Do I lowkey want to fly to the States just so I can congratulate T.J. Klune in person on how he dealt with that brutal cliffhanger from Flash Fire? Why yes, I really do. Now, for spoiler’s sake I can’t talk a lot about the plot of Heat Wave but if you remember the ending of Flash Fire, you’d think we jump right into the explanation of said plot twist. Instead, things are deceptively normal…it went so far that I questioned my own memory of what happened at the end of book two which is just—honestly, it’s so Klune to have me question my own sanity instead of wondering whether there were other forces at play. But yeah, let’s just say that the way the cliffhanger from book two is resolved is nothing short of ingenious.
Do you ever read those series finales that give you exactly what you wanted but not in the way you expected but somehow in a better way? Yeah, that was Heat Wave for me. Honestly, this review could just be me screaming random things that would make absolutely no sense but let me just highlight the crème de la crème of this story. Beyond that cliffhanger resolution, it’s just an absolute tour de force to be reunited with Nick, Seth, Gibby and Jazz for one last time. Probably the most dramatic installment in the series, this story brings everything to a dangerous, explosive climax as old enemies return, hidden identities are exposed, the political situation of Nova City comes to an almost catastrophic close and everyone tries to figure out what they want to do after high school—you know, all while half of them are superheroes. It’s both so relatable and utterly absurd and it makes for an unputdownable story as you root for your heroes to keep the city safe once more while people actively try to rid the world of Extraordinaries altogether.
Also, Klune does not hold back in this one when it comes to humour—we get our fair share of wanting to lose consciousness because of the secondhand embarrassment one feels when Nick and his father (or other members of his ragtag group of friends) interact. I’m always lost for words whenever we have a “Dad, no” “Dad, yes” moment on our hands that makes me laugh so hard I’m clapping my hands like a seal while actual tears run down my cheeks. If you thought dental dams in Flash Fire would break you, you’re not ready for Heat Wave. Beyond a dad squad (yes, I said dad squad) forming an Avengers-esque group to…friends appearing in inopportune moments to hear things going on in the basement that they shouldn’t, this book made me lose my cool about five hundred times. All that being said though, hat’s off to Klune for putting such a big emphasis on consent and communication when it comes to things happening behind closed bedroom doors and parents giving it their all to 1) embarrass their children during ‘the talk’ while also 2) making sure that they’re prepared and don’t rush into things. I have never been this mortified and validated in the same book, jeez.
Truly, Heat Wave is a bittersweet book in the best way. It’s incredibly hard to say goodbye to this lively, fantastic group of characters, yes, but they get the hopeful, inspiring ending they’ve fought hard for and absolutely deserve.
With Klune’s trademark concoction of heart and hilarity, Heat Wave is the explosive, absurd and ingenious conclusion to the Extraordinaries trilogy. With loads of fluff, secondhand embarrassment, and a whole lot of platonic and romantic love, Heat Wave will give its characters the emotional, uplifting ending they (and the readers) deserve.
Heat Wave is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 19th 2022.
Will you be picking up Heat Wave? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Heat Wave is the explosive finale to the thrilling Extraordinaries trilogy by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune!
Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz are back in action bringing justice, protection, and disaster energy to the people of Nova City.
An unexpected hero returns to Nova City and crash lands into Nick’s home, upturning his life, his family, and his understanding of what it means to be a hero in the explosive finale of the thrilling and hilarious Extraordinaries trilogy by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune.
