The Sound of Distant Thunder started out fairly slowly for me. There were lots of interesting characters in this novel and for awhile I wondered if these characters were connected to any other books that the author has written. I don’t think they are, but the author did reference people and events from the past which made me question that.
I felt that the story sped up about halfway through the book and I became more engaged in what was going on. I think the author has established an interesting community and a cast of characters that I will want to return to in future books. While there was some conclusion by the end of the novel, I felt that the ending overall left a lot open and unfinished in order to lead into future books.
(3.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents’ insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother’s name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother’s place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?
From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.
Purchase your own copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan grew up surrounded by books and storytellers. With Pastors and Teachers populating both sides of her extended family, we aren’t surprised that she wanted to be a first-class storyteller herself.Born and raised in Michigan, Jan is the descendant of Amish, Mennonite and Brethren immigrants who settled in Berks, Somerset and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania in the mid-1700’s. The descendants of these immigrants pioneered in Maryland, Ohio, and finally Elkhart and LaGrange Counties in Northern Indiana in the 1850’s.
During the years when Jan was raising and homeschooling their children, she and her husband moved nine times in thirty years, finally landing in South Dakota where they enjoy incredibly Michigan-like weather. A northerner is always a northerner!
The ideas for Jan’s books come from the stories told by her parents and grandparents, seasoned with a lot of research and imagination.
Britt Reads Fiction 
Britt, I have to agree with your assessment on the book. Great writing, great characters, but awful conclusion! I am not a fan of cliffhangers. At. All. I like Jan’s writing enough to want to read the next book, but I will be more aware of this type of ending.
Funny, I wrote almost the same thing in my own review. Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way about the book.
That is funny that you and I had similar thoughts in our reviews! We probably have similar tastes in books, so the same things bothered us! Like you, I am also a fan of many of her other books, so even though I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, I am hopeful for the next book.
Here’s the link to my review on Goodreads of you’re interested in reading it. I’ve followed your blog for a while and enjoy your reviews. I think we do like the same type books and have the same tastes, which I find refreshing to know I’m not an oddball when it comes to books…like I’m the only one, lol! 🙂 I look forward to future book thoughts!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2528247519?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Fun! Yes, we were certainly on the same page about it, weren’t we? I agree with you that I loved how much Jonas and Katie loved each other and stayed devoted to each other.