T.J. Klune's Flash Fire warms the soul as it navigates queer identity, super powers, and adolescence. Nick Bell is back trying to save Nova City with his best friends and super-boyfriend, Seth Gray. His self-insert bakery fanfic is going strong, his boyfriend is amazing, and the city appears to be doing well. Everything's looking up and nothing could possibly go wrong. But when the villains of Nova City begin to cause a ruckus, it's up to the team to respond. Fan's of Klune's extensive catalog will be bathed in the warmth of sincerity, enthusiasm, and hope once more.
Now, the second book in the Extrodinaries shows a sincere appreciation for character, worldbuilding, and genre. every character introduced in the second book is a fully formed human being who I want to know more about. Nick is a wonderful protagonist whose thought patterns feel deeply familiar. As a person with ADHD, Nick often has an internal thought process where he thinks through an entire conversation and communicates the result of his internal monologue. The series works through finding the balance between managing neurodivergence without drifting into the cure territory. I adored the character growth in the novel and the changes brought on by new challenges, life changes, and various revelations. I would consider Klune a character-driven writer if not for his clever attention to plot and detail. He tends to drop seemingly obvious foreshadowing that misdirects the reader's attention. Instead, you end up being shocked by the plot twists and end up a bit emotionally ruined.
Of course, Klune's plot is supported by his subtle worldbuilding. Having a book about superheroes is not inherently unique, however, the execution is wonderful. I love the extraordinary fanfiction because of course if superheroes were real people there would be people writing fanfic about them. It shows an understanding of modern fanfiction and the community that writes and reads fan content from the tags to the comments. Then you have the media represented by a cis-straight newswoman who mischaracterizes situations. And a breath of queer identity is everywhere. I love it all.
Klune understands genre fiction. He knows how to deploy science fiction tropes without creating a tired story. He enthusiastically employs ridiculous things with the kind sincerity that makes you care about it all. I cannot count the number of my audible squeals, giggles, and laughs. Flash Fire was a brilliant sequel and I cannot recommend it more.
I would like to say once more the book is also emotionally devastating, but you won't really care when all is said and done. If you liked anything by T.J. Klune you have to pick up Flash Fire, due to release on July 13, 2021.
Thank you, Macmillan-Tor and Forge via NetGalley for providing the eARC of Flash Fire by T.J. Klune in exchange for my honest review.
