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Summary: Her best yet? Depends on why you read her.
Review: Elizabeth Peters fans seem to divide themselves into two camps. There are those who like her plot-driven books (the earlier works) and those who like her character-driven books (recent books, starting with "Seeing a Large Cat"). While this latest entry into the Amelia Peabody series is clearly continuing the recent heavy character development, there still is enough plot and action to satisfy fans of the former type above. It is very hard to review a mystery without giving up a spoiler and doubly so for this book as it wraps up plot lines that have been opened throughout the series, so I will not comment further on what actually happens. Fans should not be too disappointed unless you were dying for a return to the hardcore archaeology/mystery that was the staple of her earlier works.
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Summary: good book
Review: hard to follow at times but good book
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Summary: Enjoyable, albeit confusing at times...
Review: I really enjoy Elizabeth Peter's series with the main characters of Amelia Peabody and her various family members. I especially like the information given concerning Egyptian artifacts and history, and also the humor with which the characters are drawn out. Peter is usually an excellent writer, and her plots are fairly well-drawn out even if they tend to be predictable sometimes. It is part of reason so many enjoy reading her mysteries is that the characters have become well-known to her readers, and the story-line is well-done. The current story is fun, however, Peters has changed her format in the last few books, including a 'manuscript' which is believed to belong to Ramses, the son of Amelia Peabody. It gives Ms. Peters the opportunity to present the story from 2 different points of view rather than just one. The reason for doing this is understandable. However, the book was long and the plot got confusing after a while with all the going back and forth between the different narrators and keeping up with what each of the characters were doing. This was merely an inconvenience, not enough to make me quit reading the book, nor will it keep me from reading future mysteries by Ms. Peters. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh
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Summary: "He Shall Thunder In The Sky" is what it's all built up to!
Review: I absolutly love Elizabeth Peters. I have read several of her books. I was quite pleased with "He Shall Thunder In the Sky." I love how the book ties up a lot of loose ends that have been floating around for a long time. I was estatic with the conclusion, as usual you are left wanting more! If you have never read any of the books I recomend that you don't start with this book. My only complaint it the lack of excerps from Manuscript H, and Nefert's letters to Lia. It seems like it takes 300 pages to get to the climax, but when you get there it's well worth it! I loved this book!
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Summary: I Was Blown Away
Review: I actually began reading Elizabeth Peters as a result of this book and I was absolutely blown away. For someone who has never read her work, this book works well. The characters are developed enough to make one care about them and the action and adventure keep one hopping. I had to read all her other books as a result of reading this one.
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Summary: Is ignorance bliss?
Review: For this review, I'll pull out one of my high school talents: circumlocution; it's so hard to write without giving anything away. For a total change of subject (ah, so you think!) I never liked the stories about King Arthur because I knew what happened. For some reason, Shakespeare operated on a different level; I knew Romeo and Juliet would die but the play was still enjoyable; I knew Hamlet and Othello would bring destruction to their families but I still liked knowing how they got there. But I can't read King Arthur without feeling sadness and pity; I'll see Sir Gawain, and I'll think, I'm sorry, you're going to die; I'd yell at Sir Lancelot and Guinevere as soon as they make an appearance. So, here's to AP. I don't know if I'll ever reread the Amelia Peabody series, because I think with He Shall Thunder in the Sky, the books fall into the King Arthur cateogory. The background you can get anywhere: it's 1914 and the Emersons are in Egypt again, digging (half-heartedly, I thought) despite the outbreaking war. Ramses and Nefret are there, too, but David has been exiled to India because of his anti-British views. There are two seemingly separate plots going on: Ramses's mysterious activities and the re-emerging of the Master Criminal. Obtuse fool that I was, I totally forgot the prologue as I plunged into the book; it didn't make sense anyway until the last few pages when I was clutching at my poor heart and screeching and crying at the same time. In HSTitS, Amelia's stiff upper lip has relaxed into some touching demonstrations of motherly love; the trademark wit is there, and there is more action (intrigue, touch of sexual tension, etc.) compared to other AP books(which may or may not work for you). All your questions are answered: Who is the MC? Will Percy get his? What will happen to Nefret and Ramses? But with those loose ends skillfully knotted by Peters (and one in the most unsatisfying heart-wrenching way!), I'm wondering, what's next? What CAN be next?
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Summary: Gotta give it five stars!
Review: Wonderful culmination of the four books starting with Seeing a Large Cat. I have recently re-read the early Amelia Peabodys and they are charming,and funny, but although Ms. Peters' introduction of Ramses as an adult gave this series a different focus and a different kind of humor, the result is a gripping page turner, but one enlivened by lots of humor; for example, plethora of disguises was meant to be funny, this is hinted at when Ramses realizes that Amelia's suggestion for disguising herself are not serious (or are they?) Great characterizations in this one. Percy is exactly the adult one would expect that nasty little boy in Deeds of the Disturber to grow into. Brrrrr. The true identity of Sethos may have been the best part of the book! I was completely surprised, but it all made sense! One thing I like about this series of four books is how the character of Nefreet is developed. I had not found her particularly likeable, but the more we see of her and how clueless she is in spite of her intelligence, (and why!) the more real and endearing she has become. The most moving parts, however, are with Ramses and his parents: when Ramses gives Amelia the rose, and when Emerson and Ramses are in the desert. These parts were even more touching than the romantic scenes, which were pretty darn good! Very satisfying, one I have alread read over three times, and will again and again. One request for Ms Peters, more, please!
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Summary: The Final Chapter?
Review: Please tell me that this is not the last Amelia Peabody mystery that Elizabeth Peters writes! In "He Shall Thunder in the Sky" Elizabeth Peters sheds a much darker light on the early Twentieth Century world. Although I liked this book, I was disppointed that there was so much attention paid to the political and social issues and very little (compared to her other books) attention given to the archaeological aspects. Granted, it is set in a turbulent time, but I still would have liked to read more Egyptian history. This book pretty much ties up all of the loose ends in the Amelia Peabody series and there's a surprising twist at the end. (Well, it surprised me, anyways.) Again, I am left wondering how Amelia and Emerson managed to only have ONE child.
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Summary: Tied up in a neat package
Review: I added this book to my wish list for my birthday in August. The relatives came through for me and I was not disappointed. Not only does each book stand alone as a great read, but we watch relationships ebb and flow over the course of several books. I couldn't wait to find out what happened between Nefret and Ramses, but I hadn't seen anything yet. Ms. Peters surprised me more than once in this book, and what a great ending. I recommend all of her books and I anxiously await her next book. To quote the Professor "Blast it, Ms. Peters, where is that next book?"
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Summary: A Wonderful Coming Together of Powerful Themes
Review: 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.
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