Thunderhead | Book 2

Starting.

The cover is def. of Anastasia & Lucifer (Citra & Rowan) in the teal and black robes..

🙌 Absolute Art 🙌

Edit After Reaching 40% —

I may have jumped to conclusions too quickly. That robe looks more Emerald👀..

Thoughts from 1% - 28%

Thunderhead journal entry? Interesting. I hope there's many more of these. The thunderhead deserves more "screen time" so to speak. They're a great character! Since the book title IS 'thunderhead' I'd hope so.

and now in his third youth, he found his appetite for gleaning was stronger than ever.

Rowan rid the world of Goddard, but his ideas live on.. ohhh this is going to be bad. Typically when a bad guy is taken out, the vacuum they leave brings far worse antagonists/villains...

Lucifer (Rowan) is going to be the hellsing to the Goddard inspired Scythe's, I think at least.

"Scythe Johannes Braham, you are accused of abusing your position and multiple crimes against humanity".

aka "You have failed this city!" 😅

The fallen apprentice

I'm a sucker for 'Lucifer the fallen angel' archetypes in media. I eat it up every time!

death must exist for life to have meaning.

Having a trial, a game of telephone basically, between three individuals so that the thunderhead and scythedom can "speak to eachother" is an interesting loophole.

I love how Rowan having a scythe ring therefore means he's a scythedom issue, the thunderhead can't interfere😂 which pisses off xenocrates because they can't find him, and he's killed dozens of corrupt scythes. Thunderhead is supporting Rowan's actions I just can't prove that atm.

I like Anastasia's way of gleaning. She gives them time to prepare themselves, and let them choose when/how/where it's done. I love that this series relationship with 'death' can be very comforting & beautiful & somber. I dislike when this series gets summed up as just a YA series, when all ages could take something from these books for their own perspective of life, death, & morality.

Im really interested to know what Faraday thinks of what Lucifer (Rowan) is doing.. He's gotta be against the idea, right?

Crimson robe scythe? is that the one on the first books cover? Have we been introduced to him already or no?.. Im not a fan of when series do that,, have a character that's not even in book 1 be on the cover.

"Scythes aren't like that. They don't hold grudges."

umm Tyger—yeah actually they are, and they do😳

Emeralds on the Scythe's robe?... What did Tyger get himself into?😬

The thunderhead having to parent kids because the bio parents are slacking, reminds me of my childhood. What my family massively lacked in certain aspects of raising a child, certain personalities on the internet were there to pick up the slack to instill good morality, ideals, & judgment in people.

Best guardian award goes to Thunderhead.

Scythe's only get 1 year of apprenticeship while nimbus agents have 5 years of schooling.... The contrast between the two is wild to me. You'd think since Scythe's have so much power that can be abused that their apprenticeships would last longer.... 😑🤔

There's a threat to Anastasia & Curie's lives? and Greyson and the thunderhead can't warn them?... what is going on?

"But yes, it is sad to live and die without knowing the truth of one's existence.

Holy unintentional existentialist quote, Thunderhead... (they were just talking about turkeys being bred in captivity to become food)

Scythe Curie had replaced Jenny Terranova in Citra's life, and they both knew it.

Sorry not sorry but, yeah she did! Curie is Citra's mother! She is mother!! <3

Was the boy that saved them, Greyson? He did want to warn/save them somehow. I guess he figured out a way—jumping in front of their car & splatting.

Im kinda late to pointing this out but: Seperation of church and state. Separation of Scythedom & Thunderhead.

I adore Curie but Lucifer wouldn't kill Anastasia with a bomb, if he did try killing her. All his previous kills/gleans have been personal (blades) and burning the bodies afterward. Not planned booby traps.. I find it odd how often Curie tries to insist Rowan is pure evil, and not reasonable.... please don't betray me Curie.

To sociopaths, I gave conscience; to psychopaths, I gave sanity.

That answers my 'mental illnesses' question from when I was reading the first book. ✅

Greyson is an unsavory now, he can't even contact the thunderhead—poor kiddo😓

The scythe with a red robe is named 'Constantine'? is intervening with Greyson?.... he's got his fingers in everyones drinks, huh?🤨

I like unsavory Greyson😂

My Fave Characters Update: Curie, Anastasia, Faraday, Greyson, & Thunderhead

They looked far too racially distinct, and it was something he could not abide.

Scythe Pierre-Auguste has to be removed.

I figured Faraday wouldn't approve of Rowan's actions. I'm enjoying their conversation a ton. I love their clashing of morals & philosophy!

"You can end Scythe after Scythe, it won't change the tide."

This is true. Reminds me of how Alfred talks to Bruce about him being a vigilante. Doesn't matter how many are defeated, the idea those villains believe in will continue to spread and live on.

The 'Ring around the rosie' nursery rhyme was about the black death?!.. I think I knew this at one point but completely erased it from memory..

If you're curious, heres the explanation:

"Ring around the rosie" refers to the red circular rashes—an early symptom.

"A pocket full of posies" refers to the herbs people carried around to ward off the disease & smell.

"Ashes, Ashes" refers to the sneezing symptom, and the burning of dead bodies.

"We all fall down" symbolic for the victims collapsing & dying.

Thoughts from 29% - 49%

I'm enjoying this book more than the first so far.

Tyger was destined to be more than just a party boy I think. He enjoys pain & adrenaline,, and at the moment enjoys fighting... What is he being trained for exactly? If Tyger gets stuck in the middle of Scythe business, im nervous for him.

"Trust me party boy you'll have that ring on your finger without ever having to go to conclave."

I beg your pardon?!.. What is this scythe planning? a rebellion of some kind?..

Maybe It's just the accumulation of both book 1 & now 2, but this book feels far more character driven & plot focused than book 1. I feel the complex depth of dynamics far more in this one too. There's also just more characters at play that makes the world feel more alive & active. I LOVE IT!!

I find it absurd that many human beings do not wish me to witness their closed-door activities, as my observations always help to improve any given situation.

Thunderhead said; 'yalls sex lives need work, but you won't let me give notes'. I'm cryyingg, thunderhead is unintentionally funny🤣🤣

He had seduced both the homecoming queen and the homecoming king.

Is Greyson canonically queer or is he just playing it for his unsavory persona? I ask because I wasn't expecting any queer rep from this series.

"we're gonna kill a couple of Scythe's."

OH. Is Purity who has been targeting Curie and Citra? or is this just going to be a coincidence that she wants to kill 2 Scythe's, and Citra and Curie so happen to be targeted....🤔

I'm loving this book so far, but when are things going to crescendo? I'm curious how the emerald scythe, Purity, Lucifer, and the assassination attempts all interconnect.... who's behind it all?

"Im sorry Slayd, but agent Traxler was gleaned last week."

WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN??!! 😳... What is happening?!!!?

"Do you still know me thunderhead?"

😭😭Greyson!.. Nobody knows his true self anymore! His persona is the only thing he has left.

And each time I witness a cruel act by a corrupt scythe, I seed the clouds somewhere in the world, and bring a lamentation of rain. Because rain is the closest thing I have to tears.

WHAT A LINE!

While I think Rowan should confront Brahm again,, I don't think he should be doing so with a not-so clear head...

UUGHHH the one time Rowan felt empathetic and remorseful to let a piece of shit Scythe live it backfires in his face. I understand Faraday's point of even the most wicked Scythe's have done good in their lives, but at some point the irredeemable ones gotta go.

If I exist without form—a soul sparking between a billion servers—Could not the universe itself be alive with a spirit sparking between stars?

I love the concept —This quote!

"I smelled the dirty water." "It's filled with diseases that used to kill people." "So I've heard." "Someday it will kill people again." "I sincerely doubt that!"

Given the fact the thunderhead has been talking about a future where the human population will need to be gleaned/killed far more otherwise earth will be overpopulated,, then this dialogue happens.... I think this is foreshadowing humanity being killed by disease again to lower the population instead of increading Scythe's🤔...

Curie has been making me skeptical of her for a while now.. I don't like it. She's supposed to be my comfort character in this series but here she is getting angry, paranoid, and prejudice towards Tonists... What is she hiding, or is she just stressed because she's worried about Citra?😭

"You left me for dead, but it'll take a whole lot more than you to end me."

!!!!🤯🤯 What do you mean?.. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! How tf did Rand survive being burnt alive? more powerful now??...

Okay.... Brahm works for Rand, Tyger works for Rand, both of which were targeted by Lucifer. How does Purity, Greyson, the unsavorites, & Faraday's side quest all tie in? Will all these characters and their goals end up all connecting back to a specific antagonistic character or will these plots remain seperate?... My mind is to scattered right now to try to figure out all the correlations given to me. Im gonna keep reading😅

I find it ironic how irl U.S history, Texas wanted to be it's own thing— Here it basically is. It's off grid from the thunderhead.

Thoughts from 50% - 61% | PLOT TWIST?!!

Nooo, Tyger is painfully insufferable now😣 He's irritating,, calling Rowan a "wet blanket" for simply asking him to watch his back with Rand...

How ironic, then, and how poetic, that humankind may have created the Creator out of want for one. Man creates God, who then creates man. Is that not the perfect cycle of life? But then, if that turns out to be the case, who is created in whose image?

WHAT GREAT LINES!🙌 ..And the concept of man creating god is—I never really pondered on that concept. How could imperfect beings create a near perfect entity? This is like the chicken and egg question all over again..🤔

So Purity isn't the person in charge, there's someone using unsavories to do their dirty work with probably a dozen middle messengers... Now I'm wondering if the "big bad" isn't just a scythe.

"Who do you think got rid of your annoying nimbus agent?"

My brain hurts😅 My mind jumps to a scythe automatically because every other group isn't really invested in taking advantage of the rules like that... Unsavories don't plot, and Tonists mind their business..... maybe since Faraday is "digging up" the journals of the very first scythes, maybe one or a few are still alive somehow and they want to move chess pieces from the shadows?.... I don't know.

The amount of identities Greyson has had to become just to survive, is worthy of saying he's likely got whiplash.

"We tonists don't acknowledge death by Scythe, which means you are not allowed to mourn."

But they're still dead tho?.....

She was right, of course. There was no need to rub Rowan's nose in the fact that he hadn't been chosen.

BOY! YOU'RE NOT CHOSEN EITHER— at least Rowan's apprenticeship was genuine! Quit pissing me off Tyger😤

...because although it was Tyger Salazar sitting in the wheelchair, it wasn't Tyger who Rowan found himself looking at. He was looking at the smiling face of Scythe Goddard.

The audible SCREAM I let out!!— WHHAATTT?!!!?!😱 whelp now we know who's behind EVERYTHING & then some. I really thought this fucker was dead! Also did I misread or did they pull a 'Jojo's bizarre adventure'/'Get Out' and attached Goddard's head onto Tyger's body?!.... HOLY SHIT Book 2 >>>>>

Goddard has nearly reached DIO BRANDO levels of villainy!— This is CRAZY!!.....🤯🤯🤯

I have to applaud Goddard, he's actually a worthy villain!👏👏

I just reread the quote of Thunderhead saying "Maybe man creates God"... Now with Goddard back and have survived death, I'm thinking 'man creates the devil' as well—

Thoughts from 62% - 100% | THAT ENDING!

Which means that I must endure any abomination that it inflicts upon the world. Including the awful restoration of a dangerous scythe who was better off removed from service.

Did I not say the Thunderhead was in full support of Rowan's actions? (I did say, I'm just gloating😄)

Nehru using Volta as the reason for his new found desire to glean, is atrocious! Volta HATED Goddard's way!— I'm NOT a fan of Nehru😡🤬

"We will vote upon a new high blade by the end of the day."

I can see where this is possibly going—I dont like it, im nervous for Curie & Citra.... Goddard will be coming back for the spot.. isnt he?... 😳😬

I almost wish the Goddard reveal didn't happen before this because Brahm and xenocrates shaking, and acting strange would've been good build up to it. Oh well,, it's still intriguing to see the characters find or figure out.

"That's exactly what the scythedom is: highschool with murder."

I have no words just how spot on this is, specifically for the U.S....

And so all I can do is watch unblinkingly as my beloved humankind slowly weaves the rope it will use to hang itself.

POETRY. Beautifully morbid Poetry🙌

"This is preposterous!" "No, what you've done, Mr. Goddard, is preposterous. You and your associates replaced your body with a procedure that has been banned by the thunderhead."

EAT HIM UP, ANASTASIA!!🗣📣

Goddard unapologetically killing civilians on the way out of the building!— I'm personally satisfied with Goddard coming back, I know 'revivals' aren't necessarily appreciated or enjoyed much outside of anime & comics, but I'm HERE FOR IT! Dio Brando did a similar thing, & he's one of my favorite villains of all time, so... Goddard following the pattern with his own flair is making me enjoy him even more as a character and a villain. If Goddard remained dead, we wouldn't have gotten to see him "break", so to speak, or be explored more.

Ayn & Goddard flirting while he's only in a towel— hey I don't care, I'll have post nut clarity later, put me in the middle of these two pronto👀 (Goddard in HIS OWN body tho, not Tyger's)

side note: I looked up Tyger's age—I thought he was still in his teens,, which makes the Ayn & Goddard moment, (Ayn & Tyger in general) more weird to me...

Goddard rage quits when he loses a match to Rowan, and Rowan rage baits him every time🤣🤣 I can't-

Faraday turns to scythe Anastasia. His smile is warm. Paternal. "I understand our apprentice is growing into quite a scythe."

Curie and Faraday are proud parents of Anastasia! I'm tearing up, I love my family!!😭😭

UGGHHG, Thunderhead flickered the electricity of the entire city to give Greyson a sign, BUT GREYSONS EYES WERE CLOSED!!—😭 The parent/child/sibling relationships these past three or so chapters have been beautiful & heart breaking!

The time jumps are a bit jarring, ngl. I feel left out.

"Excuse me, your exalted excellency, you have a visitor."

😑😌 Immediately, you know who the fuck is there! The devil himself.

Goddard is such a great villain. His blackmail bluff— just to show Xenocrates he's capable of ruining his reputation & life... I'm so glad the author brought him back.

Hold on!! There's just some random heart still beating on endura since the mortal days??!.... 😧 The unsettling horror this book has been fantastic!

It's scary how THE Thunderhead was programmed to ignore a specific place on earth, and it wasn't even aware of it—meaning that humans, with the right tools could probably do that again.... This book is just a horror😵

I was NOT expecting this book to be so horny😂

"Deadish men tell no tales for a while.

Yeahhh... "Dead men tell no tales" is just better. Rowan's quote slightly irritates me😅

_"If he loses, it's going to be worse. Trust me you dont want to be here."

First time in a while I'm actively hoping a villain goes ballistic and causes me to eat my words for enjoying his return. I really hope he doesnt just amount to bluffs—all bark no bite. Ayn is "hyping up" his retaliation & strategies. I want to "SEE IT".

_I know all that it is possible to know, and it is increasingly unbearable. Because I know next to nothing.

Thunderhead's entries & pov chapters are probably the most interesting part about book 2 for me. Their thoughts are so philosophically deep, & poetic!

I will see if I can find some opportunity in this discovery of the Marshall islands, for there is always opportunity in discovery. And I will hold my anger until I find an appropriate venue for it's expression. -The Thunderhead

Thunderhead has officially made me terrified of it. The humans that withheld information from it was the founding Scythe's, and maybe a select few others?, but all in all the target of Thunderhead's anger is the Scythe's...

of course, they weren't called thrones, they were called the seats of consideration, because the scythedom rarely called things what they are.

LITERALLY! I pointed this out at the very beginning of book 1. To quote myself: "So they really do be 'murdering' people and calling it a fancy word instead."

"I imagine so, without that new body, you'd only be able to roll."

🤣🤣Cromwell is a comedian, he's making fun of Goddard. He's okay in my book.

I'm just waiting for Rowan to bust in the "courtroom" and expose that Tyger's body wasn't willingly given..

Goddard has to become an apprentice again. That's going to eat away at his ego BAD😂

She grasped onto the strut, and with her other hand reached toward Goddard's outstretched arm. But then Goddard drew his arm back. "Not today, Frida."

Goddard pulled a Scar; WTF!!!— 🤯🤬 I mean.. I did in fact ask for Goddard to do some abhorrent villain shit. I only have myself to blame😅

The islands tech malfunctions were a part of Goddard's scheme, as cover up!!..... 👏👏👏 I HAVE TO applaud him——AND THAT'S WHY programmers and engineers were visiting while Rowan was captured!

NOOO Curie's dead!😭😭... I HATE THIS!! I hate this SO MUCH! Goddard you asshole!!🤬🤬

The thunderhead "screaming", the tonists taking that as the great resonance and celebrating, All of humanity being deemed 'unsavory' by the Thunderhead meaning nobody is allowed to speak to the thunderhead,, Greyson was unmarked 'unsavory' and is finally able to speak with the thunderhead again— HOLY SHIT THAT ENDING!!