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The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
A fangirl with a flair for drama, a city buzzing with caped crusaders, and a crush on a hero who might be closer than she thinks. With humor, heart, and superpowered chaos, The Extraordinaries spins a feel-good tale about identity, friendship, and the courage to step into your own spotlight.
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In The Extraordinaries, did you enjoy ...
... the rapid-fire jokes, trope-aware hero sendups, and a chaotic, lovestruck first-person voice?
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
If Nick Bell’s babbly inner monologue, fandom jokes, and over-the-top plans to impress Shadow Star made you grin, you’ll adore the quippy narration and meta-magic-school hijinks in Carry On. Simon Snow bumbles through destiny with the same earnest, comic energy Nick brings to Nova City patrols, and his razor-edged banter with Baz scratches that “snark-meets-swoon” itch you felt whenever Nick and Seth circled their feelings.
... the playful pokes at hero narratives and how regular teens cope when world-saving drama explodes nearby?
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Loved how The Extraordinaries lampoons superhero tropes—like Nick writing fanfic about Shadow Star while real capes wreck Nova City? The Rest of Us Just Live Here spins that same wink: while “indie kids” fight cosmic baddies off-page, Mikey and friends try to graduate and fall in love without getting caught in the blast radius. It’s the same sly, affectionate satire that made Nick’s fandom-obsessed escapades so fun.
... a queer teen figuring out her place (and crush) in a city full of superheroes?
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee
If Nick’s messy, heartfelt journey—from writing Shadow Star fanfic to stumbling toward real heroism, and from best-friend pining to actual romance with Seth—hooked you, Not Your Sidekick delivers that same YA spark. Jess Tran interns for supposed “villains,” uncovers secrets about powers, and falls for her mysterious coworker. It’s the charming, superpowered coming-of-age beat you loved as Nick, Jazz, Gibby, and Seth found their paths in Nova City.
... a hero’s helper stepping into her own identity behind the mask—without losing the laughs?
Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn
Nick trying to define himself beyond “Shadow Star’s biggest fan” and finally owning his feelings for Seth mirrors Evie Tanaka’s glow-up in Heroine Complex. She’s the put-upon assistant to a flashy superhero, until a demon-fueled crisis forces her to claim her power. If seeing Nick balance crushes, dad drama, and city-saving chaos worked for you, Evie’s journey from background to center stage—with heaps of humor—will, too.
... banter-filled, big-hearted misfits becoming a family you want to hang out with?
The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
If your favorite part was how Nick, Seth, Jazz, and Gibby form an unshakeable squad—backing each other through supervillain dustups and awkward first dates—The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet offers that same warm core. A tunneling ship’s crew of oddballs trade jokes, share meals, and show up for one another as stakes rise. Think the emotional comfort of Team Nick, just stretched across the stars.
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