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hoperu's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
dogoodwithbooks's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While it was very dark for a middle grade novel (possibly the darkest middle grade book I’ve read in my entire life), the message of this book is vital and powerful. Full of kids forced to grow up too fast and characters trying to do their best during the end of the world, this book still brings a little light when everything is shrouded in chaos and how the people we surround ourselves with can get us through the darkest moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Transphobia, and Cannibalism
lottie1803's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anniekslibrary's review
4.0
Note to self: always read everything H.E. Edgmon writes.
I'm not typically a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, because they make me SO anxious. But I've loved what I've read from H.E. Edgmon previously, so I still wanted to give this a try, and I'm so glad I did.
This is pretty brutal for a middlegrade novel, but it's also full of heart and hope. Millie and Rose were both very different and have very different ways of coping with what's happening to them, which was interesting to read and I think will help middlegrade readers understand that people respond to similar situations differently and that's okay. I absolutely loved the Lost Boys, particularly Ben, and the story became so much more hopeful once Millie and Rose met them.
This isn't quite 5 stars for me, though, because I was honestly expecting a little more from this. I felt like the ending was a little rushed, and this book didn't do much that felt inventive to me - I feel like it's a fairly standard post-apocalyptic story.
I'm not typically a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, because they make me SO anxious. But I've loved what I've read from H.E. Edgmon previously, so I still wanted to give this a try, and I'm so glad I did.
This is pretty brutal for a middlegrade novel, but it's also full of heart and hope. Millie and Rose were both very different and have very different ways of coping with what's happening to them, which was interesting to read and I think will help middlegrade readers understand that people respond to similar situations differently and that's okay. I absolutely loved the Lost Boys, particularly Ben, and the story became so much more hopeful once Millie and Rose met them.
This isn't quite 5 stars for me, though, because I was honestly expecting a little more from this. I felt like the ending was a little rushed, and this book didn't do much that felt inventive to me - I feel like it's a fairly standard post-apocalyptic story.
alongreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
The Flicker, H.E. Edgmon’s middle-grade debut, stands out as a post-apocalyptic story infused with Indigenous themes, offering a fresh perspective on survival and family. Set in a world devastated by a solar flare, the novel follows two step-sisters, Millie and Rose, along with their infant half-brother, as they embark on a perilous journey to find their grandmother. Edgmon carefully and thoughtfully blends themes of loss, resilience, and identity in a way that both middle-grade readers and adults can appreciate.
The world-building in The Flicker is striking, balancing a bleak, dangerous landscape with threads of hope and community. From the Hive, a menacing faction hoarding resources, to the Lost Boys, a ragtag group of surviving kids, Edgmon explores what happens when society breaks down and how bonds are formed in its place. There are some dark moments here - some you'll see coming and some you won't - but they're balanced with hope and lightness.
At the heart of the novel is the dynamic between Millie and Rose, two sisters who couldn't be more different. Millie's determination to find her Seminole grandmother contrasts with Rose’s more cynical worldview, but both girls are driven by the need to protect their baby brother. The exploration of Indigenous identity through Millie’s perspective adds a unique layer to the story, especially her connection to her grandmother’s wisdom and culture and her fear of forgetting it in this new world.
One of The Flicker's strengths is how it approaches the idea of found family. As the characters traverse the post-apocalyptic world, they learn that family isn’t just about blood; it’s about the people who stand by you in the hardest times. The relationships between the sisters, their baby brother, and the Lost Boys they meet along the way feel authentic and emotionally resonant, capturing both the heartbreak and the hope of their journey.
The book also doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of survival. Whether it’s the constant threat of the Hive or the mental toll of losing loved ones, Edgmon handles these themes with sensitivity, making it accessible to younger readers while still maintaining depth. The Indigenous lens adds a refreshing narrative that challenges common tropes, giving this post-apocalyptic tale a distinctive voice.
However, it's not all perfect. The book changes perspective between Rose and Millie, but there's no warning or flag to let the reader know which is which, so it can be quite confusing! It's also tricky to place this is terms of age - the writing is mostly middle grade, but some of the content feels more like teen or older. Neither of these issues should stop you from reading it, just be aware of them.
The Flicker is more than just a survival story—it's a reflection on family, identity, and the power of hope in the face of catastrophe. H.E. Edgmon has crafted a gripping, heartfelt novel that will leave readers thinking long after the final page.
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Flicker by HE Edgmon to review! I've loved Edgmon's YA books, so I was excited to jump into their middle grade debut. Especially when it comes to a post-apocalyptic story. I feel like we don't see a lot of those in middle grade, so I'm glade that it's crossed over.
The strongest aspect of this book is definitely its characters. We get to flip between Millie and Rose's point of view, seeing how they both view the world they've found themselves in. We also get to see how they both grow closer to each other, realizing that they really need each other. But their journey also shows them that they can welcome others into the fold, too. Others that also help them to realize parts of their identity that they didn't know before.
While I enjoyed the characters and the overall plot, the general pacing felt a little off to me. The ending felt like it wrapped up a little too quickly, even for a middle grade book. Expanding the ending a little would have helped in making the story itself feel more complete.
All in all, not a bad middle grade debut for Edgmon! I think their writing style might be better suited to YA, though.
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Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Transphobia and Cannibalism
sharpiemyshoe's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
mistressviolet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a lovely, character-driven novel set in a post-apocalyptic world. Tender and emotional, with an array of diverse characters. This book touches on a number of deep topics: gender identity, Indigenous culture, and the corrupting influence of power and greed. It also addresses the burden of being a caregiver—the pressure, the burnout, and the desire to take a break and do nothing (even when it is an impossible wish).
Still, amidst all the struggles for survival there are some tender reminders of humanity's capacity for kindness. There are strong themes of found family and community, nods towards the caregivers of the planet, and opportunities to define the new “normal” when it comes to gender rules/roles.
I was in tears by the end.
hedonsgaybookshelf's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book had me emotional! Overall it’s a really beautiful and hopeful message about divesting from capitalism and colonialism to build a better future in community. One of the main themes is how capitalist greed is killing the planet and only LAND BACK will save us; I think it’s so cool to make these concepts accessible for middle grade readers (i.e., our future).
And honestly, this book has so many more beautiful pieces: gender identity exploration and coming out, learning to honor grief, found family (because "blood-family" is a colonizer mindset), staying connected to your roots (and in Millie’s case, Indigenous ancestral knowledge), and dismantling classism and rural stigma. And even when the subject matter is heavy, there’s levity! I laughed out loud a couple times and I think kids will really get a kick out of a few silly bits.
The characters’ inner experiences felt true to their ages and backgrounds, with the Appalachian dialect/accents adding an extra layer of authenticity. I really enjoyed Ben and Alex’s story, and how invested the younger ones were in their queer love.
This would make an excellent gift for any middle-grade kids in your life, especially Native kids, with major life lessons wrapped in an edgy dystopian adventure.
And honestly, this book has so many more beautiful pieces: gender identity exploration and coming out, learning to honor grief, found family (because "blood-family" is a colonizer mindset), staying connected to your roots (and in Millie’s case, Indigenous ancestral knowledge), and dismantling classism and rural stigma. And even when the subject matter is heavy, there’s levity! I laughed out loud a couple times and I think kids will really get a kick out of a few silly bits.
The characters’ inner experiences felt true to their ages and backgrounds, with the Appalachian dialect/accents adding an extra layer of authenticity. I really enjoyed Ben and Alex’s story, and how invested the younger ones were in their queer love.
This would make an excellent gift for any middle-grade kids in your life, especially Native kids, with major life lessons wrapped in an edgy dystopian adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Transphobia and Cannibalism
kaitlynreadsbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0