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sophie42'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? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Medical trauma
thecandiegirl'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
5.0
Minor: Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
starsnstitchin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
annorabrady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a great palate cleanser without being meaningless fluff; there was still a solid story with character development of primary and secondary characters alike, realistic behaviors in unrealistic situations, and worthwhile conflicts.
I will say that Nick's stupidity is both endearing and absolutely obnoxious. Especially when it causes certain plot points to carry on too long for my liking. Though, it's done in a way that makes sense for the character, so it doesn't feel unnecessary.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
big thought out of the way, here are some scattered ones:
- there was a lot of build up and the climax seemed to drag on, but insufficient payoff. (though, at least there was any payoff at all, unlike Fence: Striking Distance. that's not relevant here, i just hold a grudge.)
- for the amount of times the narration described what teenage boys are like, i started to think maybe it was the author trying to convince us that he knew, like "how do you do fellow kids"
- it was genuinely funny
- audiobook reader was top tier 👌
- "I'm young and queer and in a fragile place right now." me
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Stalking, Car accident, Alcohol, and Classism
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
notalightbulb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
nothingrhymeswithrachel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship