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cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
TJ’s typical humorous, effervescent narration comes to us through the eyes of our lead, Nick, a teen with ADHD who’s life has been divided into the Before & After of his mother’s death. Nick’s had a tough go of things and wishes to be an Extraordinary, this universe’s version of a superhero. There was a lot of borrowing from other universes - a little bit Marvel, a little bit Kick-Ass, and some others sprinkled here & there, but in the end it was a very predictable story. That is unless you’re Nick, who has got to be one of the most clueless leads in existence, to his detriment, because he got rather annoying by the end.
I appreciate the voice that TJ gives to queer and neurodivergent characters, but there is a fine line between representation and stereotyping. Here they’re borderline played for jokes (ex. the angry, Black baby-dyke who’ll kick everyone’s ass if they look at her wrongly & our lead’s ADHD is maxed-out to the point of him being dumb) and it’s a bit cringy. I’m apprehensive about how Nick’s ADHD will be handled
All in all, it was an ok read and I’ll continue the series, but probably my least favourite of TJ’s.
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Death, Vomit, and Death of parent
sssssoup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Medical content, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
marykillian_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
library_dreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved all of his friends and the relationship he had with his dad. There are some problematic elements concerning his dad and the police department he works for, made worse by the fact that the book was released the day after a very high profile case of police brutality in the U.S., but based on an interview with the author, I am going to withhold judgment on this until I read the sequel this summer.
I would like to know why Klune loves the color cerulean so much, though.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Violence, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction