The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

Nick Bell ist ein ganz gewöhnlicher Teenager. Wobei das in einer Stadt voller Superhelden schon wieder ungewöhnlich ist. Und der beste Autor von Superhelden-Fan-Fiction zu sein, ist ja quasi auch eine Superkraft, oder? Als Nick eines Tages Shadow Star, dem berühmtesten Helden der Stadt – und sein heimlicher Schwarm – begegnet, beschließt er, selbst ein Held zu werden, um Shadow Star zu beeindrucken. Widerwillige Hilfe bekommt er dabei von seinem besten Freund Seth. Wird Nick Shadow Stars Herz erobern oder erkennt er, dass seine wahre große Liebe eigentlich schon die ganze Zeit an seiner Seite ist?

The Extraordinaries is a fun, wonderful novel.
I didn't know quite what I was getting into when I started the book. Despite reading the summary and several reviews, I was under the impression that Nick wrote fanfiction about a TV show with superheroes. So imagine my surprise when there are actual superheroes and peoples with powers in this world. It didn't detract from my enjoyment at all, but it was a different book than I was expecting!
It took a few chapters to get into the groove of the boo. The dialogue and characters seem over the top and past the point of believability (looking at you Nick). However, that quickly became what I loved about it. I was laughing out loud consistently throughout the story, partly at how oblivious Nick is and the suffering of his friends.
There is one aspect I think some readers may have issues with. Nick's dad is a police officer – a police officer that had been demoted for punching a suspect. Police are a central part of the story. The main character's dad is a police officer - he's around the house, and his job is very relevant to the story. It also seems like Nick's dad will play an active part in a sequel. I don't know - the portrayal of the police didn't sit quite right with me, but I'm also not sure what would make it better.
All in all, I loved reading The Extraordinaries, and I'm looking forward to reading more about Nick Bell and his friends.
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adorable in the way you look at a high schooler and think “Oh, god, I'm glad I'm not there anymore”. I may still be a disaster, but in a different way than that. This was earnest and charming and extremely gay, all of which I appreciated, but you'll need to build in time for pausing to bury your head in your hands at the secondhand awkwardness.