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, … 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.more
One of the most original stories I’ve read in a long time. It actually impacted how I look at life and death even now. Very, very clever.
I loved this series and it changed my reading preference of sci-fi altogether. I’m still very picky about my sci-fi but this series was amazing
Shusterman is a master at creating a dystopian world. Scythes must kill people to control a population that can never die naturally. When two teens are picked to be Scythe apprentices, their lives are turned upside down. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, there’s a plot twist. Great book! I’m already reading Thunderhead, book 2. A Young Adult thriller.
Neal Shusterman did such a wonderful job of creating this incredible future without following the ever-popular dystopian future archetype. The ideas and problems created in this book are thought-provoking and logical considering the circumstances. Although I’m not particularly interested in most world’s politics Scythe had me wanting to know more and more about how this new world works. Although the action and fight scenes are sparse I was never bored or uninterested. Where it feels like other authors rely on combat or severe conflict to keep readers interested, Shusterman kept me on the edge of my seat without needing to add a lot of violence or true fights caused by character conflict. The second I finished this novel it became my new favorite and I cannot wait for the series to continue. I cannot recommend this book enough!
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery, and most importantly – no death.
This is where Scythes step in.
Slow paced and yet so very complexed.
I found myself interested in the worlds of wisdom written in a diary a bit more than the prime story itself.
I loved this book. When i started reading it, i didn‘t like it that much, but while reading i began loving it. It had realliy twisted actions
This is a book I believe everyone should read! And that probably makes it sound boring since it makes people think “oh this is just one of those books that is used to teach something and it’s boring”. But no. Hear me out. I’m not one for boring books no matter how “classic”, how popular or hyped it is. I believe this book should be read by all because it really has something to offer.
We get a view on what power over life, and life with little to aspire to can do to a person. We see what achieving what humanity wants the most, immortality, might not be all it’s hyped up to be. This is a page turner for me. When corruption is introduced and we see how the system meant to help humanity has gone to hell and no one really sees this, how scythes, the people in charge of taking life, go unchecked and make themselves gods, it’s basically a race for life.
I can’t say more without spoiling. But I think that, given a good chance, this book will really be one of the best you read.
I found the concept of this book quite uncomfortable at the start – ‘gleaning’ people as a job to control a population that can no longer die naturally.
I think it took me longer to get into the book as I was listening to the audiobook rather than reading it and I do not always like men doing female voices. I’m happy to say that I quickly lost myself in the story and listened to it obsessively over a few days. The story and the characters really grew on me and I found myself creating excuses just to listen to a bit more of the book. I really liked Rowan and Citra, and how they coped with the difficult situations they find themselves in as apprentice Scythes pitted against each other.
There are some wonderfully unexpected twists and I loved how the end played out. In fact, that was probably my favourite part and I wish I could discuss it right now!
I would love to see this made into a film or TV show and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2 – Thunderhead.
In this future, there is no war, no death, no disease, no misery. It is a post-mortal age where you have the chance to live forever. Scythes are the only ones who can take a life away – with an act called gleaming. The acts are random, and up to the individual Scythe. Scythes help keep the population under control, and everyone lives in fear that their time will soon be up.
Rowan and Citra – two 17 year old kids – have been picked to become Scythe apprentices. Neither of them wants the job, which makes them perfect. They will spend the next year learning how to be a Scythe and take 4 test before becoming an official Scythe. If they fail, they will go back to their lives. If they succeed, they will spend eternity gleaming people of their choosing – meeting their quota to keep population control.
During their time as apprentances, they find that there are all kinds of Scythes. Those who take their job seriously and are compasionate, and those who see it as a position of power.
Rowan and Citra must learn to take life and hope that it doesn’t mean the end of their own.
This was a pretty good book. I have read Shusterman’s “Unwind” series and thought it was clever. This did not disappoint. There are a few twists in the story that kept me moving at a quick pace to finish the book. I wanted to find out what would happen to Citra and Rowan once they took their final test. I also found myself going back and forth between being for or against the idea of a Scythe in the age of immortality. You can see the need for some way to control the population, but some of the methods seemed a bit….much.
This book is listed for 7th grade and up, but if your pre-teens are not really into gore and killing in books, pass this one up. I think it is probably better suited for high school and beyond.
There is a second book which I am starting today. I am anxious to see where the story is going.
Such an interesting and original premise. Bring on Thunderhead but leave out the scythes.
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe captures a perfect society—no gimmicks, no lies—and highlights what might happen to humanity when they are unchallenged and perfect. The first installment in the Arc of a Scythe series presents a beautifully woven web of plot, backstory, and lovable characters. Witty, action-packed and undeniably human, Scythe is a must-read for anyone who enjoys fiction.
In a world where death is not a problem anymore, this book does an amazing job of showing the tragic flaws in people, and how even a seemingly perfect world can be rife with blight. Even better there are reflective questions that are a great study guide for teachers or even just some philisophical understanding as a reader. This book has an important lesson for every one that it delivers in a flawless manner that kept me up for 13 hours reading this book cover to cover. You cannit be disappointed.
One of the best books I have ever heard thank you audible.
This was so amazing…. I don’t know where to start… Well, this book is about a world where humanity has conquered death, disease, war and government, you will ask how come??? Well in this new and better world people doesn’t die for disease or accidents, they can’t suicide or get old, humankind lives forever, that is until a person is chosen by a scythe and exists no more.
In this world scythes are really respected and feared, they are the only ones that can end lives and must do so in order to control the overpopulation.
In this scenario Rowan and Citra appear, they are great characters, they don’t want to be scythes but when the chance to prepare themselves for that they find out that maybe the only way to change this world for good is to take a step forward and end with the corruption that is starting to spread…
This book is a must read do yourself a favor and grab a copy.
Refreshing and different futuristic novel that asks deep questions about death, life, and the human condition.
Wow! I’m so glad Bookbub offered up this unique- to-me delicious read. My mind never went this direction before even with futuristic stories abounding. There is such clear vision and complete gripping reality in this book. It took me to a world that is completely plausible and haunting. What will we become? Interesting characters, twisted personas and everyday heroes in a future that possibly could/would happen.I am looking forward to reading more Neal Schusterman books!
This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It is very unpredictable and crazy! One thing that you predict from all the evidence of the books context is all turned upside down when you least expect it! 11/10, can’t wait to read Thunderhead!
I cannot recommend this book enough. The world is fully-realized, the characters are amazing, and the plot has so many surprises. Definitely pick up for a fantastic and gripping read.
I really enjoyed this book, the story was very entertaining and kept me engaged throughout the novel. I felt that it benefited from strong main characters that were easy to root for.
Great book