on how to do it.

The only good part comes at the end. There's a little after the epilogue scene that is in the same vain as Marvel end credits scene. It sets up book 2 every well. (If there will be one)

I loved this take on a classic superhero story. It kept me intrigued, and the characters were so likable and endearing. TJ Klune does such a great job of referencing classic superhero culture, but updating it to make it more inclusive. This book will delight YA and adult readers alike!

First of all, I have to warn you that I suck at reviewing books without giving spoilers so bear with me. Secondly, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for giving me the opportunity of reviewing this book. I went into the book knowing that it was going to exceed all my expectations as it's by one of my favorite authors. TJ Klune has a way of telling stories that are both unique and relatable and this book was no different. I loved the plot of the book. I loved how it was different than other LGBTQ books because it does not make a big deal about coming-out. The whole book is about a queer teenager who is totally lovable. If you like humorous, queer and relatable YA novels that you're going to fall in love with instantly then this is the book for you. But I have to say, the ending? I so did not see it coming! The author successfully shocked me once again. I can't wait for the second book in the series.

The Extraordinaries is the YA queer superhero novel that I've been waiting for and to say it was a gem would be an understatement. I've been a fan of TJ Klune for years now and to get the chance to read his YA debut has been such an honour. I was in stitches from laughter and pages later I would be on the verge of tears. It's safe to say that TJ Klune has done it again!

Nick lives in a city with superheroes and he is obsessed with them. Having ADHD means he spends a lot of his time on his special interest by writing fanfiction of himself and his crush, Shadow Star, which is one of the more popular Extraordinary fics. Aside from his fanfic, Nick spends his days dealing with the challenges of junior year, trying to get his father to trust him again, and trying not to crush on his best friend, Seth, cinnamon roll personified. But then, Nick has a fateful encounter with Shadow Star that has Nick realising his true potential: he is going to become an Extraordinary.

Nick is the sweetest main character I've read in a long time. The boy is basically a hug in human form. His ADHD is spot on, I could relate to him so much, from his scattered thoughts, to his inability to concentrate (until it comes to his latest obsession), to his ability to speak before his brain catches up. When I say Nick had me laughing so much, I had to take a five minute break from reading, I'm not exaggerating. Nick's sense of humour, his actions and reactions, are so damn hilarious. Nick is definitely one of the greatest YA protagonists out there and I can't wait to read more about him in the sequel. 

My other favourite character was Seth. Oh my gosh, this boy! He has a very obvious crush on Nick, but of course Nick is super oblivious. This is something Klune has always done incredibly well: the oblivious romantic interests. Nick is also in love with Seth, he's just unable to see that, but he does wax poetically about Seth's many virtues, especially how much Seth is just an adorable cinnamon roll. 

Among the fantastic side characters are Gibby and Jazz, two of Nick and Seth's best friends who are also in a relationship together. These two sapphic girls are adorable together and I shipped them from the first time they showed up on page. Gibby is a badass, who cuts first and asks questions later. She's highly protective of her friends, especially Jazz, but is also secretly a romantic. Jazz used to be part of the popular crowd until she met and fell in love with Gibby, so now she spends her days with the weirdos. Jazz is so adorable and comes across as a little oblivious, but she's actually the one who pays the most attention. And finally, there's Owen, Nick's sort-of-not-really ex-boyfriend who forces his presence on the group even though nobody really likes him because he's a rich, stuck-up. But Nick can't help but still care for him ...

I had so much fun reading The Extraordinaries. The book is super tropey, just imagine yourself watching a superhero movie -- but it's aware of those tropes and even makes fun of them. And I'm not saying it's tropey in a bad way, either. It's something I expected and looked forward to, what with the superhero element. But even though the novel features tropes, the book still manages to surprise me by flipping those tropes on their heads. I'm not going to say anymore than that, because I don't want to spoil anyone! But I can so perfectly see this book as a movie and I sincerely hope it has the chance to become one some day!

If you've always been interested in reading one of TJ Klune's books, then I highly recommend starting with The Extraordinaries. You're in for a fun romp of a time. And if you're a long-time fan of Klune's books, you're going to find a new favourite here too.

The Extraordinaries is TJ Klune's first YA novel but if you, like me, have read some of his books you have already met and loved some young queer characters. If this is your first book by this author I can guarantee you that you will start reading his other books as soon as you finish this gem!
While reading the first page I was smiling, between then and the 15% I had already cried and laughed because that is the Klune effect!
This book is full of feelings, rambling, billowing, evil crackling and some posing. The characters are as always so well written and the universe so impossibly real that everything else fades. Reading this book surely is an extraordinary experience!! (and puns are not the lowest form of humor

This was a delight to read! The whole thing felt like a comic book, and I loved every minute. It was funny, absurd, silly, and romantic. Hijinks ensued on every page, and I was reminded yet again that boys really are a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.
Overall an excellent read, and I look forward to more from this author!

I really enjoyed this book. It’s not perfect and there are a few things I hope get corrected in proofs but those are pretty small. I liked the twist on your average superhero story and the addition of an lgbt romance. When I first read the description of this book I saw fangirl meets renegades comparison and I was hooked. I admit, one of my faves ever is Hero by Perry Moore. I was so excited to read this and tho, again, it’s not perfect, I really enjoyed the wit the author adds in. I think we have a similar sense of humor.
Overall I would give this a 4/5