Thunder Road by Sierra Dean
Series: Rain Chaser, #1
Urban Fantasy
July 26, 2016
Self Published
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I was the Godzilla to their Tokyo.”
Tallulah Corentine has been waiting years for the fabulous life she was promised by her parents when they gave her to the Gods at age seven. Born as one of the “chosen ones,” Tallulah has powers and some benefits as a cleric to Seth, the Storm God, but knows she is nothing more than an indentured servant. Getting on the wrong side of a death goddess while doing a favor for Seth has Tallulah protecting a very special package with the help of the priest of bad luck. Using her wits, a lot of ingenuity, and some help from some powerful frenemies, Tallulah will have to strike while the lightening is hot if she wants to survive the night.
Thunder Road is the first in Sierra Dean’s newest urban fantasy series-Rain Chasers. Based on mythology and legends, Dean takes some amusing liberties as she drags various gods and goddesses into the 21st century with modern day conveniences to ensure these ancient deities retain their powers through prayer and worship. The internet and vending machines have replaced the outdated methods used to ask for favors and blessings. Clerics and/or priests to the deities are used to help to answer those prayers. Usually, human children born with marks that show them to be chosen to serve a particular god or goddess, their parents turn them over to the temple at a young age buying into the hype that their children will receive untold blessings and riches. The reality is much different and we soon learn that being a chosen one isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“Tallulah Corentine, earthbound bitch to the god of the storm.”
Once again, Dean writes a delightfully dark and humorous urban fantasy that pairs charismatic characters with an adventurous road trip style storyline. Engaging narrative and a solid conversational flow opens up a modern world steeped in supernatural wonder but relatively uncomplicated to perfectly showcase her newest heroine-Tallulah Corentine. Tallulah Corentine is a Rain Chaser. A cleric for the storm god Seth, Tallulah’s job is to do Seth’s bidding. No matter how odd, dangerous, or ridiculous the assignment. Intelligent, sarcastic, gutsy, and complex, Tallulah is a cheer-worthy urban fantasy heroine. Her love of American muscle cars, 80s hair metal bands, and copious amounts of Chinese food makes her a woman after my heart. Tallulah has been with Seth for twenty-seven years and the shine has definitely worn off. Given to him as a child, she resents him, his lack of humanity, and her lack of choice. Used as a human lightning rod, her powers are a result of her ability to access and channel Seth’s powers, she fears her the continued scarring and her eventual death.
“We were tools to them, things they relied on but did not love. Gods didn’t know how to love.”
Multiple plotlines keep the energy levels high and the story flowing smoothly as Tallulah finds out that her last mission for Seth has put her on the death goddess’s hit list. She has only one chance to make it out alive and that depends on her locating a certain individual before Manea does. Dean builds a dynamic secondary cast to support the main storyline and to plot future storylines. Subtle layering shows us that the main conflict is only the beginning of what the future has in store for Tallulah.
I loved the characterization of the various characters Dean introduced. Humor and mayhem go hand in hand as we meet the people in Tallulah’s orbit. Prescott, the right hand of the death goddess Manea herself, is a former childhood friend and flame but seems to be harboring a grudge against Tallulah. Cade, the luckless one, is a cleric to Ardra, the goddess of bad luck. Considered a friend but there is some romantic interest. He carries a very heavy burden and I hope Dean delves deeper into his background in the future. Seth’s temple manager and daughter, Sido, is Tallulah’s go to gal. She is firmly #TeamSeth but there is an affectionate bond between her and Tallulah that may prove to be interesting in the future. Various deities-Hecate, Hades, and Badb-make appearances, each providing Tallulah with a clue towards what’s coming. But anytime you make deals with immortals, there is always a price to pay.
“Are you offering to help me?” I asked.
“Haven’t I helped you already?”
“Telling someone they’re about to be hit by a bus does nothing to move them out of the path of the bus,” I pointed out.
“At least I am not driving the bus,” she countered with a graceful shrug.
Dean pens another winner with her latest fantasy, staying true to her writing style with a strong heroine and an underdog theme. Thunder Road definitely entertained and I am looking forward to seeing what Dean has in store for Tallulah in the next installment.
Grade: B
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