Not Your Sidekick (Sidekick Squad, #1)

by C. B. Lee

[layawaydragon]

Not Your Sidekick is an amazing book! I read it at the very, very end of 2016 when I was dealing with working the holidays, making the holidays special for my daughter, and just generally feeling run down.

I really, really needed a read like this right then and everytime I think about it, it makes me happy. The sleepover scene! *squee*

But I’m jumping ahead. Here’s the quickie breakdown:

+Great fleshed-out characters
+Solid worldbuilding
+Didn’t see the major twists coming for the most part
+Super adorable friends-first romance
+Love the trio of friends
+How Bells just IS. It’s not a big deal, but his friends are aware and considerate.
+Love how it flips the typical hero vs. villain and sidekick conflicts and non-powered people dynamics
+Love how it illustrates the power of belonging, manipulation of the marginalized
+Love how it’s a rebuilt Earth after an apocalyptic event. The new stuff and mentions of the old stuff was good.
+Has a bit of dystopian flair with the registries, and technology
+All those layers I love? Done so well: it feels organic, flows naturally

It’s fun and sweet and well crafted and well written, and seriously ya’ll just read it! I highly recommended it, but if I’m being honest about my reading experience….

-Saw through the costumes & disguises but it doesn’t hamper the story or become frustrating.
-Saw a lot of the plot coming, but again it doesn’t hamper the story or become frustrating.

But don’t let that hold you back!

I’m not a big superhero nerd in general. I never got big into comics due to expense and availability. As I got older, I found myself too jaded for the bright spandex paranormals fighting each other.

Now, even older, I’m dipping my toes back in with wonderful web comics and marginalized voices. It’s been a great experience so far, even as skittish as I, and Not Your Sidekick makes me hungry for more.

Not Your Sidekick is an adventure for those left out and behind, those that do not fit the white straight supe mold, those that need heros more than ever to discover how to be their own.

As we head into a Trump inauguration and presidency, Not Your Sidekick shines a bat signal for people to rally around and offers hope, fun, friendship, and romance despite all the bullshit heading their way.

The next book, Not Your Villain, follows Bells, his issues as being declared officially a villain, and of course, being in love with his other best-friend Emma. HELL YES!!!


Previous Updates:

Gosh, this was just cute as shit! I love it. I'll review it before the end of the year. I gotta get back to my end of year catch up. I just couldn't resist reading this one. I really needed it.