Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas – Review
“Thunderbird Rising delivers an explosive blend of alternate history and modern espionage as former Army Ranger Maxx King unravels a deadly conspiracy linking global powers, secret technology, and the tragedy of 9/11.”
🎧 Welcome to My Stop on the iRead Book Tour for Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas
I’m thrilled to feature the audiobook edition of Thunderbird Rising, a fast-paced blend of espionage, conspiracy, and alternate history that kept me listening long past bedtime.
Former Army Ranger turned cybercrime investigator Maxx King finds himself at the center of a deadly U.S.–China conflict tied to a mysterious device capable of triggering catastrophic natural disasters. With global powers closing in and a countdown to September 11, 2001 looming, Maxx must uncover the truth before the next disaster strikes.
If you love stories filled with high-stakes action, political intrigue, and moral gray areas — this one’s going to be right up your alley.
📝 All About the Book
Thunderbird Rising
By John H. Thomas
Series: Maxx King #1
Published by Independently Published on May 2024
Genres: Action & Adventure, Adult Fiction 18+, Alternate History, Science Fiction, Thriller
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 366
Source: iRead Book Tours, Kindle UnlimitedMaxx King is a former Army Ranger turned cybercrime investigator trying to get his life back on track when he has an unexpected confrontation with a ruthless Chinese spy. Struggling to understand the escalating violence, he discovers a clandestine US-China conflict centered around a device of unknown origins with the power to trigger massive natural disasters.
Caught between competing US government agencies, Chinese assassins, secret informants, and a rising number of deaths, Maxx must get to the truth before the next catastrophe strikes. Things get personal when it turns out his girlfriend, Gabby, has been working on the covert project and may be the source of damaging leaks that threaten national security.
The clock is ticking, and a break in the code reveals that something big will happen on September 11th, 2001.
Thunderbird Rising is an action-packed alternate-history thriller full of uncertain loyalties, deceit, and international espionage set in Seattle and New York City.
📚 Where to Find Thunderbird Rising
Available on Amazon
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🛒 KINDLE | PAPERBACK | HARDCOVER | AUDIOBOOK
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Prefer to shop local?
🛍️ You can also purchase Thunderbird Rising from your favorite indie bookstore online.
Bookshop.org is an excellent option that supports indie authors—and book bloggers like me—while avoiding the big-box route.
Also available at:
📘 Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million
🎧 My Audiobook Review: Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas
If you love audiobooks that blend high-stakes action with smart plotting, Thunderbird Rising is an absolute thrill ride. John H. Thomas crafts a tightly woven story that’s part espionage thriller, part alt-history puzzle, and entirely pulse-pounding.
The audiobook narration by Scott Fleming brings Maxx King vividly to life, balancing intensity and vulnerability in a way that perfectly fits the story’s tone. His delivery captures the urgency of the investigation and the emotional undercurrents beneath Maxx’s soldier-turned-investigator mindset.
From Seattle’s tech corridors to the dark edges of covert operations, Thomas creates a world where every alliance hides a secret and every secret could ignite a war. The blend of cybercrime, political tension, and human emotion kept me hooked from the first chapter to the final twist.
With its tight pacing and cinematic narration, Thunderbird Rising feels tailor-made for audiobook listeners who love edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
⭐ Review at a Glance
Genre: Thriller / Alternate History / Espionage
Format: Audiobook (iRead Book Tours)
Narrator: Scott Fleming
Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5 / 5)
Best for: Fans of Matthew Reilly, Steve Berry, or Jack Slater who enjoy fast-paced, conspiracy-driven stories with real-world resonance.
Quick Take: A masterful blend of technology, tension, and truth—this audiobook delivers both the adrenaline and the intellect thriller fans crave.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review represents my honest and unbiased opinion.
🖋️ Meet the Author: John H. Thomas
John H. Thomas lives in the Seattle area with his wife and the world’s sweetest cat, Karmann. Raised in a nomadic military family, he brings a lifelong curiosity and a deep love of storytelling to his writing. When he’s not crafting heart-pounding thrillers, John can be found exploring political history, enjoying a glass of whiskey, or sharing laughs with his family over their latest shenanigans.
His background in technology and fascination with global politics fuel the realism and intensity behind his Maxx King Thriller series, blending espionage, conspiracy, and speculative twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Connect with John H. Thomas:
Website | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
✍️Closing Notes
Thank you for joining me for today’s audiobook review of Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas. I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this gripping mix of espionage, alternate history, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. It’s a story that reminds you how thin the line can be between truth and conspiracy — especially when the stakes are global.
A huge thank-you to iRead Book Tours and John H. Thomas, for providing a copy of this thrilling listen so I could provide my honest thoughts.
If you love a good conspiracy twist or heart-racing investigation, be sure to grab a copy for yourself and tune in — this one’s perfect for audiobook fans who crave smart, cinematic storytelling.
💬 Have you read or listened to Thunderbird Rising?
I’d love to hear what you think! Do you enjoy thrillers that weave real-world events into fictional conspiracies? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, or share your favorite audiobook narrator for action-packed stories like this one. Let’s chat about your latest edge-of-your-seat listen!
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📌 Quick Book Tour Recap:
Book Title: Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 366 pages
Genre: Thriller (Alt History, Espionage, Conspiracy) with some Sci-fi
Publisher: John H. Thomas
Release date: May 2024
Tour dates: Oct 20 to Nov 7
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: The plus is for some violence, and the theme of September 11, 2001
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[…] action-packed audiobook that rewrites history with heart-pounding precision. Thunderbird Rising by John H. Thomas follows Maxx King, a cybercrime investigator racing to stop a global catastrophe tied to a […]