Adorable book I already want to collect every edition for
I truly loved this story. As a person who loves 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. (They aren't touching my ARC!)
Comic book superheroes meets real-life fanfiction in this cute YA fantasy novel. In an alternate modern universe, superheroes known as "Extraordinaries" co-exist with ordinary citizens. In the fictional city of Nova City, two such Extraordinaries live, Shadow Star and Pyro Storm. These real-life superhero rivals regularly come to blows, with Shadow Star being the dreamy hero and Pyro Storm being the equally fit villain.
17-year old Nick Bell is an ADHD Shadow Star obsessed real-life fanfiction writer. Nick is an adorably oblivious, snarky teen with all of the awkward comebacks, and a fierce loyalty to his father and BFF for life, Seth. According to Nick, Seth is too precious for this world and needs to be protected at all costs. Nick is definitely my favorite character. He is me, awkwardly spewing words before his brain has had time to realize you shouldn't say those things out loud.
Seth Gray is an adorable sweater-vest and bow tie or cravat wearing nerd. He is brilliant, has a heart of gold, and would do anything to protect his family and friends, especially Nick. He also happens to be hiding a secret, (and maybe a secret boyfriend and/or girlfriend), which everyone has managed to work out except oblivious Nick.
To round out this misfit queer friend group we have Gibby and Jazz. Gibby (AKA Lola Gibson, but don't let her hear you call her Lola) is, according to Nick, a baby butch. She is tough as nails, a year older than the rest of the gang, and a shaved head. Don't get in her or her friends face, because she WILL kick you with her steel toed boots. Gibby has been friends with Nick and Seth since the boys were 10-years old. Jazz is the stereotypical beautiful rich-girl and captain of the cheerleading team. Do NOT come at her with come-ons, because she will literally snap your fingers and make you apologize. She has only been with the gang for a year, but she is an irreplaceable asset to round out their squad.
Owen Burke, heir to the most influential business empire in Nova City, Burke Pharmaceuticals. Owen also happens to be the ex-boyfriend (sort of) of Nick. The Great Romance of Nick and Owen lasted 3 whole months, which amounted to many hot make-out sessions but nothing more. Nick likes to say he hates Owen Burke, but Owen still stays inserted in their friend group and is weirdly invested in Nick's life.
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. (They aren't touching my ARC!)
Comic book superheroes meets real-life fanfiction in this cute YA fantasy novel. In an alternate modern universe, superheroes known as "Extraordinaries" co-exist with ordinary citizens. In the fictional city of Nova City, two such Extraordinaries live, Shadow Star and Pyro Storm. These real-life superhero rivals regularly come to blows, with Shadow Star being the dreamy hero and Pyro Storm being the equally fit villain.
17-year old Nick Bell is an ADHD Shadow Star obsessed real-life fanfiction writer. Nick is an adorably oblivious, snarky teen with all of the awkward comebacks, and a fierce loyalty to his father and BFF for life, Seth. According to Nick, Seth is too precious for this world and needs to be protected at all costs. Nick is definitely my favorite character. He is me, awkwardly spewing words before his brain has had time to realize you shouldn't say those things out loud.
Seth Gray is an adorable sweater-vest and bow tie or cravat wearing nerd. He is brilliant, has a heart of gold, and would do anything to protect his family and friends, especially Nick. He also happens to be hiding a secret, (and maybe a secret boyfriend and/or girlfriend), which everyone has managed to work out except oblivious Nick.
To round out this misfit queer friend group we have Gibby and Jazz. Gibby (AKA Lola Gibson, but don't let her hear you call her Lola) is, according to Nick, a baby butch. She is tough as nails, a year older than the rest of the gang, and a shaved head. Don't get in her or her friends face, because she WILL kick you with her steel toed boots. Gibby has been friends with Nick and Seth since the boys were 10-years old. Jazz is the stereotypical beautiful rich-girl and captain of the cheerleading team. Do NOT come at her with come-ons, because she will literally snap your fingers and make you apologize. She has only been with the gang for a year, but she is an irreplaceable asset to round out their squad.
Owen Burke, heir to the most influential business empire in Nova City, Burke Pharmaceuticals. Owen also happens to be the ex-boyfriend (sort of) of Nick. The Great Romance of Nick and Owen lasted 3 whole months, which amounted to many hot make-out sessions but nothing more. Nick likes to say he hates Owen Burke, but Owen still stays inserted in their friend group and is weirdly invested in Nick's life.