Scythe by Neal Shusterman Series: Arc of a Scythe #1
Published by Walker Books Australia on February 1st, 2018
Source: Publisher
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian
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Thou shalt kill.
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.
Imagine a world with technology so advanced, that its rid the world of disease and mortality. A world where people don’t know war, or disease, or happiness, or celebration. Government has disbanded, with governance that is left to a higher being called the Thunderhead. This world has become dull and lifeless, because no one can ever die.
That is the world constructed in Scythe, a fascinating dystopian exploration into death caused by highly trained assassins. This is the only method which people can truly die, if by any other means they will be resurrected in a facility, ready to live on again. Each scythe has their own method of reaping (called gleaning in this world), and their job is highly revered due to its importance. Only scythes can bring about death and control the population, and they’re above the law.
Without the threat of suffering, we can’t experience true joy.
Although the world building is heavy, I never thought it overtook the plot because of the way it was told through diary entries from different scythes. I loved how these diary entries served to character build different scythe figures, to advance the plot, to flesh out the world but also to demonstrate the differences in morality and scythehood.
Citra and Rowan have been chosen as scythe apprentices, and they learn the art of death, the philosophy behind their method of gleaning, and the politics of scythehood. Throughout the whole book, they’re pitted against each other, prompted to treat each other as competition for the winning title. However, they find one way or another to look out for each other as well, as they’ve both been chosen for their pure morality and compassion. I loved their complex relationship throughout the book, as it was largely built by other people’s influence but despite all, they trusted their own instincts.
I can’t even begin to describe the depth which Scythe goes into when it explores gleaning and scythehood, as well as the difference in scythes and their killing philosophies. It was incredibly fascinating seeing how each and every scythe chose their own method of gleaning, and how they believed they were executing a higher plane. One scythe enjoys killing with extravagance, surrounding themselves with celebrity excess and the riches. Another scythe believes they should be detached from materialism and kills based on statistics, after giving their targets time to process the last moments of their life. This was such a fascinating part of the book, because it explores intent, morality and complex, flawed characters.
Being a book about death, the book definitely contains violence and gore, which can be excessive at times. However, it felt somehow necessary to the plot, to demonstrate the differences in scythes and how this affected Rowan and Citra on the whole.
I’ve read a lot of dystopians, which are often about war and upheaval, but I haven’t read one as deep and complex as Scythe. With such an intricate world built upon advanced technology and human mortality, I loved how it explored morality, life and death and its importance through higher beings called the scythes. This is definitely one of the best books that I’ve read this year, if not one of the best dystopians I’ve ever read. A thought-provoking read, that is so relevant in today’s climate.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Thanks to Walker Books Australia for sending me a review copy!
Scythe is available from Australian bookstores for RRP$16.99.
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I really like the sound of this one! I haven’t heard of it before now. The world building sounds quite full on!
Thanks for sharing, Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson
Yesss, it was such a deep and complex world, I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much!
It’s kind of exciting to see you rate this 5 stars?!? I had heard not so great things about it from other friends and for that very reason it has been sitting on my shelf for almost a year and I haven’t touched it. I think I’ll move it to my ‘want to read soon’ pile!! Thanks for this review <3
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Yessss it was fantastic, I hadn’t heard much about it as well until one of my trusted blogger friends said I would love it! I’m so glad that you’re going to read it too!
I’ve heard so many fantastic things about this book! I bought it ages ago when it first came out but I guess I’ve forgotten about it for the most part. I’m going to have to read this. I’m glad to hear that you loved it so much!
Kelly @ Here’s to Happy Endings recently posted…Blog Tour: The Clue in the Trees by Margi Preus – Spotlight and Giveaway!
YAY I’m so glad that you’re keen on reading it Kelly! It’s completely underrated and I hope more people pick it up!
I have heard so many great things about this book, so it makes me so happy to hear you liked this so much! 🙂 Seeing another glowing review from you just makes me even more anxious to give it a try. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
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YAY, I’m so glad to hear that you’re keen on reading it now Zoe! Thanks for commenting, I miss you!
Gahhh SAME. Like- I went into this like “well, he cannot possibly outdo Unwind”… and then YEP just kidding, he totally did! This book was so incredible and thought provoking ad just… yep. This book was EVERYTHING. And I will do basically anything to obtain Thunderhead. Though… what if there are no ARCs!? That would be a tragedy. Great review, Jeann! I am so glad you loved this too!
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Oh my gosh, your review is the one that made me want to read it Sharon! I cannot wait until Thunderhead, omg it’s not long to go now. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Yessss I loved this one Jeann! I completely agree with everything you’ve said here, especially with how it relates to today’s climate. Are you excited for Thunderhead. BECAUSE I AM.
Oh my gosh, you and Shannon’s review made me want to read it! I’m so glad I did. I need Thunderhead now!
This came in a book subscription box I got and I still have not gotten to it! I’m hoping to start it in time for the sequel. Great review!
Definitely pick it up before the sequel which comes out soon!
Wow this seems like an amazing book, I’ll definitely have to pick it up soon!
So glad to hear you’re keen on reading it Becca!