Reviews with content warning for Racism - Flash Fire

T. J. Klune write a book that doesn't make me sob challenge. The pining of the friends-to-lovers is what had me hooked with the first book and I worried how Nick and Seth's relationship would carry on in the sequel. "Spoiler": it is still awkwardly adorable. The humor, great characters and surpringly good suspense is all still there. Nick is being Nick all the time and it is a delight. It delves more into socio-political issues which was definitely a big plus and although a lot felt very predictable, it never failed to entertain me (or drive me to tears, all the same, really) Absolutely loved it, another stunning Klune book to start another hopefully stunning year with.

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asipofcozy's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

You know when you find that author? Then one that the moment they release a new book, you have already had it pre-ordered...months...years in advance? Yeah, T.J. Klune is that author for me. It's not only about being a brilliant author, but his books are so much more. They have queer and mental health representation; they pick apart issues we face in reality; his books are just so much more.

"We can't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but if we spend all our time focusing on what might happen, we could end up missing what does happen."

Going into Flash Fire, I had nothing but the highest expectations, and I was not disappointed. Klune pulled out all the stops on this one constant funny dialogue, excellent character development, more heroes and villains, and a romance that makes you swoon and cringe at the same time. I swear I was laughing so hard at some points - cackling like a hyena - that my partner honestly thought I had gone insane. Maybe I did.

"We stand together," Nick reminded him, "so we don't have to struggle apart."

What impressed me most with Flash Fire was Nicky's character development. I thought he made exceptional character growth in The Extraordinaries. I was wrong; I believe Nicky made his most significant development moves in this book. Nicky has a lot he needs to learn, and the one lesson Nicky learned most in Flash Fire is he can not make life-changing decisions about someone else and not even talk to them. There were so many moments where Nicky does this at the beginning of Flash Fire, and all you want to do is knock some sense into the kid. Throughout the book, Nicky continues to face this issue of wanting to be a part of something extraordinary yet having to come to terms with not everyone wanting his dream. I was very impressed by the end of the book to see how far Nick indeed has come. What makes this great is he still has a lot to learn, and I can see that character growth genuinely taking off in the last book.

"You want some of the Nick Experience?"
Seth gaped at him.
Nick winced. "That sounded a lot better in my head."
"Did it?" Seth asked. "Did it really?"

Then Klune brings in social justice issues that hit close to home for many - the police force, police brutality, and the unjustness of those in power. It's not only Nicky who has to go through hurdles to learn from his mistakes. Aaron (Nicks's dad) - a police officer himself - has made choices in his career that show a white man with a badge can get away with a lot. These choices come back and strike him—choices that hurt those around him, which any other person would never have gotten away with.

Another theme that Klune brings in, and I think people, especially parents, need to understand, is that respect needs to be earned both ways from parent to child. So many times, we hear, "you are the parent. Your child has to respect you, has to trust you". I do not believe this. A child is a separate entity from the parent, and the parent, like any other person, needs to gain that trust and respect. If a parent hurts a child, they have to earn that respect and confidence back. Klune does a beautiful job showing this when Nicky's dad keeps secrets that end up hurting him and understands that he has to gain that trust back from Nicky. He has to work for it and can't demand Nicky trust him because he is the parent.

I can not wait for Heat Wave. It will be an epic conclusion to such a wonderful trilogy thus far. I already have high expectations, and I don't think I will be disappointed with the conclusion. I already have a lot of theories for the final book in this series.

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gtrue21's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted

4.25

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kharlan3's review against another edition

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funny

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foreverinastory's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Reading a book like this when you also have ADHD is like snorting caffeine and running several miles but still having energy at the end of that.

Flash Fire is the sequel to The Extraordinaries and picks up right after the end. Nicky is back with his friends and trying to figure out how to navigate daily life. It doesn't help that people seem to be turning against Pyrostorm. Nicky just wants to be with his boyfriend and enjoy being a superhero sidekick when new information comes to light about Nicky's ADHD medication.

One of the big criticisms of book 1 that I've seen around was how pro-cop it was. I think Klune did listen to the what people have said and took steps to try and fix those mistakes. Nicky's father has to face a lot of accountability from Gibby's parents and Nick. His actions were questionable and he has to make up for his mistakes. I liked that we saw growth from Aaron and from how Nicky saw him. Nick is pretty naive and oblivious at times, so it was really good to see that his dad is a person who also makes mistakes and has to make up for them.

This book was pretty hilarious. There's something about how ridiculous Nicky is and the rest of his friends that makes for some of the funniest scenes ever. Also the way his dad is constantly trying to embarrass him is the best. The secondhand embarrassment is real folks.

While we find out in book 1 that Nicky is also an extraordinary, we get to see him try to figure out his telekinesis in this book. We also see his friends rally around him and Seth. Seth is so precious. I really love this soft boi and his arc about how being a superhero is really exhausting was so good. Like I am tired for this boy.

Two new side characters are introduced in this book as well. Miss Conduct and TK. Both of them are extraordinaries. Miss Conduct is probably my favorite Extraordinary to exist. Not only is her name the best pun/double entendre ever. I loved her so much. Yes she is a drag queen.

Overall, I had a ton of fun with this sequel and the stakes were definitely raised for me.

Rep: white gay male MC with anxiety and ADHD, white bisexual male love interest, white sapphic female side character, Black lesbian female side character, Black drag queen side character.

CWs: Ableism, blood, death, injury/injury detail, mental illness (anxiety), panic attacks, discussions of sexual content (no on page sex scenes but lots of talk about it and there are many details--very sex positive and safe sex educative), violence. Moderate: Death of parent, gun violence, discussions of police brutality and racism (on page), fire. Minor: cissexism.

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