Thunderhead
Ratings349
Average rating4.3
Holy shit. The ending left me totally bewildered. I loved it.
There are so many things great about this book, it was funny and still very serious. The way the thoughts of the thunderhead are shown really made it a character and how it loved and hated and how powerless it feels.
Another thing about this that I really liked was the way the scythes are named. And they way Citra's names and how she is referred to in the book is an important way to show how she views herself and how the people addressing her view her.
I cannot wait to read the next one, fuck I have to know how this ends.
Yesssss!! The world building in Scythe really paid off here! I'm seriously in love with this world and the subtle not so subtle ways it tells us that our current way of living seriously lacks in all aspects. Also, I'm a serious Scythe Anastasia stan!! She's the best!!! And Greyson is just so great! If it wasnt clear yet, I liked this book A LOT and can't wait to read the next one!
I am writing this review after finish [b:The Toll 43822024 The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3) Neal Shusterman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558117336l/43822024.SY75.jpg 59222476] as I have pretty much read them as one book though I will limit this review only to my thoughts regarding Thunderhead and ignore the conclusion of the final book.To me Thunderhead was better that Scythe. There were a few underutilized elements, mainly Rowan as Scythe Lucifer who even in the first book was in Citra's shadow, here he's relegated to even lesser importance which saddened me. Also he gets captured way too easily.Citra is great and her method of gleaning is unique and very appropriate for her. I enjoyed her chapters, but not as much as those of...Grayson Tolliver who was fun and I loved him so much. He easily became my favorite character!The one “character” I have trouble summarizing my thoughts on is the titular Thunderhead. I just didn't care much for its musings.Then there was the ending which, to my surprise, many found unexpected. I found it quite predictable and immensely contrived. For the sake of not spoiling the book I am refraining from mentioning the details but it was... silly.The other part of the ending though was great!
The last 90% of the book... so much was happening at once but it didn't feel rushed at all. I really liked it. So much sadness it got me tearing up.
Despite being scythe lucifer, Rowan didn't shine as much in this book. Instead we were introduced a new character, Greyson. Him and the Thunderhead are my favourite throughout the book.
This was so good! Just as interesting as the first one for me, it didn't have that middle book of a series slump you so often see. Loved how much background and detail of the world we got in this book and loved learning so much more about the Thunderhead.
The Scythe series up until this point has been so incredibly interesting that it feels real! The pacing is a bit slow at times, and I do have trouble picking it up, but just forcing myself to read has paid off so immensely each time!
The characters are well written and interesting, their motives are believable and fun, and this story is heavily character focused with AN AMAZING PLOT.
Let's talk about the plot.
Holy. S#!+.
My general complaint with the first book, despite loving it and burning through it, was that it felt like the major plot points, pinch points, and turning points were mundane for such a grandiose world. I can't think of a better word for what I truly mean, the plot was interesting but unimpressive, it was good but not inspiring, and I wasn't gripping the book reading it. Don't get me wrong, it was SO SATISFYING to read and finish Scythe, and I immediately bought the second book, but it wasn't as flashy or grand as a Gentlemen Bastard book is by comparison.
Thunderhead, though?
From the Act 1 finale, to the Act 2 finale, to the final scene when what seems like every promise and hook the first book makes is delivered AND had me gripping the book, I can say this plot, these characters, and these moments are every bit as grandiose and thrilling as a Scott Lynch plot line. The major difference is that, in my opinion, you can probably see things coming in this book when you wouldn't see them coming in a Scott Lynch book, but that doesn't change the fact that it will have you stunned by the end.
Mild spoilers ahead, but nothing specific. Major spoilers for Game of Thrones though.
SPOILERS AHEAD*
The ending of this book has me torn. I'm devastated for the main characters. I'm devastated for the Old Guard. I'm devastated for the MidMerican Scythedom. Ladies and Gentlemen, this book has me shook. I haven't felt this feeling since chapter 10 of A Game of Thrones book when Bran was casually chucked from a window, or the end of Book 1 when Edward Stark died and it took me 6 months to pick up book 2. Or the red wedding. I'm SHOOK. I hurt for these characters, and much like the Lannister's, I want the culprit to die a most painful death. (Oooh I'm trying not to spoil anything) I don't even want to read the next book if it's going to hurt this much. Ughh.
This review is also featured at Behind the Pages: Thunderhead
Rowan and Citra have different ideas on how to fix the Scythedom. While Rowan prefers to wipe out the scythes who cheat the system, Citra prefers to work from the inside and influence scythes to follow the old ways. But both are earning a name for themselves and have enemies watching their every move. And if either of them lets down their guard, those same enemies won't hesitate to end them. But the Thunderhead sees everything, even if it cannot interfere in Scythe affairs. But it can certainly use humans to navigate around the system parameters it was given. The only question is, is it too late?
The first book focused on building the world of the Scythes. Having readers learn the political atmosphere that surrounded them. In Thunderhead, readers' views of the world are expanded by showing the strengths and weaknesses of the Thunderhead system that maintains the world. Instead of reading journals of the Scythes in between chapters, readers are allowed snippets of thoughts from the Thunderhead as it explains its actions based on its programming. And readers are shown that it might just have the capability for emotions. I found it fascinating how the Thunderhead operated and drew conclusions. And all the while there is that hint of humor bubbling beneath the surface.
Without having to lay down the foundations of world-building, the second book in Arc of the Scythe was faster paced. The narrative has expanded to include Scythes from previous novels along with Rowan and Citra. The story also takes a step further into showing the corruption that can occur despite the fact the world remains a near perfect place. The underbelly of human society is exposed. The Unsavories, people who have committed acts that have labeled them as trouble. And one such Unsavory, Greyson Tolliver, may be the only person who can save the Scythes.
As I read the last page of this book, I was speechless. The villainous arc that took place within these pages was disturbing and so anger inducing that I can't wait to read the next. I need to know if justice will be served and what is going to happen to the characters. Neal Shusterman has effectively hooked me into this world of death and political upheaval.
Whoever is reading this, be careful, there are major spoilers ahead.
The funny thing about the great concept of the book is that it is not everything to make it great. And this part, it was different. It was interesting to see the point of Thunderhead on all that is happening, on his role and his limitations.
However, I was not impressed with the certain points of the plots. I believe with the level of technology in the Scythe settlement constant resurrections are a given. But do Goddard and Rand really needed to come back alive after being burned? Especially after the fire was supposed to make them unressurectable. Why couldn't there be other villains? Why keep such a focus on the dead ones if you had such an opportunity to broaden the world?
Nevertheless, the ending of the book was epic, even if it slightly reminded me of the Titanic's drowning. Such destruction. Well, I still don't understand what Thunderhead wants to accomplish by marking all people besides Greyson as unsavories, but I'm curious to see.
For YA, this series tackles some pretty deep philosophical questions. I thought this second installment did an excellent job continuing the tropes and themes from the first—especially because it moved away from the romantic aspects of the first book. The addition of a new, deeply complex character helped carry us away from this being a love story and brought us Into more morally exploratory territory. The ending feels like it jumped the shark, but I'm excited to see how the third book goes.
Thunderhead provided where Scythe did not. To be honest I wasn't sure if it would be worth continuing the series but I ended up picking it up again after all of the hype over the release of [b:The Toll 43822024 The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3) Neal Shusterman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558117336l/43822024.SY75.jpg 59222476]. Wow. This is a major improvement from the first book. This is where the plot really took off. I understand now that Scythe was just laying the groundwork for the rest of the series. So much happened and was honestly so fun to read.
i just...am so glad i waited until i had the toll already to read this. very similar to scythe in the twists and turns and throwing you all over the place, but the final twist creeps up on you and just explodes in the best way. you really get to see the characters develop over the course of this book and transform; even greyson, who's new in this book. the only thing i wasn't a huge fan of was the character of purity. she was very much an average wild girl plot device that i'm sick of seeing. but i'm willing to overlook it in favor of this fantastic sequel. it somehow took things darker than even scythe, and i just can't wait to start the toll in the next five minutes
Some of the major plot twists are really goofy and undermine the tension that should be building. Citra and Rowan continue to have no romantic leanings, but it's stated they exchanged “I love yous” between books. I strongly believe Neal Shusterman's agent or publisher said he had to include a romantic pairing or it wouldn't sell. So he added a few sentences and called it a day.
Instead of Scythe journal entries, the Thunderhead itself waxes philosophical between every chapter. I enjoyed the AI perspective for the most part. A few new characters are introduced, one of which is totally dedicated to the Thunderhead, so we get a new perspective on the all powerful system that the characters couldn't interact with in the first book.
This is such a great dystopian series. This started off right where the first book left off and moved with a great pace and build. Now, at the end, dark and treacherous times are upon the world and the scythedom is at the mercy of a madman's game. Citra and Rowan may be the only hope to restore the scythedom to its previous stature. It seems, though, The Thunderhead may have other ideas ...
Well done second book in the series. Some of it was a bit over the top, but the world is too so it worked. I look forward to how this will all resolve.
Simply outstanding
One of my favourite books of all time. I can't understate how incredible every chapter in this book is. Something is always happening, the story is always progressing and you'll be forever falling more and more in love with this world and its characters.
Neal Shusterman has written a truly breathtaking book that has one of the most fulfilling and epic endings I've ever read. Never more have I wanted to read the next book. Pre-ordered for me and my partner straight away!!
Amazing follow up to Scythe. Was a joy through and through. Sad it took me so long to get to it.
Thunderhead picks up where Scythe left off (... obviously, that's what sequels do, Karissa -.-). Rowan Damisch is wanted by the scythedom and Citra Terranova has to adjust to her new life as Scythe Anastasia. But could Neal Shusterman leave the plot as simple as that? The answer is no, no he could not.
Holy cow, this book was a RIDE. There were twists and turns and several moments where my mouth just fell open. Sadly, I was reading alone, on my couch, because I totally wanted to look around and be like, “did ya'll just read what I just read???” Shusterman throws characters at you left and right in this book, but it all somehow works without feeling like a complete overload. I don't feel like anyone was added that didn't need to be added. I loved the progression of this book and much like Scythe, it was a casual build and then at the end you had to hold on tight. I'm looking forward to book 3 (because there -has- to be a book 3, despite there not being a release date or anything for it yet) and how newbie Greyson Tolliver will play into the new world that Shusterman has now left us with.
