Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms

The Helena Flinn Chronicles #2

by Michael Sokolar

Book 2 of the Helena Flinn Trilogy - Ages 8–12

The dream world is breaking—and only Helena and her friends can save it. Nearly a year has passed since Helena and the Nightmare Squad defeated the ancient evil haunting Vienna. Life has never been the same: she now slips between her world and the goblin city beneath it, helping her friends in the dream factories and finally knowing what it feels like to belong.

But when a new dream takes a strange turn, Helena senses a deeper disturbance. Clues at school, strange occurrences in the goblin city, and troubling changes in the nocturnal wilderness all point to something unraveling at the heart of the dream world.

With Drizzle’s help, Helena begins to unlock a way to guide her nocturnal energy with purpose. But every step forward reveals new dangers: dream essences losing their power, nature itself mutating, and a shadowy enemy working in secret.

If she cannot master her growing abilities in time, both the goblin world and the waking world will be consumed.

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, and The City of Ember.


Inside you’ll discover:

- A dream world on the edge of collapse

- New realms, guardians, and steampunk-powered wonders

- A thrilling mystery where friendship, courage, and imagination hold the key

Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms is the gripping second adventure in the Helena Flinn Trilogy.

Book 3 arrives in 2026—don’t miss the finale!

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

About the author

For as long as I can remember, I've been crafting stories, and now, with my debut middle grade novel "Helena Flinn and the Secrets of the Night", I proudly embrace the title of author. My passion lies in telling underdog tales that celebrate friendship and the journey to find one's place in the world. The fantasy genre captivated me as a child, and its magic has stayed with me ever since.

Beyond writing, I'm the CEO and Creative Producer of Little Lights Studio, a film and storytelling studio that thrives on creating authentic brand formats, evocative commercials, and story-driven campaigns—anything with a human touch.

I believe that stories have the power to connect us, and I hope my books inspire young readers to dream big, embrace their uniqueness, and find strength in friendship. Thank you for joining me on this storytelling journey.

Reviews

[Hannah Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Sokolar has done it again with his recently published work of middle grade fantasy, Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms. As the sequel to Helena Flinn and the Secrets of the Night, Sokolar’s masterful debut, this novel faced exceptionally high expectations from the talented author’s devoted fanbase — and did it ever deliver. Character development and camaraderie are notable strengths of Sokolar’s, and in his debut, Helena is but one of many colorful personalities making up the so-called “Nightmare Squad.” In this book, however, the plucky main character and her friends are maturing and learning about darker and more complicated elements of the hauntingly beautiful fantasy world which Sokolar has carefully constructed. At the same time, the author has clearly conducted meticulous research on the scientific minutiae of sleep, dreams, and the way they affect the waking hours of humanity. The uniquely creative and exploratory medium of the middle grade novel was a brilliant choice to successfully channel the combination of Sokolar’s ideas into their full potential as a single narrative. I could not have loved this book more. I have enjoyed the privilege of being part of the author’s ARC (advanced reader copy) team.

[Kendra Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun trip into a middle grades read. Great for those about the age of the FMC (12yrs old). Helena and the Nightmare Squad have been enlisted to help find out what’s going on with the sudden widespread appearance of strange dreams. I like how the world actually expanded further here and it exposed the goblins to a much wider audience than the first book. It also brings the idea of “intention” forward and the way we can guide our own thoughts and destiny. Which is a great lesson for anyone.

[Sarah-Louise Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting read, perfect for anyone, despite it being aimed at middle grade age. The second instalment to ‘The secrets Of The Night’ (which I won in one of Michael’s giveaways). So it only made sense to take the chance and read an advanced reader copy of this second book. Helena and her team ‘the nightmare squad’ embark on yet another battle, when both realms are at risk, from a dream threat. An engaging read, great world building, a book to keep young minds busy.

[Bryony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the world of Helena Flinn and her friends (the 'Nightmare Squad') a year after the events of the first book, this story follows them to an international camp for youngsters with sleep disorders, where Helena further masters her abilities and learns a lot more about the Goblin world under ours. A new dream threat affects the youngsters and puts both realms at risk.

An engaging read, this mixes science, steampunk, and fantasy well, and has great world building and humour. Appealing to readers of all ages, not just middle grade, the story is well crafted and exciting.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and interesting book. I loved that children/teens were portrayed as smart, caring individuals that want to help others. The goblins are a fun addition to the story. I would highly recommend reading the books in order. I hadn't read the first book and it took me awhile to figure out who each character was and the role they played. A very enjoyable book.

[Sofi St. John · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is more to dreaming than all of you might have known.”

Helena Flinn has had nightmares all her life. Joining “The Dream Squad” has helped her gain control over her dreams and no longer fear the night. Spending her days in school and inventing new dreams, by night she works in the dream factories to help children throughout the world no longer be plagued by nightmares. However, the dream world is breaking--and only Helena and her friends can save it. If she cannot master her growing abilities in time, both the goblin world and the waking world will be consumed.

Helena is such a joy to follow. With such a unique and compelling story, I just adore going on her adventures! She is such a kind character, and I find the book shows beautiful growth in her relationships, and is perfect for a middle grade reader (or any reader)! With such a unique and inventive magic system, “Helena Flinn” stands out in the middle grade genre. Helena is a great character; she is kind, innovative, and hardworking.

Following the adventures of Helena Flinn and the Secret of the Night (the first book in the trilogy), I have been so excited to join Helena on her next adventure! I also loved the illustrations, just like in the first book. Michael is such a talented author. The ever talented illustrator @todamarela creates illustrations that perfectly enhance the story.

Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms is out NOW! Thank you to Michael for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait for the final book in the series (coming 2026); be sure to catch up in preparation for the finale!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms. Like its predecessor, it is such a charming and original blend of imaginative fantasy and real world concepts - I think I would call it imaginative magical realism. For me, fantasy sparks my imagination most when it expands upon reality in unexpected ways - and that’s exactly what this book does.

Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms does exactly what I hoped for from a sequel: It dives deeper into it’s unique world and expands on it’s endearing set of characters. And for me, this is the book’s finest quality: the genuine affection and empathy it has for them.

They all feel like real human (and well, goblin) beings and I found it very easy to connect with them emotionally. Accompanying Helena and her friends once more on their adventures through the dreamworld was a real joy for me - even as an adult. As a kid I would have treasured these books for sure.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a great time with this second book. It gave me that feeling I love in middle‑grade fantasy, which is the sense that the world is getting bigger, darker, and more magical all at once. I found myself slipping right back into Helena’s world, and honestly, it felt even richer this time around. There’s something really satisfying about watching a character grow into her power, especially when she’s still figuring out where she belongs. The emotional payoff is real. You can feel Helena stepping into herself, trusting her instincts, and learning to guide her nocturnal energy instead of being overwhelmed by it. The friendships are still one of my favorite parts. If anything, this book made me even more invested in the trilogy. It’s one of those sequels that raises the stakes without losing the charm or imagination that made the first book so fun. I’m already counting down to the finale.

[Alaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helena Flinn is back for another adventure!
This second book was such a fun ride from start to finish. Jumping back into Helena Flinn’s world felt exciting and familiar, but also a bit deeper and more magical this time. I really enjoyed the world building, each realm feels alive, full of surprises, and there are even illustrations to make it more engaging. The characters are easy to love, and I liked watching their friendships grow as they face challenges together. The balance of adventure, heart, and humor made this such an enjoyable read. I felt satisfied with how it ended, but also delighted because it clearly hints that another adventure is on the way. I’m already looking forward to book three!

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring the unknown

This book caught my attention from the very first page. It is a story filled with magic, adventure, and, above all, personal growth. As the main character moves through the Flickering Realms, she faces challenges that not only test her skills but also her courage and her principles. It made me reflect on how we all face obstacles in life, but the most important thing is to learn from them and keep moving forward. The protagonist is not perfect, and I liked that because it shows that you do not need to be invincible to be a hero. Moreover, the way it blends fantasy with technology seemed really creative. This book reminds us that true power lies in our decisions and in how we choose to face the unknown.

[David Clayton Driskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling, Imaginative Sequel That Raises the Stakes

Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms is a fantastic follow‑up that expands the world, deepens the lore, and gives Helena her most emotionally charged journey yet. The pacing is tight, the magic system grows more intriguing, and the new realms are described with vivid, cinematic detail. What really stands out is Helena’s growth. She’s braver, sharper, and more complex, yet still wonderfully relatable.

If you enjoyed Book 1, this sequel delivers everything you hoped for and more: higher stakes, richer world‑building, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. I’m already eager for Book 3.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fun and exciting adventure story for young kids to young adults to read. The characters are relatable and awe-inspiring. The author did a great job of world-building for this story. This is the second installment of the series, and I cannot wait to read the next one. I would like to see some additional illustrations in the book, especially since the target audience for this book is children aged 8-12, who sometimes need all the help they can get with their imagination. It's a great book to expand this age group's vocabulary; I know I learned a few new words. The author did an amazing job with the characters and the story line. 

[Lina Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

What a beautiful story, full of dreams, new kingdoms, guardians, and more! It's 316 pages, brimming with fantasy and mystery, where the reader won't want to stop reading.
Helena and her group of friends have a mission to rescue and save the dream world that is disappearing. Helena Flinn and the Flickering Realms (The Helena Flinn Chronicles Book 2) by Michael Sokolar is a great option for instilling a love of reading in young children. It has everything needed to capture their attention.
The story is full of adventure, mystery, and fantasy. It's a good example of true friendship. The vocabulary is easy to understand, simple but not childish.
The story unfolds at a brisk pace, avoiding monotony and, consequently, a loss of interest in the reading. It is a book that can be recommended, with the assurance that it will not make you look bad.