Thunderhead (Exclusive Edition) (Arc of a Scythe Series #2) (edition 2018)

by Neal Shusterman (Author)

Series: Arc of a Scythe (2)

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2,739	92	5,248	(4.35)	12
Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, and the Thunderhead is not pleased.

▾Book information

Member:	CupertinoHSLibrary
Title:	Thunderhead (Exclusive Edition) (Arc of a Scythe Series #2)
Authors:	Neal Shusterman (Author)
Info:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (2018)
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
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Work Information

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

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▾Member reviews

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Showing 1-5 of 90 (next | show all)

This middle book of the Scythe trilogy looks at the seperation of powers between the Thunderhead and the Scythes, and when the rules can be bent a bit. It sees the Bad Guys who were destroyed at the end of Book 1 come back in dramatic and unlikely ways. And if the final scene with hundreds of mind controlled angry sharks devouring the Supreme Council of Scythes on their floating city isn't jumping the shark, I don't know what is!

I did enjoy the exploration of what happens when people really just want to be Nasty in this perfect world, and how the Thunderhead can make the world perfect for them as well. Ah, free will... (

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atreic | Mar 27, 2024 |

I thought it was amazing. It set up a lot for the next book. My favorite character was definitely The Thunderhead itself. I loved how it tried to grapple with human emotions. I am excited to start The Toll. 10/10 - January 30, 2024 (

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XRayBlaster006 | Jan 30, 2024 |

Well, that was a wonderful surprise! Honestly, I shouldn't even expect anything less from Shusterman. With so many dystopia and alt universe ya novels in the past years, he still stands apart with clever and original imaginings. ❤️ (

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Jenniferforjoy | Jan 29, 2024 |

This dragged in the middle, and I was not keen on the back from the dead character, but it ended well. I'll read the next one! (

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Greenfrog342 | Jan 22, 2024 |

What a strange ride. The first half of the book suffers a bit from pacing issues. Introducing new characters and spending a bit too much time of them instead of the main characters tended to get a bit too tedious for me.

Then halfway through the book, you're hit with a huge WTF moment, that makes you question the rules of this universe. But what are the rules in a post-mortality society anyway? The return of Goddard was this WTF moment. He was supposed to be dead dead, and that was the highlight of book one. Bringing him back cheapens that... but in hindsight, also send a message about how you can seemingly never get rid of people like him. He's very much a Trump-like character, and there will always be insane, power-hungry people like him.

A lot of this book is also a setup for Book 3 (I assume), and the most interesting plot line is left open. Let's see how that ends. (

)

adastra | Jan 15, 2024 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Neal Shusterman	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Tremblay, Greg	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Arc of a Scythe (2)

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Margaret A. Edwards Award (2024)

Notable Lists

Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (Top Ten – 2019)

The Best Children's Books of the Year (2019)

CCBC Choices (2019)

King County Library System Best Books (Teen Books – 2018)

Nerdy Book Award (Young Adult Literature – 2018)

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Canonical title

Thunderhead

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2018-01-09

People/Characters

Citra Terranova

Rowan Damisch

High Blade Xenocrates

Greyson Tolliver

Important places

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

For January, with love

First words

How fortunate am I among the sentient to know my purpose.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

813.6

Canonical LCC

PZ7.S55987

▾References

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Wikipedia in English

None

▾Book descriptions

Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, and the Thunderhead is not pleased.

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Book description

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?

Haiku summary