Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)

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Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)

2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy | Young Adult (YA)

Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the chilling sequel to the Printz Honor Book Scythe from New York Times bestseller Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.
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?



Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Edition Hardcover
ISBN 9781442472457
Language English

Main Image Courtesy: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Background Image Courtesy: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Images And Data Courtesy Of: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
This content (including text, images, videos and other media) is published and used in accordance with Fair Use.

Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) Reviews & Ratings (9)
9-10
77.8% (7)
7-8
11.1% (1)
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11.1% (1)
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Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) reviews from people you don't follow
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BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated

Aug 11, 2018  
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Neal Shusterman | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can I just say everything (6 more)
No seriously everything
The characters
The setting
The plot
The plot twists
That fucking ending.
Put down what your reading and pick up this series!
Okay when I read Scythe it was the book that finally got me out of my 5 month reading slump it was just so damn good and unputdownable that I was kind of hesitant to read the sequal Thunderhead because it's just so rare that a second book can be not only as good as the first but some how even be better. So finally I picked up Thunderhead and let me tell you from the very beginning you can tell that it's going to be even better then book one.

To sum up my feeling on Thunderhead my goodreads review which I updated not even five minutes after finishing the book consists of one single word which I feel completely sums up my feelings after reading the final page and that was....

"FUCK!"

The thing that really got to me about the ending is not even the fact that it came out of left field no I had a feeling where it was going from book one and even through out the second book but the execution was just so Flawless and everything leading up to it just had you holding your breath I even had to reread some sections cuz it was just that damn good.
(5)   
Show all 3 comments.
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BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) Aug 13, 2018

Definitely do it is one of the best series I have ever read...and I've read a lot.

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ClareR (5854 KP) Aug 13, 2018

I will!!?
(1)

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A Bibliophagist (113 KP) rated

Feb 5, 2020  
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Neal Shusterman | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (4 more)
Plot
Pacing
Worldbuilding
That ending
A great sequel
I picked up Scythe in a challenge to myself to read something I wasn't interested in, and I chose two books popular on my feeds. One with a cover I hated (Throne of Glass) and one with a cover I liked (Scythe). I really didn't expect to love Scythe as much as I did (check out its review through my profile!) but I did! So I immediately picked up the even prettier Thunderhead. This cover is just beautiful, and as an illustrator, seeing her thank her cover artist on one of the first pages was wonderful. This review may contain minor spoilers for Scythe, so don't read it unless you've read Scythe!
    
   We pick up where Scythe left off, after Citra gives Rowan immunity, sparing him from being gleaned even though she is chosen and takes the name, Scythe Anastasia. He goes on the run instead of being imprisoned by the Scythdom until his immunity runs out. After leaving his self imposed exile with Scythe Faraday, Rowan dons a cloak of his own, becoming a vigilante and killing (and burning) Scythes who abuse their power. The world dubs him Scythe Lucifer and everyone is trying to find him. Scythe Anastasia is learning her place in the Scythedom, a beacon of hope for the old guard, they hope she will inspire the new Scythes to turn away from the new order. Following Rowan's disposal of Scythe Goddard, the new order has made a martyr of him. The Schism amongst the Scythedom continues to grow, and all is not well. Scythe Curie and Scythe Anastasia are targetted by unknowns, attempting to kill them (permanently). Meanwhile, the Thunderhead reflects on its choice to be separate from the Scythes, Fearing what is becoming of the Scythedom, but unable to do anything, it inlists a boy, Greyson, who was essentially raised by it, to act as a liaison, never telling him to do anything in particular, but implying enough that Greyson sacrifices everything to try and help Scythe Curie and Anastasia and fulfill the Thunderhead's goals. This sacrifice doesn't go unnoticed, as a reader it felt palpable, I felt for him. On top of all this, something is stirring, ghosts are coming back to haunt the Scythedom and a shift of power puts Anastasia and Marie in the crosshairs of danger, forcing them to not only stand up for MidMerica but the entire Scythedom, even if that means facing the Grandslayers.
   
   Shusterman does a wonderful job of continuing the story. Sticking to the world that he previously laid out and delving deeper with new perspectives like Greyson, and rather than the Scythe Journal interludes we have Thunderhead interludes which are exceptionally interesting. We learn more about this "perfect world" they now live in, and we see actual character development as both Rowan and Citra come to terms with their new lives. On top of this, the plot just continues to thicken and brew, building upon itself until it finally explodes in the finale. Holy Moley the finale. I let out an audible noise at that cliffhanger, so audible my partner checked to makes sure I was okay. I also IMMEDIATELY bought the next book. That was the cliffhangers of cliffhangers.

   One of the things I applaud in these books is the romance between Citra and Rowan, it's so understated (at times, too understated) not lusting after each other, or thinking about how hot each other are. This is just an honest two people coming together who have been through crap together. It's a deep connection, and while I found it eh and slightly too understated in the first book, I grew to appreciate it's the subtlety in the second.

  At times this book had larger than life moments, but even these Shusterman was able to write so well I didn't mind them, they didn't make me roll my eyes. He made his world believable, even if it sounds ridiculous when I try and explain the plot to others. This book made me cry, it made me gasp and it made me feel a full gamut of emotions. Things I didn't know a YA book could make me feel. Also, did I mention that freakin CLIFF HANGER?

 Good job Shusterman, Good Job.
(2)   
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Anna Steele (111 KP) rated

Jun 25, 2018  
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Neal Shusterman | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am extremely shook
Neal Shusterman has just reinstated himself as my all-time favorite author. His books have been with me throughout my life. The Unwind dystology, The Skinjacker Trilogy, Bruiser, Challenger Deep, and now the Arc of a Scythe. Each one of these stories has touched me in a deep and unique way. Thunderhead is no exception. Book one of this series: Scythe, received my first 10/10 review on this platform and the sequel was even better. Shusterman provides jaw-dropping twists and turns to his narrative that will leave your head spinning and your blood pumping, (your nanites might even have to lower your adrenaline). The Thunderhead is a compassionate character like no other, who knew you could ever relate so strongly and feel so deeply for an artificial intelligence? It is witty and sly, calculating and benevolent, and can be brought into a fury or plunged into despair by the acts of the immortal humans who created it. I need the continuation of this series and I need it now, the final moments are so intense that I choked on my tears after the last line. This is the most mentally engaging dystopian society novel you will ever read. I hope to come back to Shusterman for more in the coming years.
(1)   
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)
Neal Shusterman | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
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#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2656699288">Scythe</a>; - ★★★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2998629500">Thunderhead</a>; - ★★★★★
#3 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3080800725">The Toll</a> - ★★★★★

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I thought Scythe will be my favorite book of the year, but then I read Thunderhead. It is a shame that I won’t be able to read The Toll this year - but I am honestly so honored to have a chance to read this series in my lifetime. Neal, please let me kiss your immortality ring!

Thunderhead is a continuation of The Arc of Scythe series, where we follow two characters, Citra and Rowan, in their journey to become apprentices of Scythe Faraday. With many twists and turns, which I don’t want to spoil for you all, Thunderhead begins exactly where Scythe finished. And it only gets better from here!

While in Scythe, the main focus of the book was the introduction to the world of Scythes, their beliefs, their challenges, their destiny, in Thunderhead, we get to know the Thunderhead better. The mind behind all the success of humankind, the brains behind how we managed to beat immortality. The Thunderhead sees everything and it can control everything - except the Schythedom. 

<b><i>“The end doesn’t always justify the means, dear.” she said. “But sometimes it does. Wisdom is knowing the difference.”</i></b>

This book was so powerful in so many ways. The bravery of Scythe Citra, now known as Scythe Anastasia. The determination of Rowan. Thunderhead and the power and wisdom it holds, but is unable to share it. The sacrifice of Scythe Curie. The friendship that slowly turns to love and trust between Citra and Rowan and their fights to bring fairness and justice, both of them fighting for the same goal, but in their own different ways. 

Thunderhead was everything I was hoping it to be and more. It was all I ever wanted from it. The writing, the mini entries of thoughts from the Thunderhead or the diary excerpts that keep you engaged chapter after chapter are such a refreshing way to read a book.

I think this series will end up being my favorite one of all time, and I cannot wait to get to The Toll and get the ending I am hoping I will get. Thunderhead finishes with an enormous cliff-hanger, that makes you beg for the next book. 

I recommend this book so, so much and in real life I cannot stop talking about it. Please pick up a copy and give it a try. If you don’t instantly fall in love with it, you can glean me.

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