Of the four The Fighters novels, this one had the most cohesive and compelling story, surprisingly unconfined as it expanded out from a mysterious start. Son of Thunder provided several interesting characters acting for and against one another within themes and of a scope more epic in size than Ghostwalker, the novel from the series that came closest in quality.

The writing here, too, had a wonderful clarity and focus throughout, and many parts were page-turners, urging me on to see what would happen to both villains and heroes alike. Several twists crossed into the mix, each believable and well threaded, never feeling gimmicky or thrown in.

At its conclusion, too, the final struggle matched its epic foundations and the author managed to include the views of a multitude of characters without losing a beat or getting a reader lost in a confusion of scenes and faces. So far as it goes, I'd love to read more from this author (Murray J.D. Leeder), but Son of Thunder appears to be his only entry. What a shame! ( )