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

I love TJ Klune books. One of the reasons is that he has such a wide range of topics and settings that there is something for everyone. I like his more serious material a bit better. That's important to know if you want to understand why I gave 4 stars to a perfectly wonderful book. I really enjoyed it, the second part somewhat more than the first part. My reason for not giving it 5 stars is connected to the fact that I don't enjoy the silliness as much as others do. It just felt too much to me.
I did love the tightly knit group of friends around Nick and the way they were there for each other. There is so much in this book that I loved, so I can absolutely recommend The Extraordinaries despite my own personal hangups!

I loved this book! It was cute, fun, and quirky. I loved Nick!!! Lovers of Fan Girl will go ga ga for this book!

The Extraordinaries is about 16 year old Nick, who has ADHD. He is trying to cope with his ADHD and the recent death of his mother. He has three friends that are always at his side, one of which is his BEST friend, Seth. The setting in this book is a fictional city called Nova City. Nova City is your regular city that has regular crime. A couple of vigilantes known as the Extraordinaries are often seen fighting crime in this city. (there is a good guy and a bad guy) So this story is somewhat of a fantasy. Nick is obsessed with Shadow Star, the good guy Extraordinary and writes fan fiction about him on his webpage. Nick wants to be an Extraordinary and he will do what it takes to become one.

This was a coming of age story about a boy who learns that you don't have to have super powers to be extraordinary. You have to look inside yourself and find what makes you extraordinary! I loved this book, so I am giving it 4 stars.

I wouldn't be ashamed to say that The Extraordinaries is my first TK Klune book -- IT WAS AWESOME! I was so excited when I found out that I was approved for an ARC.

I love this story so much. There's something amazing when you can relate to a story on so many different levels. This a book about superheroes and queer characters. That's already a perfect combination! It's a story of friendship, trust and choices. Apart from that, I'M SO OBSESSED WITH THE FATHER-SON DYNAMICS! I love how it was written.

Though I would've wanted it to be lesst predictable at some points, I would say that this is still a good read and I can't believe that I'm already excited for the sequel even before this book comes out! Please grab a copy when you do!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

First, let me say that I love the cover art. It involves this feeling of youthful innocence and really illustrates both Nick and Seth without spoiling the story.

Anywho, I LOVED this story. I honestly wish I would have read it sooner. 😍 Seriously! It gave me all types of feels from laughing to crying to a few years. What more could I want in a story? I know, a ton of loveable characters with the best dang personalities ever! I mean I legit wish they were real so I could hang out with them. Yes, this story features some memorable Queer characters and I'm sure there will be some people who aren't into stories featuring Queer characters, but man oh man are they missing out because Klune did an amazing job of making all of these characters relatable. It is a nerd-filled, humorous coming of age story that just blends everything together so well. I didn't want to stop reading it. I also love that it ended on a cliffhanger, and I'll definitely buy a sequel if there is one.

I quite enjoyed this book. It is not in the genre of YA I normally enjoy and at times it felt like I was reading fanfiction, not just reading about someone who writes fanfiction. For some, this may be a draw, not so much for me. I did find Nick endearing as a character if a little flat. I found the dialog to be a bit awkward, as everyone had the same tone and sense of humor, but it was still fun. The "big twist" wasn't really a twist at all as it was obvious basically the whole book, but I think this was on purpose to show Nick's obliviousness.

I really enjoyed this book! After briefly reading the synopsis, and knowing that TJ Klune is such a loved author, I thought I'd give this book a shot! I thought it would be a bit like The Fascinators, which I really liked, so I didn't try to find out much information about the book to begin with.

So, I was a bit taken aback by the concept when I read the first few chapters. Superheros, called Extraaordinaires, are a rare but not unheard of occurrence in this world. Nick, a gay teenager with ADHD, is obsessed with the main superhero in his city, Shadow Star. He writes fanfiction about him and dreams of being a superhero, too.

This concept alone had me a little worried in the beginning. Superhero stories can sometimes come off a bit childish and silly. But it seems like TJ Klune knew that. The story is silly and fun, but there are also many heartwarming moments. The dialogue was perfection and seemed to be taken right out of a movie. Everything played out in my head like a film, and I think it was a great ode to superhero films, the silliness of a teenage superhero, and it didn't take itself too seriously. There were times when I guessed something would happen that was a bit predictable, but there were also plot twists that I did not see coming, especially at the end. Whenever I thought the book was getting a bit simple or cliched, something happened that made me take it all back. It really pleasantly surprised me.

I think what made me the happiest was the ADHD representation. This is an #ownvoices story, as TJ Klune has ADHD himself, and I think this is the first novel I've read with the main character with ADHD besides Percy Jackson. It was really interesting and probably very close to TJ Klune's own experiences. Not only that, but the main love interest, Seth, and also Nick's best friend is bisexual and also a complete nerd. He wears sweater vests and bow ties and he's thoughtful and sweet and a big fucking nerd. It was refreshing to see a bisexual who wasn't stereotypically badass, fearless, or sexually-confident. He's just a nerd.

Anyways, I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize this would be part of a series but I'm excited!