Thunderhead (2) (Arc of a Scythe)

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman completely lived up to the hype after Scythe and somehow made the story even more intense. My boys (12 and 13) and I were so excited to continue this series, and this book did not disappoint. The world expands in such an interesting way, especially with the growing political tension and corruption within the Scythedom. It adds a whole new layer of depth that led to some really great discussions for us while reading. I loved getting to follow Citra and Rowan as their paths continue to diverge, and the introduction of Greyson added a completely new and fascinating perspective to the story. I don’t want to give too much away, but that ending was wild. I was not prepared. I am so glad we already had the next book ready to go because there is no way I could have waited to find out what happens next. This series is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites, and it is one I find myself recommending to everyone, especially because it sparks such great conversations.

Rating: 5 stars Shusterman does it again! Thunderhead is a spectacular novel, taking after its prequel, and perhaps even improving. A thrilling sequel which I knew from the very beginning was going to be a showstopper. A MUST READ! This book starts off one year after the events of the first novel. Nothing blatant has changed as far as the readers know. Citra, or as we will come to call her, Scythe Anastasia, has been an apprentice for a year, still staying with Scythe Curie. Rowan, deemed Scythe Lucifer, has left Faraday to continue his efforts in eradicating corrupt Scythes. The true main character of this book though? The Thunderhead. I think the characters in this book are the most important facet of many. Shusterman continues to be able to provide such unique characters with varying mindsets and goals throughout the novel. They are so relatable I feel as though any reader would find it hard not to feel connected to each of the characters’ journeys. Citra (Anastasia) and Rowan (Lucifer) are found to be crucial factors in changing the world on top of dealing with their already difficult lives. Shusterman also revisits old characters, putting more emphasis on their perspectives and building on their stories. Then there’s the introduction of a boy named Greyson. We quickly realize he is somebody special in the grand scheme of things. He is extremely loyal to the Thunderhead and its cause, which really drives his character. And as for the Thunderhead… From the very beginning we realize why this book is called Thunderhead. The journal entries of the last book, Scythe, continue in Thunderhead, although this time in the point of view of the titular character. And yes, it is a character despite it being a computer program. It’s odd because at first the way the Thunderhead acts and the things it says seem like it could be humane and therefore corruptible, but that isn’t the case at all. And it may seem arrogant, but on the contrary it’s just being matter of fact. And the Thunderhead knows just about everything, which is pretty awesome when you’re the captive audience witnessing a pretty much omniscient being doing its thing. The Thunderhead is such a complex character, and it’s fascinating how Neal Shusterman allows it and its view of humanity to develop. Where the last book was about personal growth and/in hardship, Thunderhead seems to focus on personal identity with a little or a lot of mystery. The mystery, the plot—it unravels before your eyes. Tyger’s and Greyson’s journeys, Rowan’s endeavors, the threat on Citra’s life, the Thunderhead’s evolution and realizations—they revolve around the same mysterious force driving the novel in such roundabout ways. Characters from past books show up in some of the most orthodox fashion, but it works. Shusterman again explores the characters he presents to us, and he does so in a way that makes you invested, that makes you care. Through the narration Shusterman also provides us with a little dramatic irony where the readers find out something really important in regards to several of the characters, but they themselves do not know. The twists and turns are all over the place which just makes Thunderhead all the more enjoyable. It all leads up to a grand scheme, well a grand problem, but grand nonetheless. It was a roller coaster all the way through, and the thrill of adrenaline that came with the ride was exhilarating. Oh and get your tissues out because seriously, you’re going to need them. The crying and the hurt was real, but then so was the excitement and the joy and the exhilaration. So overall, I am fully satisfied with the novel Shusterman has graced us with and I really can’t wait for the third! Happy Reading! Jewelss

Rowan is doing his own thing, going rogue, and I was cheering him on like a proud mom the whole time. I just wish we got more of him — his chapters were among my favorites, and I wish I got more of them. Scythe Anastasia is taking a unique approach to gleaning, which naturally ruffles a lot of feathers within the Scythedom. We also see her become a leader among the junior scythes and we see the ground that the new-age scythes are gaining and how problematic that is. We’re introduced to a new character in this book and he plays a significant role at the end. Though, I’m not going to lie I found myself really bored by a lot of his chapters, wondering where the heck this was going. It does have a purpose at the end, even if his storyline dragged. One of the most interesting elements in this book is the deeper look we get into the Thunderhead itself — a sentient, all-knowing AI that manages this near-perfect society. It oversees everything except the Scythedom, which sets up some really compelling tensions. There’s a lot of political intrigue, power plays, and plot twists throughout the book… but nothing prepared me for that ending. It’s a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I have no idea where book 3 is going to go from there and I don’t expect a happy ending, but I do hope its happy-ish.

““Well, then,” said Supreme Blade Kahlo, raising her hand in a grand dramatic gesture, “let the wild rumpus start!”” I tend to be one of those people who read the next book in a series I’m following as soon as it’s published (earlier if I can get my hands on an advanced copy) and then spend the next year hanging precariously over a cliff while I wait to find out what’s going to happen next. All I can think after finishing this book is how grateful I am that this time, I’m late to the party. I read Scythe for the first time shortly after it was released and began this book soon after it was published. Then something happened, which I can’t even remember now, that took me away from it before I finished and unfinished it’s remained. Until now. I don’t know how I would have managed if I’d had to wait a year to see how everything unfolds from here but it wouldn’t have been pretty. This is a series you definitely need to binge. I love vigilante Rowan, AKA, Scythe Lucifer. He’s not just making corrupt scythes deadish; he’s making sure they don’t come back. As he researched his potential targets and stalked them prior to taking their lives, he reminded me of the Green Arrow. I wanted his kills to come with a catchphrase … You have failed this Scythedom. Meanwhile, Citra (now Scythe Anastasia) did me proud as a junior scythe. Taking on the best of what both of her mentors taught her but making it her own, Citra’s scythe MO was compassionate and thoughtful, and everything I expected from her. “She is a fresh voice of reason and responsibility. She can make the old ways new again. Which is why they fear her.” However, it was her strength, tenacity and courage that really captivated me. It’s one thing to do the right thing but it’s another thing entirely when the right thing isn’t the easy thing and your decisions come with consequences you can’t necessarily predict and aren’t always in your favour. The big surprise for me, though, was Greyson. I didn’t expect much from him, even though it was clear from the beginning that his role in this series was going to be significant. I enjoyed watching as he began to transform into Slayd. His journey introduced me to unsavouries, whose particular brand of rebellion I found fascinating. I need to live in the restored Great Library of Alexandria. It contains 3.5 million volumes of scythe journals! Favourite no context quotes: “Permission is the bloated corpse of freedom.” “We are forever impaled upon our own wisdom.” “Deadish men tell no tales for a while.” To borrow a new favourite phrase, this book was “fun-and-a-half”. I’m starting The Toll immediately.

Perfect book with unpredictable plot twists

Ok so first of all.... where is book 3? Thunderhead was definitely faster paced than Scythe, but now I understand why Scythe had to build up the characters so well. The book basically takes you through Citra and Scythe Curie's (or Marie) journey on their relationship and some of their other unexpected endeavors. <spoiler>While Citra and Curie survive a few assassination attempts, we get to find out that after the great relief we felt in Scythe with Goddard dying... he's back from the dead. But not only is he back, alive and kicking, Scythe Rand (his right hand lady is back too), the used Tyger's body to bring Goddard back. Gruesome, most definitely, but I think Schuster likes the idea of post death revival scenarios.</spoiler> The best part about this book is the extra, in depth development of some of the characters. We get to see some weakness in the most "powerful" such as Scythe Constatine and the Thunderhead itself. Citra and Curie have their moments as well and bring Faraday back with a whole new mission is refreshing. <spoiler>The Thunderhead's development and it's overall lack of corruption is amazing but also completely infuriating. I wanted to throw the book down numerous times because I needed him to reach out to Greyson and I needed him to fix things. But, showing it's vulnerability and feelings about the world, made the Thunderhead one of my favorite characters. It would be so tragic to sit there and watch the world pass you by and all you can really do is relish in the good, guide the bad, and watch everything else fall apart because of some ancient rules.</spoiler> The ending of Thunderhead is probably one of the most captivating endings I've read in a long time. It will literally have you begging for the next book because there is absolutely <b>NO WAY</b> that things can end how they did. <spoiler>The Scythedom is pretty much in utter chaos now. Goddard and Rand sunk Endura. Citra and Rowan will be dead(ish) in a time capsule until someone finds them in who knows how long. Xenocrates will likely be resurrected as well, since there was no mention of the sharks devouring him. Curie self-gleaned along with a bunch of other Scythes - which is going to destroy Faraday. Faraday found the Marshall Islands and pieced together his nursery rhyme. Thunderhead is just pissed off for lack of a better explanation. Thunderhead ends the book entirely enraged and marks everyone unsavory. Only because Greyson hit a soft spot for me for some reason, I was delighted to see that his status was cleared. Pretty much what's going to have to come is Greyson getting Faraday and his assistant. They need to get to the where Endura was, rescue Rowan and Citra, probably find Xenocrates. Then they need to track down Goddard and Rand and finally kill them completely. BUT... I anticipate a twist in which Rand completely turns on Goddard after that painful rejection...</spoiler> To sum it all up. This book was great. Definitely a good read and just when you think you predicted just how everything turns out, everything gets thrown in for another loop.

Someday maybe, Neal Shusterman will write a book that doesn't make me cry. And then I will cry because I miss it. I LOVE so much the way that Shusterman books are so complex and beautiful and tragic and just like he compares a situation in the book to a lobster in a slowly heating pot, I feel like that is precisely what he does to us. Maybe I'm just a naive reader, but I never see his twists coming. Something I've also noticed that I really enjoy about Shusterman's books, and this is no exception, is that although there are multiple storylines going throughout the books, I never get bored of one and start to wonder what's going on with another... I'm often surprised when suddenly another storyline comes crashing back into the scene. I always think, "Wow! I forgot that was even happening!" For me, it is a testament to the complexity. It's all of these threads being pulled together behind the scenes... you have no idea how it's coming together until you see the beautiful and typically destructive results. The world-building, as always, is beyond spectacular. I liked how some of the robes reflected the patron historic-- leather, denim, etc. Even such a simple little thing like Supreme Blade Kahlo misquoting [book:Where the Wild Things Are|19543]... because those are the kind of things that happen with time. This book makes us wonder about the people who helped create and hand over power to the Thunderhead. In [book:Scythe|28954189], we're lulled into acceptance of it, even though we have a hard time imagining giving an AI all of our power (though I wonder if each new generation in our actual world will be less worried about technology's intrusion). Now we start to see that maybe not only the scythedom has been hid from the Thunderhead... there are failsafes in place. But what if those failsafes are going to be our downfall? What if we put these rules in place during a time when we couldn't possibly conceive of how things were going to play out and how PEOPLE would change? It makes me think about the Constitutional debates we're having as a nation right now. How can we imagine all eventualities? The Founding Fathers couldn't even imagine a time when the races were equal... how could they imagine how technology would change? And this is what comes up with the Thunderhead... the original Scythes created rules, blocks, failsafes... and then the world changed. Are their protections going to help or hurt? I am dying to know what comes next. Why doesn't The Toll have a release date yet? (No, I don't really mean that... take as much time as you need, Shusterman, to make the third book amazing. It's so worth the wait.) Also, a note. I need more words to describe books I love besides beautiful and tragic. Or maybe I just only really love beautifully tragic books...

“Death must exist for life to have meaning.”- Thunderhead. SYNOPSIS: 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? REVIEW: So much happened in this book, wow. Where do I even begin!? As with the first book, I really enjoyed this one and rated it four stars as well. This book dives deeper into the politics that surround both the Scythedom and the Thunderhead, so there was a lot of information to take in. This book also adds more to the plot and to the motivations of various characters. Overall, I think the book did an excellent job filling out the story and also putting it in a position for the final book and ending. As with the first book, I found this writing very easy to read and page-turning. Overall, I did enjoy the characters once again as many of them were also present within the first book. I will say though that other than the main characters, some of the other side characters that are mentioned off-and-on can sometimes be a bit confusing. I think this is because of their Scythe names, and some of them having similar names. I noticed at some points I got confused a little around which side character did what, but I think it was okay in the end. As with the first book, I still would like to see more character development. Yes, we do get more character development in this book, but I almost feel like there is a lack of emotional development. Maybe I’m expecting too much in that category, but to me some of the things the characters go through are very emotional and I just would like to see more exploration into their own feelings about it. I did enjoy the introduction of a new character, Greyson, though. I really adored how we were seeing from someone’s perspective who wasn’t a Scythe. I thought his story line brought so much to the book and introduced us to what else goes on behind the scenes. Okay, so I have already started the final book, “The Toll”, because the ending of this book blew me away and I HAD to know what was going to happen next. In a way, I appreciate that I waited to read this trilogy so that I could read all three back-to-back. Especially with the introduction of more of the politics- reading them this way has been beneficial. Well, off to see what the ending holds!