I don’t think I have identified with a character so thoroughly as I did with Nick. He is queer and quirky and he has ADHD and anxiety and an unhealthy interest in superheroes and fanfiction. We have all these things in common so it’s not so strange for me to love him so much. His supportive friend group and dad are very well done, especially the dialogue and obvious comfort the characters share.

The little hints as to what is happening are easy to follow but still the conclusions threw me for a loop at times. This is basically what fanfic readers would call crackfic taken seriously. Very real emotions and heavy topics are taken seriously but the crackfic aspects shine through all the same, making this an extremely enjoyable, relatable read. Part of the crackfic aspects come from the references to Marvel superheroes, particularly Spiderman. I can think of various different ways this book could have started with a Spiderman fanfic. Maybe it’s because I’m always reading Spiderman fanfics and was looking for those similarities but then there is a particular line when one of the characters is referred to as a knockoff Harry Osborn and...well, I’m sunk for this book, let me tell you.

The dynamic between Nick and his friends is straight up enviable. They’re all very different. Seth and Nick have been best friends since they were kids. Nick is very extra and intense and Seth is more subdued, wearing cravats, sure, but he’s more quiet and contained. Gibby is smart and rational, happy to support Nick with his crazy ideas and keep secrets when necessary. Jazz is a cheerleader, pretty and popular. She’s actually really smart and observant, but is bubbly and upbeat, which can make her seem like an airhead sometimes. Gibby and Jazz are dating and Nick has been nursing a crush on Seth for years, though he’s so oblivious that he has no idea. Talk about a slow burn.

There are mature conversations all around, particularly between Nick and his dad, both of whom are human and make mistakes. We all say things we don’t mean, especially when we’re worried about someone we love. These two male characters are somewhat emotionally constipated in that they find it difficult to talk about their emotions. They certainly don’t mind having them, though. Nick cries several times, over various different things, good and bad; he’s very open.

Nick has ADHD, as well as massive anxiety and trauma, after his mom died two years previously in what seemed to be a bank robbery. There are a couple panic attacks that are somewhat described in detail, as well as spiraling thoughts and manic activities. The way ADHD and anxiety are described is next level. Other books tackle these subjects and do it well, but Nick’s particular brand of neuroses just vibes with my own and made it so easy to fall into this book and understand his reasoning. I probably understand him better than I should for all that his thoughts are described as disordered.

This sequel to the Extraordinaries, Flash FIre, tackles the complicated topic of police brutality and how problematic Nick’s own father is, for being a part of the police force and benefitting from the privilege of that position. Nick has to confront his own position and privilege, especially with regard to Gibby and her parents, all of whom are Black. It’s just another example of the mature discussions Nick has with his friends and father as well as being a real world topic discussed seriously in what is, a lot of the time, a parody of the superhero genre.

Flash Fire does, at times, take too many cues from Spiderman. The main villain is Simon Burke, father of Owen, aka Shadow Storm, and mega billionaire who has a lot of power. You know who he mirrors in the Marvel verse? Norman Osborn. Even his son follows much the same path, turning evil by use of medical advances that grant extraordinary powers. Don’t get me wrong: these characters are individual and unique on their own. But sometimes the story feels a bit like inserting your own characters into a different fandom. Like, what would these plain characters do in the Marvel universe kind of thing.

This book also deliberately foreshadows things. By which I mean things like: Nick would remember this moment later, when everything hit the fan (not Klune’s wording but you get the gist). This method was used at least three times, if not more often. It felt cheap, like telling me to pay attention to these moments because they were important. Of course I would have already paid attention to these moments, without being told to do so. Also, it was kind of like when someone tells you to do a chore when you were about to do it: you don’t want to do it anymore.

Nick remains my favorite character! Followed closely by Gibby, Jazz, and Seth. Gibby is most definitely my second favorite most of the time. She’s so badass: intelligent and well spoken, willing to stand up for herself and her friends at the drop of a hat, even if it means putting herself in danger to do so. I recommend this series for anyone with ADHD, anyone who loves superheroes, and anyone who wants a realistic portrayal of queer identity and love. It does go over the top, and often, but don’t we do that as people? Aren’t we all a little extra sometimes?

Flash Fire, book two in The Extraordinaries, continues to follow our protagonist Nick and his now-boyfriend Seth, who just happens to be a misunderstood superhero. Klune does an amazing job of building on what worked so well from the first book, and his knack for strong character development remains. Nick and Seth, as well their friends Gibby and Jazz, are given their time to shine and their relationships feel genuine. Klune always does an amazing job of incorporating sex and sexuality in a really positive way, something that is missing from many queer YA romances. This book also explores police brutality in a way that the first novel didn't, and while it may not land on somewhere completely satisfying with that plot element, the conversations that characters had on the topics were good.

If you enjoyed the first novel, you will love the follow-up as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me with an ARC.

Okay so, wow. I really really enjoyed The Extraordinaries, but this sequel truly blew me away. I didn’t expect it to hit me so hard. I found myself trying to guess what was going to happen as I was reading, which is one of my favorite reading experiences. It was so exciting, and heartwarming, and beautiful. I loved that TJ Klune took some of the criticisms from the first book of the series (police idolization) and really dismantled that from our main character’s point of view. Won’t share spoilers, but I definitely recommend picking this up. It was everything I could have hoped for, and I can’t wait for the next one!!

I am happy to say that I loved Flash Fire. After reading The Extraordinaries last year I was super hyped for the next book. Overall I loved the plot. It did a good job of tying in the events in the previous book to events happening in the second book. I’ve read sequels where it’s almost like the events in the first book are just forgotten but in this book they are mentioned and reflected on when appropriate. The plot didn’t have a consistent pace. Towards the beginning of the book it went pretty slow but more towards the end it definitely sped up.
A lot of problems that occurred in the first book that were not resolved or were overlooked were addressed in this book. It wasn’t just brushed under the rug and it was faced head on and was a big part in this sequel. On that same note in this book more than the last I felt there was a lot of character development in our main group of characters. They have definitely come a long way since the beginning of the series and not in a bad way at all.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. One big reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of five was that there were parts that made me uncomfortable. Then again I know that is more of a personal thing and for a lot of other people it won’t be that way. If you liked the first one I definitely think you’ll like this one. Although if you weren’t a fan of the first one and you want to try and go into the second book still to give it a shot I’d suggest doing so! There’s a lot of elements that just weren’t present in the first book that I liked more than what was given in the first book.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Oh Nick… He was put through a lot in The Extraordinaries, but that was nothing compared to what he experienced in Flash Fire. I spent most of this book wanting to wrap Nick up in a hug and not let go. Partially for protection, but more for reassurance. He had to come to terms with a lot in Flash Fire. So much more than most kids his age, but Nick was an “extraordinary” kid – whether he realized it or not.

There’s not a lot that I can say about Flash Fire that won’t give too much away. Just know that nothing is as it seems and there’s a lot more going on in Nova City than anyone realizes. The bad guys seem to be around every corner and it’s hard to know who to trust. One thing that I can say is that Nick and his friends and their families need each other more than ever. Things are changing for all of them.

As readers have come to expect from any T.J. Klune book, the tenseness is tempered by humor. There are just as many tears of laughter as there are tears of heartbreak – and there are plenty of both. There were also quite a few “Easter Eggs” hidden within the pages that left me giggling – from the specific color of a certain Extraordinary’s costume to specific animal mentions – even a grammatical reference – if you’re a fan of T.J. Klune’s many books they’re fun to spot. 😉 What I can say is that Flash Fire is full of surprises, some good, some not so much. There is a strong sense of family, which is a theme in most of T.J. Klune’s books. I adored the parents in The Extraordinaries. They aren’t perfect, but they support and protect their kids with everything they’ve got. There are silly moments, embarrassing moments, heartfelt moments and heartbreaking moments. There are also more than a few twists, turns and WTF moments. Which reminds me, you need to make sure you read beyond the epilogue in Flash Fire – because that’s definitely not the end. Stung is very aptly named and is going to make the wait for the next book even harder. Well, played #EvilAuthor – well played indeed. ❤

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nick is back for another instalment of awkward sex conversations with his dad, badly written fanfic, prom, and of course super hero shenanigans! I loved it so much - from Nick’s stream-of-consciousness speeches to the tight pacing and secret reveals to the constant cute cringe to the friendship between the four main characters. I also loved how Nick progressed as a person during this book as well, and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into how his ADHD works in with his thought processes.

With regard to the controversy in the first book (CW for both books, involving discussion of offscreen police brutality), I feel like he’s attempted to make amends and has gone some way to explaining why it’s a big deal to the Black community in particular. And I appreciate that he didn’t “happily ever after” the discussion. It’s clear that Nick’s dad knows he’s got more work to do, and he also expressly mentions it’s not on Gibby’s parents to do it for him.

And the ending of this one? Omg I was hoping it would feature this but it was even better than I dreamed.

You do need to read the first book to really get what’s going on in this second book, but you won’t regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

MORE!!! I want more more more. This is book two in the series. It plays like a hay Marvel movie and is pure perfection. I cannot believe that we have to wait until next year for the next book. Protect Klune as if he were Betty White - nothing must happen to him.

4/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I had a great time reading this book, I love the world, characters, and writing. I loved that we were able to be with them again and watch their relationships grow. I will admit that this second book felt a little repetitive and predictable. There wasn't a whole lot that really surprised me. A lot of it I guessed in the first book. Overall I still had a great time and really enjoyed myself. I would recommend giving this a read.

The sequel to TJ Klunes' The Extraordinaries, 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑒 is a superhero story filled with LGBTQ+ representation and a story that is for anyone who doubts if they are good enough simply being themselves.

I love Nick and Pyro Storm's relationship and the return of Nick's fanfiction which is painful to read but also hilarious even if it's not supposed to be! I love how his curiosity and anxiety for growing up and being more aware of his sexuality and desire to explore the physical side of his relationship is expressed in his writing - he has lots of desire but zero experience, something that Nick's dad loves to exploit by embarrassing Nick as much as possible in front of his friends.

The main characters are coming to the end of their time together with talks of college especially between Gibby and Jazz occurring more than in The Extraordinaries and I loved how the four reiterate that even if things do change? Their friendships and relationships will not falter - they've been there for one another for so long as school misfits that something such as college pales in comparison to handling their sexuality in high school. The Extraordinaries series may focus on superheroes, but TJ Klunes brings in everyday situations, problems and experiences into the story and explores them in such a manner that Nova City and its residents feel real.

For example, the author explores the unrest and distrust towards the police that has been thrust into everyday conversation due to the Black Lives Matter movement during 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑒. It is done in such a manner that the reader cannot help but feel the genuine discomfort Nick's dad as a police officer feels at his friends' observations of why it is hard to trust him. Having something such as this blend so well into a book that is fiction will, I hope show that society does indeed need to change and help them see that their fears aren't theirs alone.

But...

Super heroes are still the focus point and Nick has accepted that he isn't going to be the same as Pyro Storm and the now absent Shadow Star (not spoiling book one here either; this is all I'm giving you) and instead does all he can to try and keep Pyro Storm safe as Nova City’s new guardian tries to keep everyone else safe. There is a growth in Nick's character and I love seeing him as he grows in confidence and does manage to embarrass his dad on a couple of occasions (trust me, you will laugh out loud over some of his antics).

There are secrets, a fantastic Drag Queen, intense snogging sessions and adventure galore in 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑒 that will have you not wanting to stop reading. I'm starting to think TJ Klunes has the Midas touch with his writing. Whether you're straight, curious or a member of the LGBTQ+ community? You will love The Extraordinaries series and I hope there is a third book because those secrets... Wow!

Let me just start by saying I don't think I have ever been more excited to read a sequel in my whole life and it did not disappoint. Also a big thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this ARC!

When I saw that there was going to be a sequel to The Extraordinaries I was thrilled that I would be able to see more of Nick and Seth and all of team lighthouse. Nick is possibly one of my favorite characters ever he is hilarious (the way he hates Rebeca firestone had me laughing the whole time while reading) and the way he describes Seth makes my heart want to melt. I love the relationships in this book whether it was Jazz or Gabbie all the way down to more minor characters like Cap the relationships Nick has made with these characters is so heartwarming to read.

My favorite part of the book was definitely seeing a bit more of Nick's parents how his relationship with his dad grew in this book. And also how we got to read more about Nicks's mom.

This book was intense and hilarious and the whole time I was on the edge of my seat. Especially the ending and the epilogue. OMG, THE EPILOGUE. I need there to be a third book and I cant wait to see Nick and team lighthouse again. And the ending almost had me in tears.

Honestly loved this book and if you are on the fence about reading this series or the sequel this is your sign to do it!! Trust me.

I didn't think it would be possible, but this sequel is even more funny and touching than the original!

Team Pyro Storm is still up to the same old shenanigans. The big difference, though, is that their circle is expanding. Unfortunately, as they let people in, more people start demanding to be let in. It's a disaster, but what's a superhero story without a disaster?

I adore the characters in this series, and the messaging is wonderful in this second book. It even gave me some fabulous parenting ideas that are sure to kill. LOL. I can't wait to put what I've learned to use; not just the parenting, but the friendship goals too!

ARC kindly provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

*breathes*

Oh my gosh!! Oh. My. GOSH!! Okay, okay I need to actually write a review for this that's actually comprehensible and not just brain mush. But it's not my fault this book gave me all the feels and that I am hopelessly and shamelessly obsessed with Seth, Nick, Gibby and Jazz. It also is definitely not my fault that The Extraordinaries is my favourite book (and potentially series) ever and that I would do ANYTHING for the third (and I refuse, REFUSE to believe) the last book.

And so, I find myself in a pickle trying to describe this book and all of my feels associated with it.

So for starters, the book follows off a few weeks or maybe months from the first book (which, if you couldn't tell, KILLED me) and from page one I already was dying with laughter and I knew I was falling in love already. The book really explored the next phase of Nick's and Seth's relationship post-The Extraordinaries and where they wanted their relationship to go. Along the way they come across multiple new discoveries and face the reality of life after school and their futures.

While the pacing felt quite slow, I found myself really enjoying myself. In my opinion, I usually don't like sequels and while I still prefer The Extraordinaries more than Flash Fire, I still thought this was a pretty solid book. For starters, Flash Fire is more character focused. If you loved the cast of the previous novel, you'll get to see another side of them that you never seen before. I loved how we got glimpses into Gibby and Jazz more as well as the things that are affecting their personal lives. The whole story isn't centred on Nick as much but looks into Seth, Nick's dad and their backstories a whole lot more. If you're a reader that's into character development and layers then this really is the sequel for you.

Going on with the characters here, even the side characters were iconic. Seriously, Burrito Jerry... can we please get a spin off book about him? I would absolutely read it! And the Clerk?? Oh my gosh he was legendary.

Story wise, Flash Fire answered a lot of my questions (and trust me I had a lot) after that cruel cliffhanger at the end of The Extraordinaries however, it also left enough to be desired. TJ Klune really attacked my heart again with Flash Fire's cliffhanger ending. I actually squealed at the end and I think my whole neighbourhood could hear me scream "I– What?! How dare this book end this way!!" And the worst part is I now have to wait even longer for book three (which, as said before, I refuse to accept as the last book). Can I please become an Extraordinary that can manipulate time just so a copy of book three can land in my arms right now?

A girl can only wish.

This book also looked at a lot of serious issues such as racism and police brutality. The author didn't beat around the bush about these issues but I liked how they were written and incorporated in the main storyline. I thought that was clever especially since it all connected in a satisfying climax and ending. I also liked how we had new characters too and I won't get into that too much but I feel like I can see where the story is heading and I'm totally here for it. I can't wait and you know I'll be reading book three when it comes out in July 2022 (and don't worry, you're not the only one that wishes it could come sooner).

Criticisms wise, it was just the pacing that I have to comment on and I guess in a way, I kinda wanted more action but the climax totally made up for it. Oh and Nick's dialogue. I felt like his dialogue one-up-ed in this book because he made me crack up laughing on every page and that was matched only with the other characters' reactions. I never had so much fun reading in such a long time.

ACTUAL RATING: 4.7 STARS

I absolutely LOVED this book! I love Nick and Seth and Gibby and Jazz so much and I seriously cannot wait for the third book in this series. I would give this over 5 stars if it was possible! I loved seeing Nick and Seth's relationship grow and for Nick to learn that he actually does have powers and how to use them.. The teaser at the end for the next book was what I was expecting honestly, but even without plot twists that I didn't see coming I thought this book was very well paced and captivating. Some of the jokes did take me by surprise though. The comedy in this book, much like in the first Extraordinaries books was top tier hilarity. I was super happy to see a more critical look at the police in general and especially from a police officer's son learning the realities for marginalized people..

What fun! This is the second book in this YA series set in a world of superheroes. The author has perfectly captured his protagonist’s voice, a gay teenage boy with ADHD, a love of fanfic, and a burgeoning sense of his own power and place in the world. The politics and corporate villiany seem a little two-dimensional, and the book’s view of policing did a complete 180 from the previous book, which was itself almost one-dimensional. I’d rather the author just acknowledge life is more complicated than either “thin blue line” or “ACAB” because it detracts from this otherwise excellent and fun novel. Be warned! It ends on a Cliffhanger!

I am SO in love with TJ Klune's books. The House on the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries---they're all amazing. Flash Fire is a wonderful sequel to The Extraordinaries. We pick up where the first novel left off, and Nick and Seth are in a new relationship. After revealing himself to be Pyro Storm, Seth is now solving crime and saving the people of Nova City, while Nick, Gibby, and Jazz are his support team.

Without going into too much detail, the plot is the perfect sequel to the first novel. Nick is such a perfectly flawed and wonderful character. I've never really related to YA novels, but for some reason, this series is so relatable. I love that Klune gave Nick a lot of real teenage issues to deal with (ironically in a book about teenage superheroes!) Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz make such a wonderful team. I'm 35 years old and I would LOVE to be their friend. Klune has a way of packing so much into his novels, and they are brimming with emotion and humor.

If you liked The Extraordinaries, you will LOVE this follow-up. Just like that novel, this is another 5 star read!

TJ Klune's ability to make me laugh out loud is practically non-stop in this one. The main character is over the top (in a funny, lovable kind of way) and I love the superhero drama! I definitely recommend this series for anyone wanting to laugh and enjoy one heck of a ride!

I know this is the second in the series and I think Klune took criticisms VERY well from his first book and it shows in this new installment (especially conversations and perspectives centered around cop-civilian relations in the USA).

A free copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A sequel to the Extraordinaries, Flash Fire really came on my radar after reading House in the Cerulean Sea. Sea was my favorite book of 2020 and I had to read all of the T.J. Klune I could get my hands on after that. I love YA and thought this would be right up my alley.

This book was action packed and answered many of my questions from the first book, BUT leaves the reader wanting more as there are many things left at the end of Flash. Nick is a great protagonist, and he wants to save the world at every turn alongside his boo.

Enjoy this book as much, maybe a bit more that the first in the series. I am not really a series reader, Klune has left me wanting more though. Excited to see where the series will take the reader.

This series is just a seriously hilarious slice of LGBTQ fantasy heaven, and I'm so thankful I discovered it. Klune follows up The Extraordinaries with this satisfying second installment. We meet new Extraordinaries, get some questions answered, and continue to enjoy watching Nick in all of his absolutely-cannot-stop-talking glory. (Seriously--he makes me laugh at least once a page.)

There's plenty of action as we see conflicts crop up between both super-powered characters and ordinary humans. We see the relationship between Nick and his dad become more complicated, and the Lighthouse crew has to deal with normal teenage issues and growing up.

The book does suffer slightly from one major "second book in a series" issue: the story itself just doesn't progress much. There's a lot of filler (Simon Burke gets smarmier, Rebecca Firestone gets more terrible, Nick discovers some family secrets...and gay porn), but otherwise we're just kind of strung along leading up to the next book. There is some build-up regarding growing anger towards--and fear of--Extraordinaries, which is likely to be the focus of the next book, but I felt like this story just did a lot of cleaning up to prepare for the next.

However...I still loved it. :)

All I have to say is, T.J. Klune once again did not fail to make me laugh out loud. I love all his characters, with their loveable energy and relationships, whether as friends, family, or partners.
However, this book did not reach the level i expected, especially plot-wise. What i did appreciate was the development of the topic on police brutality towards POC. T.J. Klune heard and provided! Thank you.

This was more of a filler towards the finale, with a whole bunch of foreshadowing of some bad shit that is bound to happen soon. I loved all the adorable moments we got with Seth and Nicky. Now THAT is what i call a healthy relationship. Being so honest with each other, loving each other with all their heart. MUCHO CUTO.

Although this was my least favourite of Klune's book, i still did enjoy it, i think the fault falls more on me, being so distracted all the time skimming quite a bit towards the end. Though that ending was definitely a shock. If you're in the mood for a couple for laughs, I recommend you pick this series up. 🤍

I was quite surprised by how mature the characters were. I was initially expecting that they will be no more or less similar to young adult characters I'm familiar with from other YA books I read in the past. Being different from the young adult characters I'm used to is a compliment. I used to encounter YA characters that just annoy me with their decisions in the story or from just their personalities, however, in this story, the characters were more mature. They didn't make me cringe nor make me hate them at any point. They were very reasonable and had a great balance of what makes a good character stand out. Seth was my favorite.

This book definitely lives to the expectations and even exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to pick the next installment. Highly recommend this if you are looking for a YA book that tackles relevant issues in society with a great set of characters, and an awesome writing style.