what’s the word

C. B. Lee’s Not Your Backup perfectly weaves together superhero fun and queer self-discovery in a compelling story that made my aroace heart sing. I loved it from the first to the last page.

Claudie Arseneault, author of Baker Thief

The Sidekick Squad are back and better than ever in Not Your Villain... There’s nothing quite like the found-family narrative, nor the team up against a corrupt government, and the unrelenting optimism and power of a group of largely queer-identifying teens.

Hypable

Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee is the third book in the Sidekick Squad series and is just as good as its predecessors. Readers should buckle up because in this installment, Emma’s at the wheel and it’s her turn to shine as leader of the newly created resistance movement (THE LEAGUE IS A LIE!). It’s a challenge she’s absolutely up for but mishaps and setbacks cause her to doubt herself. Meanwhile, she’s also in the midst of figuring out her romantic and sexual identity after agreeing to date her best friend, Bells. With realistic (and supportive!) relationships anchoring the narrative, Lee crafts a well-paced story of self discovery, brimming with effortless inclusivity and thrilling dose of heroic adventure.

Claire Kann, author of Let’s Talk About Love

‘The Best Superheroes Right Now Aren’t on Screens. They’re in Books’… Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee is a coming-of-age tale about Jessica Tran, the powerless daughter of two superheroes who gets a job at a tech company—and discovers that the world of heroes and villains is more complicated than she realized.

Wired Magazine

The universe that Lee created in Not Your Sidekick is as sharp and effortlessly detailed as ever.... They do what they can to save the world, without ever aspiring to be a savior, learning that true heroism comes through working together.

Lambda Literary