Probably one of the best books I'll read this year. Can't believe TJ and the way he ended this, thank god there's more books or I would've been pissed! I loved the characters, the plot and the whole superhero concept. One of the best writing which I'm not surprised about at all. Klune knows how to write a book and I absolutely LOVE his work.

If a book is said to be a mashup of two iconic books (Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Marissa Meyer's Renegades, it's got a lot of promises to fulfill. Unfortunately, a lot of my expectations (which were partly driven by the references to these books in the blurb, but also positive reviews from others), were not met.

Things I didn't like:
1. It's very predictable. It would've been great if the readers could have been surprised along with Nick when the identities of the villain/superhero were revealed, but it wasn't a surprise for me at all. I knew exactly who was who from the very beginning, and Nick's cluelessness went from mildly entertaining to completely infuriating.
2. The characters are very bland and immature given their age. I like the idea of having a diverse cast, but I just found them to be very confusing and not very unique. I kept getting Jazz and Gibby mixed up, which should NOT happen. I didn't like Owen, or Nick. I'm pretty sure I only liked Seth in this book.
3. The main character is seriously irksome. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, Nick Bell. I was so happy to see him representing kids with disorders, but he ended up just getting on my nerves sometimes with how...absolutely idiotic he was being.
4. The writing is pretty elementary. Now, YA is pretty varied and unique. We have writers like Leigh Bardugo just KILLING it when complex writing, but also someone like Vernoica Roth with a less pronounced style who still manages to elevate her story by compensating in other ways (concept, world-building). I found Klune's writing to be very elementary and, given that I'm a close age to the main characters, I was surprised to find that I couldn't imagine myself or my friends acting in such a way. I don't know if the intention was to exaggerate their ages or make a point with the childish writing, but I think I missed the memo. The writing flows, sure, but I found the dialogue to be lacking in quality, and the world building was non-existent. We hardly know anything about this Nova City, despite it being the setting for the entire story. That's a problem.

Things I did like:
1. Concept! I like the idea of having diverse characters, kickass female leads, and the juxtaposition between wanting and being.

Do I recommend this book?
Honestly? Not really. I think you'd be better off reading Fangirl and/or Renegades depending on your interest. I don't think you'd be missing much by skipping this one, unfortunately.

I got an ARC of this book through Netgally!

I don't even know where to begin... I freaking loved this book!
It's funny, angsty and so freaking adorable, and I already want to reread it again.
I knew it was going to be a 5 star read for me... because all Klune's books are! He never fails to make me laugh, and I'm really glad I wasn't reading this in public! People would've thought I was crazy.
I don't even know what else to say! I'm so so so happy that I got to read this already!
If you haven't done it already, then you need to get your hands on it as soon as it comes out... because you really dont want to miss out on it!
I need more than 5 stars to give!

The Extraordinaries was so fun and heartwarming and sure super tropey and a bit pradictable but it had my favourite tropes and it was comforting in a way.
It reminded me of Megamind and History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera except this was more fun and Lighthearted while HIAYLM was just pain (The Extraordinaries was just a little bit of pain)
The books strength lies was the characters and their relationships. The relationship between Nick and his dad was moving. That and the friendships was really the core of the story.
The writing and the banter was fun even if it got a bit cringy at points.
Speaking of cringy, the fan fiction in the story was so amazingly cringy I was wheezing with laughter. Reminded me of a lot of fan fiction I read (and written)

Overall The Extraordinaries was fun superhero romp and with lots of heart I can't wait for the sequel

It has bi, gay and lesbian rep, as well as ADHD rep.
It was really intriguing! Loved all the rep! Especially the ADHD rep was so well done, I'm really impressed.
I got annoyed at the main character at some point, because he believed EVERYTHING someone told him... I get it, his mind and thoughts are racing, it's hard to think something through. But some people straight up lied to him (and it was really obvious), and he believed it?
Otherwise, couldn't stop reading! 4.75/5 stars
I didn't know this is a series, and was pretty annoyed (but positively of course) at the end, because it's not really a cliffhanger, but I need the second book NOW.

good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good

I am a huge fan og TJ Klune's books, and have read almost every book he has written. Thus, my expectations were sky high when first starting this book. I know what he can do, and I always expect to like it. With that in mind, I have to say that he also really hit it home for me with The Extraordinaries.

One of the things TJ Klune is best at, is characters. Not only the main character, but every other small character that is included in a book. They are funny and warm, and he manages to give life to everyone of them with a mystifying accuracy. A little old lady in the store with only two lines? Well, be sure that those two lines are either funny as hell or heartwarming and deep, and he gives the character such life with so little it's astounding.

The characters in The Extraordinaries are no exception. The main character, Nick, is a neurodiverse character - which by the way is such a refreshing way to view a character; there aren't a lot of them around! - who talks a mile a minute and has his own internal world all his own. He is funny, kind and a little bit crazy in his shenanigans. And then there are all these supporting characters, and there are a lot of them. From his circle of friends (a shy boy and a couple of kick-ass lesbians), to his father and his circle of friends, to his ex-boyfriend who isn't very nice, but oh so dreamy.

The story ifself circles around Nick and his hang-up on the Extraordinaries, who are superheroes. He is obsessed with becoming an Extraordinary himself, and hilariousness follows. There is action, friendship, love and a lot of lols.

Oh, and the ending. THE ENDING!!! I can't wait to read more from this band of people.

I would recommend this book to anyone, really, but especially if superheroes are your jam.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Tor Teen.

What attracted me first was the cover, then the summary and finally, I saw the author was T.J. Klune whom I know for his Green Creek saga. I quickly came to the conclusion that I HAD TO read this book!

Even though I was skeptical regarding the super-hero aspect, it was actually pleasing to read about it. Could have been more detailed in my opinion but I feel like it is going to be the case in the sequel. but I feel like it is going to be the case in the sequel.
I think the strength of this book lies in the main character, Nick. It was so good to follow him through this crazy story. I laughed so many times thanks to him. You cannot not love him, he is the perfect MC!
But honestly, every character was endearing: his dad, his friends, ... Can we talk about Nich and Seth's friendship/relationship? You know what, nope I won't, you'll have to read this book and see for yourself how cute they are.

I need book 2 now. Like right now.

If you're looking for a fun and engaging read to take your mind off, well, horrible current events, search no further! This book sucks you right into Nick's world with a vibrant voice and lovable characters. And the romance plot will make you want to yell at the characters to just figure it out already! It's sweet and swoony and funny, perfect for anyone looking for an escape!

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book.  T.J. Klune's The Extraordinaries is on point as one of the funniest and quirkiest books I've read in recent years, plus it is incredibly moving and yes, very, very swooooon worthy. 

The Extraordinaries is about Nick Bell, a sixteen year old who has ADHD and spends his spare time writing fan fiction about real life superhero Shadow Star who fights evil wrought by his arch-nemesis Pyro Storm. That's right, there are real life superheroes, or Extraordinaries, living in Nova City and Nick will do just about anything to become one of them so he can get closer to the love of his life, Shadow Star. He enlists the help of his friends in order to do so, including his best friend, Seth Gray (who might actually be Nick's love of his life, but who knows) who is rather reluctant about the whole thing. Nothing will stop Nick from going after his big dream of standing beside the mighty Shadow Star... or will it?

I just loved this book for so many reasons. First of all, it made me laugh so much. I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh so hard, out loud and uncontrollably. Nick is hilarious and over the top and just so oblivious about certain things in a way that really made me chuckle over and over. Nick as a character was brilliant, I liked the way his struggles with ADHD was portrayed and how his obsession with Shadow Star fuelled his every day life, annoying his friends and his Dad. I loved his relationship with his Dad and of course, his friends Gibby and Jazz (who are girlfriends and very cool) and of course, Seth. Next to Nick, Seth was definitely my favourite character and well... you are in for a treat with this pair. 

While the majority of the book was filled with so much lighthearted fun, it's not all fun and games.  There's a lot of darker themes within the story to do with loss and to do with the way Nick's ADHD impacts his life. And of course, there's a lot of action-packed plot to do with the Extraordinaries that really kept me on my toes. 

I would highly, highly recommend that you go ahead and pick up this book when it hits the shelves in May. For me, The Extraordinaries had everything I could ask for in a YA novel. Unique and relatable characters, a thrilling plot, friendships and family relationships. The story is inspiring and fun and I would come back for seconds.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this book!
I loved this book so much more than I thought. Granted it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I am infatuate with everything about this book.
- NICK! I love nick so much he was an amazing main character.He has to be one of my favorite MC's. At some points he could be a tad annoying but that just added to his charm.
- I also was very fond of the writing. I found the book to be very well written.
- The rest of the cast of characters was amazing. They all brought so much to the book and worked so well with each other.
- It was also so hilarious.There were some parts in the book where I could just not stop laughing.
I can absolutely not wait for the next book because with the way the book ended WOAH.
This was my first book I have read by T.J and I loved it so much. I will definitely be reading more of his works.
If have a chance to read this book please do so!
Review also posted to GoodReads!!

I’ve been excited for so long to read The Extraordinaries. And it’s been all I was hoping for. Cute, funny, thoughtful and well, extraordinary obviously.

TJ Klune has such a unique writing style and his books are always so compelling. Although I have to admit this book had me from page one where the main character is writing fanfiction about his superheroes. I just felt immediately like a part of the club.

This witty coming of age story is about Nick Bell who has ADHD and is obsessed with one of the extraordinary heroes: Shadow Star. He follows everything he does and he’s also a BNF in the extraordinary fandom. But one day this is not enough for him and he wants to become an extraordinary, too. With or without the help of his friends he sets out to make this happen.

I absolutely loved Nick and his friends group. The characters were just great. So honest and loyal and real. I loved the dynamics between them but also the one between Nick and his dad who are both still grieving the loss of Nick’s mother. And well, then there’s also Seth. Nick’s BFF who is undeniably in love with him. Unfortunately Nick is too oblivious to notice...

If you like superheroes, mystery, super loveable, funny characters and adorable, very oblivious boys in love - this is your book!

What a fantastic start to this series. Can’t wait for the next one.

Excellent I loved how realist and unrealistic this book was, Tj has done it again made us laugh and cry at the same time. I loved every minute of it. Excellent way to spend isolation.

Firstly, and most importantly, I adore Nick's dad. I would read a thousand full books just about Nick's dad.

The Extraordinaries is a book with such heart. Brilliantly funny, it weaves the story of a boy trying to find his place in a world of extraordinary people.

The cast of characters are brilliant - Nick, his three best friends and his ex-boyfriend are fantastically entertaining and their friendships are beautifully developed. The threads of loss and hope weaved through the book are incredibly poignant, and I really hope we get to read more of Nick's story!

This review has been posted to Goodreads and will be submitted to Amazon after release.

Title provided via Netgalley for honest review (and I went and purchased it because DUH TJ Klune, I've got "almost" all of his books!)

I don't know where to start with this book. I read it in the span of a day because who needs sleep when TJ Klune puts out another book AND in a new genre! I was so very interested to see what this book read like because TEENAGERS and all their crazy problems. I think what I liked about this was that it was so very much a TJ book, but...not. It was different. For a fantasy book that includes super heroes it was very relatable and realistic - surprisingly!

Seth and Nick are so obliviously cute, well Nick is anyway. Seth knows the deal. I loved how normal reading the book felt it didn't really read like a fantasy because the fantastical in the book wasn't overly exaggerated. It was woven in quite neatly simply as a thing that happens in the book, like in realistic fiction. No extreme magical creatures, no magic at all to begin with. It's all SCIENCE the antithesis of magic.

TJ hasn't really written anything for teens so I was very curious to read what this would be like. Of course it is atypical in every sense, but that's how TJ writes. I laughed, I cried, I RELATED on a massive scale to Nick. And man, for something that read so atypically normal, boy was I surprised at the plot twists. I also like that the characters were very distinctly TJs characters. It reads NOTHING like Bear, Otter, and the Kid, or even Greencreek. I really approve of this sweet, yet sly piece that was released. I get disheartened with YA books because they all read the same after a while, but this one stands out on its own as something completely different within YA. Wonderful debut novel in the genre.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

Rating: 4.5 stars
Rep: gay MC with ADHD, bi love interest, F/F side relationship. POC and queer side characters.

As soon as I was accepted for this eARC, I started it straight away and finished within a couple of days! "The Extraordinaries" and "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune were two of my top 5 most anticipated books of 2020 and they did not disappoint.

This book is far from perfect and I definitely see why it wouldn't be for some readers, but it was perfect for me. I couldn't stop laughing, I was so invested in all the characters and their journey throughout the book. This novel had a lot of twists and turns that I personally didn't see coming, I was on the edge of my seat by the end and I can't wait for book two!

Personally speaking, this book shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's completely OTT, packed full of comedy and queer teenage disasters making mistakes, but "The Extraordinaries" is also a very heartfelt story about finding your place in the world and learning that people can't be put into boxes of good or evil, we are all more complex than that.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to people that love hilarious YA with loveable, LGBTQ+ main characters and superheroes. I've already pre-ordered a physical copy and I can't wait to reread!

4.5 stars
I truly loved this story. As a person who loves YA fantasy and superheroes, and is also weirdly addicted to M/M fanfiction on AO3, I loved everything about the characters and story. The story wasn't totally unique (dialogue in the book even picks fun at how the plot is basically a rip off of Spider Man) and was incredibly predictable (I annotate my books, and made notes on pg. 53 who Shadow Star and Pyro Storm are), but it was still a fun read nonetheless, which I very much look forward to the sequel.

This is a book that I not only plan on pre-ordering, but will collect all of the editions because it speaks to my inner-teen nerd heart. I will definitely be sharing this book with my high school students when it's released.

This book is so unique, so fun, and such a fast read.

Having teenagers be teenagers while having a world of superheroes around them?
Incredible. There's fanfiction, there's drama, there's action...all come together for a fastpaced adventure.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for this diverse, contemporary, extraordinary YA superhero fantasy that manages to be both hilarious and poignant.

“I need my own origin story,” Nick announced grandly. “I’m going to become an Extraordinary.”
Seth: “Nicky, no.”
Nick: “Nicky, yes!”

With ADHD, an obsessive crush on Shadow Star (his city's "Extraordinary" super hero), and a stream-of-consciousness brain and mouth that just can't stop, Nick Bell is "a bit much" for some people. That's fine. Nicky and his dad have come through a lot together and he always has his friends — his beyond precious, sweater-vest-wearing, best friend Seth Gray; Gibby the baby butch and her always surprising, head cheerleader girlfriend Jazz; and Owen, a hot jerky ex that won't stop messing with them. But where exactly are his dad and friends when the super hero skirmishes escalate and Nick undertakes a poorly planned quest to become an Extraordinary himself? Answer: They may be closer than he thinks.

A few extraordinary things about this book:
• diversity handled so well
• sexuality discussed frankly and normalized
• grief portrayed accurately but with great care
• a queer, teenage friend group with a smart, sarcastic, gently ribald sense of humor that seems tone perfect
• a father-son relationship that is #goals
• a community of caring that gives all the best #FoundFamily vibes
• the painfully pure, excruciatingly fumbling friends-to-more situation
• a spot-on capture of fanfiction culture and a unique perspective on a super hero world
• nerdtastically unbridled enthusiasm
• dialogue and narrative that runs from snappy hilarious to heartrendingly perceptive

Much to my surprise, I really disliked this. It took me forever to get through, mostly because the pacing was painfully slow and because the "reveals" were telegraphed from miles away for about 60% of the book. But it didn't help that Nick was completely unlikeable as a protagonist, that there seemed to be zero romantic chemistry between the couple we're supposed to be rooting for, and that the humor didn't work AT ALL for me. (It actually made me actively hate parts of the book, especially the final fight scene.)

I know that Klune is a talented, emotional writer, but I just couldn't connect with this. I had to force myself to finish it, and when I did, I wished I'd just quit earlier.