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The Flash #1
The Flash: Hocus Pocus:
From Book 1: Race into action in this all-new original adventure based on the hit CW TV series, The Flash!
In a timeline where Flashpoint never happened, The Flash (aka Barry Allen) must face a mysterious villain who can control the minds and actions of citizens. But when Hocus Pocus, as he calls himself, takes control of Barry, it’s up to Team Flash to help the Scarlet Speedster before he’s forced to do the unthinkable. Written by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga, this is one adventure fans of the TV series won’t want to miss!
THE FLASH and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s17)
In a timeline where Flashpoint never happened, The Flash (aka Barry Allen) must face a mysterious villain who can control the minds and actions of citizens. But when Hocus Pocus, as he calls himself, takes control of Barry, it’s up to Team Flash to help the Scarlet Speedster before he’s forced to do the unthinkable. Written by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga, this is one adventure fans of the TV series won’t want to miss!
THE FLASH and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s17)
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
70 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lyga
71 books2,195 followersBarry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 5, 2019
Last summer my three children and I started watching Supergirl, and once we were caught up on that we watched The Flash. My daughters prefer Supergirl and my son loved The Flash. So when I found out that one of my all-time favorite authors was releasing a Flash novelization I was terribly excited. My son wants to read this book with me, but to be honest I could not wait and read a chapter or two a day with him. I devoured the book over 2 days in 4 sittings. Each of the three times I put the book down it was only out of necessity. This book was an amazing read. Not since reading Batman Knightfall by Dennis O'Neil back in 1995 have I enjoyed a super hero novel so much. And I now get to reread this book with my son and likely my youngest daughter also.
This story is set in an alternate timeline where Flashpoint never happened. Instead of running off that night after Zoom was defeated, Barry headed back in the house with Iris. As such this is a very different time line then the current TV series, and to be honest it is an amazing read. In this Flash adventure we encounter a new mysterious villain, but he doesn’t seem to be a metahuman. He seems to be able to control the minds and actions of citizens, and inanimate objects. He calls himself Hocus Pocus and he takes control of Barry. So it is up to Team Flash to help the Scarlet Speedster before he’s forced to do something unthinkable. After he is forced to rob a jewelry store and attack the police, even Barry wonders if Team Flash might have to take drastic steps to stop him.
Barry’s life is turned even more upside down in this story than usual. A suspension from work at the police department. Being mind controlled by an ego maniac and turned into a heel. And knowing that there might not be a way out of it this time is weighing on him. But he has team Flash supporting him, Iris at his side, Wally willing and eager to step in. And at Star Labs he has Cisco, Caitlyn and HW willing to go to their limits and maybe beyond to find a solution. The question is can they solve the puzzle in time.
Sometimes when you really like an author and they step in to write characters you know it just does not work. I have seen that with Star Wars, Star Trek and other Super Hero stories before. But Lyga does a masterful job. He has written a fast paced story, stayed true to the characters and the DC universe. Even if this is an alternate possibility it is an amazing story and I already eagerly await the next Flash novel from Lyga due out next year! I have had a growing appreciation for Lyga’s craft as a wordsmith for years now. But with this novel I have an even greater respect for his skill with the pen, or keyboard, as it may be.
This was an excellent read. It will be loved by fans of the expanding DC TV Universe. It will also stand solidly on its own as a superhero novel. I look forward to sharing it with my children and will likely even gift a copy to my dad. It is a story for fans of all ages. Well done Lyga well done. And in regards to the next volume all I can encourage is write Barry write!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Barry Lyga. As well as an author profile and interview with Barry.
Note: 2019 have read this book for the third time, first by myself, second with my son, and now again with my son and youngest daughter. They both love the book and look forward to reading book 2.
This story is set in an alternate timeline where Flashpoint never happened. Instead of running off that night after Zoom was defeated, Barry headed back in the house with Iris. As such this is a very different time line then the current TV series, and to be honest it is an amazing read. In this Flash adventure we encounter a new mysterious villain, but he doesn’t seem to be a metahuman. He seems to be able to control the minds and actions of citizens, and inanimate objects. He calls himself Hocus Pocus and he takes control of Barry. So it is up to Team Flash to help the Scarlet Speedster before he’s forced to do something unthinkable. After he is forced to rob a jewelry store and attack the police, even Barry wonders if Team Flash might have to take drastic steps to stop him.
Barry’s life is turned even more upside down in this story than usual. A suspension from work at the police department. Being mind controlled by an ego maniac and turned into a heel. And knowing that there might not be a way out of it this time is weighing on him. But he has team Flash supporting him, Iris at his side, Wally willing and eager to step in. And at Star Labs he has Cisco, Caitlyn and HW willing to go to their limits and maybe beyond to find a solution. The question is can they solve the puzzle in time.
Sometimes when you really like an author and they step in to write characters you know it just does not work. I have seen that with Star Wars, Star Trek and other Super Hero stories before. But Lyga does a masterful job. He has written a fast paced story, stayed true to the characters and the DC universe. Even if this is an alternate possibility it is an amazing story and I already eagerly await the next Flash novel from Lyga due out next year! I have had a growing appreciation for Lyga’s craft as a wordsmith for years now. But with this novel I have an even greater respect for his skill with the pen, or keyboard, as it may be.
This was an excellent read. It will be loved by fans of the expanding DC TV Universe. It will also stand solidly on its own as a superhero novel. I look forward to sharing it with my children and will likely even gift a copy to my dad. It is a story for fans of all ages. Well done Lyga well done. And in regards to the next volume all I can encourage is write Barry write!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Barry Lyga. As well as an author profile and interview with Barry.
Note: 2019 have read this book for the third time, first by myself, second with my son, and now again with my son and youngest daughter. They both love the book and look forward to reading book 2.
August 6, 2018
A fantastic and thrilling book which I really enjoyed. I'm hoping the sequel will be just as good.
June 12, 2023
This book is:
20% BAD technobabble
40% plot holes
35% emotionless characters
5% cheesiness
DNF at 58%
20% BAD technobabble
40% plot holes
35% emotionless characters
5% cheesiness
DNF at 58%
July 28, 2019
As a cable TV-show tie-in licensed children's book, I fully expected this to be terrible. I was not disappointed. It was not horrifying; the writing was at least competent, from an established children's and YA author. Structurally, the story is similar to an episode of the TV show, but it lacked any charm, and the story was rather silly. The villain's habit of only speaking in all-caps (including with EXCLAMATION! POINTS! AFTER! EACH! WORD! BUT! ONLY! DURING! HIS! FIRST! APPEARANCE!) was irritating. I also can't fathom why there was a need to alter the show's main story arc, choosing to create an alternate branch where Flashpoint never happened.
Anyway, I was not expecting much, and I am grateful that it was such a fast read. I am not sure why I even picked it up, other than that I am a fan of the show, which I suppose is the only reason anyone would pick this up; certainly if you have not watched the show, the book would be even worse because the cast of supporting characters and background would be meaningless. The cover art is pretty sweet, too. And, it cost me nothing as a library loan. So, nothing lost, and nothing gained.
Anyway, I was not expecting much, and I am grateful that it was such a fast read. I am not sure why I even picked it up, other than that I am a fan of the show, which I suppose is the only reason anyone would pick this up; certainly if you have not watched the show, the book would be even worse because the cast of supporting characters and background would be meaningless. The cover art is pretty sweet, too. And, it cost me nothing as a library loan. So, nothing lost, and nothing gained.
January 16, 2018
Do you like The Flash?
Then you'll love this book. There's nothing else to say, really.
Barry Lyga really gets these characters, and manages to balance everyone very nicely (a little more Iris and Wally might have been nice, but that's a small complaint). The story moves at a brisk pace, and feels like an episode of the show as Barry hits walls and tries to deal with multiple problems at once, with a secondary story threaded in to come to fruition in the next book instead too.
The villain of the piece, the titular Hocus Pocus, feels very familiar, for a very good reason. I'm curious to see if Lyga continues with this plot line going forward too. There's also the introduction of a DC Comics character that I never expected to see on the show, so I was very pleased to see here, and Lyga gets her absolutely perfect.
Oh, and there's a cliffhanger ending. It's definitely an episode of The Flash.
Then you'll love this book. There's nothing else to say, really.
Barry Lyga really gets these characters, and manages to balance everyone very nicely (a little more Iris and Wally might have been nice, but that's a small complaint). The story moves at a brisk pace, and feels like an episode of the show as Barry hits walls and tries to deal with multiple problems at once, with a secondary story threaded in to come to fruition in the next book instead too.
The villain of the piece, the titular Hocus Pocus, feels very familiar, for a very good reason. I'm curious to see if Lyga continues with this plot line going forward too. There's also the introduction of a DC Comics character that I never expected to see on the show, so I was very pleased to see here, and Lyga gets her absolutely perfect.
Oh, and there's a cliffhanger ending. It's definitely an episode of The Flash.
March 17, 2018
Nicely done. Felt like an episode of the show, and the author had a good handle on the characters' voices. (Plus H.R. was in it!)
June 15, 2018
The Flash: Hocus Pocus tem o claro interesse de explorar o universo das séries do CW-verse também no mundo dos livros. A história parte de uma premissa muito interessante, imaginando uma simples questão: e se o Flash não tivesse voltado no tempo ao cabo da 2ª temporada da série?
Assim, a Terra-1 explorada em The Flash: Hocus Pocus não sofreu os efeitos do Ponto de Ignição, configurando uma espécie de 3ª temporada alternativa para a série de TV. Após Zoom ter assassinado seu pai diante de seus olhos e ser, na sequência, impedido de por fim ao multiverso pelo Flash e sua equipe, Iris acaba percebendo o vazio que Barry sentia naquele momento e o calor receptivo de sua amada e de sua família acaba fazendo o velocista escarlate desistir de voltar no tempo e impedir o destino de sua mãe.
O vilão principal apresentado no livro é Hocus Pocus, um personagem misterioso e carente de atenção que tem no uso de "mágicas" mirabolantes a sua periculosidade. Embora pareça abordar um personagem 100% novo, o desenvolvimento da história acaba deixando um pouco a desejar por abordar um plot já utilizado na série de TV, na própria terceira temporada. De qualquer forma, o vilão é interessante e coloca a equipe em maus bocados, embora os acontecimentos do livro não desemboquem em qualquer consequência perturbadora.
Um dos maiores méritos de Barry Lyga, autor da história, é conseguir capturar a essência dos personagens da série, com sequências de diálogos leves e engraçadas, facilmente relacionadas às suas contrapartes televisivas. Cisco, Caitlin, H.R. (ainda vivo nesse universo onde Savitar nunca existiu) e todos os demais personagens têm algo a acrescentar. Além disso, podemos ter uma percepção mais próxima de como funcionaria a cabeça de uma pessoa com supervelocidade e como essa pessoa enxergaria o mundo. Lyga consegue trazer uma interessante visão sobre isso, sempre deixando claro que, apesar de superpoderoso, o Flash ainda tem sentimentos e fraquezas humanas.
Além de Hocus Pocus, algumas histórias paralelas permeiam o livro, porém são pouco exploradas e, assim como o plot do vilão principal, não têm uma conclusão após o término da história. Tal fato pode deixar leitores, assim como eu, um pouco frustrados, mesmo sabendo que a história continua em The Flash: Johnny Quick.
Assim, a Terra-1 explorada em The Flash: Hocus Pocus não sofreu os efeitos do Ponto de Ignição, configurando uma espécie de 3ª temporada alternativa para a série de TV. Após Zoom ter assassinado seu pai diante de seus olhos e ser, na sequência, impedido de por fim ao multiverso pelo Flash e sua equipe, Iris acaba percebendo o vazio que Barry sentia naquele momento e o calor receptivo de sua amada e de sua família acaba fazendo o velocista escarlate desistir de voltar no tempo e impedir o destino de sua mãe.
O vilão principal apresentado no livro é Hocus Pocus, um personagem misterioso e carente de atenção que tem no uso de "mágicas" mirabolantes a sua periculosidade. Embora pareça abordar um personagem 100% novo, o desenvolvimento da história acaba deixando um pouco a desejar por abordar um plot já utilizado na série de TV, na própria terceira temporada. De qualquer forma, o vilão é interessante e coloca a equipe em maus bocados, embora os acontecimentos do livro não desemboquem em qualquer consequência perturbadora.
Um dos maiores méritos de Barry Lyga, autor da história, é conseguir capturar a essência dos personagens da série, com sequências de diálogos leves e engraçadas, facilmente relacionadas às suas contrapartes televisivas. Cisco, Caitlin, H.R. (ainda vivo nesse universo onde Savitar nunca existiu) e todos os demais personagens têm algo a acrescentar. Além disso, podemos ter uma percepção mais próxima de como funcionaria a cabeça de uma pessoa com supervelocidade e como essa pessoa enxergaria o mundo. Lyga consegue trazer uma interessante visão sobre isso, sempre deixando claro que, apesar de superpoderoso, o Flash ainda tem sentimentos e fraquezas humanas.
Além de Hocus Pocus, algumas histórias paralelas permeiam o livro, porém são pouco exploradas e, assim como o plot do vilão principal, não têm uma conclusão após o término da história. Tal fato pode deixar leitores, assim como eu, um pouco frustrados, mesmo sabendo que a história continua em The Flash: Johnny Quick.
February 18, 2020
i like the show better, but this was good.
October 8, 2017
Fantastic Flash
Wow, I really loved this book. After reading if you're anything like me you'll be wishing that the author Barry Lyga wrote for The Flash TV show. I adore the show too but his version of flashpoint not happening makes for some strong reading.
The author really seems to understand what makes these characters shine. Hocus Pocus is a great villain too.
The ending is To Be Continued, so here's hoping the next book is published ASAP.
Wow, I really loved this book. After reading if you're anything like me you'll be wishing that the author Barry Lyga wrote for The Flash TV show. I adore the show too but his version of flashpoint not happening makes for some strong reading.
The author really seems to understand what makes these characters shine. Hocus Pocus is a great villain too.
The ending is To Be Continued, so here's hoping the next book is published ASAP.
June 28, 2023
This book was a fun Flash story. I liked the inspiration taken from the show.
October 19, 2017
If I'm not mistaken, this is to be the first of a potential series of Flash adventures from Barry Lyga, based on the CW TV series - and while I know Lyga best for his often very dark YA books, this more MG-oriented book marks a much-needed return to his geeky roots.
Hocus Pocus could be a lost episode of the third season of the TV series, but with a few small changes courtesy of Lyga that make the story even better. Sadly for me, one of those changes is not a removal of WestAllen - heck, a lot of my friends in the fandom might run screaming from this book just for the prologue alone, and frankly I think the book could've done without the prologue, unless it was meant to imply that this is on an Earth identical to Earth-1 in every way except that the Flashpoint twist never happened. Just like on the show, the WestAllen scenes feel forced and corny (though at least Barry and Iris draw attention to that fact.) Also, Julian is conspicuous by his absence, with his function in the story largely given to Captain Singh instead, at least in terms of being Barry's superior and constantly wondering why the heck Barry's bailing on everything.
That said, though, I love how Lyga's takes on certain characters - namely, Wally and Caitlin - improve on their TV show counterparts, with Wally even more putting the "Kid" in Kid Flash and cutting loose in a way Keiynan Lonsdale really hasn't gotten the chance to do yet (and why can't he? The man's made of more sunshine than Supergirl, and that's saying something!), while Cait not only gets to show off her intelligence, but also doesn't have her Killer Frost powers bringing her down like the TV writers keep insisting on doing because they can't give her a Grey Jedi-like sense of balance for whatever reason. Lyga also gets Joe, Cisco, H.R. (thank God for H.R. Wells!), and especially Barry quite on point. And while Hocus Pocus isn't the darkest villain Lyga's created yet (not when we've got his books like I Hunt Killers and sequels, or Boy Toy, for that matter), his mind-controlling powers, written scarily similarly to Kilgrave, made me want to do like Reverse-Flash Wells and vibrate my hand through his chest. Especially when he turned my DC fave into his top puppet - though Bar being Bar, he's too smart to entirely lose his faculties.
While I'm extra-psyched for this book's Supergirl counterpart Age of Atlantis next month, I'm also looking forward to the promise of another Barry Lyga Flash novelette to follow up from this one. With that cliffhanger, a perfectly tantalizing teaser just like on the show, there better be one!
Hocus Pocus could be a lost episode of the third season of the TV series, but with a few small changes courtesy of Lyga that make the story even better. Sadly for me, one of those changes is not a removal of WestAllen - heck, a lot of my friends in the fandom might run screaming from this book just for the prologue alone, and frankly I think the book could've done without the prologue, unless it was meant to imply that this is on an Earth identical to Earth-1 in every way except that the Flashpoint twist never happened. Just like on the show, the WestAllen scenes feel forced and corny (though at least Barry and Iris draw attention to that fact.) Also, Julian is conspicuous by his absence, with his function in the story largely given to Captain Singh instead, at least in terms of being Barry's superior and constantly wondering why the heck Barry's bailing on everything.
That said, though, I love how Lyga's takes on certain characters - namely, Wally and Caitlin - improve on their TV show counterparts, with Wally even more putting the "Kid" in Kid Flash and cutting loose in a way Keiynan Lonsdale really hasn't gotten the chance to do yet (and why can't he? The man's made of more sunshine than Supergirl, and that's saying something!), while Cait not only gets to show off her intelligence, but also doesn't have her Killer Frost powers bringing her down like the TV writers keep insisting on doing because they can't give her a Grey Jedi-like sense of balance for whatever reason. Lyga also gets Joe, Cisco, H.R. (thank God for H.R. Wells!), and especially Barry quite on point. And while Hocus Pocus isn't the darkest villain Lyga's created yet (not when we've got his books like I Hunt Killers and sequels, or Boy Toy, for that matter), his mind-controlling powers, written scarily similarly to Kilgrave, made me want to do like Reverse-Flash Wells and vibrate my hand through his chest. Especially when he turned my DC fave into his top puppet - though Bar being Bar, he's too smart to entirely lose his faculties.
While I'm extra-psyched for this book's Supergirl counterpart Age of Atlantis next month, I'm also looking forward to the promise of another Barry Lyga Flash novelette to follow up from this one. With that cliffhanger, a perfectly tantalizing teaser just like on the show, there better be one!
December 6, 2017
This book was amazing. I'd never heard of Barry Lyga before, but, if you look on my shelf in this account you'll see that I'm quite a fan of DC Comics properties, (and I quite like some of the middle grade books out there as well), and so I gave this a try.
It's better than the TV show. I've watched all the DCTV shows, from the dour Arrow to the mostly sunny Flash and Supergirl, and I've been reading Flash comics since at least Mark Waid was writing him. And Mr. Lyga gets Barry, and then takes the Barry from the TV show and makes him seem like he's analogous to all the other Barry's that have or will come from the physical comic books. Barry's smart, science-y, and isn't all about just the punching and heroing either.
How will I be able to wait until April 2018 when the next book in this series comes out?
It's better than the TV show. I've watched all the DCTV shows, from the dour Arrow to the mostly sunny Flash and Supergirl, and I've been reading Flash comics since at least Mark Waid was writing him. And Mr. Lyga gets Barry, and then takes the Barry from the TV show and makes him seem like he's analogous to all the other Barry's that have or will come from the physical comic books. Barry's smart, science-y, and isn't all about just the punching and heroing either.
How will I be able to wait until April 2018 when the next book in this series comes out?
May 6, 2021
At first, I was like “I don’t know if I want to read about Cisco and Caitlin eating cotton candy.” And then I was like, “I’m not sure I’m interested in magician super villains.” And then I stopped whining and enjoyed it. It reads like an episode, except for two things: 1) You get more detail, such as what Barry is thinking and a few science lessons. 2) No heart to heart conversations in the tunnels of STAR Labs.
I felt this book was targeted at 10-14 year olds. I think my six year old daughter would enjoy it, but I might censor out the murder investigation which has a couple gory details. But me, a grown adult with the weight of the world on my shoulders, I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more Flash books.
I felt this book was targeted at 10-14 year olds. I think my six year old daughter would enjoy it, but I might censor out the murder investigation which has a couple gory details. But me, a grown adult with the weight of the world on my shoulders, I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more Flash books.
December 10, 2017
I love the CW DCTV shows and am always excited for new tie-in novels for them. This was an amazing read. This author has captured the show so well, and written it even better in some cases. Setting this in an alternate season 3 where Barry never created Flashpoint was a brilliant move. Anything could happen and readers wouldn't be upset that it was messing with the canon of the show, and as kind of an added bonus it makes things more exciting overall. You don't go into it with the feeling that comes with most tie-in novels, where the story that you're reading, while it takes place in the same universe as a show, it can never actually effect anything about the show. But here you don't quite get that certainty and its a great way to give the reader that feeling of never knowing exactly what's going to happen next. From what I can tell this is set somewhere in what would have been the middle of season 3, a lot of things that happened in season 3 still happened just in a somewhat different way, so it's almost the same but a little bit different. The characters are all amazing, especially Barry, H.R. and Cisco. Cisco's humor is captured perfectly. I loved H.R. on the show and was sad to see him go, so in this wonderful little pocket timeline, we get to see him again and laugh at his absurd kind of genius. The way Barry thinks is written very well, he has to think about a lot of variables when he's being the Flash, and how he handled everything that was going on in his life was spot on as well.
And the science, oh the science. The show has always had a science focus and I love that, but here the author goes above and beyond when it comes to the science, it's all involved and explained in a great and understandable way. We get physics, biology, criminology, and we hear a little about when Barry was just a CSI before he was the Flash and the research he did for some of those cases. Sometimes when you're watching the show it's so focused on Barry being the Flash, you can kind of forget what he did before becoming a superhero, so I really loved all of that attention to detail in here and how much it added to the story. And we get a mystery that leads into the next book so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with that in the future.
This book surpassed my expectations with flying colors, it's an amazing tie-in for the Flash and even though it's technically considered a middle grade novel it will be so enjoyable for Flash fans of all ages, I completely recommend it and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
And the science, oh the science. The show has always had a science focus and I love that, but here the author goes above and beyond when it comes to the science, it's all involved and explained in a great and understandable way. We get physics, biology, criminology, and we hear a little about when Barry was just a CSI before he was the Flash and the research he did for some of those cases. Sometimes when you're watching the show it's so focused on Barry being the Flash, you can kind of forget what he did before becoming a superhero, so I really loved all of that attention to detail in here and how much it added to the story. And we get a mystery that leads into the next book so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with that in the future.
This book surpassed my expectations with flying colors, it's an amazing tie-in for the Flash and even though it's technically considered a middle grade novel it will be so enjoyable for Flash fans of all ages, I completely recommend it and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
March 2, 2018
4.5 out of 5
This read like a Flash episode! I loved every page!
This read like a Flash episode! I loved every page!
January 6, 2021
Pretty good book, honestly I wish this would've happened in the show instead of Barry creating flashpoint.
November 30, 2017
I enjoyed this novel tremendously. It rewrites the series three ending of "The Flash" to what I would have preferred, and then presents an original story from there. The characters and dialogue were so accurate that I could hear their voices in my head as I read, and even though I could nitpick criticisms with the prose, this was a great book overall. My one caveat is that because it spoils many significant series plot lines, people should watch the show before reading the book.
March 7, 2018
Tons of fun! Each character was used well (but not enough Iris, as usual!) and felt like themselves. And the villain was intriguing. I can’t wait for the next one!
August 8, 2019
It's season 5 of The Flash's mid season break, and I got this book for Christmas. I'm glad to have another Flash adventure for while I wait for 5b. This is amazing! I love the plot, with Barry being taken over by Hocus Pocus, and Hocus Pocus talking about his master Abra Kadabra. I wonder if it is the same Abra Kadabra from the show. I should rewatch that episode. I'm really excited to finish Johnny Quick (I have already started it as I am writing this)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2020
I read tie-in novels for things I like because I can be a completist. I usually don't expect a lot. This one was a cut above that. The author clearly knows the show and the characters, and enjoys both. I was very pleasantly surprised by this one.
Set during season three of the show, just after Wally becomes Kid-Flash and HR Wells, idea man, is part of the team, this book has a few different characters from the greater DCU that had never been in the Arrowverse before. Cisco (before he's Vibe all the way) and Caitlin (long before Killer Frost) go for a walk and find a street magician with a little something extra.
Eventually, he becomes a version of classic Flash foe Abra Kadabra. He clashes with Flash and starts pulling off some unbelievable stunts. The team is put through the wringer as they try and figure out how to counter the villain's abilities. Also, Barry's time away from work catches up with him in an interesting sub-plot.
The team tries to figure out what they can do, and how to keep Central City safe from the newest menace. The solution they come up with and explanation for Kadabra's powers doesn't quite work for me, but hey, the rest of the story is good. There's also a slightly larger than cameo role by another DCU character who I was thrilled to see.
Enjoyable story that fits in well with the Flash tv show. Recommended if you like superhero action or the Arrowverse. Really better than I thought it would be.
Set during season three of the show, just after Wally becomes Kid-Flash and HR Wells, idea man, is part of the team, this book has a few different characters from the greater DCU that had never been in the Arrowverse before. Cisco (before he's Vibe all the way) and Caitlin (long before Killer Frost) go for a walk and find a street magician with a little something extra.
Eventually, he becomes a version of classic Flash foe Abra Kadabra. He clashes with Flash and starts pulling off some unbelievable stunts. The team is put through the wringer as they try and figure out how to counter the villain's abilities. Also, Barry's time away from work catches up with him in an interesting sub-plot.
The team tries to figure out what they can do, and how to keep Central City safe from the newest menace. The solution they come up with and explanation for Kadabra's powers doesn't quite work for me, but hey, the rest of the story is good. There's also a slightly larger than cameo role by another DCU character who I was thrilled to see.
Enjoyable story that fits in well with the Flash tv show. Recommended if you like superhero action or the Arrowverse. Really better than I thought it would be.
May 10, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5
Surprisingly good! It was an intriguing move to ditch the Flashpoint timeline and have Barry not run back in time to stop Reverse-Flash. #evaapproves What I don't approve of is that Kid Flash is a thing because it doesn't make sense - Alchemy wasn't around to give him his powers! (Though I will admit that Wally was a lot less annoying in this book than in the show.) Which brings me to my other beef with this book...there's no Julian. I know he was a result of Flashpoint but he's still, y'know, an actual person and could've easily taken over Barry's position as CSI since Barry got suspended.
Other than all that, this was a really good book. Great energy and I think the author captured the characters and dialogue and general feel of The Flash very well indeed. Looking forward to the next books in the series.
Surprisingly good! It was an intriguing move to ditch the Flashpoint timeline and have Barry not run back in time to stop Reverse-Flash. #evaapproves What I don't approve of is that Kid Flash is a thing because it doesn't make sense - Alchemy wasn't around to give him his powers! (Though I will admit that Wally was a lot less annoying in this book than in the show.) Which brings me to my other beef with this book...there's no Julian. I know he was a result of Flashpoint but he's still, y'know, an actual person and could've easily taken over Barry's position as CSI since Barry got suspended.
Other than all that, this was a really good book. Great energy and I think the author captured the characters and dialogue and general feel of The Flash very well indeed. Looking forward to the next books in the series.
July 23, 2022
4.5⭐
The Flash is my favourite TV show (alongside Supernatural) right now and it has been for the past (almost) 7 years. I love it so much and a few months ago I found out about these books so I immediately added all of them to my tbr (and the Supergirl ones too, because I also loved that show).
this definitely had some vibes from the show but what made me not give it a full 5 stars was the way some characters were written. most of them were exactly like in the show but others felt different, not in all the scenes, but in some of them. it felt like it wasn't them yk... idk how to explain it better.
but besides that I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be reading the rest of them.
The Flash is my favourite TV show (alongside Supernatural) right now and it has been for the past (almost) 7 years. I love it so much and a few months ago I found out about these books so I immediately added all of them to my tbr (and the Supergirl ones too, because I also loved that show).
this definitely had some vibes from the show but what made me not give it a full 5 stars was the way some characters were written. most of them were exactly like in the show but others felt different, not in all the scenes, but in some of them. it felt like it wasn't them yk... idk how to explain it better.
but besides that I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be reading the rest of them.
January 20, 2018
This book is a cute adaptation of the CW show, that would be perfect for kids 12-15ish, but had too many annoying inconsistencies and plot holes for me to totally forgive (and I am a huge Barry Lyga fan. He's one of my favorite YA authors) Flash in book form allows for more insight into these character's which is lots of fun, and also allows the author do things that the special effects budget of a TV show can't afford to do. The book lover in me also loves that they did not just opt to do a comic book form of the TV show, because we already have great Flash comics, so it is nice to give us fans a different medium to enjoy our hero through.
July 24, 2019
* I would rate this book 3.75 stars*
I thought this book was such a fun read. I loved being in these characters heads and also going back to the events in season 2 and three. I really loved how this book tackled a WHAT if process of events. I also really liked how this book is seeing up a "long term" storyline almost like it is season of t.v show. I really loved this plot that occurred and was super invested in the story line. I wish we saw more of Iris in this novel but I have high hopes in the next novels she will be present a bit more!
I thought this book was such a fun read. I loved being in these characters heads and also going back to the events in season 2 and three. I really loved how this book tackled a WHAT if process of events. I also really liked how this book is seeing up a "long term" storyline almost like it is season of t.v show. I really loved this plot that occurred and was super invested in the story line. I wish we saw more of Iris in this novel but I have high hopes in the next novels she will be present a bit more!
January 5, 2018
This was a nice short book based on the tv series. The charm of the tv series is the actors, which cannot be fully portrayed with words. However, Lyga does a pretty decent job and this was a fun read.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and nothing is tied up by the end. I wasn't too happy about that. There is no indication of that anywhere, and I definitely wouldn't have read this book had I known. At least not until the final book is out.
Read this is you enjoy the tv series.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and nothing is tied up by the end. I wasn't too happy about that. There is no indication of that anywhere, and I definitely wouldn't have read this book had I known. At least not until the final book is out.
Read this is you enjoy the tv series.
March 15, 2018
I am a big fan of the DCTV shows produce by CW network - I think they have a great formula which just keeps on giving ! I’ve loved the Supergirl novel, so obviously I wanted to read The Flash novel too - but I have to say I didn’t find it as compelling as the Supergirl novel ! It was a little slow paced and slightly boring. But I loved how much time was taken by Wally aka Kid Flash ! I got to know him a little better ! And I’m going to read the rest of the novels too !
January 10, 2018
I love the Flash TV Show, and I knew Barry Lyga is a fantastic author, so when I heard about this book I knew I needed to check it out. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, and would definitely recommend to any fans of The Flash, especially anyone who was unhappy with Season 3 of the series.
January 14, 2018
I’m very impressed with this book. Takes place in an alternate universe from the show where Barry did NOT go back in time to save his mother. The villain in this is legit - lots of tension and suspense. I wasn’t sure how the team would fix things. Lots of threads left open for future books. Terrific for fans of the TV show.
March 12, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this Flash novel. All of rhe characters were well written and in character with their TV counterparts. The story was engaging and over just when things were heating up. My only complaint is that Iris was barely in it, which seemed weird to me since she's Barry's live in girlfriend and Joe's daughter. H.R. had more dialog than Iris...
February 4, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would! It was basically like reading an episode of the flash. It was well written and an interesting fast read. It definitely left me wanting more and I'm excited to get my hands on the next one when it comes out!
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