Amazing

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Some people are Extraordinaries. Some are just extra.



Nicholas Bell lives in a world where Extraordinaries (people with superpowers) exist and he has a huge crush on Nova City's Extraordinary, Shadow Star. He's also very popular in The Extraordinaries' fandom, with his long fanfiction. After an encounter with Shadow Star, Nick decided to do anything in his power to become an Extraordinary like him, dragging his best friends in his convoluted (and often a bit insane) plans. But becoming an hero isn't easy, above all when Nick has to deal with his feelings for Seth, his best friend who, recently, is acting very strangely.

Told by Nick's POV, The Extraordinaries is a coming of age story, with an amazing main character. He's smart, cute, funny and sarcastic. His being a fanboy, crushing hard on Shadow Star, his being awkward when nervous was so amazing to read.
His being so unaware of things that are right in front of him it's almost endearing. And very, very annoying, but in a cute exasperated way. He has ADHD, his brain works in a different way from others', he knows he can obsess on things and people, overthink and talk a mile a minute, school isn't easy, but he's surrounded by people who get and love him.
His relationship with his father and friends is strong, intense, full of banter, jokes, convoluted plans and understanding. I love how they all support and love one other. Nick, Seth, Gabby and Jazz are so precious and I love their friendship. I adore how they support Nick when he decides to try to be an Extraordinary, bantering with him, laughing and supporting him all the time, following his plans and ideas.

One of the thing I loved the most are Nick and Seth, that know one other since they were six and went through a lot together, always having each other back, both of them scarred by loss and big changes. They are always there for one other. They are unbelievably cute and supportive and so great.
Seth is fantastic, brilliant and so nerdy and stylish I was immediately in love with him. His relationship with Nick is one of the best in this book. He loves him so fiercely and he's ready to do anything for him, and his love and friendship, his promise and desire to Nick and himself he would do anything to keep him safe, his desire to protect him are so intense and pure.
Nick and Seth are great, they are so cute and awkward around one other. I laughed so much when they were both jealous, but unable to confess their feelings for each other. Above all when Nick realizes his feelings.
Seth's love for Nick was one of the most beautiful part of this book and I absolutely love their relationship, their supporting, loving and understanding each other. They are perfect for one other. Cute, funny and sweet.

Jazz and Gabby are a beautiful, funny and smart couple, I love them together, they are so nice and loyal and could absolutely relate with their comments and innuendos, because they were like bystanders who knew everything and were exasperated by the lack of clearly expressed feelings between Nick and Seth.
Gabby and Jazz are very different from one other. Jazz is rich, sweet and a cheerleader, while Gabby is butch, a bit aggressive and they are absolutely perfect for one other. I liked reading Jazz's insecurities and thoughts about growing up and loving someone, Gabby's fierce aggressiveness when someone annoyed his friends or girlfriend and how loyal and great they are.

Owen is another interesting character, seemingly the spoiled rich kid, but complex and with hidden agendas and secrets. His flirting with Nick and provoking him and Seth was both annoying and funny to read, since for a long time it seemed like everyone knew about their feelings but Nick.

Absolutely fantastic are the other characters, the side ones. Aaron, Nick's dad, Cap, Seth's aunt and uncle. The reader get to read more about Nick's dad and their relationship is really intense, full of love, loss and worry. They would do anything to protect one other, they are trying to be and do better after their terrible loss and they are a lot of fun when they negotiate and banter.

I laughed so hard reading this book. Laughed, "facepalmed" and squeaked. A lot.
It's full of twists and mysteries, secrets, love, friendship and I can't wait to know more about Nick and Seth, Nick's fanctions, their love, their friendship and what will happen next.

The Extraordinaries is a coming of age story, written skillfully with amazing and intense characters that will stay with you for a very long time. Klune wrote characters that are brimming with life, breathing, loving and kicking, reading to jump from the pages.
They are complex, full of insecurieties and doubts, they love and protect one other with a beautiful and scorching intensity and they are so realistic. I think Klune did an amazing job describing Nick and his ADHD, his thoughts, how his brain works, how he think and overthink, how he feels about it, how it means being a teenager with ADHD and having to deal with first love, superheroes, feelings, and friends.
I loved so much the message, that being different, having a disorder is not a bad thing, that being extraordinary isn't related to having powers, that anyone can be an hero and protect the people he/she loves.

The extraordinaries is one of my most anticipated releases and I can't wait to have this beautiful precious novel in my hands! Nick and Seth have already my whole heart.