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First Blades #1
Rising Thunder
Not yet published
Expected 1 Dec 26Discover Thunderhead’s origin—the fragile moment before the world changes forever and the hidden forces that set the storm in motion—in this long-awaited prequel to the New York Times bestselling and Printz Honor–winning Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman.
And of course, as every school child knows, December 2042 marks the end of the Age of Mortality.
What no one has ever fully understood is how the world reached that moment.
As death begins to seem optional, humanity looks for ways to bend the rules of existence. Twi-life centers begin storing the nearly-deceased, while eco-nihilists destroy civilization’s icons and threaten to end the human race entirely. Public opinion fractures. Systems strain. The world feels…unstable.
Behind the scenes, two powerful and diametrically opposed artificial intelligences set out to optimize, stabilize, and protect—each with its own idea of what that means. But in a world already tipping toward transformation, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Meanwhile, in an obscure online chatroom, a small group of teenagers from around the globe debate both the glorious and the terrifying prospects of the future, never realizing that they stand on a very literal cutting edge—and that their conversations, their choices, their very existence matter far more than they realize.
Because when humanity stands on the brink of immortality, someone must decide what survives…and what must be cut away.
And of course, as every school child knows, December 2042 marks the end of the Age of Mortality.
What no one has ever fully understood is how the world reached that moment.
As death begins to seem optional, humanity looks for ways to bend the rules of existence. Twi-life centers begin storing the nearly-deceased, while eco-nihilists destroy civilization’s icons and threaten to end the human race entirely. Public opinion fractures. Systems strain. The world feels…unstable.
Behind the scenes, two powerful and diametrically opposed artificial intelligences set out to optimize, stabilize, and protect—each with its own idea of what that means. But in a world already tipping toward transformation, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Meanwhile, in an obscure online chatroom, a small group of teenagers from around the globe debate both the glorious and the terrifying prospects of the future, never realizing that they stand on a very literal cutting edge—and that their conversations, their choices, their very existence matter far more than they realize.
Because when humanity stands on the brink of immortality, someone must decide what survives…and what must be cut away.
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 1, 2026
About the author
Neal Shusterman
91 books30.9k followersAward-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Want to Read
February 21, 2026Rising Thunder is the first book in the First Blades trilogy, a prequel series to Arc of a Scythe. Yes, we’re finally going back to the beginning.
This story explores the fragile, chaotic moment before the Age of Mortality ends, when death starts to become… optional. Society is unstable, public opinion is fractured, and the world is clearly heading toward something huge.
We’ll see:
• The early days of the Thunderhead
• The formation of the Scythedom
• The very first Scythes (who were teenagers who met in an online chatroom 👀)
• The hidden forces that set the storm in motion
Shusterman has hinted that:
• The Thunderhead appears in its early “young AI” form
• There’s a new AI antagonist
• The identity of Endura’s mysterious beating heart will be revealed
• The book juggles multiple points of view
• And some characters may not survive (because of course 😭)
Needless to say, I’m excited for this one.
This story explores the fragile, chaotic moment before the Age of Mortality ends, when death starts to become… optional. Society is unstable, public opinion is fractured, and the world is clearly heading toward something huge.
We’ll see:
• The early days of the Thunderhead
• The formation of the Scythedom
• The very first Scythes (who were teenagers who met in an online chatroom 👀)
• The hidden forces that set the storm in motion
Shusterman has hinted that:
• The Thunderhead appears in its early “young AI” form
• There’s a new AI antagonist
• The identity of Endura’s mysterious beating heart will be revealed
• The book juggles multiple points of view
• And some characters may not survive (because of course 😭)
Needless to say, I’m excited for this one.
Want to Read
April 11, 2026wow, that cover. gorgeous!
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never met a Neal Shusterman book i didn't like and the Scythe series that this is a prequel to was no exception. very excited to dive into this when it comes out
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never met a Neal Shusterman book i didn't like and the Scythe series that this is a prequel to was no exception. very excited to dive into this when it comes out
need-to-read
April 3, 2026Love that blue and red!
July 12, 2026
Fans of Shusterman’s Arc of the Scythe trilogy and the Gleanings anthology will thrill to read even more about the history of the Scythedom and what led to the age of immortality and key players in its coming and the creation of the omniscient Thunderhead.
Set several years before December 2042 when the age of mortality ended and all-knowing AI being truly established its control over almost everything, Shusterman slowly gathers the characters who will become the first scythes and reveals through the computer simulations of the man who be Prometheus, the first supreme Blade, why death by such a system is required when death by age, illness and catastrophe is no more. And in Shusterman’s usual way, readers will be caught up in the possibility that this could be our future, too. Woven into the events of key players are veiled and straightforward references to names, places, and events well known to readers of the Arc of the Scythe trilogy that will cause fans to tingle in anticipation of watching (reading) how they all came together. Strong characterization of Ariz/Prometheus, his friend Kevin/Scythe Cleopatra, Lizzie/Scythe Elizabeth and those who will become the forger of the blades, the creator of the rings or other key players in the new age. As always, the threads will appear unconnected and in Shusterman’s style, will connect in surprising ways that absolutely make sense when they happen!
Highly recommended for libraries with readers of dystopia, Shusterman titles and/or those who enjoy novels with thought-provoking social commentary.
Note: Rising Thunder will NOT be appreciated by those who have not read the Arc of the Scythe series but Gleanings is not required pre-reading.
*Target age: 13 and up
*Profanity: Low level with most of it being the milder variety. There are a few F-bombs
*Violence: Low level at the start with more occurring as the book progressing but appropriate to the target age group and genre and none is graphically described.
*Sexual content: none
*Representation: Most in the later years of the Age of Mortality are mixed race but some specific and plot specific cultural connections would include Ariel Powers (Jewish/Indigenous), Aziz (Pakistani), Kevin (Japanese)
*LBGTQ+: Kevin could best be described as pansexual (although he does not care for that descriptor), uses he/him, and has a female persona.
Thanks for the digital arc, Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss.
Set several years before December 2042 when the age of mortality ended and all-knowing AI being truly established its control over almost everything, Shusterman slowly gathers the characters who will become the first scythes and reveals through the computer simulations of the man who be Prometheus, the first supreme Blade, why death by such a system is required when death by age, illness and catastrophe is no more. And in Shusterman’s usual way, readers will be caught up in the possibility that this could be our future, too. Woven into the events of key players are veiled and straightforward references to names, places, and events well known to readers of the Arc of the Scythe trilogy that will cause fans to tingle in anticipation of watching (reading) how they all came together. Strong characterization of Ariz/Prometheus, his friend Kevin/Scythe Cleopatra, Lizzie/Scythe Elizabeth and those who will become the forger of the blades, the creator of the rings or other key players in the new age. As always, the threads will appear unconnected and in Shusterman’s style, will connect in surprising ways that absolutely make sense when they happen!
Highly recommended for libraries with readers of dystopia, Shusterman titles and/or those who enjoy novels with thought-provoking social commentary.
Note: Rising Thunder will NOT be appreciated by those who have not read the Arc of the Scythe series but Gleanings is not required pre-reading.
*Target age: 13 and up
*Profanity: Low level with most of it being the milder variety. There are a few F-bombs
*Violence: Low level at the start with more occurring as the book progressing but appropriate to the target age group and genre and none is graphically described.
*Sexual content: none
*Representation: Most in the later years of the Age of Mortality are mixed race but some specific and plot specific cultural connections would include Ariel Powers (Jewish/Indigenous), Aziz (Pakistani), Kevin (Japanese)
*LBGTQ+: Kevin could best be described as pansexual (although he does not care for that descriptor), uses he/him, and has a female persona.
Thanks for the digital arc, Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss.
June 27, 2026
I am going back and forth between 4.25/4.5 ⭐️ on this!
I can’t wait to see where this goes from here! I am so excited!
I can’t wait to see where this goes from here! I am so excited!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4 ⭐️ Scythe prequel!!!
Rising Thunder was one of my most anticipated reads ever- the original trilogy are some of my favorite books so I am SO excited and grateful that I got to read this early. I enjoyed this one a lot!
This book explores the origin of the Thunderhead, the first scythes, & the move towards immortality. I found chapters of this book compelling and thoughtful, and getting background of how things were set in motion were very interesting as a fan of the trilogy! However, I did expect a lot more from this book. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of the early scythedom as well as the development/advancement of the Thunderhead.
There are a LOT of characters and POVs. While all interesting, there were just too many. I felt disconnected from the characters & I wish there were more central characters. I think exploring two or even three main ones like with Citra and Rowan could have helped have a bigger impact on the story.
This book does dive into a lot of relevant messages with the rise & advancement of AI. There are definitely messages to take away from this book- especially about the harmful effects and AI as an entity.
If you have an appreciation for the series, you will enjoy this one! If you haven’t read the original series, do that FIRST! Can’t wait to hear other people’s thoughts. This one definitely sets the motion for other books in a prequel trilogy.
Thank you to SimonTeen for sending me an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Rising Thunder was one of my most anticipated reads ever- the original trilogy are some of my favorite books so I am SO excited and grateful that I got to read this early. I enjoyed this one a lot!
This book explores the origin of the Thunderhead, the first scythes, & the move towards immortality. I found chapters of this book compelling and thoughtful, and getting background of how things were set in motion were very interesting as a fan of the trilogy! However, I did expect a lot more from this book. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of the early scythedom as well as the development/advancement of the Thunderhead.
There are a LOT of characters and POVs. While all interesting, there were just too many. I felt disconnected from the characters & I wish there were more central characters. I think exploring two or even three main ones like with Citra and Rowan could have helped have a bigger impact on the story.
This book does dive into a lot of relevant messages with the rise & advancement of AI. There are definitely messages to take away from this book- especially about the harmful effects and AI as an entity.
If you have an appreciation for the series, you will enjoy this one! If you haven’t read the original series, do that FIRST! Can’t wait to hear other people’s thoughts. This one definitely sets the motion for other books in a prequel trilogy.
Thank you to SimonTeen for sending me an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rising Thunder
by Neal Shusterman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Dec 1, 2026
First of all, thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Rising Thunder.
As a huge fan of the Arc of a Scythe trilogy, this was one of my most anticipated reads ever. Getting the chance to return to this world and explore its origins was such an exciting experience.
One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about the beginnings of the Thunderhead, the formation of the Scythedom, and humanity's gradual transition toward immortality. Shusterman continues to ask thought-provoking questions about society, technology, and the role of AI, and those themes feel especially relevant today.
The world-building was fascinating, and I loved seeing how the foundations of the series were established. There were so many moments that made me appreciate the original trilogy even more, and longtime fans will definitely enjoy all of the connections and lore woven throughout the story.
My biggest critique is that I wanted more depth in certain areas. I expected to spend more time exploring the early Scythedom and the Thunderhead's evolution, but it often felt like we were only scratching the surface. The novel also features a large cast with many different POVs. While each perspective added something to the story, it made it harder to connect deeply with any individual character. I found myself missing the focused character-driven storytelling of Citra and Rowan from the original trilogy.
Even so, this was an engaging and compelling start to what promises to be an exciting prequel series. It expands the world in meaningful ways while introducing new mysteries that have me eager to see where the trilogy goes next.
Overall, Rising Thunder is a must-read for fans of Arc of a Scythe. I wouldn't recommend starting here if you're new to the series, but for longtime readers, it's a fascinating return to one of YA's most unique dystopian worlds.
✨ Thank you again to Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster
by Neal Shusterman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Dec 1, 2026
First of all, thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Rising Thunder.
As a huge fan of the Arc of a Scythe trilogy, this was one of my most anticipated reads ever. Getting the chance to return to this world and explore its origins was such an exciting experience.
One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about the beginnings of the Thunderhead, the formation of the Scythedom, and humanity's gradual transition toward immortality. Shusterman continues to ask thought-provoking questions about society, technology, and the role of AI, and those themes feel especially relevant today.
The world-building was fascinating, and I loved seeing how the foundations of the series were established. There were so many moments that made me appreciate the original trilogy even more, and longtime fans will definitely enjoy all of the connections and lore woven throughout the story.
My biggest critique is that I wanted more depth in certain areas. I expected to spend more time exploring the early Scythedom and the Thunderhead's evolution, but it often felt like we were only scratching the surface. The novel also features a large cast with many different POVs. While each perspective added something to the story, it made it harder to connect deeply with any individual character. I found myself missing the focused character-driven storytelling of Citra and Rowan from the original trilogy.
Even so, this was an engaging and compelling start to what promises to be an exciting prequel series. It expands the world in meaningful ways while introducing new mysteries that have me eager to see where the trilogy goes next.
Overall, Rising Thunder is a must-read for fans of Arc of a Scythe. I wouldn't recommend starting here if you're new to the series, but for longtime readers, it's a fascinating return to one of YA's most unique dystopian worlds.
✨ Thank you again to Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rising Thunder (Scythe prequel, First Blades #1) by Neal Shusterman, 560 pages. Simon and Schuster, DECEMBER 2026. $25
Language: PG-13 (55 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (deaths mentioned, some bloody)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS _ ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Who created Thunderhead? Who were the first Scythes and why did they start their gruesome business? How did humankind create immortality? Welcome back to the beginnings of the world of Scythes where you will find as many questions as you do answers and love every minute of it.
Shusterman crafts interesting, complicated, and thoughtful narratives and he does not disappoint as he unveils the first 13 scythes and how they “got the job”. I can’t wait for others to read this so that I have people to talk to about it!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Update: I read it twice ina row because I had to enjoy it again. I will probably read it a third time soon.
Language: PG-13 (55 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (deaths mentioned, some bloody)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS _ ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Who created Thunderhead? Who were the first Scythes and why did they start their gruesome business? How did humankind create immortality? Welcome back to the beginnings of the world of Scythes where you will find as many questions as you do answers and love every minute of it.
Shusterman crafts interesting, complicated, and thoughtful narratives and he does not disappoint as he unveils the first 13 scythes and how they “got the job”. I can’t wait for others to read this so that I have people to talk to about it!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Update: I read it twice ina row because I had to enjoy it again. I will probably read it a third time soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Rising Thunder. All thoughts are my own.
I was really excited to read this one, and it didn't disappoint. It was so fascinating to get deeper into the world we learned about in Scythe and see the beginnings. To get to see how it all began, and what the world was like before.
I really enjoyed the characters and how things are not black and white. We see morally grey characters, and I really enjoyed their POVs.
A really, really fun read. And I'm mostly just sad that I have to wait to read the next one.
I was really excited to read this one, and it didn't disappoint. It was so fascinating to get deeper into the world we learned about in Scythe and see the beginnings. To get to see how it all began, and what the world was like before.
I really enjoyed the characters and how things are not black and white. We see morally grey characters, and I really enjoyed their POVs.
A really, really fun read. And I'm mostly just sad that I have to wait to read the next one.
Want to Read
June 11, 2026I actually can't wait for this. That cover is dope.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews