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The Thunderbird Chronicles #1
Into Dust
Outside the sky was blood red—a gorgeous sunset under any other circumstances—but that evening it looked like a beautiful, graceful bull slaughtered by an unworthy matador. I tried to wipe the blood from my father’s last painting, but it smeared, becoming a part of the sunset.
When the bullet pierced her father’s heart and he crumpled to the floor of his convenience store, it changed Janey Santiago’s life forever. At first she wasn’t even sure if she was alive or dead as she watched a strange blue light shift from his body to hers. In his final moments he handed Janey his mask, confirming her suspicions that he was indeed the vigilante fighting the local cartels.
Janey felt a surge of energy and knew it was her time to carry on her father’s work. With the guidance of Augusto—her father’s mysterious, young right-hand man—and enigmatic parallels from her favorite comic book series, Janey must learn how to use her mysterious new abilities to fight back against the gangsters that killed her father and threaten to overtake her town.
This is the first in a series—The Thunderbird Chronicles.
When the bullet pierced her father’s heart and he crumpled to the floor of his convenience store, it changed Janey Santiago’s life forever. At first she wasn’t even sure if she was alive or dead as she watched a strange blue light shift from his body to hers. In his final moments he handed Janey his mask, confirming her suspicions that he was indeed the vigilante fighting the local cartels.
Janey felt a surge of energy and knew it was her time to carry on her father’s work. With the guidance of Augusto—her father’s mysterious, young right-hand man—and enigmatic parallels from her favorite comic book series, Janey must learn how to use her mysterious new abilities to fight back against the gangsters that killed her father and threaten to overtake her town.
This is the first in a series—The Thunderbird Chronicles.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2016
44 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Amy Quick Parrish
16 books412 followersAmy Quick Parrish is the author of sweet Christmas romances Highlands Christmas and Highlands New Year as well as young adult novels Into Dust, Into the Storm, and The Frequency. Born and raised in Michigan, she now lives in the Boston area with a wonderful husband and son and a lovely gray cat. When she's not busy crafting compelling screenplays or novels, you can find her watching Michigan football or on a quest to find the perfect taco. To stay updated on Amy Quick Parrish's latest works and adventures, you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook or join her mailing list at www.amyquickparrish.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 26, 2017
I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
I have not read a lot of YA fiction, mostly because I am a much older person and the idea was kind of strange to me. A web site I visited offered some e-books for reviews so I scanned what was there and this one seemed interesting to me. When gifted the book I found out it was a YA book. I am thinking that I may have to start reading more because like another one I read the quality is quite good. On top of that, the age range indicates there will be a low of non-existent amount of sex. However, romance is still up for grabs in general it seems.
I have been a comic book fan for years and that is what interested me in the description. Janey, the lead character in the story, is a young girl from the Mexican side of the Texas border who loves her dad and comic books. She notices a resemblance to her dad, a masked vigilante (she does not know about this), and the comics she loves. Eventually, events lead to her father's death as he is fighting the drug cartels, and that is when the powers he had transfers to her. Eventually she moves to the Texas side of the border where her mom is from, and has to learn, with help from a tutor, about the powers she has.
It is funny in many ways because that part of comic book heroes is rarely looked at. The training she must go through to become the hero she needs to be. The fish out of water type experiences are quite well written, as are the times that she seems to doubt herself and her newfound abilities and the person who is training her as well.
The use of two different points of view in this story, both her and the person training her, is a little jarring at first but at least it is introduced early on in the story so that it is well established by the middle of the book.
My only complaint may be because of the medium that I was reading it in. Because one of the powers she had in pushing/receiving the thoughts of others the thoughts are often in italics. I have no problem with that but there were several times in my copy where words were in italics but not thoughts, and other times that thoughts (though they were from either person's narrative, not their thought dialogue) that they were not that way. By the middle of the book, it seemed to be standardized. I am thinking that it may be just the nature of the e-book and as I was able to read around it I did not see it as that much of a problem.
All in all, quite good. recommend it anyone who would be looking for a good story of comic book heroes and supernatural. May even want to take a look at the second in the series.
I have not read a lot of YA fiction, mostly because I am a much older person and the idea was kind of strange to me. A web site I visited offered some e-books for reviews so I scanned what was there and this one seemed interesting to me. When gifted the book I found out it was a YA book. I am thinking that I may have to start reading more because like another one I read the quality is quite good. On top of that, the age range indicates there will be a low of non-existent amount of sex. However, romance is still up for grabs in general it seems.
I have been a comic book fan for years and that is what interested me in the description. Janey, the lead character in the story, is a young girl from the Mexican side of the Texas border who loves her dad and comic books. She notices a resemblance to her dad, a masked vigilante (she does not know about this), and the comics she loves. Eventually, events lead to her father's death as he is fighting the drug cartels, and that is when the powers he had transfers to her. Eventually she moves to the Texas side of the border where her mom is from, and has to learn, with help from a tutor, about the powers she has.
It is funny in many ways because that part of comic book heroes is rarely looked at. The training she must go through to become the hero she needs to be. The fish out of water type experiences are quite well written, as are the times that she seems to doubt herself and her newfound abilities and the person who is training her as well.
The use of two different points of view in this story, both her and the person training her, is a little jarring at first but at least it is introduced early on in the story so that it is well established by the middle of the book.
My only complaint may be because of the medium that I was reading it in. Because one of the powers she had in pushing/receiving the thoughts of others the thoughts are often in italics. I have no problem with that but there were several times in my copy where words were in italics but not thoughts, and other times that thoughts (though they were from either person's narrative, not their thought dialogue) that they were not that way. By the middle of the book, it seemed to be standardized. I am thinking that it may be just the nature of the e-book and as I was able to read around it I did not see it as that much of a problem.
All in all, quite good. recommend it anyone who would be looking for a good story of comic book heroes and supernatural. May even want to take a look at the second in the series.
June 7, 2017
First I would like to state that I have received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style. This book was a very interesting read. The authors writing style kept me interested from the first chapter to the very last. It pulls you in quickly and keeps you hooked wanting to read and find out more of what is happening. It was a very well written and exciting with well-defined characters. I am now waiting eagerly for the next book. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a great read. This book is incredible. A must read!
June 11, 2017
Well written and highly entertaining. Love the story connection comic books her father had drawn and Janey that liked. The story flows so well and is very addictive. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out. I love the "mysterious" aspects of Janey and Augusto's powers and look forward to learning more. Into Dust is different from many ways which made it very enjoyable for me. I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.
September 3, 2017
Fantastic Paranormal Superhero! Zorro and Wonder Woman Combined!
This is the first in a series. I plan to read them all! The entire story is great. Realistic characters, situations, plot and true emotions. I grew up with the southwestern legends and Mexican folklore that are so much a part of this story. This has shades of Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan series. While this is not my general genre of choice, this was a great story and a real page turner. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
This is the first in a series. I plan to read them all! The entire story is great. Realistic characters, situations, plot and true emotions. I grew up with the southwestern legends and Mexican folklore that are so much a part of this story. This has shades of Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan series. While this is not my general genre of choice, this was a great story and a real page turner. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
July 16, 2018
This was SO fun!! What an excellent introduction to this fantasy world, I can't wait to read more.
I'm not usually into YA, the whole and then the teenagers saved the world! thing usually has me rolling my eyes, but this book was PURE delight! I adored the Zorro-esque premise and the setting in Mexico(Juarez I assume?)/El Paso.
Poor Janey has A LOT to overcome, living in a cartel-infested border town, her family torn asunder by gang violence, and she does so with a great deal of grace, humility, and a healthy dose of backbone! We need more heroes like her!
The way Ms. Quick Parrish handled the super-hero thing was interesting, I really liked the "Thunderbird" concept and I look forward to finding out more!
I'm not usually into YA, the whole and then the teenagers saved the world! thing usually has me rolling my eyes, but this book was PURE delight! I adored the Zorro-esque premise and the setting in Mexico(Juarez I assume?)/El Paso.
Poor Janey has A LOT to overcome, living in a cartel-infested border town, her family torn asunder by gang violence, and she does so with a great deal of grace, humility, and a healthy dose of backbone! We need more heroes like her!
The way Ms. Quick Parrish handled the super-hero thing was interesting, I really liked the "Thunderbird" concept and I look forward to finding out more!
February 16, 2018
It took a minute to get in to the book but I can say once I grasped what was going on I was hooked. Very well written and just the right amount of love, intrigue, back and forth between the main two characters, it will have you wanting more and getting it.
July 31, 2017
Into the Dust
A realistic look at the terror of living in a drug gang area...the fear,the loneliness, the heartache. Enter an unlikely oppositional fighter. The unlikely, almost unbelievable, young fighter who takes her cues from a Zorro take off comic book! This book has action, fantasy, twists, heartbreak, and mystery. I really liked this book and am very glad to review it in spite of getting it for free. I review all the books I read, free or not!
A realistic look at the terror of living in a drug gang area...the fear,the loneliness, the heartache. Enter an unlikely oppositional fighter. The unlikely, almost unbelievable, young fighter who takes her cues from a Zorro take off comic book! This book has action, fantasy, twists, heartbreak, and mystery. I really liked this book and am very glad to review it in spite of getting it for free. I review all the books I read, free or not!
July 15, 2016
Caveat: I know the author well.
I enjoyed the premise of the book and liked the characters. It did feel rushed and there were parts that felt like more explanation would have gone a long way. The imagery is foreign for most readers- and even though it isn't really that foreign for the characters- it would have been cool to see it part of the story when this young woman who grew up in superstitious Mexico moved to the states where the characters aren't quite as superstitious. It would have helped the reader "catch up."
I am excited to read the next chapter and watching the author catch her stride and the balance between too much and too little with detail and dialogue.
I enjoyed the premise of the book and liked the characters. It did feel rushed and there were parts that felt like more explanation would have gone a long way. The imagery is foreign for most readers- and even though it isn't really that foreign for the characters- it would have been cool to see it part of the story when this young woman who grew up in superstitious Mexico moved to the states where the characters aren't quite as superstitious. It would have helped the reader "catch up."
I am excited to read the next chapter and watching the author catch her stride and the balance between too much and too little with detail and dialogue.
April 16, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
My original review is at YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
My original review is at YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
February 19, 2018
A great start to a series! Characters are "real" and there is plenty of action and twists. Description of the different scenes is exceptional, I could see it clearly in my mind's eye. Wonderful read!
I received a complimentary copy and freely give my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy and freely give my honest review.
June 16, 2017
Exciting read with a different premise.
Interest I g mix of. Ancient. ¶paranormal arts and modern life.I still am not sure what's going to happen. I'm on textbooks.
Interest I g mix of. Ancient. ¶paranormal arts and modern life.I still am not sure what's going to happen. I'm on textbooks.
December 21, 2016
Reviewed by: Sandra
Rating: 3 stars
Review: 17-year old Janey lives in two worlds: the world of her comics and the real world. And danger lurks in both. Living on the U.S./Mexican border can be quite frightening with all political rage and warring cartels. How can you live constantly standing by and dropping ground at the sound of firing bullets? Janey lived in fear, but she also had hope that Zarco and Zara would stop the bad guys and save the world. But this wasn’t a comic book. Or…was it? The talk on the news reports a masked vigilante resembling the hero of her comics. To Janey, the vigilante was brave and smart; to everyone else, he was an old fool bound to get himself killed. Could the vigilante really be Janey’s father, like in the comics?
The book kicked off with a compelling start. Gangs are fighting over the town. You don’t feel safe walking the streets and you don’t know who to trust. But it would seem that there is some nefarious force of goodness out there. Janey’s father is like Batman. How cool is that! Soon, Janey realizes that she has become a Walker of Two Worlds. What?! Suddenly, she is bestowed by a mystical force of power, knowledge, love, and confidence. Now she must finish what her father started.
A quick read from start to finish, story has a combination of mystery, fantasy and adventure. It jostles a hope that the masked avenger is real and safely at your side. Janey possesses a quiet strength and a fierce determination. She’s courageous, smart, and a quick-study.
My only quibble was that Janey was not an active fighter. I guess I was expecting more Buffy, vampire slayer, rather than Sitting Red Bull, dream weaver. I guess that was to be expected since this is the first in the series, which introduces Janey as she discovers these powers that she doesn’t understand. The first book basically explains the origin of the story, which is mostly passive, and I hear Janey becomes more active and settles more into her powers as the series continues.
Dreams seem to play an important role in the book. My excitement kind of wore off with the lack of fight scenes. I mean, I was expecting a final showdown with the gangsters. Additionally, there was some confusion between all the realm-hopping. One minute, Janey was in the cemetery looking at her dad's tombstone, and, the next, she's with Augusto in the mountains. Weird.
It started off fast-paced with an interesting premise, but then it slowed down dramatically midway.
Overall, I felt the story was much more subdued than I originally thought and it could’ve definitely been more exciting. But it was an okay read and suitable kick-off to the series.
Rating: 3 stars
Review: 17-year old Janey lives in two worlds: the world of her comics and the real world. And danger lurks in both. Living on the U.S./Mexican border can be quite frightening with all political rage and warring cartels. How can you live constantly standing by and dropping ground at the sound of firing bullets? Janey lived in fear, but she also had hope that Zarco and Zara would stop the bad guys and save the world. But this wasn’t a comic book. Or…was it? The talk on the news reports a masked vigilante resembling the hero of her comics. To Janey, the vigilante was brave and smart; to everyone else, he was an old fool bound to get himself killed. Could the vigilante really be Janey’s father, like in the comics?
The book kicked off with a compelling start. Gangs are fighting over the town. You don’t feel safe walking the streets and you don’t know who to trust. But it would seem that there is some nefarious force of goodness out there. Janey’s father is like Batman. How cool is that! Soon, Janey realizes that she has become a Walker of Two Worlds. What?! Suddenly, she is bestowed by a mystical force of power, knowledge, love, and confidence. Now she must finish what her father started.
A quick read from start to finish, story has a combination of mystery, fantasy and adventure. It jostles a hope that the masked avenger is real and safely at your side. Janey possesses a quiet strength and a fierce determination. She’s courageous, smart, and a quick-study.
My only quibble was that Janey was not an active fighter. I guess I was expecting more Buffy, vampire slayer, rather than Sitting Red Bull, dream weaver. I guess that was to be expected since this is the first in the series, which introduces Janey as she discovers these powers that she doesn’t understand. The first book basically explains the origin of the story, which is mostly passive, and I hear Janey becomes more active and settles more into her powers as the series continues.
Dreams seem to play an important role in the book. My excitement kind of wore off with the lack of fight scenes. I mean, I was expecting a final showdown with the gangsters. Additionally, there was some confusion between all the realm-hopping. One minute, Janey was in the cemetery looking at her dad's tombstone, and, the next, she's with Augusto in the mountains. Weird.
It started off fast-paced with an interesting premise, but then it slowed down dramatically midway.
Overall, I felt the story was much more subdued than I originally thought and it could’ve definitely been more exciting. But it was an okay read and suitable kick-off to the series.
November 17, 2016
Janey Santiago is the Wonder Woman of West Texas—she's an anti-hero that is growing into something bigger than she may even realize. I love a book with a strong female lead. I connected with Janey because she grew up in a Texas border town much like myself. I enjoyed the point of view shifts in with the main characters because you could literally be inside their heads and live through their journey.
Janey loses her father who then tells her about this gift she has. You know the saying, "with great power, comes great responsibility" and being a teenager is a tough time to be given such a heavy burden...even if said burden is a gift that could help do more than get justice to avenge the death of her dad. Hispanic readers will like the fact that there are several phrases in Spanish that the author does not really translate for the reader - rather context clues can help non-Spanish speaking readers understand some of the speak and lingo, but overall it adds to the charm and authenticity of the character. It's ok to speak in Spanglish!
I'm curious to see Janey's character development and growth as she continues her journey in the next book! I recommend this novel to anyone that loves a book with great character and heart or someone who likes to root for the underdog. Diversity is important and it's amazing to see a female Latina character wield the power that courses through her veins.
Janey loses her father who then tells her about this gift she has. You know the saying, "with great power, comes great responsibility" and being a teenager is a tough time to be given such a heavy burden...even if said burden is a gift that could help do more than get justice to avenge the death of her dad. Hispanic readers will like the fact that there are several phrases in Spanish that the author does not really translate for the reader - rather context clues can help non-Spanish speaking readers understand some of the speak and lingo, but overall it adds to the charm and authenticity of the character. It's ok to speak in Spanglish!
I'm curious to see Janey's character development and growth as she continues her journey in the next book! I recommend this novel to anyone that loves a book with great character and heart or someone who likes to root for the underdog. Diversity is important and it's amazing to see a female Latina character wield the power that courses through her veins.
July 19, 2016
Mystery, romance and suspense in the West Texas Desert! A great, fast-paced, supernatural action/adventure. Janey Santiago is the strong, inspiring, cynical but hopeful, down-to-earth heroine that we’ve all been waiting for. The intriguing, believable characters, and engaging plot left me hungry for the next book! I can't wait to find out what is in store for Janey Santiago and her handsome, bad-boy mentor, Augusto, as they work for justice in West Texas, and the border towns of Mexico.
July 3, 2016
Well written and exciting with well-defined characters. I'm waiting eagerly for the next book to find out what is ahead for Janey and Augusto.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews