Edit 7/8/2020: This has been on my mind for a while, but with the book coming out next week, I'm not sure the unedited review reflects how I currently feel about this book. I will say, I have not reread the book since my initial read. However, the more I have continued to think about how police are glorified in this book, the more I have issues with the book.
When I was initially reading the book, I came from a place of privilege where I could ignore these issues and focus on what I loved about the book-- queer ND kids living a superhero adventure. I shouldn't have, but I did. I regret that now and I've updated my rating to reflect that. If I ever do reread this book, I will also update my review to give better thoughts.
The Extrodinaries is a heartwarming tale about a queer teenage boy with ADHD who is more special than he could have imagined--granted his imagination is quite vivid and eccentric most of the time.
The heart of The Extrodinaries is its wit. It’s the wit in both the book’s prose and dialogue. Nick is a hilarious kid and TJ (as is part of his writing style, which I’ve come to adore) does an amazing job balancing the humor and drama. Nick, while being a good kid, is also well, a kid. And a kid, a dumb teenager, that makes dumb decisions. Oh boy, is Nick oblivious, but that’s just the kind of person that Nick Bell is and it’s honestly really charming. You just really want Nick to find out the secrets that are being kept from him. The reader will figure them out before Nick does, but that’s the intent. There’s a lot of yelling at the book (in a good way!) for Nick to just OPEN HIS EYES. But it’s not aggravating as much as it is absolutely hilarious to read, as things go right over Nick’s head. Nick has a lot of heart and I feel he is a very developed character.
In that vein of thought, there is just so much personality in literally all these characters, even the ones who aren’t the central focus. Gibby and Jazz, in particular, are STARS and I would love to read a book from one of their points of view. This is by far the book’s greatest strength; even the side characters, from Office Rookie (Chris), Nurse Becky, Mary Caplin, have such personality about them. No character, no matter how little they appear, feels one-note. Not one, which I feel can often be a challenge. However, TJ knocks it out of the park with writing all these characters. They each feel very lifelike and like real, three-dimensional characters.
This is a book which (I hope) will encourage neurodivergent folk, not just the teen audience it’s aimed aim, but of all ages, because it definitely did touch my heart.
A copy of this book was provided by Bookish First in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!
When I was initially reading the book, I came from a place of privilege where I could ignore these issues and focus on what I loved about the book-- queer ND kids living a superhero adventure. I shouldn't have, but I did. I regret that now and I've updated my rating to reflect that. If I ever do reread this book, I will also update my review to give better thoughts.
The Extrodinaries is a heartwarming tale about a queer teenage boy with ADHD who is more special than he could have imagined--granted his imagination is quite vivid and eccentric most of the time.
The heart of The Extrodinaries is its wit. It’s the wit in both the book’s prose and dialogue. Nick is a hilarious kid and TJ (as is part of his writing style, which I’ve come to adore) does an amazing job balancing the humor and drama. Nick, while being a good kid, is also well, a kid. And a kid, a dumb teenager, that makes dumb decisions. Oh boy, is Nick oblivious, but that’s just the kind of person that Nick Bell is and it’s honestly really charming. You just really want Nick to find out the secrets that are being kept from him. The reader will figure them out before Nick does, but that’s the intent. There’s a lot of yelling at the book (in a good way!) for Nick to just OPEN HIS EYES. But it’s not aggravating as much as it is absolutely hilarious to read, as things go right over Nick’s head. Nick has a lot of heart and I feel he is a very developed character.
In that vein of thought, there is just so much personality in literally all these characters, even the ones who aren’t the central focus. Gibby and Jazz, in particular, are STARS and I would love to read a book from one of their points of view. This is by far the book’s greatest strength; even the side characters, from Office Rookie (Chris), Nurse Becky, Mary Caplin, have such personality about them. No character, no matter how little they appear, feels one-note. Not one, which I feel can often be a challenge. However, TJ knocks it out of the park with writing all these characters. They each feel very lifelike and like real, three-dimensional characters.
This is a book which (I hope) will encourage neurodivergent folk, not just the teen audience it’s aimed aim, but of all ages, because it definitely did touch my heart.
A copy of this book was provided by Bookish First in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!