Flash: Crossover Crisis - the YA Novel Book 3 - The Legends of Forever

Okay, I am not ashamed to admit - I did not see this ending coming.  I mean, I guess technically, considering the name of this trilogy, I should have seen it - but, quite frankly, I did not at all expect author Barry Lyga to go in that direction.  But, it makes sense in a number of ways.  It brings both Flash trilogies full circle. It ties up a lot of loose ends (while certainly leaving the door opened for more stories - more on that later). And it answers a number of questions regarding things that have been happening since Lyga's first Flash book several years back.  Between all the surprise guest appearances, the so-on-par characterization, and the climactic conclusion to this story, I can say without a doubt that this was by far my favorite tale that Lyga has told yet!

The Flash: Crossover Crisis - The Legends of Forever concludes the big Time Trapper crossover story that Lyga has been building up.  Owlman and the rest of the Crime Syndicate escaped their Earth to come to Earth 1.  Team Flash and Team Arrow put a stop to them.  But then the Anti-Matter Man threatened Earth 38.  So Team Flash and Team Arrow crossed over to Supergirl's Earth to help her put an end to that threat.  All the while, Madame Xanadu has been providing cryptic clues as to something else.  And, of course, there's the lunacy of Ambush Bug, driving everyone in Star City crazy as he takes control of the Bug-Eyed Bandit's mechanical bees, causing them to multiply at a rapid rate for some unknown purpose.  Oh, and let's not forget that Curtis and Cisco were rescued from the past, only for Cisco to be plucked out of time by the Time Trapper.  And what happened to those on the Waverider when it exploded?  Well, with all of that in mind (you can keep it all straight, can't you?), Lyga treats fans to the thrilling conclusion of the Crossover Crisis!

So, Supergirl is now depowered after sacrificing all she had to stop the Anti-Matter Man.  Cisco is missing.  Ambush Bug is building up for something big, and Joe West, John Diggle, Wild Dog, and Black Canary can't get their hands on him.  White Canary and Heatwave wake up in the 30th Century, where they meet the Legion of Super-Heroes.  And Flash, Green Arrow, and Superman must figure out a way to get to the End of Time in order to put a stop to whatever Time Trapper has planned.  Unfortunately, there is a wall that seems to be stopping anything trying to get through.  This book is full of non-stop action, as the heroes of several worlds (including the James Jesse and literal thousands of other speedsters from the now destroyed Earth 27) must work together to save not just their multiverse, but the fate of two multiverses!  That's right, folks, Lyga doesn't make it easy on these guys and gals.  It seems the Time Trapper is not looking simply to put an end to this multiverse, but he has his eyes set on the TV multiverse (you remember that one right?  the Transuniversal Version of this multiverse, as Cisco called it - thus, the "TV" universe, were Barry Allen went back in time to save his mother and created the Flashpoint, which changed the timeline in that multiverse).  And Cisco plays an important part in Time Trapper's plan, since Cisco has the ability to reach out and contact that multiverse.  Oh, and what about that speedster in yellow that is forever running to keep Time Trapper's machine going?  Well, let's just say, it's not who you think it is!

The opening prologue by the Phantom Stranger (thanks, Lyga, for bringing him in!) says it all: "Worlds will live. Worlds will die. And the DC Universe - this one, at least - will never be the same again."  And he's most definitely right.  What happens in this book changes everything - big time!  After all, it is a huge crisis, and we all know in DC Comics what happens any time there is a huge crisis - there is a huge sacrifice.  But not before we have an unbelievably crazy battle at the end of time!  Flash, Green Arrow, Superman, White Canary, Atom, and Heat Wave face off against the unstoppable Time Trapper - who brings in the Legion of Super-Villains! The League of Assassins! The Khunds!  The Fatal Five!  Oh, and a regular ol' guy by the name of Lex Luthor!  It's six heroes against a literal legion of villainy, and the face of the multiverse and all history are in their hands.  But remember - you've got the super-smarts of Barry Allen, Ray Palmer, and Cisco Ramon, and they manager to come up with a plan to save everything and get back home (well, most of them anyway....)

And did I mention that super-sized Cosmic Treadmill, big enough for a plethora of speedsters?  Or the ring of Volthoom that Heat Wave puts on his finger and uses?  Or the fun-filled return of Toy Boy (read it to find out just who that is!)?  Or the sudden glimpses of a decaying Flash that keep appearing to various people throughout time?  Like I said, this story definitely has it all, and from the very first page, it is NON-STOP!  You better be prepared and have the time to read for a while, because once you start it, you won't want top put it down until you've reached the end and found out exactly how and why one of the characters ends up living in the 30th Century and which hero joins the Legends of ... Forever?!?!

 

And I cannot possibly finish this post without mentioning how dead-on perfect Lyga is on the characterization for these heroes and their supporting cast.  The perfect example is when Felicity meets the Earth-38 Superman for the first time...

 

"Oliver," Felicty said into the solemn moment, "I love you dearly, but if you don't come back, am I allowed to marry him?" (p. 52).

 

It is so keeping in line with her character, making me think of her reaction during the "Invasion" crossover story on the CW shows when all of the characters get together for the first time, and Felicity gets all giddy and says, "Best team-up ever!"

Oh, yeah, there is no possible way that Lyga could ever top this story.  Unless, of course, he gives us a trilogy of books set on the Waverider, perhaps????

RATING:  10 phase-centric photonic array guns out of 10 for proving that even serious, sometimes sad, super-hero stories can still be fun and exciting without being all dark and gritty!

Flash: Crossover Crisis - the YA Novel Book 2 - Supergirl's Sacrifice

Barry Lyga returns with the second part of this latest Flash trilogy, and let me just say - these books are absolutely fantastic!  Just because they are marketed for young adults, it doesn't mean adults should not read them.  This story proves just what a fantastic writer Lyga really is, and the wealth of Easter eggs scattered throughout the book will many any fanboy (or girl) go crazy!  These books have the exact feel that the first couple of seasons of the television show had, and it definitely makes me long for those "innocent" days again!

 

Now, in this second part of the Crossover Crisis, Supergirl’s Sacrifice, the threat of the Anti-Matter Man expands from just Flash’s Earth over to Earth-38 (where Supergirl resides).  It should be noted this story takes place prior to Crisis on Infinite Earths – in fact, there are several references in this book to the newspaper article that Team Flash has seen dated 2024 – there is even a reference to the article’s authorship changing from Iris West-Allen to Vicki Vale (which happened in the TV show when it was predicted that Savatar would kill Iris). So, even though Lyga has firmly established that the stories taking place in the books are from a different timeline than that of the TV show (which, by the way, is referenced once again in this book as the “Transuniversal Version” universe), there are still aspects of this universe that mirror that of the TV universe.

With the expanded threat of the Anti-Matter Man (who comes across very similar to the Anti-Monitor in this story, having already destroyed the Crime Syndicate’s universe, and now bringing familiar red skies and black lightning to Earth-38 as he begins to destroy that universe), the cast in the story expands, and there seems to be a LOT more going on for our heroes to fight:

-          Ambush Bug is still going crazy in Star City, so Joe West, Black Canary, and Wild Dog are there to try and put a stop to his zany pranks

-          Iris West-Allen, Caitlin Snow, and Felicity Smoak are in Central City trying to find a way to locate and rescue Vibe and Mr. Terrific, who disappeared after Oliver’s perfect shot that stopped the Anti-Matter Man from destroying their universe in the last book

-          Cisco Ramon and Curtis Holt find themselves somewhere in the past, with no apparent way to determine when and where they are, let alone find their way back to the present

-          Oliver Queen and Barry Allen have jumped over to Earth-38 to help Supergirl, Superman, Brainiac 5, J’onn J’onzz, Alex Danvers, Jimmy Olsen, and Lena Luthor find a way to stop Anti-Matter Man’s destructive wave

-          Madame Xanadu is revcovering after having one of her dopplegangers killed in the last book

-       And last, but not least, Bruce Wayne a/k/a Owlman is making big plans to take over this new Earth on which he has found himself!

Whew!  As I said, that is a LOT going on in this book – and that doesn’t even address the prologue (featuring Ava Sharpe and my personal favorite Legend, Gary Green) and epilogue (featuring Heat Wave and a very surprising guest star – more on that later…).  Yet, despite all of the stories, characters, and crazy action of Ambush Bug, the story is very easy to follow, and reads so much like a well-written episode of the CW television shows that I wish Lyga would actually be the writer of those shows!  We might actually get better stories than what we have been getting on Supergirl and Flash for the past two seasons…

And speaking of Ambush Bug – Keith Giffen would be exceptionally proud of Lyga for the way he handles the character.  Ambush Bug is fun, zany, and totally breaks the fourth wall, talking about the way Giffen writes him, talking about how his name is trademarked by Warner Brothers, and talking about Berlanti giving him his own show!  I laughed out loud as I read Joe, Dinah, and Rene react to the craziness that A.B. spews out, as they have no understanding that they are just characters in a book that is based on characters in a television show – but A.B. knows!

Oh, and Barry’s reaction when Brainiac 5 lets him use his Legion flight ring to join Supergirl and J’onn J’onzz in their fight against the Anti-Matter Man – well, it is absolutely priceless!  It is dead-on for the character, and a scene that I could so clearly see in my mind’s eye when I read it, that I would absolutely LOVE to see it brought to life on the screen for real.

Like Empire Strikes Back, this book is the linking story between the opening of the last book and the conclusion of the next book – so there is no real beginning or ending, but lots of build up to what is to come.  Like the big revelation of who, at the end of time, has been pulling the strings? And how will Team Arrow, Team Flash, and Team Supergirl get to the far-flung future to stop him?  And will they get some help from the future (a BIG hint right there as to that special guest star who shows up to help Heat Wave) to save all of time and space?

Lyga needs to be made the permanent reader of all books based on the CW television shows – and I sure as heck hope that the next book (which will FINALLY see the Legends of Tomorrow get involved) is not the last!

RATING:  10 cell phones from the Wild West out of 10 for keeping the fun in the Flash and writing a far-better story than the CW has been capable of for some time!

Flash: Crossover Crisis - the YA Novel Book 1 - Green Arrow's Perfect Shot

Ah, yes - this is what I love about the CW shows - the annual crossovers!  And now Barry Lyga brings the fun of those crossovers into book-form with this new Flash trilogy, Crossover Crisis.  I've always been a big, BIG fan of crossovers between comic characters and teams, as well as TV shows - loved it when the Bionic Man and Bionic Woman had crossover stories back in the day ... and later, when characters started crossing over on the soap operas.  And, of course, any time the Justice League and Justice Society had their crossovers (see previous blog post).  So, when the CW shows started their crossovers with Flash spinning out of Arrow, and then Flash showing up on Supergirl, and then the "Invasion" crossover tale - - then "Crisis on Earth X" crossover story - - then the "Elseworlds" crossover that brought Batwoman into the Arrowverse - - and finally, this past year's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" mega-crossover that welcomed the Black Lightning show into the fold.  So, now, Barry Lyga brings that crossover-giddiness into the written realm with "Green Arrow's Perfect Shot."

This three-part story is definitely shaping up to be a big one!  This first book alone opens and closes with the Legends of Tomorrow - - while the main story itself features not only Team Arrow and Team Flash, but the Crime Syndicate of Earth-27 (in the comic world, it was originally Earth-3, and then post-Crisis, Grant Morrison wrote the tale of the CSA coming from Earth-2), as well as Madame Xanadu and the Phantom Stranger!  Those who read the first Flash trilogy might remember Xanadu's appearances throughout those books, as well as the second story featuring Johnny Quick as the main baddie.  The story also features the origin of ... well, I'm not going to say because it is such an unusual character, and definitely one I never really thought could ever make an appearance in a CW-related show or book - but his quirkiness fits so perfectly with this batch of characters and this story, that I can't wait to see where he "pops" up in the next book!  (That's the only hint you're getting....)

Lyga weaves a rather complex story - or, I should rightfully say, stories, since there is quite a bit going on.  The Waverider team of Legends hits a snag in the time-stream, and they get flung far into the future.  Meanwhile, in the present, Star City has a bomber on the loose, destroying abandoned buildings in the Glades area.  Arrow is determined to stop it, but by they time they determine which building has the next bomb, they won't be fast enough to stop it from detonating.  Did he say "fast"? Enter: Flash! He lends Oliver Queen a hand, swiping the bomb and disarming it in the blink of an eye. But that story is far from over...while Felicity works on finding the identity of the bomber, Oliver and his team must head to Central City to help Flash with a problem that has developed there - a large breach has opened up, and literally thousands of speedsters from another Earth are pouring in. Turns out their Earth is being consumed by a creature known as the Anti-Matter Man, and they need to escape. The only problem is, the breach to Earth-1 was created by the other Earth's smartest man - a villain who goes by the name Owlman.  Yup, you guessed! That other Earth was none other than Earth-27, where Barry had given the Trickster of that Earth the speed formula used by Johnny Quick, so they could all have speed to fight the Crime Syndicate.  So, all Team Flash and Team Arrow have to do is close the breach to prevent the Anti-Matter Man from coming into their universe, and, oh yeah, they have to stop the Crime Syndicate, who now have decided they will taking over this Earth!

And if all that was not enough, Madame Xanadu is at STAR Labs in the med-bay, because it seems one of her dopplegangers from another Earth has died (Earth-27), and it is affecting her abilities, since all of her various incarnations across alternate realities are connected.  When Vibe tries to learn from her, he instead gets visions of all of those other realities - including one with dark red skies and black lightning (sound familiar?).  Ultimately, Vibe, Mr. Terrific, Flash, and Arrow come up with a plan to close the breach - however, upon execution, Arrow is thrown several hours into the future, and Vibe and Mr. Terrific?  Well, who knows where they were thrown to....

Like I said, plenty going on in just this first book!  And I absolutely love some of Lyga's in-jokes and Easter eggs for the hardcore fans.  In the last trilogy, Vibe accidentally came in contact with another version of himself - one from an alternate reality where Flash had gone back in time to try and save his mother, thus creating a Flashpoint, that he had to go back and undo, but which had life-altering consequences for many people in that reality - Caitlin Snow was also Killer Frost there ... H.R. Wells sacrificed himself to save Iris West's life ... Vibe's brother Dante was dead ... the gender of Diggles' child changed ... among other things (and if you watched the television show, then you know that is the reality he came in contact with - meaning these books are set in a different reality than the TV show).  In this book, Vibe had decided to call that other reality the "transmultiveral version" - or, yup you guessed it - "TV" for short.  So any time they talk about that reality, they call it the TV universe!  In this reality,

And, of course, there is also references to Robinson University over in Opal City (as in James Robinson, the Starman writer) ... Baron Street in Central City (as in Mike Baron, a Flash comic writer) ... Aparo Tower in Star City (as in Jim Aparo, the Green Arrow comic artist) ... Heck Street in Central City (as in Don Heck, the DC Comics artist) ... Larocque Street in Central City (as in Greg LaRocque, a Flash comic artist) ... Lampert Street in Central City (as in Harry Lampert, the artist who helped create the original Flash) ... and just way so many others, that I can't mention them all or it will totally spoil the fun, but it will keep you smiling through the entire book.

Oh, yes - and the Arrowplane!  The freaking Arrowplane is in this book!  Yes!!!!

Can't wait for the second book in this trilogy, guest-starring Supergirl!  And then the third book - the Legends of Tomorrow!!

RATING:  10 deadly electronic bees out of 10 for ambushing readers with some great storytelling, some surprise characters, and some exciting crossover action!

Flash - the YA Novel Book 3 - The Tornado Twins

So, with this book, we reach the end of the trilogy of Flash young adult novels written by Barry Lyga.  It has been a fun run (pun fully intended), and I love the way author Barry Lyga has incorporated not just characters from the TV show, but also characters from the DC Universe that have yet to appear in the show (such as Madame Xanadu, as well as others).  With this book, we get the conclusion to all of the threads that have been woven up to now - but the story only left me with one real question...

Why call the book The Tornado Twins?

There are definite spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the book and don't want to be spoiled about what happens in the book, then stop reading now.  But for those of you who have read the book, or who simply don't mind having plot elements spoiled, then by all means - read on!

The Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn (last names conveniently not revealed for the sake of the story, but comic fans know exactly who they are...), greet Barry as he works to get to the year 6345 - but sadly only makes it to the 30th century. Now, with the book being titled The Tornado Twins, any reasonable reader would expect Don and Dawn to stick around, or at the very least, help Barry in his battle against Abra Kadabra, Hocus Pocus, and the other wannabe magicians. But no - the twins only appear in four chapters of the entire book, and that is simply to help Barry get from 2935 to 6345.  Seriously, that's it.  They serve no greater purpose than as a plot device to help Barry get into the far-flung future so he can defeat the villains.  So, explain to me how that warrants naming the book after them?

Aside from that, the story was the usual fun-fan-fare that is the world of the CW's The Flash.  Cisco creating tech. Team Flash taking down the bad guy (in this instance, Earthworm in the present). The Flash running to save the day, whether it be in the present or the distant future. Lots of fun references to comic fandom (the Cosmic Treadmill, which has yet to make its appearance in the TV show, as well as a cameo by Chuck Taine, who comic book fans know better as Bouncing Boy from the Legion of Super-Heroes!). And, of course, a huge climactic battle that seems unbeatable, until Barry slows down long enough to think it through and comes up with the perfect way to use the magicians' own powers against them, saving both the 64th century and the 21st century!

One interesting tidbit I discovered in this book, that I had not realized from the previous two books (or maybe I did and just forgot between readings) was that these stories are set in the original Flash timeline - in other words, this is the reality that would have existed had Barry not gone back in time and tried to save his mother (thus, creating the Flashpoint timeline). So, in this time, Caitlin is not Killer Frost (at least, not yet - she still could be, though); Cisco's brother is still alive; and all of the events following Flashpoint, such as Savatar, have never occurred. At first, I was a bit annoyed at this, but once I thought about it, I rather liked this divergence, as it allows Lyga to tell plenty of stories without worrying about whether or not it fits into the continuity of the ongoing television show.  Which means anything could happen, and anyone could appear!

(And, thankfully, I just discovered that this is not the end of the series - merely the end of the first trilogy!  The next book comes out in September of this year, and it is a crossover with Arrow!  I am definitely excited for that!)

RATING:  10 mysterious playing cards out of 10 for a more than satisfying conclusion to all the storylines started with book one and for keeping The Flash fun, light-hearted, and enjoyable.

The Flash: Climate Changeling

The second novel based on DC's television show, The Flash, was just as good, if not better, than the first!  Not to be confused with the young adult series also being published, these adult novels (which I hate calling them that, because that brings about some very bad connotations with it) are definitely written at a much high reading level, are considerably longer than the young adults novels, and they pack a whole lot of story and action into one book. However, like the young adult series, they definitely capture the feel of the show, and the authors of these books show a strong talent for writing the characters as they appear on the show, so much so, that reading the books gives the reader a feeling that they are watching episodes directly from the television series.

"Climate Changeling" brings back the Weather Wizard, who was introduced back in the first season of the show. For those who may not remember, Mark Mardon and his brother Clyde both received weather-controlling powers from the particle-accelerator explosion that also gave Flash his powers. Mark was knocked into a coma, but Clyde went wild with his powers - until the Flash and Det. Joe West put an end to his tirade. Permanently. And that is something that Mark has never forgotten. Years spent in Iron Heights prison, Mark has had plenty of time to dwell on his hatred of Flash and Det. West, blaming them both for his brother's death. The guilt he feels for not protecting, not saving, his brother weighs heavily. And when a freak storm wreaks havoc on Iron Heights' security systems, Mark suddenly finds his powers increased, and breaks his way out of Iron Heights with only one thing on his mind.

Revenge.

I am not familiar with the author, Richard Knaak, but I definitely like his writing. He had the perfect feel for each of the characters when he wrote this book - Barry, Iris, Joe, Wally, Cisco, Caitlin, H.R., and even the Mardon brothers. Each character portrayed and read exactly as they are on the television show, and the dialogue was natural and in-character. The story was well-paced, never dragging, and Knaak even managed to make it accessible to new readers who have no knowledge of the history of the characters and the show without bogging it down too much with flashbacks or such. I did, however, have to keep reminding myself that this book clearly takes place some time before season four, and I believe before the wedding of Barry and Iris (although that fact is not exactly made clear - but since they never refer to Iris as Barry's wife, I'm just going to assume...)

As for the story itself, the Weather Wizard is out not only for revenge, but also to bring his brother, Clyde, back from the dead. It seems the spirit of Clyde is egging him on, pushing him harder and harder, causing a storm of unbelievable proportions to rain down on Central City. Barry and Team Flash can't seem to get a handle on it, and Cisco isn't able to pinpoint exactly where Mardon is at any given time. Meanwhile, Caitlin's powers are starting to surface again, someone in time with Mardon's vicious weather attacks. And all the while, Barry seems to be losing his strength and speed stamina the more he fights Mardon. Knaak definitely writes one epic battle here, with a climax that is well worth the wait (and with a story that is 430 pages, trust me, there is a wait!).

If you are a fan of the television show, then you'll enjoy this novel immensely - I highly recommend it!

RATING:  10 communication devices on the fritz out of 10 for remaining faithful to the show, while expanding the stories and world of the CW's The Flash.

Flash - the YA Novel Book 2 - Johnny Quick

CW's The Flash returns in his second young adult novel, Johnny Quick.  And before you ask, NO, the title does not refer to the World War II hero by the same name (unfortunately).  That is certainly what I was hoping for, but no - the title refers to the villainous speedster from the opposite-Earth, Earth 3 (well, okay, it was Earth 3 in the comics - but in the CW realm, it is actually Earth 27, since Earth 3 is inhabited by Jay Garrick Flash - yeah, try not to dwell on it, or you'll just get confused...)

Anyway, Barry Lyda, who brought us the first novel, Hocus Pocus, continues the story of Barry Allen and his friends as they begin their search for the magician who somehow disappeared from the Pipeline. Plus, they are beginning to deal with the Earthworm problem as well.  (And speaking of Earthworm, I'm rather thrilled to see this villain used, as the character first appeared in a Huntress back-up story in the pages of Wonder Woman back in the 1980s!) And so the story opens...

Earthworm is claiming another victim while Team Flash tries to revive a near comatose Cisco (a/k/a Vibe).  Cisco has been working overtime to figure out how Hocus Pocus' so-called "magic" technology worked, and after days of non-stop, caffeine-filled work, he fell into a comatose sleep.  So, while Cisco remains in la-la land, Barry (a/k/a The Flash) decides to do take a side-trip to Earth 2 to visit Harrison Wells, who might have some ideas on the Hocus Pocus tech.  Meanwhile, Wally (a/k/a Kid Flash) will work on the Earthworm case.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, if you've seen any episodes of CW's The Flash, then you know nothing every goes quite as planned!

(SIDENOTE - I love the author's use of Madame Xanadu, a much underused character in the DC Universe.  Plus, while making his trip through the multiversal highway to Earth 2, it's fun to "see" the different worlds that Barry glances along the way: Supergirl on Earth 38; a boy with long blond hair fighting a bipedal lion (Kamandi?); a man with a glowing green ring on his hand (Green Lantern!); a rabbit in a cape and unitard (Captain Carrot!!!!); a man and woman smaller than mice wearing red capes (Doll Man and Doll Girl!). Sure, they have only been glimpses, but just those quick, Easter-Egg references make the fanboy in me totally geek out!)

Back to the story - Flash, through happenstance, ends up on a completely different Earth, one that is wholly unfamiliar to him. Where everyone seems to be afraid of him. And where he finds tombstones for Cisco.  And Caitlin.  And Iris.  And Wally.  And just about everyone else he cares about.  He heads back to S.T.A.R. labs, only to find it has been walled off - and with guards at the top who shoot at him for simply coming near the wall!  This is definitely not Earth 2!

With the help of Captain Cold and Heat Wave (who, believe it or not, are the good guys!), as well as the Trickster and the Pied Piper, as well as the Weather Wizard (talk about an Earth of opposites), the Flash goes head-to-head with Johnny Quick - - and loses!  His only help seems to come from Madame Xanadu.  But how is she on this Earth as well?  Barry doesn't have time to ask, for it's off to the races (literally!) as he not only uncovers the true identity of Johnny Quick (hint! hint! it's not who you think it is!), but also fights to save all of Central City from the thralls of a power-hungry, speed demon.

Meanwhile, back on Earth 1, Wally takes on the Earthworm - - and loses!  (What is it with the loser Flashes in this book?)  With Wally missing, possibly in the hands of the Earthworm, Cisco literally beside himself (read the book and you'll find out what I mean!), and the Flash ready to head off for the future to uncover the secrets of Hocus Pocus - well, it's the perfect episodic cliffhanger, leaving readers ready for the next book to come out already!

If you love the TV show, then you'll love the book.  What are you waiting for?  Go get it!

RATING:  10 speed formulas out of 10 for a fast-moving, chock-full of surprises, well-written story that very much felt like I was watching an episode on the CW - loved it!

Flash - the YA Novel Book 1 - Hocus Pocus

The star of one of CW's best shows hits the young adult section of the book store in this all new series!  While I've never actually been a fan of the comic book character, The Flash, I really do love the television show.  The stories are well-written (albeit a bit long with these season-long storylines), and the acting is superb.  They have an amazing cast, who seem to really gel and have natural camaraderie.  So, I bought this first young adult novel with the anticipation that it would be just as fun as the show.

And, for the most part, it was!

The Flash: Hocus Pocus tells the story of what might have happened had Iris prevented Barry Allen from going into the past to save his mother.  The timeline did not change due to Flashpoint, and Barry and all of his friends maintain their status quo.  Life seems idealistic, and everything is running smoothly ... until Caitlin and Cisco happen across a street magician who appears to have the ability to make his audience do what he wants - adore him!  This man who calls himself 'Hocus Pocus' is able to control his audience, making them applaud and praise him for even the simplest of tricks.  Lucky for the citizens of Central City, that control is only temporary and eventually fades.

But what happens when he gains control of the Flash, and the control doesn't fade?

Author Barry Lyga takes readers on a fun little "what if?" story, showing what Flash would have been like if he had not gone back in the past and tried to save his mother.  Of course, that doesn't mean he won't face a maniacal villain.  And it certainly doesn't mean he won't make mistakes that will get him, and possibly his friends, in trouble.  But, it does mean that Caitlin is not Killer Frost ... yet.  It does mean that Cisco's brother is not necessarily dead ... yet.  And it does mean that Barry Allen may have an entirely different set of problems to deal with at work - such as Captain Singh deciding he has had enough of Barry's numerous absences, unexplained tardiness, and, even though he always gets his work in and does an excellent job, his multitude of excuses.  You see, in this book, Barry is put on leave until the department decides whether they are going to keep him on with a warning or terminate his position.

And just when Hocus Pocus has come to town and begun controlling people, making them do exactly what he wants.  Is he a meta?  Or is he simply so technologically advanced, he has a device (say, a wand) that allows him to reach into the minds of those around him and cause them to bend to his will?  Or, and this is the one that Barry and his crew have a hard time swallowing - is it truly magic?

Once Hocus Pocus gets a hold of the Flash, he doesn't intend to let go!  Suddenly, the Flash finds himself at the beck and call of this attention-starved madman!  He cannot touch him, he can't defeat him, and when he is forced to rob a jewelry store in front of hundreds of Central City citizens, he finds himself the target of the Central City Police!  Cisco and Caitlin cannot figure out how he is doing this, and H.R. seems only concerned with the Flash's marketing.  How are they going to stop Hocus Pocus, restore the Flash's reputation, and get Barry his job back?

And what is it with these odd bodies that are turning up dead with missing organs?  Does it have anything to do with something that is living down in the sewer?

A definitely episode-worthy story of The Flash, and a book well worth the read for any fans of the television show!

RATING:  9 inverse transmitting neuralgic transformers out of 10 for a well-crafted tale and for bringing Madame Xanadu into the CW television universe!

Arrow: A Generation of Vipers

It's always with just a bit of trepidation that I read a book that is based on a television show or movie, as I am always concerned that the authors will not be able to truly capture the feel of the show or film, or that they will be unable to give the characters the proper feel that they have in the show or film.  In the first half of this two-part story, which began in the Flash novel, The Haunting of Barry Allen, writers Clay and Susan Griffith showed that they had a grasp on the cast of Flash.  With this second part, they show that they have an equal feel for the cast of Arrow.

The Arrow television show is a bit darker and a bit more serious than the Flash, and A Generation of Vipers follows that format.  As Team Flash works overtime to try to find out what is causing Barry's gliches in the speed force, Arrow hits to streets of Central City to protect the town in Flash's absence.  But you can't keep a good hero down, and Barry is determined to help save lives, even if it costs him his own.  A cure, however, may not be as far away as they think.  When the combined forces of Team Flash and Team Arrow uncover a power source that was first created at Queen Industries back in the day, they set out to find it.  But someone else is also on the hunt...

Which, of course, leads to the obligatory Arrow flashback scenes (ugh, how I hate them on the television show, so to have to read them in printed form is pure torture!!  but, as I said, the Griffins definitely keep the flavor of the show, and sadly, those flashbacks are a part of it).  Readers will gain some more insight into Oliver's time on that dastardly island, as well as some pre-island time when Oliver was just another spoiled, rich playboy that influenced a friend that has now become a very dangerous enemy in the present.

Oh, and did I mention that the search for a cure for Barry ultimately leads the combined teams over to Markovia.  Yes, the very country from which Geo-Force and Terra hail from (although neither characters are seen or mentioned here, sadly).  However, we do get a surprise visit from Malcolm Merlyn, who offers his aid to the desperate heroes - but at what cost?

One of the best things about this story is the character interaction.  All the non-super-powered characters of Arrow and how they deal with the super-powered characters from the Flash is always good for a smile and sometimes a laugh.  Felicity and Cisco's geekness, Barry's carefree nature at opposition with Oliver's seriousness, and John's struggle with grasping not only super-powered humans, but the idea of a multiverse.  With 402 pages of story, the book felt like an extra-long episode (or maybe even a two-parter if it were on TV), and had they elected to drop the flashback chapters, I would have found this book to be nearly as perfect as the Flash novel.  Fun, with plenty of action, spot-on characterization, a spectacular climax, and plenty of underhanded tricks and surprises.

Now, I'll admit, the only reason I picked this up was because of the Flash.  While I watch the Arrow television show, I'm not a huge fan of Arrow himself (the character - the actor, well he's a whole 'nother story!).  Not sure if I'll pick up any future Arrow novels, unless they have a crossover with the Flash (or maybe even the Legends of Tomorrow - wonder if we'll be getting any novels of that group?).  But, for what it was worth, this book was a good read, and I enjoyed it - provided a satisfying conclusion to the story started in the first Flash novel.

8 stolen wormhole generators out of 10 for being able to keep the feel of both television shows and all the characters therein and putting them into a story worth reading!

The Flash: The Haunting of Barry Allen

I may not have sped through this book as quickly as Barry Allen speeds through Central City as the Flash, but I can honestly say that I finished this book quicker than most! At 414 pages, I expected The Haunting of Barry Allen to take me closer to 4 or 5 days to finish, particularly during the week when about the only chance I have to read is when I'm eating lunch or working out on the elliptical in the gym at work; however, this book drew me in so quickly and had me so easily feeling like I was watching an episode of the television show that I couldn't put it down.

Authors Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith have written a number of science fiction / fantasy books, as well as some comics and young reader books. This appears to be their first time writing a novel based on a television show, but I give them total props - they managed to capture the character and essence of each and every person, bringing the television personas to life on the page. From Barry Allen to Oliver Queen and all of their supporting cast and sidekicks, the Griffiths brought just as many smiles to my face as I was reading the book as the television shows do when I am watching them!

The first part of a two-part book crossover (the second part of which is in the next Arrow novel), The Haunting of Barry Allen focuses more on the Flash. As the Pied Piper gathers a group of rogues (including Weather Wizard, Mist, Prism, and Peekaboo) with the idea of methodically wearing Central City's defenses down until it is ready for the taking, the Flash finds himself "blurring" out of phase with this reality and seeing not only his future self urging him to run faster, but all the failures from his past - including Gorilla Grodd, Ronnie Raymond, and the Reverse Flash.  As the blurs become more frequent and seem to happen at the very moment when he is about to stop the rogues, Caitlin and Cisco do everything they can to discover the source.  When all else fails, they call in some outside help.

Enter: Green Arrow and gang.

Oliver, Felicity, and John make a trip from Star City to help their friend. As Barry's health slowly declines, Oliver and John work feverishly to protect Central City from the attacks of the rogues, who are working with precision, sweeping in and out, causing the most damage to the city without ever getting caught.  And when the Piper makes the mayor an offer that could save the city but cost them millions - as well as their famed hero! - the Flash and Arrow know that their time is running out.

Dare I say it?  The story is very fast-paced, with the action never stopping; yet, at the same time, just like the TV show, there is plenty of character interaction and development and the right amount of humor to keep it from getting too bogged down with all the action.  The timing of the story is clearly after season one (as it references Reverse Flash being gone, and Iris knows that Barry is the Flash and is helping at Star Labs), but it's not clear whether it takes place after season two or not (although there is a reference to Zoom from season two). Regardless, not knowing exactly where it fit into the TV show continuity does not detract at all from the enjoyment of the story.

I would say this is a definite must-read for any fan of the show - and in case you are wondering, it does end with a mild cliff-hanger, which sets up the second part of this story in Arrow's Generation of Vipers.

RATING:  10 microscopes with slides of fly wings out of 10 for staying true to the television version of these characters and providing a Flash/Arrow fix during the summer break!