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Parents' Guide to

Thunderhead: Arc of a Scythe, Book 2

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Sci-fi chiller ups the action, twists in fast-paced sequel.

Book Neal Shusterman Science Fiction 2018
Thunderhead: Arc of a Scythe, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Thhhhhhi
Thhhhhhi Adult
November 27, 2019
age 12+

Dark and mature content, but very well written and addictive!!

I am a mother of three children. I read this book with my daughter who is turning 13 in a couple of months. Lots of her friends had already read scythe ( the first one in the trilogy) and she was desperate to continue. All though the first one is probably 11+ the second one ( thunderhead) gets darker and has more detailed disturbing scenes. With a decapitated Head sown onto a loved character’s body can be described very graphically and detailed and is very gruesome. Let alone the level of romance has increased with more mature concepts. All though, thunderhead was a very exciting and intriguing read but can be slow paced at times. I definitely recommend!
Bryton Massie
Bryton Massie Adult
November 1, 2018
age 15+

Dear Parents, (Discretion is required in this book)

This is an amazing book, I've read many reviews discouraging people from reading this book, all or lengthy although lacked fundamental details and were more ranting due to the reviewer having a lack of fundamental understanding of particular subjects including ideology and morals/ethics (none were on this site). This book includes many questionable ideologies and ethical decisions, when someone has a full grasp of this book it will bend your emotions. Most people under the age of 15 will not grasp all of the ideas from this book and should be read with an adult if under said age; Although some children are much smarter or better understanding of this, so this does not apply to all kids under 15. Even then many kids will still not get the full understanding of this book, sure story can be slow at times but in the end it builds up and makes it much better, it's still an amazing story that your kids should read with you and don't discourage your kids from asking you what the word is or what it's talking about (great way to learn). My opinion is that this book is not for everyone, I feel that this book requires some understanding and fundamental that many people don't have or just lack. This doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't turn away young readers from this book for they may know more and understand more than you may expect. Sure this book is full of violence but it's good to teach your kids that violence is not the answer, if it is too gory for your child that's okay but they have to understand how damaging and painful can be to others around them and I think that's why this book is so important to me, because it shows and teaches just how well violence can cause pain to others by getting us attached to a variety of characters that we can understand on a certain level and then showing the repercussions of one man's violence to harm everyone else for a self-centered goal. That's why this book is so moving to me, not many books can stew together so many complicated topics yet tell a story to teach us by emotionally tying us to these characters that we emphasize for.
See all 5 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (25 ):

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

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