Review: Scythe

I can’t even put into words how fantastic this book is. The concept, the characters, the world…I’m speechless. If you haven’t read Scythe by Neal Shusterman yet you need to. It will make you question your own moral ground and you’ll find yourself contemplating what you would do if you were trained to take a life. This is definitely one of my new all-time favorites!

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About Scythe

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.

 

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My Review

 

Neal Shusterman is brilliant. He has created a world that is so immersive that you will question the next knock on your door. His writing is so beautiful that this futuristic world feels authentic and real.

Citra is not afraid to say what she’s thinking, even in front of a Scythe. Her first encounter with a Scythe showed her she would never want to be one, but when she’s approached with an offer of apprenticeship she takes it.  I loved her character because of her strength and persistence during her apprenticeship as well as her cunning. She learns there is much more to being a Scythe than she ever thought and decides there is only one thing to do, and that is to challenge her circumstances and change the rules.

Rowan’s journey was much more interesting to me. He ends up in a position that makes him question everything. His first encounter with a Scythe is much more intense than Citra’s and when he’s given the opportunity to apprentice he takes it because his every day life isn’t offering him much anyway. Rowan’s journey through his apprenticeship leaves him in the care of one of the most interesting of Scythe’s and because of that he is forced to decide exactly how he will survive. He is definitely forced to make hard decisions and at times you question if it will break him.

The Scythe’s in this world are so unique and diverse that you find yourself wondering which road you’d take, which method of death you’d provide, and which kind of Scythe you’d choose to become. I am a forever fan of Shusterman and can’t wait to read more of his books, especially Thunderhead!

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Have you read Scythe yet? If so, what did you think of it, and are you excited for Thunderhead?