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tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Murder
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Police brutality
bibliomania_express's review
- 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
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.
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Police brutality, Excrement, and Death of parent
20sidedbi's review against another edition
- 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
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
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- 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
Overall, a satisfying conclusion to the series and my favourite book of the three.
It started quite confusingly and I thought I had missed something important linked to what was revealed in the epilogue of book two, but once that got sorted out things flowed a bit better with the narrative.
Nick showed a lot of growth and I appreciated how his arc was handled, especially with his ADHD (though I guess not all that surprising considering TJ’s own experiences). I loved how his relationship with Seth was further solidified and you can really grasp their love for one another.
A bit of a deus ex machina ending, but it was cute so I won’t complain too much 😉
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Gun violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Xenophobia, Vomit, Body horror, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Police brutality, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Gun violence
Minor: Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Addiction
asipofcozy's review
- 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
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!
Graphic: Violence and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, and Police brutality
modernmatilda's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, and Car accident
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Excrement and Police brutality
Superhero/comic book style violence. The gaslighting is of the supervillain mind control variety.