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deideo's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Once again, I was shocked and surprised by this series. I love how seamlessly the story fluctuates between action, drama, emotion, and philosophy; it is like reading the best parts of many different genres.
Mainly, I view this as a story of four pairs: Rowan & Citra, Faraday & Curie, Goddard & Rand, and Grayson & The Thunderhead. In each pair, the two have to separate (or are separated) to fulfill their own mission. While there is mutual respect between some pairs, others fall to infighting or distrust. By the end of the book most of these pairs have reunited, now able to face this new era of humanity together.
I was able to guess many of the end of the book twists, but much of the middle was a surprise. I had no idea how much I would love Grayson's story, or even what would happen with Tyger. It made the book go very quickly in the middle, but the end seemed less impactful and a bit slow when you can guess what is coming.
I loved the duality through the book, not only by having these pairs working both together and separately, but even how the unsavories were similar to the scythes in many ways; even the tonists and scythes have similar rituals. These binary pieces constantly swirl parallel to each other as the book's DNA, all while The Thunderhead is forced to sit back and allow humanity to forge its own path.
All of this might make you think this is a dense and philosophical book, but the plot is fairly straightforward, fun, and action-packed. The characters just have a lot to deal with, and when it has to do with matters of life and death, it is heavier than a typical YA futuristic dystopian novel.
Mainly, I view this as a story of four pairs:
I was able to guess many of the end of the book twists, but much of the middle was a surprise. I had no idea how much I would love Grayson's story, or even what would happen with Tyger. It made the book go very quickly in the middle, but the end seemed less impactful and a bit slow when you can guess what is coming.
I loved the duality through the book, not only by having these pairs working both together and separately, but even how the unsavories were similar to the scythes in many ways; even the tonists and scythes have similar rituals. These binary pieces constantly swirl parallel to each other as the book's DNA, all while The Thunderhead is forced to sit back and allow humanity to forge its own path.
All of this might make you think this is a dense and philosophical book, but the plot is fairly straightforward, fun, and action-packed. The characters just have a lot to deal with, and when it has to do with matters of life and death, it is heavier than a typical YA futuristic dystopian novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
popsiclerainbow's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Favorite moments:
- THAT CLIMAX OOF we love to see it
- Idk that's the only part of the book that really stood out to me to be honest
- This sounds negative I promise I feel anything but negative towards this book
- Except the romance, THE ROMANCE CAN GO FUCK ITSELF
Why I thought it was 4 stars:
It's 4 stars because the book was very good and very fun but I didn't cry that's basically what all my 4 star ratings mean.
I don't know, I just honestly can't think of many moments to gush about in this review. No particular event, save for the sinking of Endura and the mass death/gleaning of Scythes was very memorable. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not every book needs to leave a lasting impression, sometimes it just needs to entertain you in the moment and Thunderhead does that wonderfully.
Frankly, I'm more interested in discussing the philosophical questions that arise in this story, particularly this notion of a perfect world. While reading this book, hell this series, one matter I had always pondered on was whether or not a perfect world was really what we needed/wanted. Don't get me wrong, seeing all the injustice, inequality and grief in the world is utterly terrible and yes I would do anything I can to ensure that never exists again. But would life have any meaning once those things cease to exist?
Most would probably say it wouldn't, but would also say that they'd rather have a meaningless life than a life full of suffering. And I'd be inclined to agree to that too. But are we saying that so easily because we currently live in a world with suffering and loss? If we were to live in a world with the Thunderhead, would we be saying the same? Maybe for some of us, yes, but for others... maybe not.
To me, this speaks a lot about the human psyche and how we will never be satisfied with anything. Even if our current conditions are objectively better than any of the situations we were in previously, we will always find flaws and yearn for change, even if that change is facetious and regressive. Or maybe that's my inner insecurity demon talking but we'll just ignore that for now.
Anyways, read the Scythe series, it's great, it's fun, it's cool. Just don't expect titillating romances.
- THAT CLIMAX OOF we love to see it
- Idk that's the only part of the book that really stood out to me to be honest
- This sounds negative I promise I feel anything but negative towards this book
- Except the romance, THE ROMANCE CAN GO FUCK ITSELF
Why I thought it was 4 stars:
It's 4 stars because the book was very good and very fun but I didn't cry that's basically what all my 4 star ratings mean.
I don't know, I just honestly can't think of many moments to gush about in this review. No particular event, save for the sinking of Endura and the mass death/gleaning of Scythes was very memorable. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not every book needs to leave a lasting impression, sometimes it just needs to entertain you in the moment and Thunderhead does that wonderfully.
Frankly, I'm more interested in discussing the philosophical questions that arise in this story, particularly this notion of a perfect world. While reading this book, hell this series, one matter I had always pondered on was whether or not a perfect world was really what we needed/wanted. Don't get me wrong, seeing all the injustice, inequality and grief in the world is utterly terrible and yes I would do anything I can to ensure that never exists again. But would life have any meaning once those things cease to exist?
Most would probably say it wouldn't, but would also say that they'd rather have a meaningless life than a life full of suffering. And I'd be inclined to agree to that too. But are we saying that so easily because we currently live in a world with suffering and loss? If we were to live in a world with the Thunderhead, would we be saying the same? Maybe for some of us, yes, but for others... maybe not.
To me, this speaks a lot about the human psyche and how we will never be satisfied with anything. Even if our current conditions are objectively better than any of the situations we were in previously, we will always find flaws and yearn for change, even if that change is facetious and regressive. Or maybe that's my inner insecurity demon talking but we'll just ignore that for now.
Anyways, read the Scythe series, it's great, it's fun, it's cool. Just don't expect titillating romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
t4vs's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am still processing the ending of this book.
If i thought that Scythe was good, oh boy! This one was even better!
If i thought that Scythe was good, oh boy! This one was even better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Kidnapping
Minor: Body shaming
ishouldbereading's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Not as good as the first one, a little slower but still very well written. I liked how we found out more about Thunderhead and I liked the way the father-son relationship with Greyson was written. The end was so tense and beautifully written and it really shows just how far people will go to get what they want.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
truffletree's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
sosobee_06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Though this book did disappoint me at some places - and completely left me in shock at the end - it is definetely one of the best books I've read this year. The character development is just *chef's kiss*. The cliffhanger- I can't wait to read 'The Toll', because I. NEED. ANSWERS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Body shaming and Cursing
miss_granger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thunderhead exceeded my expectations; it was definitely better than the first book in the series. The ending of the novel had me on my toes, and it left off on somewhat of a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read The Toll.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Murder
ok7a's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder