Book Review: Flash Fire by T.J. Klune

Hello everyone, and welcome back to another blog post! Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Flash Fire, the second book in The Extraordinaries series by T.J. Klune. Just like the first book, I listened to this one as an audiobook, and I highly recommend that format again if you’re able. The narration continues to elevate the humor, emotional beats, and chaotic energy of Nick’s inner monologue, making the story feel even more immersive and impactful.

Flash Fire builds naturally on the foundation laid in The Extraordinaries while deepening both the emotional stakes and the character growth. Where the first book focused on obsession, idolization, and first realizations, this book shifts its attention to consequences, honesty, and the uncomfortable work of growing up.

The story once again follows Nick Bell, who is still funny, dramatic, and intensely emotional—but noticeably more self-aware. His ADHD-fueled inner monologue remains chaotic in the best way, full of humor and secondhand embarrassment, yet this time it’s paired with a growing sense of responsibility. Klune captures that in-between stage of adolescence where emotions are still overwhelming, but the reality of actions and their impact starts to set in.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Flash Fire doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations or complicated feelings, particularly when it comes to grief, trust, and fear of rejection. While the humor is still very much present, there’s a heavier undercurrent throughout the story that makes the emotional moments hit harder without ever feeling overwhelming.

The friendships in Flash Fire continue to be a standout. Nick’s friend group remains loving, weird, and fiercely loyal, but their dynamics are tested in more meaningful ways. The found-family aspect of the series grows stronger here, emphasizing that love isn’t just about acceptance—it’s also about accountability, communication, and showing up for one another when things get messy.

The superhero elements take on higher stakes and greater tension in this installment, adding a sense of urgency to the story. However, the novel remains firmly character-driven at its heart. Readers looking for a traditional, action-heavy superhero story may still find the pacing slower, but those invested in the characters and their emotional journeys will likely find this sequel especially rewarding.

Overall, Flash Fire is a thoughtful and emotional continuation of the series. It balances humor, vulnerability, and growth with care, reinforcing the idea that becoming extraordinary often has less to do with superpowers and more to do with empathy, honesty, and learning to believe in yourself. It’s heartfelt, occasionally painful, and comforting—a story that feels like another warm hug, even as it challenges its characters to grow.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

Recommended for: fans of character-driven YA, queer stories, found family, and readers who loved The Extraordinaries and are ready for a deeper, more emotionally complex sequel.

Book Review: The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune

 

Hello everyone, and welcome to another blog post featuring a review of one of my recent audiobook listens! I’d like to thank my sister for recommending this one to me—and for suggesting I listen to it rather than read it. The audiobook format really enhanced the humor and emotional moments, making the story even more engaging and enjoyable. If audiobooks are an option for you, I highly recommend giving this one a listen.

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune is a heartfelt, hilarious, and emotionally rich YA novel that blends superhero fandom, queer identity, and the messy intensity of growing up. At its core, this book isn’t really about superheroes—it’s about loving loudly, feeling deeply, and figuring out who you are when the world doesn’t quite make space for you yet.

The story follows Nick Bell, a queer, ADHD teen who is obsessed with local superheroes—especially Shadow Star, the city’s most powerful and mysterious figure. Nick’s inner monologue is chaotic in the best way: funny, dramatic, self-aware, and painfully earnest. Klune captures the way teenage emotions feel like the end of the world, while still treating those feelings with respect rather than irony.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its voice. Nick’s narration is laugh-out-loud funny, packed with pop culture references, fanfic energy, and secondhand embarrassment—but underneath the humor is a lot of heart. Klune doesn’t shy away from heavier themes like grief, trauma, and fear of rejection, and he balances them carefully with warmth and humor so the story never feels overwhelming.

The friendships in The Extraordinaries are another standout. Nick’s friend group is loving, weird, and fiercely loyal, and their dynamics feel authentic and lived-in. The found-family aspect is especially strong, reminding readers that being seen and accepted can be just as powerful as any superpower.

While the superhero elements are fun and engaging, readers looking for a traditional action-heavy superhero story might find the pacing slower or the focus more emotional than expected. That said, the character-driven storytelling is very much the point—and it’s where the book truly shines.

Overall, The Extraordinaries is a joyful, tender celebration of queer teens, fandom, and learning to believe that you deserve love just as you are. It’s funny, sincere, and deeply human—a story that feels like a warm hug wrapped in chaos.

⭐ Rating: 5/5

Recommended for: fans of character-driven YA, queer stories, found family, and anyone who’s ever loved something a little too much.

Book Review: Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

When fourteen-year-old Claudia Coleman returns home to Washington, D.C., after spending the summer with her grandmother in Georgia, she discovers that her best friend, Monday Charles, has mysteriously vanished. Monday has always been Claudia’s anchor—her closest friend, her defender, the person who understands her learning difficulties and stands by her. So when Monday doesn’t show up on the first day of school, Claudia immediately knows something is wrong. But no one else seems to care.

Teachers assume Monday transferred. Neighbors are evasive or dismissive. Monday’s mother, who has a history of instability and abusive behavior, offers excuses that don’t add up. The authorities insist that because Monday has a record of truancy, there’s no need to panic. Claudia becomes more and more alarmed, and increasingly determined to uncover the truth.

As Claudia pushes for answers, her story unfolds across fragmented timelines—Before, After, and The Before Before—revealing the depth of Claudia and Monday’s friendship, the secret struggles they shared, and the subtle signs that something had been wrong in Monday’s home long before she disappeared.

Claudia faces her own battles: dyslexia that isolates her at school, parents who worry she’s obsessing over Monday to an unhealthy degree, and the emotional and academic fallout of carrying a truth no one else will acknowledge.

Eventually, Claudia’s persistence leads to the devastating truth: Monday is dead—and has been for nearly a year.

Her body was hidden in her family’s home after she died from abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother. The novel’s disjointed timeline reveals that Claudia’s sense of “last seeing” Monday was distorted by trauma; she had actually been communicating with Monday’s sister, April, who pretended to be Monday through letters and messages to spare Claudia the truth.

The revelation shatters Claudia, who spirals into grief and survivor’s guilt, grappling with the horrifying reality that her best friend was suffering—and dying—out of sight while the school and institutions that should have protected her failed at every level.

Monday’s Not Coming closes with Claudia beginning the long process of healing while confronting the systemic silence, community neglect, and apathy that allowed Monday’s disappearance and death to go unnoticed. It is a powerful indictment of how Black girls often go missing without the world paying attention.

I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while, and I finally picked it up—and I’m so glad I did. Once I started reading, I burned through it in just three days because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The writing pulled me in immediately, and the emotional tension kept me turning pages long after I should’ve gone to bed. I thought I had an idea of where the story was going, but I definitely wasn’t prepared for the ending. It completely caught me off guard in the best—and most heartbreaking—way.

In the end, I truly believe Monday’s Not Coming is a story worth picking up. It’s powerful, heartfelt, and incredibly impactful in today’s world, and it stays with you long after you turn the last page. That said, it does tackle heavy and sensitive topics, so I encourage you to go into it when you feel ready for a more emotionally rigorous read. If you’re looking for a book that’s both beautifully written and deeply meaningful, this one deserves a place on your shelf. I’m really glad I finally crossed it off my TBR, and I hope it finds a spot on yours too.

Book Review: Ninth House (Galaxy Stern- Book 1) by Leigh Bardugo

Hello everyone! It's been awhile! Here's a review of a recent book I've read. When I first started it, I wasn't completely sure if I'd like it as much as I did. It was definitely not something I would've picked up it I hadn't read and loved other books by Leigh Bardugo.

Ninth House follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, an unlikely Yale freshman with a dark past. Despite dropping out of school and falling in with dangerous crowds, Alex possesses a rare ability: she can see ghosts; the “Grays” without magical aid. This talent earns her a mysterious second chance—an offer to attend Yale University in exchange for joining Lethe House, the secret society responsible for overseeing the university’s eight “ancient” societies.

These elite societies perform powerful magic tied to wealth, influence, and ambition—predicting the stock market, manipulating political outcomes, and even influencing the dead. Lethe monitors them to keep their rituals from crossing dangerous lines.

Alex is partnered with the charming, accomplished upperclassman Darlington, her mentor in the dangerous underworld of Yale. But when Darlington mysteriously disappears, Alex is left struggling to fulfill Lethe’s duties alone.

At the same time, a murder on campus appears unrelated to magic—until Alex notices signs that the ritual societies may be involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she digs deeper into secrets that Yale’s powerful alumni would kill to protect. As she investigates, Alex confronts her own past, her haunting abilities, and forces older and darker than anything she expected.

The book blends dark academia, fantasy, mystery/thriller elements and themes of trauma, privilege, and survival.

My rating: 8.5/10

Summer of Fun: The Addams Family (Part 2/2)

 Opening weekend of The Addams Family: Adaptive Edition was filled with a lot of back and forth and a lot of fun! We decorated the house to fit the mood, hosted a dinner with family before the Saturday show and stayed up way later than I was used to! 

Eva and I had lots of family and friends coming to each show. Opening night, my friend Erica from WALH and my respite worker Connie came to see the show as well as my friend Dylan from Camp Createablity and now a Penguin Alumni and Janelle, a former Camp Createability employee.

Saturday night was definitely my biggest night audience wise. I had a bunch of family join us from out of town. 

Sunday afternoon was a bittersweet closing show. While I didn't have a crowd as big as Saturday, we still had a few good friends come for the final performance.

I was so excited that my best friend, Parker was able to make the trip up with her dad to see the show, even if I was falling apart by the time she found me.

These next few pictures are of a few friends I had the pleasure of performing with and just a few of my personal favorites I didn't include in my previous post. Maya was an incredible Bride Ancestor and Xavier was the best Pugsley I could've asked for as Wednesday.

It was such a fun experience and I can't wait for Mary Poppins next year!

Summer of Fun: The Addams Family (Part 1/2)

This summer I was cast as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family musical that Penguin Project put on. It was a lot of hard work for 5 months of rehearsals, but it was so much fun!

My mentor, Maddie was amazing! She was a huge help with learning lines, blocking, vocals, and choreography. 

I absolutely loved my costumes for the show! I had some amazing props as well!

 

   

The set was so cool! It was amazing to see everything coming together on stage.

One of my favorite scenes was 'Pulled'. It was one of my biggest scenes and I spent lots of rehearsals working on it. During the last show, the wheel fell off, but I was able to keep going through the scene!

One of the biggest and most rehearsed scenes was 'Full Discolsure'. We spent a good chunk of practices just working on the blocking! I'm really happy with how well it went.

Another one of my favorite scenes was 'Crazier Than You'. It was even more challenging vocally than 'Pulled" because I was moving around the stage more.

I had such a great time and everyone in the cast was amazing! I can't wait to share more about this show in my next post!

Book Review: Bemused by Farrah Rochon

 

Synopsis

Bemused by Farrah Rochon is a young adult fantasy novel that delves into the untold origin story of the five Muses from Disney’s Hercules. This incredible prequel blends Greek mythology with themes of sisterhood and self-discovery.

The story centers on teenage sisters Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia, who live in a quiet seaside village with their overprotective mother, Mnemosyne, the Goddess of Memories. After a disastrous public performance, Mnemosyne reveals their divine heritage but is swiftly kidnapped by Hades' minions, Pain and Panic. Under Calliope's leadership, the sisters embark on a perilous journey to rescue their mother, confronting mythical trials and uncovering their own powers along the way.

Bemused offers a fresh perspective on familiar characters, a story of the strength of familial bonds, and the journey from obscurity to heroism. It's a compelling read for fans of mythological retelling and Disney adaptations.

Thoughts
As a fan of both Disney and Greek mythology I loved this book! It added another layer to the Muses' characters and made me love them even more!

Rating

My rating for this book is a 10/10!