I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young teen dreaming of becoming a rock star finds his world turned upside down when he must save a young boy with extraordinary powers and abilities from ruthless government agents in author David R. White’s “Thunderhead”.

The Synopsis

Deadly powers, fearsome federal agents, and a shameful family legacy, Tom Hadley must battle them all if he’s to save his new friend from a fate worse than death.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Hadley’s dreams of rock stardom are put on hold when he meets Obie, a strange little boy with a terrible haircut and extraordinary powers.

Obie is a Super, and all Supers must register with a secretive government agency known as the Conservatory. Those that refuse face consequences ranging from the ghastly to the downright gruesome. Terrified that his lack of control will see him thrown inside Iron Mountain – a notorious prison with a dark and terrible history – Obie is desperate to keep his powers under wraps, a secret he entrusts to no one but Tom.

When Obie’s true nature is exposed, Tom must fight to save him from the clutches of a fearsome federal agent and his cold-blooded team of professional Super hunters. Even more formidable is the agent’s daughter; classmate, valedictorian, and aspiring megalomaniac, Nicole Milch will stop at nothing to prove herself worthy of her father’s reputation.

To save Obie, Tom will be forced to navigate a world of spectacular powers, all the while being drawn into a dangerous conspiracy involving a dead Super, powerful heroes, and a mystery that will bring him face to face with Iron Mountain’s most infamous inmate – his estranged father. 

The Review

This was such a fun and thrilling YA action and sci-fi read. The way the author managed to infuse a tone of humor, wit, and adrenaline-fueled action into the atmosphere of the narrative was instantly captivating, as it separated itself from other superhero-style narratives by not going down the purely gritty and mature path some characters have gone, while still not going too campy or rigid in its delivery. Instead, readers are treated to a fantastic balance of coming of age drama meets quick-witted heroes and protagonists and complex dynamics between heroes and villains alike. 

The amount of world-building and mythos that the author layered into the story was felt immediately, and what was so great to see was how natural and familiar the rules and history of this fictional world felt, introducing things like the Iron Mountain prison or the government mandates on those with powers, something only touched upon in other superhero series. The characters were refreshing and multi-dimensional, highlighting especially protagonist Tom’s evolution from a wannabe rockstar to a fully-fledged hero throwing his life on the line to protect this young boy from seemingly the world at large. The exploration of his father’s history and his connection to the government-run superheroes of the world was fascinating to explore to be sure.

The Verdict

Witty, adrenaline-pumping, and entertaining in its delivery, author David R. White’s “Thunderhead” is a must-read sci-fi and action/adventure story. Amazing character developments that see quite an evolution for the protagonist and an ever-evolving mythos and world full of hidden agendas and powerful organizations, the shocking yet anticipatory cliffhanger finale will keep readers hooked on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

DAVID R. WHITE was born and raised in the small town of Maffra, Australia. He spent most of his childhood reading Asterix comics and fantasy novels. He has been a bartender, an optical mechanic, a salesman, a store manager, an English teacher, and survived a near twenty-year stint in customer service with most of his wits intact. His love affair with books began with Roald Dahl’s The Twits, but it was upon discovering the likes of David Eddings, Frank Herbert, Tolkien, and Douglas Adams that he was inspired to write something of his own. He currently lives in Spain.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21913839.David_R_White

https://davidrwhite.com/

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