Not Your Sidekick

In this superhero world, Jessica Tran is a bisexual Vietnamese-American teenager living in the town of Andover. As the powerless daughter of two famous superheroes, she takes an internship at a tech company to boost her college applications. The internship pairs Jessica with her longtime crush Abby, leading her to discover connections between the company and the city's superheroes and villains. She becomes entangled in a web of secrets while navigating her feelings for Abby and dealing with her family's expectations. This YA novel explores themes of identity, justice, and what it means to be heroic. Through Jessica's story, the narrative examines assumptions about good and evil while celebrating queer romance and Asian-American representation.

Readers appreciate the book's LGBTQ+ representation, particularly the Vietnamese-Chinese bisexual protagonist and her romance storyline. Many note the authentic portrayal of first love and coming out experiences. The superhero setting resonates with young adult readers who feel like outsiders. Several reviewers highlight the strong family dynamics and positive parent-child relationships, which they say is uncommon in YA fiction. Multiple reviews mention the natural integration of diversity without it feeling forced. Common criticisms include a slow-paced first half, predictable plot twists, and writing that some found simplistic. Some readers wanted more development of the superhero world-building elements. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) "The character interactions feel genuine and the representation is spot-on" - Goodreads reviewer "Needed more action and less internal monologue" - Amazon reviewer

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken A hidden superhero falls for another girl while working to protect fellow teens with powers in a world that fears them.

Dreadnought by April Daniels A transgender superhero comes into her powers and identity while battling villains and societal expectations.

The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen Two boys discover their connection when one's empathic superpowers draw them together at their high school.

The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum A space program trainee forms an unexpected bond with a mysterious classmate while pursuing their dreams of reaching the stars.

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson A boy grapples with his sexuality and the choice to save humanity while dealing with mysterious alien encounters.

🦸‍♀️ Not Your Sidekick is part of a series called "Sidekick Squad," which includes three other books following different LGBTQ+ superheroes in the same universe. 🌍 The story takes place in a futuristic version of America after solar flares have drastically altered the planet's landscape and society. ✍️ Author C.B. Lee drew inspiration from her own experiences as a second-generation Chinese-Vietnamese American when crafting the protagonist Jess Tran's family dynamics. 🏳️‍🌈 The book features prominent bisexual and transgender representation, with the main character Jess being bisexual and one of the supporting characters being transgender. 🦸‍♂️ Unlike many superhero stories that focus on those with powers, this book deliberately centers on a protagonist who doesn't have superpowers in a world where they're common, offering a unique perspective on the genre.