Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee - Restarting August 12th 2021

[Alaina]

Welcome to Andover… where superpowers are common, but internships are complicated. Just ask high school nobody, Jessica Tran. Despite her heroic lineage, Jess is resigned to a life without superpowers and is merely looking to beef-up her college applications when she stumbles upon the perfect (paid!) internship—only it turns out to be for the town’s most heinous supervillain. On the upside, she gets to work with her longtime secret crush, Abby, who Jess thinks may have a secret of her own. Then there’s the budding attraction to her fellow intern, the mysterious “M,” who never seems to be in the same place as Abby. But what starts as a fun way to spite her superhero parents takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she uncovers a plot larger than heroes and villains altogether.

[Jennifer]

Pg 80 - a good start. (view spoiler)[ I'm still a little confused by all the love triangles and squares that are implied to be coming up. And I find it interesting how some of the world's technology has survived, but not others. I also don't understand why meat is so rare. If a nuclear event happened, I would think it would be more difficult to raise safe plantlife than animal - but I'm no expert. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Pg 155 (54%) - (view spoiler)[ OK, I know this is a kid's book, but how can Jess NOT see that M is Abby. Seriously!

I must admit I am relieved that we are finally getting to the part of the book where the bigger mystery of villains vs. superheroes and where did the Mischief's go. I was getting a little bored with Jess not being sure if she should talk to Abby or not.

Meanwhile....what is up with Bells? Can't wait to find out. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

pg 238 (84%) - (view spoiler)[ Now we are getting somewhere! I figured out the Bells thing beforehand, and it is not a surprise that Claudia is such a kiss ass. I AM still wondering why this conspiracy is in place. The explanation of the metal mining doesn't seem to answer all my questions. It has to be larger than that, right? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ Hmmm....Is it just me or did the ending kind of stink. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy Jess and Abby have figured out their relationship. It was just very anticlimactic - there they were in the prison, high intensity and all, and facing Claudia and Captain, and the action just fizzled. Abby lets herself get injected...literally just stands there while it happens. Then Claudia and Captain take off leaving our group to split up to escape? And worse of all, afterward the kids just agree to let the adults handle things while they go back to school?? Say what? I haven't read too many young adult books, but since when do the teenagers just hand everything over to the parents to deal with? I was disappointed. You? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting August 12th, 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Dr. Andy]

ch 3 (view spoiler)[I like jess so far. Her curiosity and determination to prove herself even without superpowers is admirable. I’m really curious to see what develops between her and Abby. Also is Bells trans 👀👀 (hide spoiler)]

ch 7 (view spoiler)[omg jess and abby are so cute!!! Also M is definitely abby im calling it now. I wonder what is up with the government changing the narrative on certain superpowered people?? Also that creative writing story was ADORABLE (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ Omg wtf is going on!! Captain Orion is kidnapping and imprisoning villains even though they haven't done anything. Ugh she is seriously something else. I don't like the league anymore. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Omg I can't believe Bells is Chameleon!! How epic. I'm so glad Jess, Bells and Emma are all friends again. I love these babies so much!! Im so glad Jess and Abby are together too. SO CUTE. I kind of hate Jess's sister tho, she was an asshole and so oblivious to the corruption right in front of her. I really hope Abby gets her powers back :( (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Andy wrote: "ch 3 [spoilers removed]
(view spoiler)[ Yes Bells is trans and I love him. Lol. (hide spoiler)]
ch 7 [spoilers removed]
(view spoiler)[ Lmao yes Abby is def M and also not subtle at all. I am cracking up about the creative writing assignment. Also Bells definitely has superpowers but I'm not sure if he is a hero or a villain or WHAT. ???? (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

75% (view spoiler)[ The superhero league is such a freaking mess like why?!!??! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Okay but are Jess and Abby not the cutest? Claudia is the worst. And I love Jess' powers! So cute. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Little late to this one, but it sounds a curious mix of interests. Opening chapter shows Jess to be quite determined.

[Dr. Andy]

Karen wrote: "Little late to this one, but it sounds a curious mix of interests. Opening chapter shows Jess to be quite determined."

Glad to have you join us!

[Karen]

Andy wrote: "ch 3 [spoilers removed]

ch 7 [spoilers removed]

75% [spoilers removed]

Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Jess is relatable. Odd set-up. Mentions Bells wearing a binder, so I guess so. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

First quarter - relatable and though I don't get the set-up fully, it's a fun idea. Guess this job will prove awkward.

[Karen]

Second quarter. Intrigued by Jess's realisation that the history they are being taught seems to shift. (view spoiler)[ I'm guessing someone in the know is up to something and Jess is going to be key in sorting it. Loving the developing relationship between Jess and Abby. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Andy wrote: "ch 3 [spoilers removed]

ch 7 [spoilers removed]

75% [spoilers removed]

Finished [spoilers removed]"

Third quarter - good to know these disappearances are part of a bigger plot. Sure Abby and Jess will work together to sort it out.

[Karen]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[ Though I had my suspicions about Abby at the start, it's good to see them together. They are definitely going to have to work together to sort out what is happening with the villains going missing. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Melanie wrote: "75% [spoilers removed]

Finished [spoilers removed]"

I felt bad that Jess's sister couldn't see how bad things were.

[Karen]

Finished. Though I felt I knew where this was heading in some ways, there was enough dropped in to stop it feeling too obvious. Good fun.