Is it possible to fall in love with someone’s imagination? If so, consider me fully smitten. TJ Klune creates worlds where fear and threat can be conquered by kindness, and a tender, queer heart is more valuable than any weapon or power.” —David Levithan
“Flash Fire is a perfect sequel...Klune beautifully blends romance, action, coming-of-age, and real-world issues, all grounded in a protagonist that feels as real as your best friend.” —Lauren Shippen, author of The Infinite Noise
“This sequel to the superhero tale The Extraordinaries (2020) is jam-packed with action, nefarious plots, romance, and puns....Spending more time with these characters is an absolute delight; the love they share and readily profess for each other, both platonic and romantic, is beautiful to witness. Another extraordinary installment.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With Klune’s trademark humour, new Extraordinary characters and the ultimate squad goals personified in Nick’s gang of queer besties, Flash Fire is an explosive, non-stop, plot-twisty extravaganza—the sequel that’s not to be missed this summer!” —The Nerd Daily
“The author establishes meaningful, complicated relationships and melds them with fast-paced suspenseful action scenes that will surely captivate fans of classic superhero fiction and convert newbies. This entertaining contemporary fantasy weaves sweet queer high school relationships and suspenseful superhero action.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Smoothly written and fast paced, with engaging characters and a sweet spirit, Flash Fire is an agreeable diversion, enhanced by the promise of a third installment.” —Booklist
For The Extraordinaries
An Indie Bestseller!
An Indie Next Pick!
A Gold Nautilus Book Award Winner!
“Uproariously funny, this razor-sharp book is half a love-letter to fandom, half self-aware satire, and wholly lovable. I haven't read anything quite like this before!” —Sophie Gonzales, author of Only Mostly Devastated
“The most down-to-earth book about superheroes I've ever read. I laughed, I cried, and I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading it” —Mason Deaver, bestselling author of I Wish You All the Best
“Klune plays with superhero genre tropes and fan-fiction clichés with the skill of a true fan—completely aware of their ridiculousness but in love with them anyway. Hilarious, sweet, and absolutely super!” —Kirkus Reviews
“TJ Klune is doing powerful work that inspires and impresses. He is a gift to our troubled times, and his novels are a radiant treat to all who discover them.” —Locus
“If you’re looking for a book to read and then reread several times before the next Spider-Man movie releases, this will be perfect.” —Buzzfeed
“Klune’s deliberate use of traditional comic book themes, such as masking one's identity, mirror common struggles faced by neurodiverse and LGBTQIAP+ youth; this thoughtful approach urges readers to embrace their true selves.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Part superhero homage, part sigh-worthy romance, part action-packed adventure, this novel is all kinds of comical fun... plenty of genuine laugh-out-loud moments.” —Bulletin Center for Children’s Books
“Just what teens who devour the CW’s DC shows and Marvel’s cinematic universe films need to tide them over as they await new seasons of superhero television.” —BookPage
“Klune’s romp is irresistibly readable…. Readers will be delighted!” —Booklist
“Nick’s ADHD and almost comical optimism combine to make a charming and entertaining hero[.] There’s plenty in this lighthearted, superhero-interested teen dramedy for kids who feel like they’re sometimes on the outside, including the positive representation of a teen with ADHD.” —Publishers Weekly
“Klune takes cues from Peter Milligan’s classic queer comic Enigma, with an Everyman bewildered by the superhero story that seems to revolve around him. Hand to teens involved in fandom, writers of fan fiction, lovers of superhero stories, and queer romance readers.” —School Library Journal
07/23/2021
Gr 9 Up—This sequel to The Extraordinaries retains the authentic neurodivergent narration, hilarious embarrassing moments, and joyful queer love of the previous volume while calling into question whether police officers can be good people if they are complicit in an inherently flawed system. Nick has the greatest boyfriend in the world. Not only is Seth kind, patient, and devastatingly sexy, but he's also the extraordinary Pyro Storm, who uses his fiery superpowers to help the people of Nova City. But when Simon Burke, CEO of Burke Pharmaceuticals and father to supervillain Shadow Star, announces his plan for monitoring extraordinary activity, Nick and his friends are understandably nervous. When it becomes apparent that he is manipulating the Nova City Police Department, things seem pretty bleak. It's a good thing that there are new extraordinaries on the scene, including a couple of big surprises. As in the first installment, this has a post-credits scene with a big reveal, hinting at another volume. VERDICT Purchase where the first volume was popular, and recommend to teens who enjoy queer romance, laugh-out-loud sex comedy, and superhero tropes.—Shira Pilarski, formerly at Farmington Community Lib., MI
2021-04-30
This sequel to the superhero tale The Extraordinaries (2020) is jampacked with action, nefarious plots, romance, and puns.
Nicholas Bell has it pretty good: Though he’s only 16, he’s got a strong, positive sense of self (critical for a gay teen) in addition to a supportive dad, great friends, and an adorable boyfriend, Seth. Seth’s alter ego is the superpowered Pyro Storm, who can manifest fire and spends much of his free time aiding local citizens in their fair city. Nick is proud of Seth and does everything he can to support him, including orchestrating Pyro Storm’s rebranding efforts via social media and composing hot fanfic—if Nick does say so himself. Of course, Nick has his own struggles, like dealing with his ADHD, massive headaches, awkward visits from a sketchy rich dude (long story), and some explosive secrets on the verge of being revealed. Spending more time with these characters is an absolute delight; the love they share and readily profess for each other, both platonic and romantic, is beautiful to witness. Of particular note is the tension between Nick’s cop father and the middle-class Black family of Gibby, one of Nick’s friends. The discussions by both parties are frank, with Nick’s father ultimately taking responsibility for his past misconduct and Nick showing growth in understanding Gibby’s parents’ perspective. Nick and Seth are White.
Another extraordinary installment. (Fantasy. 14-18)
