Thunderbolt

Jack Courtney Adventures #2

by Wilbur Smith

Second in a brand new action adventure series starring 14-year-old Jack Courtney - a hero to rival Alex Rider - from worldwide bestselling author Wilbur Smith.

Jack and his friends Amelia and Xander are in Zanzibar diving for lost treasure to support Jack's mother's coral protection project. Going further than usual on their last day, their dive boat is lured into a trap and captured by Somali pirates. Determined that his mother shouldn't pay a ransom for their release, Jack won't give up his attempts to escape. Transferred to a militia training camp for boy soldiers, the trio's only hope is the resourceful Somali boy Mo who befriends them. Can they outwit the ruthless General Sir and his merciless troops in the second gripping adventure from the authors of Cloudburst?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Mystery, Adventure

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2021

About the author

Wilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.

Reviews

[Puppy_reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Thunderbolt is the second novel in ‘A Jack Courtney Adventure’. This thrilling-page-turner is a must-read for all adventure lovers.

Jack, Amelia and Xander are diving of the coast of Zanzibar, looking for lost treasure. But then they are taken hostage by some Somali pirates, who are holding them for a ransom. When they are taken to a child soldier camp their only hope is ‘Mo’ a Somali boy. Jack is desperate for the ransom not to be paid but time is running out.

I recently read ‘Cloudburst’, the first in this series, and as soon as I finished it I also order this. I massively enjoy this series due to the twists and turns that are incorporated.

Smith also makes Jack and his friends feel incredibly realistic and he has a skill for encouraging the reader to feel invested in the characters. I know as soon as I started this book I immediately felt attached to the characters in a way In which I don’t find all books manage to capture me.

As a second instalment in the series it definitely had the same feel as the first. The characters were the same, although the only downfall of the novel was it had a quiet similar conclusion to the 1st book. It felt marginally guessable.

I also enjoyed Mo’s story and the reader sees a side of the Somali pirates you don’t always see. Mo explaining the desperation that leads them to do these unfathomable deeds made me take a moment to evaluate and reflect on this.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants an interesting mystery series to read (although the next instalment is not out until the 17th of March (2022).

4.5 some not as good as the first.

[Paula Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading this series, they are a great transition for readers of this genre from MG fiction to something a little older. Packed with action and adventure they are fast paced and difficult to put down. I am very pleased there is a book 3 coming.

[Alexia Athanassiadou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αυτή η κατηγορία της εφηβικής λογοτεχνίας είναι πολύ παρεξηγημένη. Είναι ένα είδος που κάποιοι θεωρούν ανάλαφρο. Αλλά τι είναι οι έφηβοι αν όχι νεαροί άνθρωποι με ανησυχίες όπως όλοι οι άνθρωποι. Αυτό το βιβλίο όπως και το προηγούμενο, έχει έναν ωραίο ρυθμό, ένταση, ωραίους διαλόγους και ένα κοινωνικό θέμα. Την εκμετάλλευση μικρών παιδιών για πολεμικους σκοπούς και εργασία. Όλα είναι πολυ ωραία δοσμενα και το τέλος αναμενόμενο αλλά και ελπιδοφόρο. Μου άρεσε πολύ γιατί δεν ήταν πολύ σκληρό αλλά με απλό τρόπο περνούσε τα μηνύματα που ήθελε.

[Kraken_libri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devo essere onesta, fossi una mamma non comprerei a mio figlio un libro del genere, che nonostante fosse per ragazzi l ho trovato molto crudo almeno che non parliamo di una fascia di età più alta come 15 anni, dove certe dinamiche non dispiace che vengono scoperte.
Purtroppo questo libro porta una fetta di realtà, rasentando la trasformazione da Adventure e Horror nel genere.
Però una bellissima avventura che mi ha tenuta con il fiato sospeso

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for young readers, but has some pretty challenging topics - like the "training" of child soldiers, kidnapping, and modern day pirates. The book does a good job giving some background and insight into these topics, but I would say the read might be more appropriate for more mature kids. I read it after my 11 year old read it and thought I would like it. I did! The book definitely had me on the edge of my seat a few times, and I loved the character "Mo".

[Nick Fletcher · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many unnecessary sentences. The story drags terribly as a result. Kids just about hung on but it was a close thing.

It takes half the book to set up the story. If Wilbur Smith actually had anything to do with this story he’d be horrified.

[Sharon Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up story to Cloudburst. This one has sea pirates off the coast of Africa , ransom demands and child soldiers . It is a good adventure book for senior primary.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Brian Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read

The story was good and I enjoyed it. The only problem was it was too short, l would have liked it to longer.

[Jennie Collison · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 11 year son & I both rated this book 4/5

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing like a Wilbur Smith novel. Hated it. Love all his old books.

[Giota]

«Κεραυνός» ή «χιονοστιβάδα»;
Όποια και αν είναι η επιλογή, το δίδυμο είναι το ίδιο, επιτυχημένη συνταγή για best seller: Wilbur Smith & Chris Wakling!
Δεν υπάρχει αμφιβολία ότι το βιβλίο είναι ένα καλό δώρο, ειδικά για αυτή την περίοδο των γιορτών. Οι μικροί μας φίλοι, όπως και εμείς οι μεγαλύτεροι, αγαπούν και εκείνοι ιστορίες γεμάτες περιπέτεια, δράση, ένταση και… κίνδυνο.
Ο αγαπημένος μας Wilbur Smith σε συνεργασία με τον Chris Wakling, μάς χάρισε δύο ενδιαφέροντα βιβλία εφηβικής και νεανικής λογοτεχνίας, που δεν έχουν να ζηλέψουν σε τίποτα τα αντίστοιχα ενηλίκων του συγγραφέως.
Και στα δύο πρωταγωνιστής είναι ο Τζακ Κόρτνεϊ, ένας 14χρονος που αγαπά τη φύση και έχει έντονες ανησυχίες. Έχει ζήσει όλη του τη ζωή στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, αλλά ακολουθεί τους γονείς του σε αποστολές για την προστασία του περιβάλλοντος.
Ο «Κεραυνός» (εκδόσεις Bell) εκτυλίσσεται στη Ζανζιβάρη, όπου ο Τζακ με την παρέα του θέλουν να προστατεύσουν τα κοράλλια και αναζητούν χαμένους θησαυρούς. Το σκάφος τους όμως καταλαμβάνεται από πειρατές και οι μικροί μας φίλοι προσπαθούν να αποδράσουν με κάθε τρόπο. Άραγε θα τα καταφέρουν;
Με πολύ ωραία γραφή, παρουσιάζονται στο βιβλίο θέματα όπως η εκμετάλλευση των παιδιών, ο πόλεμος, η πειρατεία, αλλά και η φιλία και τα υψηλά ιδανικά.
Η «Χιονοστιβάδα» (επίσης από τις εκδόσεις Bell) μάς ταξιδεύει στην Αρκτική, πάλι σε εξερευνητική αποστολή με τη μητέρα του, αυτή τη φορά στα χιόνια. Και εδώ όμως κάτι δεν πάει καλά.. Έχει όλη η ομάδα τον ίδιο στόχο, την προστασία του περιβάλλοντος; Ή κάποιοι το χρησιμοποιούν ως πρόσχημα για σκοτεινούς σκοπούς;
Πρόκειται για ένα αντιπροσωπευτικό βιβλίο της ανερχόμενης κατηγορίας cli-fi , καθώς περιγράφονται ενδιαφέροντες τρόποι για εξοικονόμηση ενέργειας, αλλά και μικρά πράγματα που μπορούμε να κάνουμε στην καθημερινότητα, αυξάνοντας την οικολογική μας συμπεριφορά και συνείδηση.
Εσείς ακόμα σκέφτεστε τί δώρο θα πάρετε στους μικρούς μας φίλους;

https://www.clevernews.gr/keraynos-i-...