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 — Bohdi 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.
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Loved this book! Hard to put down
I am really trying to stretch myself this year by sampling a number different authors and genres within Christian fiction. This week I had the pleasure of reading Thunder the first title in Bonnie S. Calhoun’s Stone Braide Chronicles. Thunder is a young adult (YA) title in the speculative fiction genre. I chose to read this particular book after being so pleasantly surprised by Mary Weber’s 2014 title Storm Siren. This book is in the same speculative fiction vein as Storm Siren but instead of being set in a fantasy world it is set in post apocalyptic America – Norfolk, VA to be exact.
Speculative fiction lends itself to a good deal of descriptive writing. Bonnie Calhoun successfully captures her readers’ attention and imagination as she draws them into her imagined world. Her characters use an interesting blend of primitive and new technology…picture horse drawn hovercrafts. I felt she was a little heavy handed in describing the use and development of the technology and weapons; however, I’m sure the young adult audience this book was written for won’t give it a second thought. Calhoun instantly made the reader-character connection for me. We meet the main character, Selah, just before her 18th birthday. Like a lot of young adults I’ve known, she is learning who she is and developing her own sense of self-worth. She is brave, intelligent, resourceful, and caring towards others.
Thunder touts a lot of Christian speak: Bohdi is from “The Kingdom” across the sea, he was banished for self-centered rebellion and lack of repentance. Landers can feel “The Presence,” and Selah’s father was always watching over her even when he wasn’t with her. I didn’t find any predominant Christian themes or feel that the characters demonstrated any spiritual growth. As I read, it became clear to me that the author was setting the stage for future titles in this series. While the reader is given everything they need to follow this story, I was left with many unanswered questions.
For parents who are screening YA titles for their teens I will share a few observations. There is an attraction that develops between the main character Selah and the Lander named Bodhi. Beyond a tingly feeling Selah when she sees Bodhi without a shirt, a few brief embraces meant to provide comfort, and a kiss, the book is devoid of sexual overtures. From the moment Bohdi is captured through the end of the book it reads like an action packed tale of escape and evasion. There is enough violence, in my opinion, to hold off recommending the title to anyone under the age of 15 or who especially sensitive. One particular scene (6 sentences) describes a man being burned alive, was a little graphic even for me. If your teen is into dystopian novels they will enjoy Thunder.
I give Thunder 3.5/5 stars due to the touch of graphic violence and the burning questions that remained unanswered.
Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
did not realize this was for younger readers, but it was a decent read. futuristic that could actually exist, as far as the places and ways of life. characters were relatable