Book Review: The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune (ALC)

The Extraordinaries

Author: TJ Klune

Narrator: Michael Lesley

Publication Date: 14 July 2020

Length: 12 hours 56 minutes

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer’s Renegades in TJ Klune’s YA debut.

So I’ll be honest, when it comes to TJ Klune’s books, they tend to open in a way that makes me wonder what in the world I’ve gotten myself into. I felt this way about The House in the Cerulean Sea, and it ended up being phenomenal. The Extraordinaries is the exact same way. 

Nick Bell is a queer teen struggling with ADHD but he loves to write fan fiction about his favorite superhero Shadow Star, who he may or may not have a crush on. Nick finds himself being mugged in an alley, and Shadow Star shows up to save the day. Nick thinks his crush may be going for the kiss and he ends up kissing Shadow Star’s mask. Awkward. Whatever, Nick is determined to be with Shadow Star, so he enlists his friends to help him become extraordinary. 

Omg, I loved the friendship between Nick and Seth. Their mutual respect of each other is what all of us what out of relationships. Every time Nick ensures that Seth wasn’t sick and checked in on him, I literally squeed! Another aspect of this relationship that I loved is that it isn’t all sunshines and rainbows, but both of them go to great lengths to protect one another and be there for each other.

Nick and his dad’s relationship. Nick’s dad could care less about his son being gay. All he cares about is his son practicing safe sex and those who wish to engage in sexual relations with his son to 100% abide by consent. As much as Nick and his dad’s relationship can be tumultuous, I couldn’t help but be team dad (especially for the sex talk scenes featuring how to put a condom on a banana and the importance of lube). 

Overall, if you’re looking for a humorous, queer, coming-of-age story that also features some ridiculous fanfic and superhero action, pick up this book!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC through Libro.fm. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.