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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
lisasophpaulsen's review against another edition
This was a DNF. There were so many inconsistencies and repetitions that just could have gone without. The cover and initial concept of the book were lovely though.
marci_travels's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Cute. A mix of science fiction, contemporary M/M romance, BFF high school drama. Slow beginning as all the players are laid out on the chess board and some loose plot lines at the end. Loved the gorgeous cover art.
rhyttinen's review against another edition
5.0
I love queer superhero books, so I was super excited when this book crossed my path. It follows a lonely and somewhat anxious sixteen-year-old gay kid named Dylan Highmark who is awestruck when a cute but mysterious boy named Jordan comes into the Dairy Queen where Dylan works. Jordan is different from most boys in that he is very hot — hot as in he runs at 110 degrees Fahrenheit and can shoot fire from his hands.
As Dylan and Jordan get to know each other, we learn that Jordan’s power is the result of an accident that killed his parents, and now, he’s on the run from an evil corporation out to kidnap him so their scientists can perform experiments on him. But when a new complication arises, they have to fight not only to find each other again but also to stay alive.
This fast-paced story drew me in almost immediately, and I had fun getting to know Jordan and Dylan. They were so cute together, with a phenomenal romantic chemistry between them. I appreciated the witty and fun banter between them and the character growth they both experienced as the events unfolded.
Additionally, the book touched on many important themes such as romance, first love, secrets, friendship, enemies vs. allies, and family, all of which were well done by the author. The book especially focused on the various friendships in the book - old friends, new friendships, and unlikely friendships, all the while examining the sometimes challenging relationship dynamics therein. That being said, this is a beautiful story about love and friendship and how they can spring up in the most unlikely of places. Thus, alongside this engaging story, the author also gives us an incredible cast of characters.
The book contained a compelling and engaging mystery that kept me frantically reading until the end. I loved how the author ratcheted up the tension as the suspense and intrigue continued to build and build until the final climax. Brian Zepka really nails the teenage voice in this story. He seems to really understand the teenage soul—the longing, the self-awareness, the anxiety, the awkwardness, the challenges, the confusion. I would definitely love to see more future books with Dylan and Jordan in them.
A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
As Dylan and Jordan get to know each other, we learn that Jordan’s power is the result of an accident that killed his parents, and now, he’s on the run from an evil corporation out to kidnap him so their scientists can perform experiments on him. But when a new complication arises, they have to fight not only to find each other again but also to stay alive.
This fast-paced story drew me in almost immediately, and I had fun getting to know Jordan and Dylan. They were so cute together, with a phenomenal romantic chemistry between them. I appreciated the witty and fun banter between them and the character growth they both experienced as the events unfolded.
Additionally, the book touched on many important themes such as romance, first love, secrets, friendship, enemies vs. allies, and family, all of which were well done by the author. The book especially focused on the various friendships in the book - old friends, new friendships, and unlikely friendships, all the while examining the sometimes challenging relationship dynamics therein. That being said, this is a beautiful story about love and friendship and how they can spring up in the most unlikely of places. Thus, alongside this engaging story, the author also gives us an incredible cast of characters.
The book contained a compelling and engaging mystery that kept me frantically reading until the end. I loved how the author ratcheted up the tension as the suspense and intrigue continued to build and build until the final climax. Brian Zepka really nails the teenage voice in this story. He seems to really understand the teenage soul—the longing, the self-awareness, the anxiety, the awkwardness, the challenges, the confusion. I would definitely love to see more future books with Dylan and Jordan in them.
A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
sammyhammy19's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
1.0
leofaust's review against another edition
4.0
It was a cute short little read that I read over summer. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the book, though I was hoping for a bit more mysticism. I loved the romance, though the plot seemed a bit half hazard with all of the human testing and bio medicine stuff thrown in there with Jordans accident. Dylan assuming the powers was a bit out there but not too bad of a twist. Overall it was a fun read~
leeannt9's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Super cute lgbtq+ high school romance with a superboy-esque love interest and great friendships/family relationships. Cool ending, just want more romance scenes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
kurucow's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. The ending al together was clumsy. But I enjoyed the first 60% of the book! (Though it moved a little slow for me at times).
The last 37% of this was… something. I feel like the character that was missing for 150 pages needed to be there and it didn’t make a whole lot of sense that they weren’t there.
I thought that this was a paranormal/fantasy-sci-fi romance… and that latter 1/3 suggests otherwise, I guess? But there’s not really enough exploration anywhere else for it to be anything else? I feel like it could have been condensed in some places. Because of this, I lost interest as the last 150 pages went on, and struggled to care from chapter 36 on.
Also, I get the bully… and the exploration that we have with the bully… but I don’t think she was necessary in the end.
Things started to feel unnatural. Some of the dialogue, some of the progressions, the Whole Foods scene… they weren’t close enough for such a big discussion/reveal? At least on Dylan’s side. The reveals in chapter 39 were also a little goofy. … I understand them, they were at least foreshadowed, but they were so… head on/cartoon villainy? Cliché? But maybe that’s because I was pretty gone by then.
In terms of the audiobook: I think the narrator made it sound a little too adult, a little too aggressive? But I was mostly able to ignore it because some high schoolers do feel/sound kind of old. … Still, some of the acting was a lot more dramatically angry than the text was making it seem.
The last 37% of this was… something. I feel like the character that was missing for 150 pages needed to be there and it didn’t make a whole lot of sense that they weren’t there.
I thought that this was a paranormal/fantasy-sci-fi romance… and that latter 1/3 suggests otherwise, I guess? But there’s not really enough exploration anywhere else for it to be anything else? I feel like it could have been condensed in some places. Because of this, I lost interest as the last 150 pages went on, and struggled to care from chapter 36 on.
Also, I get the bully… and the exploration that we have with the bully… but I don’t think she was necessary in the end.
Things started to feel unnatural. Some of the dialogue, some of the progressions, the Whole Foods scene… they weren’t close enough for such a big discussion/reveal? At least on Dylan’s side. The reveals in chapter 39 were also a little goofy. … I understand them, they were at least foreshadowed, but they were so… head on/cartoon villainy? Cliché? But maybe that’s because I was pretty gone by then.
In terms of the audiobook: I think the narrator made it sound a little too adult, a little too aggressive? But I was mostly able to ignore it because some high schoolers do feel/sound kind of old. … Still, some of the acting was a lot more dramatically angry than the text was making it seem.