Thunder Review

Thunder by Bonnie S Calhoun
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: Revell Publishing
Publishing Date: October 7, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bodhi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy direct from the publisher today. 

My Thoughts:
When I saw this new dystopian novel from Revell, I knew I had to snatch it up. The cover is intriguing, the synopsis sounded worth my time, and the main character's name... ;) And while I am worried my review might not reflect it accurately, it was an enjoyable read. Book two is going on my TBR list straight away.

Our book follows many characters, but Selah Chavez is the story's linchpin. It was refreshing to have a main character who didn't have it all together, who wanted to be tough as nails, but didn't have all the required skills. Tris she is not. Selah is clumsy and clueless, but normal and its endearing. I wasn't as keen on Bodhi Locke, the Lander who starts all Selah's troubles. He provided mystery, intrigue, and a good looking face. Otherwise I felt there wasn't much to him.

I enjoyed all the different point of views Calhoun treated us too. Often times a story can get jumbled when told from five, or more, viewpoints, but in 'Thunder' it provided an extra layer of intrigue and depth. Seeing the story from inside the Mountain, the history, the motivation, the emotions...so much would have been lost without this insight.

The story itself was a mixture of high points and low points. Alternately I felt excited to be reading the novel and also finding myself wondering if it was worth my time. But in the end I walked away satisfied and I think that is what really matters. The action scenes, I felt, were well written. There is some violence but it is not graphic or dwelt on.

Calhoun is fantastic at giving the reader just enough to keep them reading on, taking them to the next high point. I found myself constantly wondering all sorts of things: Who are the Landers? Where are they from? Who is this minimally mentioned Presence? What is going to happen next? Will the world be healed? And so on.

So, overall, 'Thunder' was a good read. It features an (actually) ordinary girl just trying to figure out her strange new life. And while there are a few lulls, 'Thunder' will leave you satisfied and excited for book two. I'm giving this book a strong 3.5 stars and would recommend it to those looking for an intriguing, mysterious post apocalyptic adventure.