Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
If you love the show, this book is for you! Loved every second it's well paced and a fun read. The authors have a great understanding of the characters and it actually feels like watching an episode. Hartley Rathaway fans will enjoy it especially, I left with a new love for Piped Piper. Very VERY enjoyable, looking forward to the Arrow sequel
I can often times be a bit leery of media tie-in novels, because they're usually not written by those who write the shows/movies, and that can lead to problems with characterization.
However, this novel written by Susan and Clay Griffith, avoided that.
Barry begins to suffer from what he calls "blurring" during rescues in which he sees an older version of himself and his powers "glitch". These episodes become more and more severe just as a group of villains (Pied Piper, Peekaboo, Weather Wizard, Prism, and The Mist) join forces to wreak havoc on Central City.
Barry, growing more and more weary from the almost constant onslaught of the villains and the blurring (which causes his speed healing to malfunction), calls in The Green Arrow (and Diggle and Felicity) for help.
I really enjoyed this book. For the most part the authors were dead on in regards to the characterization. Not 100%, but pretty darn good all the same.
I also enjoyed the fact that with this being a novel, we got more time to have scenes between characters that we don't normally get in the show. There was a great scene with Iris and Caitlin, for example. And another with Joe and Diggle that I really enjoyed.
The book also spent plenty of time with our villains from their POV, and I absolutely loved the development that Shawna Baez (Peekaboo) got.
As far as where this would fit in the show's timeline, I'd say early season two. After the singularity most definitely, but before Earth-2's Harrison "Harry" Wells shows up. They are aware of Zoom, and I'd say they would have had to have met "Jay Garrick" since Barry knows how to throw lightning in this book, and that's something I was taught by "Jay" (trying so hard not to spoil S2 here). Then again, this isn't exactly show canon, so maybe this is something we're supposed to hand wave, I don't know.
Speaking of Harrison Wells--who is my favorite character, any version of him--I was so disappointed to read in another review that he wasn't in this book. That's not exactly true. While the season 1 version of him isn't a speaking, physical character in the book (due to having been defeated), his presence is hugely felt throughout the entire book, and he is mentioned several times. So, it wasn't as disappointing as it could have been.
I've already preordered the second part of the crossover, Arrow: A Generation of Vipers, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
However, this novel written by Susan and Clay Griffith, avoided that.
Barry begins to suffer from what he calls "blurring" during rescues in which he sees an older version of himself and his powers "glitch". These episodes become more and more severe just as a group of villains (Pied Piper, Peekaboo, Weather Wizard, Prism, and The Mist) join forces to wreak havoc on Central City.
Barry, growing more and more weary from the almost constant onslaught of the villains and the blurring (which causes his speed healing to malfunction), calls in The Green Arrow (and Diggle and Felicity) for help.
I really enjoyed this book. For the most part the authors were dead on in regards to the characterization. Not 100%, but pretty darn good all the same.
I also enjoyed the fact that with this being a novel, we got more time to have scenes between characters that we don't normally get in the show. There was a great scene with Iris and Caitlin, for example. And another with Joe and Diggle that I really enjoyed.
The book also spent plenty of time with our villains from their POV, and I absolutely loved the development that Shawna Baez (Peekaboo) got.
As far as where this would fit in the show's timeline, I'd say early season two. After the singularity most definitely, but before Earth-2's Harrison "Harry" Wells shows up. They are aware of Zoom, and I'd say they would have had to have met "Jay Garrick" since Barry knows how to throw lightning in this book, and that's something I was taught by "Jay" (trying so hard not to spoil S2 here). Then again, this isn't exactly show canon, so maybe this is something we're supposed to hand wave, I don't know.
Speaking of Harrison Wells--who is my favorite character, any version of him--I was so disappointed to read in another review that he wasn't in this book. That's not exactly true. While the season 1 version of him isn't a speaking, physical character in the book (due to having been defeated), his presence is hugely felt throughout the entire book, and he is mentioned several times. So, it wasn't as disappointing as it could have been.
I've already preordered the second part of the crossover, Arrow: A Generation of Vipers, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Goodreads, when will you allow half stars? I really want to give this 3.5 or even 3.75 stars.
This was a fun book. It definitely fits with the TV show and the crossovers. I was disappointed it took so long to see Oliver and team, but once they were there, I loved that the authors were generally able to create/maintain the friendship between Barry and Ollie. I definitely feel like some characters got lost (Felicity once the GA team shows up and Cisco throughout the book), but overall, that too sort of fit TV show level of paying attention to a large ensemble (I also believe this was written before Cisco discovered all his powers? or Vibe might have been in the book more). The villains' interactions were good and I liked the plot in that sense. They felt like a true threat, unlike some one-off villains on the show, but not so much a threat I couldn't imagine a way out of it (ala Zoom).
I loved the Joe/Barry dynamic. Even Oliver referred to Joe as Barry's dad which gave me a lot of feels. So many good Oliver/Joe interactions actually, regarding Barry. It really felt like a father talking to his son's friend, but also like two adults sanding equal (not that Barry isn't an adult, but more, being the son n this equation, Joe can't treat him like an "equal" because he has too much parental worry). This is something I think the show has lost (to an extent). The show has to cut back on the Barry/Joe father relationship to make Iris/Barry not so squicky, but this book really reminded me how much I miss the more overt father-son dynamic. The last chapter especially was moving with its dynamics.
It's very plot based. There's something lost in describing the action scenes over demonstrating them with art (comics or TV effects) that bogs down the story in many places. I wouldn't say they're badly written, or even unclear, just sort of plodding. I think it's simply the transition from watching the action to reading the action. More than that, it's a lot of development of the plot. Development of the plasma/blurring for Barry and interaction of the bad guys, but often without character development. I think Shawna has the most character development out of anyone in the book, with probably Joe next.
There was a needless masculinity scene between John and Joe that felt really out of character for me. While John himself might never sit down to play Barbies by himself, John melted around Sara on the show and I honestly don't think John's masculinity would be so fragile as to suggest he couldn't possibly play dress up with his daughter. In fact, I see John as the good-natured dad who would let his daughter and her five friends paint his nails and if Oliver or a random passerby commented on his nails, he'd give a "what's it to you" look/speech that would scare them (ok maybe not Ollie, but certainly strangers) off. Also, oh, Baby Sara, I miss you!
Generally speaking, it was a decently done TV show-based book. I've read a few that were better, but I've also read some that were not as good. I look forward to the Arrow-focused sequel.
This was a fun book. It definitely fits with the TV show and the crossovers. I was disappointed it took so long to see Oliver and team, but once they were there, I loved that the authors were generally able to create/maintain the friendship between Barry and Ollie. I definitely feel like some characters got lost (Felicity once the GA team shows up and Cisco throughout the book), but overall, that too sort of fit TV show level of paying attention to a large ensemble (I also believe this was written before Cisco discovered all his powers? or Vibe might have been in the book more). The villains' interactions were good and I liked the plot in that sense. They felt like a true threat, unlike some one-off villains on the show, but not so much a threat I couldn't imagine a way out of it (ala Zoom).
I loved the Joe/Barry dynamic. Even Oliver referred to Joe as Barry's dad which gave me a lot of feels. So many good Oliver/Joe interactions actually, regarding Barry. It really felt like a father talking to his son's friend, but also like two adults sanding equal (not that Barry isn't an adult, but more, being the son n this equation, Joe can't treat him like an "equal" because he has too much parental worry). This is something I think the show has lost (to an extent). The show has to cut back on the Barry/Joe father relationship to make Iris/Barry not so squicky, but this book really reminded me how much I miss the more overt father-son dynamic. The last chapter especially was moving with its dynamics.
It's very plot based. There's something lost in describing the action scenes over demonstrating them with art (comics or TV effects) that bogs down the story in many places. I wouldn't say they're badly written, or even unclear, just sort of plodding. I think it's simply the transition from watching the action to reading the action. More than that, it's a lot of development of the plot. Development of the plasma/blurring for Barry and interaction of the bad guys, but often without character development. I think Shawna has the most character development out of anyone in the book, with probably Joe next.
There was a needless masculinity scene between John and Joe that felt really out of character for me. While John himself might never sit down to play Barbies by himself, John melted around Sara on the show and I honestly don't think John's masculinity would be so fragile as to suggest he couldn't possibly play dress up with his daughter. In fact, I see John as the good-natured dad who would let his daughter and her five friends paint his nails and if Oliver or a random passerby commented on his nails, he'd give a "what's it to you" look/speech that would scare them (ok maybe not Ollie, but certainly strangers) off. Also, oh, Baby Sara, I miss you!
Generally speaking, it was a decently done TV show-based book. I've read a few that were better, but I've also read some that were not as good. I look forward to the Arrow-focused sequel.
Reread June 2023: I enjoyed this just as much the second time, and I wish there were more novels like this or stories in a similar vein- tie-ins and “bonus episodes” to my favorite TV shows that the network hires to write for the show’s canon. I know that’s not quite what this is, but I love that concept. I love the idea of my favorite shows being expanded into different formats. Since I’m in the middle of rewatching The Flash, this was just a comfort to return to.
Original review:
I thought this was gonna read like a fanfic, but this was actually really good, and it was written almost exactly like the TV show. I really appreciated that it felt so true to the tone of the show. I would’ve loved if this were an actual arc of episodes in season 2, and I actually want to read the sequel!
Original review:
I thought this was gonna read like a fanfic, but this was actually really good, and it was written almost exactly like the TV show. I really appreciated that it felt so true to the tone of the show. I would’ve loved if this were an actual arc of episodes in season 2, and I actually want to read the sequel!
Really really loved this.
Barry suddenly has a problem with his powers and it couldn't come at a worse. Soem of the rogues have joined up together with a big plan and wreaking havoc on Central City is a part of it. If that isn't enough Barry begins seeing people that have died on his watch. Team Flash is overwhelmed, so Barry calls in some back-up. Oliver Queen, the Arrow.
This is the crossover I needed to keep me satiated until the shows return in the fall. Stayed with the characters; really in tune with their tone and who they are. As a BIG fan of the Flash, I devoured this.
Full Review:
https://beentherereadthat.blog/2018/06/19/the-flash-blurring-from-the-future-the-haunting-of-barry-allen-a-book-review/
Barry suddenly has a problem with his powers and it couldn't come at a worse. Soem of the rogues have joined up together with a big plan and wreaking havoc on Central City is a part of it. If that isn't enough Barry begins seeing people that have died on his watch. Team Flash is overwhelmed, so Barry calls in some back-up. Oliver Queen, the Arrow.
This is the crossover I needed to keep me satiated until the shows return in the fall. Stayed with the characters; really in tune with their tone and who they are. As a BIG fan of the Flash, I devoured this.
Full Review:
https://beentherereadthat.blog/2018/06/19/the-flash-blurring-from-the-future-the-haunting-of-barry-allen-a-book-review/
3.5/5
Ever since I've started reading Flash comics a couple years ago, I've pondered on the idea if DC has ever published a Flash novel (After all, they do so with Batman and Superman), but it wasn't until a month ago I found out that this book was already released. Of course, it ties into the show instead of the comic, but I decided to take what I could get. It's understandable that a Flash novel hasn't been published before now due to the stories and action heavily relying on visuals. However, I think Clay and Susan Griffith did great with what they had.
FULL REVIEW
Ever since I've started reading Flash comics a couple years ago, I've pondered on the idea if DC has ever published a Flash novel (After all, they do so with Batman and Superman), but it wasn't until a month ago I found out that this book was already released. Of course, it ties into the show instead of the comic, but I decided to take what I could get. It's understandable that a Flash novel hasn't been published before now due to the stories and action heavily relying on visuals. However, I think Clay and Susan Griffith did great with what they had.
FULL REVIEW
This was an absolute delight to read. In the best way possible, this is a high quality officially sanctioned fanfic and I loved it. There were a few moments of eyebrow raise (why did Caitlin and Iris have an 80s movie style friend date, it was super weird), but everything else was pitch perfect for the show.
Since this is fan fiction basically...
What tags would this book receive in AO3? Probably Barry Hurt/comfort, Protective Ollie, worried Joe, OmG science, time paradox cancer?
For new comers to the show this is set in a time somewhere in the realm of season 2 flash though it’s not clear exactly how it links up timeline wise. Most spoilers are for season 1 but it does talk about the big bag of season 2. No spoilers for season 3 or beyond.
Since this is fan fiction basically...
What tags would this book receive in AO3? Probably Barry Hurt/comfort, Protective Ollie, worried Joe, OmG science, time paradox cancer?
For new comers to the show this is set in a time somewhere in the realm of season 2 flash though it’s not clear exactly how it links up timeline wise. Most spoilers are for season 1 but it does talk about the big bag of season 2. No spoilers for season 3 or beyond.
I didn't have high expectations for a novel based on a tv show that's a comic book adaptation... But I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really enjoyable weekend read, no one was strikingly out of character and the plot was intriguing. Within it's own genre, it is a really good book. I recommend it to any fan of "The Flash" and "Arrow". Myself, I am impatiently waiting for the sequel to come out in March!