Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sci-fi chiller ups the action, twists in fast-paced sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a captivating sequel filled with adventure and emotional depth, but it contains elements that might not be suitable for younger audiences, such as mild violence and sexual innuendos. While some readers appreciated the character development and themes, others felt it strayed too far from the first book, expressing concerns over its appropriateness for children.
- strong reader recommended
- emotional depth
- character development
- mild violence
- age appropriateness
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As THUNDERHEAD opens, both Rowan and Citra are putting their lives on the line to control the corrupt "new order" of scythes dedicated solely to their own ambitions. Rowan has become a mysterious vigilante, swooping down on self-serving scythes and making sure they are permanently dead. Along with her mentor scythe, Marie, Citra challenges the scythes openly and legally, even while there are attempts on her life. Meanwhile, the omniscient Artificial Intelligence known as Thunderhead watches over everything, even though it's forbidden to act directly against the scythes and their followers.
Is It Any Good?
Second volumes of a thriller series often have a hard time maintaining momentum, but this sci-fi chiller delivers a finale that gleefully upends every expectation. There is plenty to like about Thunderhead from its opening chapters, as Citra plays deadly political games and Rowan gets his hands dirty by gleaning the most corrupt scythes. Author Neal Shusterman poses tantalizing questions about free will and determinism but also keeps the novel's pacing taut and the action revved high. Rowan and Citra continue to be highly appealing characters, and even the villains possess interesting quirks. The climax of this volume is splendidly crazy, full of reversals and twists that no one will see coming. Readers will be left perfectly set up for the third volume, which may take the saga into space.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Thunderhead tackles questions of philosophy. Do people have free will, or are their fates determined by a higher power?
What would it be like to have the power of life and death over someone?
Thunderhead includes a lot of violent scenes. Is it easier to take violence on the page than on TV or in movies? Is violence ever justified?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 9, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 514
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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