Thunderhead: Arc of a Scythe
4.7 | 15,180 ratings
Price: 21.83
Last update: 11-30-2025
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- JewelssA thrilling sequel which I knew from the very beginning was going to be a showstopper.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 - RyanSuch a good dystopia p2.The arc of the Scythe series is so good. My kids and I listened to it in the car and when my husband came home from work we dramatically read the good parts. It was so fun as a family. Books one and 2 are great. 3 has some weird ranting leftist stuff mixed in. Over all a great story.
- Erika????????Four Stars????????“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! - IcarusIncredible storyNeal Shusterman has done it again. Thunderhead is a book that’s engaging even without knowing the characters, but having read Scythe (the first book in the series) makes it even better. In this book, you learn more about the Thunderhead, which is one of the best ideas in this book - What if the AI that took over the world was good? Finally, the book ends with the one of the best cliffhangers I’ve read in a while. Buy this book if you’re willing to read the next, for you will most likely be sad to drop the story here.
- WeirdGothicTeacherBetter than the first!There are so many twists and turns in this book! It is absolutely so much better than the first, and I loved the first book. If you read the first book, you definitely have to read this one.