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cj13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Violence, and Child abuse
bibliomania_express's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
I was so nervous going into Heat Wave. For starters, Nick Bell has the ability to infuce secondhand embarrassment like you wouldn't believe. But also, I knew this was the final book in TJ Klune's Extraordinary series. How would it end? What would it say? Would I survive the cringe long enough to find out?
This book was amazing.
It really delves deep into family, community, love, and the absolute desire to make the world a better place in the face of misinformation and hate. And yes, there are quintessentially Nick Bell scenes, but as with the previous books they worked so well because Klune has a master's degree in hormonal ADHD teen boy that made even the most cringey hilarious scenes so genuine. I adore the friendship between Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz. I adore the Dad Squad. Even Burrito Jerry was a fun addition to this book.
And really, this book has everything - outlandish plots with nuanced characters, discussions of grief, responsibility, misuse of power, abuse, misinformation, and Black justice. It has families both blood and found. It has doubts, insecurities, and mistakes, but also bravery, apologies, and forgiveness.
It also does some clever things. This book takes advantage of the time between the publication of the second book and this one - memories of events are fuzzy for the reader, and likewise Nick is struggling to sort out events and see through the fog to the truth. Or, should I say, The Truth 😉
And yes, there are some clichéd things, some jokes that were a bit too on the nose, and some manor instances of oversharing, but on the whole this book is a wild and enjoyable superhero story that manages to be touching, serious, nuanced, and surprising.
And then! And then there's the adorable post-credit scene (don't go missing the post-credit scenes in these books because they are great!). Really, these books are a queer love letter to superhero media.
Phew.
So, obviously, five stars.
This book was amazing.
It really delves deep into family, community, love, and the absolute desire to make the world a better place in the face of misinformation and hate. And yes, there are quintessentially Nick Bell scenes, but as with the previous books they worked so well because Klune has a master's degree in hormonal ADHD teen boy that made even the most cringey hilarious scenes so genuine. I adore the friendship between Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz. I adore the Dad Squad. Even Burrito Jerry was a fun addition to this book.
And really, this book has everything - outlandish plots with nuanced characters, discussions of grief, responsibility, misuse of power, abuse, misinformation, and Black justice. It has families both blood and found. It has doubts, insecurities, and mistakes, but also bravery, apologies, and forgiveness.
It also does some clever things. This book takes advantage of the time between the publication of the second book and this one - memories of events are fuzzy for the reader, and likewise Nick is struggling to sort out events and see through the fog to the truth. Or, should I say, The Truth 😉
And yes, there are some clichéd things, some jokes that were a bit too on the nose, and some manor instances of oversharing, but on the whole this book is a wild and enjoyable superhero story that manages to be touching, serious, nuanced, and surprising.
And then! And then there's the adorable post-credit scene (don't go missing the post-credit scenes in these books because they are great!). Really, these books are a queer love letter to superhero media.
Phew.
So, obviously, five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Police brutality, Excrement, and Death of parent
bingereadingandtea's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Gun violence
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Mental illness, Blood, Classism, and Cursing
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, and Police brutality
asipofcozy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
It's been a hot minute since I finished a book. An entire month of July without reading *sigh*. Adulting is not fun.
However, I can always count on Klune to get me out of a rut with his books. There is just something about his narration, his characters, and the worlds that he creates that draws me in. And out of all his characters, Jazz, Gibby, Simon, and Nick are by far my favorite. Every time I went into this trilogy I was filled with anticipation of reading about this group of friends, a group that I felt myself become a part of with each book.
So coming to the end of this wonderful trilogy was bittersweet for me.
Usually, I write a long-ass review but today just is not that day (I stayed up late finishing this). However, I do want to say...don't be me. I didn't realize there was a WHOLE chapter after the acknowledgments in Flash Fire, and let me tell you, I was hella confused at the beginning of Heat Wave until I finally decided I must be missing something and went back to the last book. I felt so silly!
However, I can always count on Klune to get me out of a rut with his books. There is just something about his narration, his characters, and the worlds that he creates that draws me in. And out of all his characters, Jazz, Gibby, Simon, and Nick are by far my favorite. Every time I went into this trilogy I was filled with anticipation of reading about this group of friends, a group that I felt myself become a part of with each book.
So coming to the end of this wonderful trilogy was bittersweet for me.
Usually, I write a long-ass review but today just is not that day (I stayed up late finishing this). However, I do want to say...don't be me. I didn't realize there was a WHOLE chapter after the acknowledgments in Flash Fire, and let me tell you, I was hella confused at the beginning of Heat Wave until I finally decided I must be missing something and went back to the last book. I felt so silly!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, and Police brutality
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