Scythe
Author: Neal Shusterman
449 Pages
Published: November 22, 2016
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 5 Stars
Description from Amazon:
Two teens must learn the “art of killing” in this Printz Honor–winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
Scythe is the first novel of a thrilling new series by National Book Award–winning author Neal Shusterman in which Citra and Rowan learn that a perfect world comes only with a heavy price.
Kim’s Review:
In a Post Mortal world, all disease, death, old age, danger, weather, and mystery has been eliminated. The Thunderhead is conscious, dictatorial, yet benevolent presence in everyone’s lives. For everyone, but the scythes. In a world without death, over population has become a grave issue. Space settlement is one of the rare things that is beyond Thunderhead. So, to combat overpopulation, Scythedom was created. The scythes are the professional killers who “glean” people’s lives. Each scythe has his or her own way of gleaning, his or her own philosophy for why they glean. And most importantly, Scythedom doesn’t interfere with Thunderhead and Thunderhead doesn’t interfere with Scythedom. This is the world that Citra and Rowan live in. And in one day, both lives will change forever. Scythe Faraday, of the Old Order of thinking, decides to take both on as apprentices. And after a year, he will choose which one is most worthy to become a scythe. Both have excellent moral fiber, both are hard workers, and neither one wants the job. This book follows Citra’s and Rowan’s stories, down the roads each travel. As much as I want to divulge more detail from this book, to draw you in, to show you just how amazing this book is, I will not. I will not ruin this amazing journey that you will travel through this story. And I’ll say in advance, “You’re welcome!”, and when you finish this book, you’ll understand why!
When I started this book, I didn’t realize that I would be giving it 5 stars. I will admit, I almost put this book down, because the beginning was a little slow. But boy howdy, am I glad I kept reading! This book is easily one of my favorites of this year! Neal Shusterman is my new hero and I cannot wait for the next book to come out in March! This book kept me guessing and not in that “oh I’m so stupid for not seeing that!” kinda way. And it was far deeper than I ever anticipated. I was questioning my views on life and death by the time I was done. And I hate thinking about my own mortality. But what if I was faced with a human immortality? Would each day mean as much? Would I get things that I want to accomplish done? Or would I forever push them off? Are humans meant to be immortal in our earthly bodies? Yeah, that’s how I spent these last few days! Even when I wasn’t reading, I was pondering. So please pick this book up. Enjoy it! Become engrossed in it! Consider its ideas, its philosophies. I can promise you that no matter what type of book you enjoy, you will revel in this one!