Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman Narrator: Greg Tremblay
Series: Arc of the Scythe #2
Published by Audible on January 9, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy
Length: 13 hours, 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
The Thunderhead cannot interfere in the affairs of the Scythedom. All it can do is observe—it does not like what it sees.
A year has passed since Rowan had gone off grid. Since then, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent.
As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the “new order.” But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.
Will the Thunderhead intervene?
Or will it simply watch as this perfect world begins to unravel?
For some reason, I thought Thunderhead was the sequel to Scythe and it was the end of the Arc of a Scythe series. After I finished reading, I went to look because, man, it can NOT end there. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger but there is so much more I want to know.
I don’t know how much I can say without spoiling. The world, the characters, the plot were all so good. Everyone has multiple facets to their character and aren’t just cliche, even the villains. The bad guys had too much the way they wanted because they don’t follow the rules.
But we have Rowan, who is also not following the rules, to help even things out. He and Citra do not spend much time together in this story. Citra is so strong and compassionate. She makes a difference in this world.
We also have Greyson who is an interesting counterpoint to the story with the Thunderhead. A main character and narrator for our story is the Thunderhead. The Thunderhead is an AI – who skirts the rules just a bit to make things happen. But he can’t interfere with the Scythes and the world loses its balance when they open new history to it.
Narration:
I was very happy to come back to this world with Greg Tremblay. He made it easy to bring the characters back to my mind as well as my feelings. I was able to listen at 1.5x speed which is new for me. The different voices for different characters were great, particularly the non-emotional tone for The Thunderhead.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Neal Shusterman
Award-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell.
Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 Audiobook Challenge
- 2018 New Release Challenge
I’ve not read this author before. I wish I had time to experience all of the worlds that are being created out there in the bookiverse. And a good narrator sure can make things fun, can’t they!
It’s one I tried because of an Audible Daily Deal. I got the first one and then loved it and bought this one. It was a new-to-me author, start of a new series. I’m really glad I tried them. The first was almost YA but this one is really new adult.
I really have liked this series. I also thought this was a 2 book series but it looks like there has to be at least one more if not 2 for it to finish out.
I’m not sure why I thought 2 books but I’m glad there is more because it is definitely not complete. I have to know what happens next!!
I have both books, just haven’t had a chance to read them yet. I was waiting for the third book, The Toll, to release. I’ve heard wonderful things about this series. Happy to see that you enjoyed it.
I really do. The world is very different so there isn’t much of the weird YA high school stuff or drama. This is a totally separate fantasy world. Still there are those who are greedy or want all the power or just enjoy being cruel to others. smh It’s a good story and some fun techie things.
I kind of thought this was a duology as well. I have the audiobooks for the third one and the first one but I might wait for the third one so that I can binge the series.
You might. It’s been about 10-11 months and I know it would have been better if I had read them together so the characters and world were more clear.y in my mind and heart for the second one. That is always the challenge with series when they release one book a year and are very detailed. Some authors do a great job of a quick recap at the beginning. It helps with the same narrator in this case since the world was right there.
Hmm, well now you have me curious but I am not going to start until we know if you get a third book…lol
I think it was supposed to be a duology but now a third book is listed on Goodreads – The Toll with 2019 release. And it’s listed as a series now on all the books. I’m glad it’s continuing; there’s more to be explored here.
Lovely review, Anne. It’s good to know about the ending and there are only a pair of books. I have Scythe, but I haven’t read it yet. I also appreciate your audio thoughts. Happy Holidays!
They are continuing the series beyond the two which was a surprise to me. The first two audios have been amazing. I hope you will enjoy them.
I read the first book and really like it but haven’t gotten around to the second book. Hope the 3rd book releases soon!
I loved the first book, bought this second one right away and have been trying to get to it ALL year! I agree – I hope the third book The Toll is published soon. It says 2109 on Goodreads.?
This series sounds so intriguing, but I think I’ll hold off until it’s finished. I’m waiting on too many ongoing series as it is!
I really like this series. I don’t know how many total books there will be now but at least 3 with the 3rd in 2019.