Firefight: The Reckoners, Book 2

Book review by Michael Berry, Common Sense Media
Firefight: The Reckoners, Book 2 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

New setting, twists add intrigue to violent superhero saga.

Brandon Sanderson Fantasy 2015
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Firefight is the sequel to Steelheart and continues the saga of David Charleston and his fellow Reckoners who battle supervillains known as Epics. Heroes, villains, and innocent bystanders are killed in cold blood, but the bloody details are usually omitted. "Hell" is used less than a dozen times and "damn" even less often. Characters prefer an invented slang: "sparks," "calamity," "slontze." David has a crush on Megan, the young woman who apparently betrayed him, and they flirt whenever they meet. They also share a quick make-out session before being interrupted.

Community Reviews

Petalknits
Petalknits Adult
January 15, 2016
age 14+

Great book! Just not for the age it says.

This book is rated on Audible as being for 11-13 year olds. Not only do I enjoy it as an adult, there are some slightly adult situations. A girl is in her wet shirt and the boy stares at her bra. They are both incidentally naked (not planned) and he notices, though he prepares to get her some clothes. Violence-wise, there is less violence, I think, than the first book. There is less blood. Violence from a distance; one scene where a person is charred, and the main character handles the person kindly and thoughtfully. The character, whose job is to kill evil epics, does indeed kill them...up close and personal. But there isn't much detail given and he has regret. He also spends a lot of time devoted to trying not to kill them; rather hopes to change their ways. This book started out a bit slower (though it might have been because I started to listen to it many times when I was sick), but it really captured my interest after a while. It was great for a sequel, adding many new elements and made me anxious for the 3rd book to come out on Audible. David remains a fun character who uses his smarts to get out of many situations. Very clever and I think, unique.
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What's the Story?

Having killed Steelheart, the "High Epic" who ruled as a tyrant over Newcago, 18-year-old David Charleston journeys with his mentor, Prof, to what used to be Manhattan, now known as Babylon Restored or Babilar. The Reckoners' mission is to find and kill Regalia, the mysterious ruler who controls the flooded city via her water-based superpowers. Regalia also is in cahoots with Obliteration, the merciless Epic who burned down Houston and seems to want to do the same to Babilar. While searching for the young woman who betrayed him -- Megan, now known as Firefight -- David must discover the secret weaknesses of the Epics he and his colleagues want to destroy before the Reckoners are led into a deadly trap.

Is It Any Good?

FIREFIGHT mostly avoids the "second book slump," offering a new, wetter setting for the superhero action and delivering a couple of monumental twists that kick the plot into high gear at the climax. The various fight scenes are well realized and clearly choreographed, even if everyone tends to be more talky than would be expected in a duel to the death. David is an appealing protagonist, although his habit of using awkward similes in nearly every conversation gets old after a while. Still, David's unique perspective raises Firefight above the usual X-Men rehash.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why superheroes are so popular with so many audiences in such a variety of media.

  • How would you begin to forgive someone who has betrayed you? What actions would they need to take before you could start to trust them again?

  • Does great power always corrupt those who wield it? How do people with great responsibility gain the wisdom to use it wisely?

Book Details

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