Flash: The Haunting of Barry Allen

This is the first part of a duology set within what has become known as the Arrowverse. The two books emulate what has previously been done several times within the two television shows, ‘The Flash’ and ‘Arrow’; this novel being the Flash part of the story and the concluding ‘Generation of Vipers’ being the Arrow part.‘The Haunting of Barry Allen’ does not have to be read in conjunction with ‘Generation of Vipers’, however, as it functions perfectly adequately as a complete story within its own right. This is because there are two main story threads running through it.The primary plot for this novel pits Flash and his colleagues against five of his enemies from the television show. Essentially Weather Wizard, Prism, Peekaboo and the Mist have teamed up to defeat Flash under the direction of the Pied Piper, whose own powers are considerably increased as part of his plan for vengeance against STAR labs. Having a large group of metahuman villains makes for a greater threat and of course allows space for Arrow to come to Flash’s assistance.The other main plotline is that of the eponymous ‘haunting’. It refers to a side effect that has developed within Barry due to the events at the end of the first series of ‘The Flash’. It is a storyline that slowly develops during events; coming to prominence during the closing stages ready for the second book.The Arrow team don’t arrive in the story until quite a considerable time into it, but when they do Green Arrow arrives in a typical, but equally dramatic, heroic deus ex machina type way that echoes each television series.Once in Central City, Oliver adopts the mentor type role of a more experienced hero to Barry’s apprentice like role. It works well and, this being the Flash orientated book of the duology, means that Arrow is primarily seen in this light by Barry. Thus the novel captures the idea of the more serious, ‘darker’ hero interacting with the lighter hearted, somewhat innocent one. The contrast between them is used well in the novel.Inevitably Diggle and Felicity take a bit more of a back seat among so many characters, but there is some nice interaction between John and Joe. They both assume the role of the more sensible right hand man to their respective hero who grounds them in reality as well as struggling at being parents in the new world they have inadvertently found themselves in.The main strength of this novel is its success at capturing the characters, atmosphere and style of the programme it is based upon. Fans of the television series will most likely enjoy it.

Excellent book, made a great Christmas present for my son who loves the Flash to series

The flash can do no wrong

Older daughter mad about this character so this book great success.

Il libro è solo il primo di una duologia. Ho letto le recensioni e non pare male come storia, è in inglese è semplice da comprendere anche per chi non ha la laurea in inglese.Le 3 stelle le ho messe per il libro che pare sia stato usato, piegoline e piccoli strappi come se fosse stato già usato!Eppure l'ho comprato nuovo! Peccato