Falling for Heroics: A Personal Dive into The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

I’m no stranger to TJ Klune’s work—I’ve fallen in love with his storytelling time and time again with In the Lives of Puppets and Under the Whispering Door. So when I picked up The Extraordinaries, I thought I knew what I was in for: heartfelt writing, a dash of humor and characters I’d never want to let go of. But nothing quite prepared me for how hooked I would be on this incredibly charming and fresh take on the gay teen superhero story. My inner superhero and my love for Wonder Woman throughout my life really made this special for me.

For those unfamiliar, The Extraordinaries introduces us to Nick Bell, a sixteen-year-old with a love for superheroes—particularly Shadow Star, the vigilante protecting his city. Nick’s also dealing with ADHD, an unfiltered internal monologue that often spills out into hilarious real-life situations and a passionate desire to make his dreams of superhero-dom a reality. Oh, and did I mention he writes fanfiction? Because he does—and it’s both a beautiful and cringeworthy hallmark of who Nick is. Like seriously he sounds like me but instead of writing fan fiction, I tried my hand at acting and singing and other ventures.

What Klune captures so brilliantly is the chaos and joy of being a teenager. I think we’ve all had those moments where we wanted to be part of something bigger, to prove ourselves to the world. Nick’s journey embodies that, complete with an awkward charm that had me laughing and rooting for him from the first page to the last.

Nick’s relationships are the heart of this story. His dad, a police officer and single parent, is a rock in Nick’s life, navigating the challenges of parenting a hyperactive and imaginative teen with love and humor. And then there’s Seth, Nick’s best friend—sweet, dependable and, well, clearly in love with him. Watching Nick bumble his way through completely missing the signs was simultaneously endearing and exasperating (in the best way possible).

Of course, there’s no superhero story without action and Klune delivers here too. Between Nick’s attempt to become a superhero himself—despite having no powers—and his efforts to get closer to Shadow Star, the story keeps you on your toes. There’s danger, mystery and enough twists to keep you guessing. But what makes it special is that it never loses its sense of humor and heart.

As much as I adored the action-packed moments, I kept coming back to the quieter, more reflective parts of the story. Klune weaves in themes of identity, self-worth and community with such care that they never feel heavy-handed. Nick’s story is laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also deeply emotional—a reminder that being extraordinary doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being yourself.

By the time I reached the end of the first book, I was fully invested—not just in Nick’s story, but in the world Klune created. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say it’s the kind of ending that leaves you scrambling for the next book in the series (don’t worry, I’ll cover those in future posts).

TJ Klune has a knack for creating characters who are outcasts but yet feel like friends and stories that leave you better for having read them. The Extraordinaries is no exception. Whether you’re here for the superheroes, the heartwarming friendships or the laugh-out-loud moments, this book has it all. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to hug it to your chest after reading and then immediately start recommending it to everyone you know.

Have you read The Extraordinaries? Or maybe you have your own favorite TJ Klune book that you just can’t stop thinking about? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! Let’s geek out over queer superheroes, beautifully awkward teenage moments and the stories that make us feel seen. And hey, if this story brought a little joy to your day, consider supporting the blog. Every bit helps keep the passion alive and the stories flowing (and maybe fuels my next deep dive into Klune’s universe). No pressure—your presence here means the world to me. Here’s to celebrating extraordinary stories, one book at a time. 🌈✨

You can also find me on the following social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits

"In the Lives of Puppets" by TJ Klune - A Hilarious and Heartfelt Adventure Book Review

Hey everyone! I've got an absolute gem of a book to share with you today—"In the Lives of Puppets" by TJ Klune. If you enjoy stories that are both hilarious and heartwarming, then you’re in for a treat! I read this book last year, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! The characters are so lovable, and I found myself laughing out loud so many times, especially with Nurse Ratched and Rambo. So, let’s dive into this fantastic adventure and see what makes it so special.

Imagine "Swiss Family Robinson" meets "Wall-E" in the woods. That's the vibe of this fantastic standalone fantasy from the beloved New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune. He takes us on an extraordinary journey deep into the heart of a peculiar forest, following a family assembled from spare parts.

In this strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, we meet three robots: the fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too, making them a unique and hidden family.

One day, Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labeled "HAP." He soon discovers a dark past shared between Hap and Gio—a past that involves hunting humans. Things take a wild turn when Hap accidentally alerts robots from Gio's former life to their location, putting the family's safety at risk. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams.

Determined to save Gio, Vic and his assembled family embark on a journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country. Along the way, Vic grapples with feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, forcing him to decide whether he can accept love with strings attached.

Inspired by Carlo Collodi's "The Adventures of Pinocchio," "In the Lives of Puppets" is a masterful stand-alone fantasy adventure from TJ Klune, the author who brought us "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and "Under the Whispering Door."

If you’re into heartfelt, funny, and whimsical stories, "In the Lives of Puppets" is a must-read. It’s got a perfect mix of adventure, humor, and emotional depth that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

I hope you find my review of "In the Lives of Puppets" by TJ Klune helpful and inspiring. If you’ve had the chance to read the book, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—please leave a comment below. Your feedback helps build our wonderful reading community.

If you feel inclined to support this ongoing effort, your contributions are greatly appreciated. Additionally, if you'd like to show some love and support in other ways, feel free to do so—every little bit helps in continuing this literary journey. Thank you!