rbdeschamp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Something Like... series is one of my absolute favorites I've ever read, and this installment does not disappoint! Jay Bell is so gifted when it comes to writing queer characters, but especially in this series chronicling the interwoven lives of different gay men, their struggles, triumphs, first loves, and heartbreaks. Something Like Thunder focuses on Nathaniel's story, learning about his formative years in high school and how he eventually becomes a staple of the Maltese empire. We get his point of view in many familiar scenes from previous installments, as well as insights on other characters like Tim, Jason, Caesar, and of course, Kelly and Zero. This story will make you laugh, tear up, reflect, and consider what if? After all, what is love without pain.
demonsreadtoo's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed Nathaniel’s story, I didn’t find his tale as compelling as the previous instalments. Putting this book down numerous times, it took me over three months to finish it. I wouldn’t say, skip this one, as it does fill in a lot of the blanks and shows a great deal more of my favourite side character, Marcello, but there just didn’t seem to be that same pull to stay glued to the pages. It may have been plot fatigue as it’s starting to feel like we’ve seen all the stories and we’re just getting different perspectives on them now.
Read the full review on my blog, Demons Read Too
Read the full review on my blog, Demons Read Too
daftfader's review against another edition
5.0
Second time reading this book. Definitely one of my favorite books in this series. So many little funny scenes bringing other characters together. A lot of nice Marcello scenes as well.
We need more books from Nathaniel
We need more books from Nathaniel
jreason's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! Brilliant! Amazing! This would have to have been the best book yet. Even if the character connections are beginning to get a tad confusing.
Nathan went through a brilliant transformation in this book. At the beginning he was a nervous, quiet and normal person. He did not seem to be all that interesting. But over the course of the book he transformed into an entirely new character. Admittedly every trait I grew to love I previously hated, but seeing him from his perspective was excellent. His relationship with Marcello was brilliant, every book is bringing out more and more of Marcello and I am truly excited to see what the future involves.
Nathan went through a brilliant transformation in this book. At the beginning he was a nervous, quiet and normal person. He did not seem to be all that interesting. But over the course of the book he transformed into an entirely new character. Admittedly every trait I grew to love I previously hated, but seeing him from his perspective was excellent. His relationship with Marcello was brilliant, every book is bringing out more and more of Marcello and I am truly excited to see what the future involves.
Spoiler
Although I do not think I can forgive Mr Bell for the heartbreak I almost had due to Zeros death scarewhateversean's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
This was a fantastic conclusion to the 'Something Like' series. The characters are beautiful and the story line of the series is wonderfully detailed and complex. Jay Bell made a clever reference to a classical author which made me feel smart.
The only thing I didn't was that I felt there were times when the story was a little too dramatic.
This was a fantastic conclusion to the 'Something Like' series. The characters are beautiful and the story line of the series is wonderfully detailed and complex. Jay Bell made a clever reference to a classical author which made me feel smart.
The only thing I didn't was that I felt there were times when the story was a little too dramatic.
sam_rosia's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wrapmeupinplastic's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
opusfra's review against another edition
3.0
Jay Bell is streets ahead of most other authors writing in this genre, but that doesn't automatically mean 5 stars every time. This is his weakest book, full of disappointing turns and unlikely story backgrounds. Nathaniel is annoyingly inconsistent and gratingly angry at the world around him, including emotional self-harming. Let's hope Jay gets back on form next time.
portiaml38's review against another edition
5.0
Jay bell does it again. I'm not going to go into full detail on the plot, because then I would be giving away the juicy bits, that this book has, and that wouldn't be fair to the readers who have yet to pick up this little gem. When I first read the Something Like... Series I fell in love immediately, but Jay Bell has made me fall in love with a few more characters. I love Nathaniel, and all of the baggage that he carries. His life has been shit, and when I mean shit I mean it, but he's gotten through it. Kelly will always be my favorite as well, because let's face it we all love his attitude, and him and Nathaniel just work. They fit, its like they were made for each other. (Cliche I know), but I can't help it, I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, but aren't we all to some extent?
Jay Bell is amazing, and then some. The way he writes, and the way it flows is truly a work of art that shouldn't go unnoticed. He will make you blush, laugh, cry, and get angry all in one story. You're not sure if you will end up happy at the end, but that's the best part of his book, because you're not sure what to expect.
Jay Bell please continue, to do what you do because you're an amazing author, I will continue to always be a fan, and I can't wait for the Something Like Summer movie.
Jay Bell is amazing, and then some. The way he writes, and the way it flows is truly a work of art that shouldn't go unnoticed. He will make you blush, laugh, cry, and get angry all in one story. You're not sure if you will end up happy at the end, but that's the best part of his book, because you're not sure what to expect.
Jay Bell please continue, to do what you do because you're an amazing author, I will continue to always be a fan, and I can't wait for the Something Like Summer movie.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
What can I say but booming, crashing, startling, fearful, quaking, deafening, sometime tentative… The sounds of thunder, all describing the audio performance of Something Like Thunder by Jay Bell.
I love an author who gives me depth of characters. I yearn for the whole story about them. I want to know why…why…why. In the case of Nathaniel Courtney, I want to know why he pushed away the love of his life, Kelly. But sometimes, I want to just have very strong hateful thoughts about Nathaniel too, and wonder why Jay Bell even wasted his time writing about such a character. This is what a Jay Bell book narrated by Kevin R. Free does to me. That’s seventeen hours of becoming invested in one character—the best way to spend those hours, I assure you. Mr. Bell does intertwine other characters in the plot, but essentially, this is Nathaniel’s story and how he came to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life.
Kevin R. Free really sets up the tone of the book. When Nathaniel is showing weakness, you hear the weakness portrayed in Free’s voice. When Nathaniel’s voice is booming while protecting his Mom, the narration Booms! Free has all the sounds of thunder mixed into the narration of Something Like Thunder. An excellent writer and an excellent narrator=perfection!
Reviewed by Kathie for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/audio-review-something-like-thunder-by-jay-bell-narrated-by-kevin-r-free/
I love an author who gives me depth of characters. I yearn for the whole story about them. I want to know why…why…why. In the case of Nathaniel Courtney, I want to know why he pushed away the love of his life, Kelly. But sometimes, I want to just have very strong hateful thoughts about Nathaniel too, and wonder why Jay Bell even wasted his time writing about such a character. This is what a Jay Bell book narrated by Kevin R. Free does to me. That’s seventeen hours of becoming invested in one character—the best way to spend those hours, I assure you. Mr. Bell does intertwine other characters in the plot, but essentially, this is Nathaniel’s story and how he came to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life.
Kevin R. Free really sets up the tone of the book. When Nathaniel is showing weakness, you hear the weakness portrayed in Free’s voice. When Nathaniel’s voice is booming while protecting his Mom, the narration Booms! Free has all the sounds of thunder mixed into the narration of Something Like Thunder. An excellent writer and an excellent narrator=perfection!
Reviewed by Kathie for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/audio-review-something-like-thunder-by-jay-bell-narrated-by-kevin-r-free/