Title: Thunderhead
Series: Arc of a Scythe #2
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: YA Dystopian
Published: January 9th 2018
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 504 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Book Summary:
Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the second novel of the chilling New York Times bestselling series from Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.
Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.
Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?
*The Chef’s Review*
Actual rating: 5/5 stars
I have no idea how to begin to write this review. I don’t know how to describe how incredibly fantastic Thunderhead is!!! The Arc of a Scythe series has become a new recent favorite and I cannot stop talking and fangirling about it. It’s because it is soooo GOOD!
Thunderhead is the second book of the series, in here, as a reader we explore the Scythedome system and experience how faulty it could be. Rowan and Citra (the two main characters), try in their own separate ways to help abolish the corruption and like the Thunderhead says it, keep administrating “the quietus of death with a noble, morale, and humane hand”. The situation is getting out of hand, but the goodness of the humans inside the Scythedome are working hard to control the “new order”, but at what cost? This quote from the book narrows it down:
“We have just entered the worst of all possible worlds.”–Sythe Asimov
In this book, new characters appear that add up so well to the story and we get to know the older ones in a deeper level. I love how even though the Thunderhead is a “machine”, it is written as a character and even shows an astonishing degree of human emotions. The Thunderhead and Scythe Curie are my very favorite in this book. They both show the highest character strength and personality in my opinion and they left me with a strong impression. This book ended with both of them being as amazingly as any character can possibly get, they are that cool!
I also want to mention how the Thunderhead communicated and formed part of this story without having a body. The Thunderhead is the technological advance that humanity created to take care of themselves and earth. It is all seeing, with cameras almost everywhere and handles pretty much every technology in the world. With that said, the Thunderhead notices almost everything. EVERYTHING. So, after every chapter as a reader, one can know what the Thunderhead thinks of the situation. Those bits of after thoughts are pure genius! Also, it can communicate to all human beings (except with the Scythes because they are out of its jurisdiction or “unsavories” which are as close to criminals as humans can get) and talk to them as a parent or best friend that makes it a favorite among people.
Another thing that I want to mention is how surprising the story development is. It started with the same pace as the first book, but it quickly reshaped into something else. Consequences from the decisions made in Scythe started to alter Thunderhead and I was constantly startled with each chapter that I read. GOSH, THE ENDING!!! I cried, I was furious, I was heartbroken, I was a mess of emotions throughout this book. I cannot wait for the next book!
Final Verdict:
I am obsessed with the Arc of a Scythe series and Thunderhead came and impossibly cemented even more my feelings for it. It is an intriguing, fascinating, action packed, heartbreaking story that I will follow until the end of it. Now excuse me while I go drown my feelings with cake until the next book comes out.
I am obsessed with the Arc of a Scythe series and Thunderhead came and impossibly cemented even more my feelings for it. It is an intriguing, fascinating, action packed, heartbreaking story that I will follow until the end of it. Now excuse me while I go drown my feelings with cake until the next book comes out.
Happy reading! — The Chef
I still need to go back and finish reading the first one but I'm so glad you loved this one! It makes me even more excited to read it!
Thanks for sharing,
~Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
I really did! It was amazing and one of my favorite series at the moment despite that I don't generally read Dystonian. I hope you do get the chance to read them!!!