Customer Reviews

He Shall thunder in the sky

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

For all those who, like me, were frustrated by The Falcon and the Portal, this definitely makes everything worthwhile. Nefret's behavior is not forgotten, and her "transformation" in this novel is realistic as are the explanations given for her previous decisions. Amelia - who decidedly makes up for any "lack" of expressed maternal instincts in this novel -- and Emerson's deductive reasonings (though still quite slow on the uptake on Nefret and Ramses) are back on target, and resolution is at hand -- finally! In fact, the book ties up so many loose ends (including the identity of the Master Criminal) that have occurred throughout the series, I did wonder if indeed this novel was the last we see of the Peabody/Emerson clan -- I certainly hope not!

"Thunder" is in some ways a more complex read than usual, as it is carries on many, many different plots and subplots, each complete with varying subtexts, and, being ignorant myself of the Egyptian/British situation and involvement circu WWI, it was a little difficult to keep track of what was going on and why. In addition, everyone in the family has their own agenda that, for their own reasons (most are valid), they are keeping from everyone else. But, despite the complexity, it is unequivocably a wonderful, satisfying read, and worth every minute spent on its 400 pages. And, if you are, like me, a romantic at heart, the last five pages are "worth the price of admission! Enjoy, it's wonderful!

It has arrived and all fans are rejoicing! I rushed to buy the book and couldn't wait to start reading it. Everyone who has read the previous books in this series will thoroughly enjoy this new and thrilling installment. I did and now I have to read it again more slowly since I rushed through it the first time.

If you have never read any of the Amelia Peabody books, buy this one but don't read it first. It is more fun to start at least with the first book featuring the adult Ramses, Seeing A Large Cat. Although I recommend getting to know his parents first in the first book of the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank. Why would you want to deny yourself some of the best summer reading available? These books offer adventure, romance, intrigue, mystery and some educational material about both Egyptology and the Victorian Age. You get to learn while enjoying a great read.

As a faithful reader for some 10+ years now, I was a little disappointed with the previous Peabody book (A Falcon at the Portal). In fact, I nearly threw it out of the car, in which I was reading, at several points in the story. The joy I feel after finishing this book is 100 times greater than any problem I had with the last book. I am deeply indepted to Elizabeth Peters for creating characters that provoke such strong emotions. This book delivers the all wit, adventure, and plot twists I have come to expect from an Amelia Peabody mystery and more. While this is a wonderful book, if you don't read the rest of the series first you will not enjoy it one tenth as much as you could. Start with Crocodile on the Sandbank and don't stop until you've finished this one. You won't regret a minute of it.

I've been a fan of the Peabody-Emersons for several years now, and have re-read all of the books at least 5 times. And like everyone else, Falcon left me on the edge of a cliff. Thankfully, Thunder brought me back. I arranged my schedule around buying and reading this book, and wasn't disappointed. (and yes, I had to read the last chapter first! ) but even knowing what happened in the end, I still loved every minute of Thunder. I loved the character development between Ramses and his parents -Amelia, who is told by Emerson in Mummy Case to be more demonstrative to her son, shows glimpses her strong feelings for her son through "measured looks" and "berserker rages," but I cried along with her at Ramses's bedside.

As Ramses has grown, so has his friend David (who look enough alike to be brothers) and his "sister" Nefret. Their relationship with each other, and with the Emerson Srs, gets better with each passing book. Even my mom (another longtime fan) commented that one of the best things in Thunder is the characters- Peters has stayed true to her characters, and we see how even in Falcon, she was always true to Nefret.

In Thunder, loose ends are tied up with the characters we have grown to know and love (or hate)- Abdullah, Selim, Sethos, Percy, Wardani, Asslimi, and more. The continuity and foreshadowing - Amelia's famous premonitions- is fantastic from Crocodile on the Sandbank to Thunder in the Sky.

My only hope- in the next book, can we have less international intrigue and more good old-fashioned tomb robber villians? Peters has made characters so strong that they don't need spygames to be riveting- a few of Amelia & Emerson's discussions will do the trick! I have given my copy of the book to my sister to read (my mom has already finished it) so that I won't be tempted to let it interfere with my finals next week, but as you can see I'm such a Peabody Addict that I am here writing my review. As Amelia would say, "Brava!" Ms Peters, you moved me to tears first with Abdullah's death in Ape that Guard the Balance, but Thunder made me cry, laugh out loud, and cheer several times throughout the book. Thank you, once again.

After reading The Falcon at the Portal last fall, anticipation for Thunder built to a fever pitch. So when I obtained a copy of the book last night, I promptly ensconced myself on the sofa, blocked out the world for 3 hours, and finally put the book down with a sigh of complete -- satisfaction. Peters has done an excellent job with this one. Expectations have been so high that one might fear no mere book could meet them, but I think Thunder does. Many loose ends are tied up, mysteries unraveled, characters more fully and richly developed (including some delightful info. about Emerson and Amelia). The plot moves at a good pace, displaying what must have been extensive research by Peters on the Middle East and Egypt during World War I. Many comments on Falcon focused on the characters and relationship of NEfret and Ramses, and the supposed inconsistencies. I'll try not to give anything away, but will say that in Thunder a number of actions become plain. We are given deeper glimpses of both characters, Ramses in particular. I think he is Peter's best character, possibly because she's been working on him his entire life. There are also some great scenes between Ramses and both parents. And Sethos - how could I forget him? Yes, he appears again, and yes, his identity is finally and fully revealed. The climax of the book is so intense that for a minute it borders on melodrama ( a family proclivity, as Ramses remarks) but it manages to avoid it. All in all, an excellent book.

I have been a fan of the Amelia Peabody mysteries now for more years than I can remember. As much as I have loved them before, this book brought a new sense of satisfaction to me as a reader because so many story lines finally developed into an incredibly powerful denouement.

I have one bit of caution to share with you. If you have not read any of the books in the series, DO NOT START WITH THIS ONE! The reason I say that is because much of the pleasure of this book comes from the admiration you will have for the skillful development of this plot in building on many prior books. Without reading the earlier books, you will not fully appreciate the plot development in this one. And that would be a shame because this plot is masterful!

The setting for this book is wonderful: Egypt just before the Ottoman empire attacks the Suez Canal with German help near the beginning of World War I. Everyone is on edge. No one is who they seem to be. Ramses is shamed in public for his pacifist feelings by being treated as a shirker. Ladies give him white feathers to protest his lack of military service. David has been sent to India until the war is over to keep him from helping the Egyptian independence movement. Lia is pregnant and awaiting their child in England. Wardeni is hiding from the authorities who wish to arrest him. Letters are censored. Uniformed men are everywhere. Soldiers are dropping like fall leaves on the Western Front.

Because Germans are no longer welcome in Egypt, Emerson has finally gotten a good site to excavate. Soon, that site will yield unexpected returns. But the War intrudes in many ways.

Many important characters from the past return to haunt the Peabodys such as Wardeni and the Master Criminal, Sethos. Lurking in the background is the ambiguous role of Percy.

Emerson, Amelia, Nefret, and Ramses confide in each other even less than usual so there are a lot of mysterious comings and goings to keep you intrigued. Throughout the process, their relationships strengthen in new and important ways. These developments promise important new opportunities for future plots when the series continues in the next book. You will be wondering what will come next quite a bit after reading He Shall Thunder in the Sky.

Some of the important themes that are developed in this book concern loyalty, brotherhood, charity, family, love, duty, honor, and being true to oneself. Rarely will you find a mystery that will extend into such fundamental and important topics as these areas.

But be sure to pay attention to a mysterious little story that begins the book. It connects into a very important mystery that is resolved just at the end of the book. Keep looking for the initial story's importance throughout and you'll enjoy the book even more.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. The dialogue is wonderful, the plot fascinating, the suspense is palpable, the historical backdrop is magnificent, and the exploration of the themes is masterful. Elizabeth Peters is at the top of her form!

I would tell you more about the plot, but you'll enjoy it more by reading this book without advance warning of what comes next.

After you finish reading the book, carefully consider the relationships you have with those you care about, and ask yourself what important things you have not told each of them. Then, please do tell them.

After waiting in feverish impatience since last June's Falcon, I almost couldn't read Thunder fast enough. Happily, it was worth the wait.

Thunder is a complex, wonderfully handled book, masterfully mixing historical events into the story of the Peabody-Emersons. It's a great conclusion to the four-book "younger generation" arc.

I was incredibly impressed with how well Peters used seemingly insignificant clues from earlier books to important effect. She brought many threads together and answered many questions that have been intriguing readers for many books. And she devised a rip-roaring finish.

My only quibble is that it could have used more narration from Ramses' point of view. He's Peters' best character, and some scenes cried out for his take on matters, but we had to get it through Amelia's eyes instead.

And it was so gratifying to *finally* see those last two words in the book.

Elizabeth Peters and Amelia Peabody (Emerson) have done it again! A fantastic story, well told; full of drama, suspense, adventure, romance, and action. I received my copy and couldn't put it down until it was finished. I laughed and cried, gritted my teeth in anger and frustration when the family's plans were thwarted. Silently cheered as they finally won out and saved the day. The hardest thing was not to turn to the back of the book to read the ending first! The characters of Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, Nefret, David, and their extended household are always so real and vastly entertaining. I grieve that they are only fictional and I will never be able to meet them for real,(because they certainly have become that way to me). The settings in Egypt are clearly described and produce a vivid picture. The history and attitudes of the times are also well laid out, and you can feel the strain the characters are going through. This is by far and away Ms. Peters best Amelia Peabody Mystery yet! Keep up the GREAT WORK!

This is, without doubt, one of her best books; tightly plotted and fast moving with all the verve and style I've come to look forward to in Ms. Peters' books.  The humor is deft, the suspense gripping and the action taut.

A newcomer to Ms. Peters will not feel short changed if this is their first book. It is not as necessary as one might think to have read the previous three books or any of the others, for that matter. The author brings the reader up to speed with the same efficiency that Peabody brings to her detectival pursuits. I would recommend reading them all, though, starting with the first in the Peabody series "Crocodile on the Sandbank" (all her books are still available, I believe).

Ms. Peters does what few mystery writers are successful at accomplishing - bringing depth and maturity to her characters without losing touch with the plot.  She conveys the growth and changes they have seen over the years without becoming maudlin.

Ms. Peters ties up many plot threads from previous stories and cleverly sets the stage for new adventures and new dangers.  Let me add my voice to the rest of Ms. Peters' fans by saying please, PLEASE, write more Amelia Peabody and/or Ramses and Nefret adventures!

I've been a devoted fan of the Amelia Peabody books for about ten years. So, although I was put off by the tone and pace of the two books that precede this one, I'm happy to find that perseverence pays. Like all of Ms. Peters' Peabody books, this entry has charming and funny exchanges between the characters -- though you may have to have followed the characters' development to catch them all and think to yourself "...that's Amelia, all right." I have to confess though, that I've never really thought much about Ramses (in fact, I don't recall his real name). In the early books he was a frighteningly bright and mature child, whose idea of boyish scrapes rival an Indiana Jones story. But, I didn't like the child or the character. His development in the last few books changed that for me. At last, Ramses has grown into his maturity and intelligence and is now an awfully attractive character who takes "center stage" with his parents in this wonderful series. Many questions are answered in this volume; some old friends leave for good; and the characters are faced with dealing with the beginnings of WWI in the Mideast -- sober things, indeed. Nevertheless, Ms. Peters rises to the occasion without hesitation. Unlike some of the earlier books, this one is no romp, but it doesn't end on the very dark note as the last couple of entries have, either. In fact, there's a very satisfying end to this book and I promise, you'll love the new slant on Lawrence (yes, of Arabia, before he hit the sand dunes), delight in the exchanges between the characters and enjoy the book from beginning to end. Don't wait for the paperback -- get it now.