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Brooke's Pick: Scythe by Neal Shusterman



In Neal Shusterman’s Scythe, natural death on a future Earth is simply not possible. People are no longer inflicted with disease, countries are not torn apart by war, and no one ever goes hungry. It seems that the human race has finally achieved that “perfect” utopia ... except for one small (or should we say rather BIG) problem - population control.

In a world where mortality does not exist, people are destined to live forever. While this may sound like bliss, planet Earth (no longer run by government, but by a super computer artificial intelligence called the Thunderhead) simply cannot sustain the number of people now living on it ... this is where Scythes come into play. Scythes are essentially “grim reapers” - ordinary people selected and trained to do a job no one should ever want to do - take the lives of others.


Scythes are the only people on Earth who can “glean,” or kill, another human, and anyone can be gleaned at anytime. People run when they see Scythes walking down the street. They tremble in terror when a Scythe knocks on their door. Some even try to win favor with Scythes by doing them favors or giving them gifts. Scythes are living gods walking the Earth. They decide when to end life, and are held to no rule or law except the Ten Commandments of the Scythedom.

Citra and Rowan, teenagers living in MidMerica, have been selected by Scythe Faraday for an apprenticeship. They are to learn the art of killcraft. At the end of their apprenticeship, only one will be ordained as a Scythe for the rest of their life. As Citra and Rowan train in weapons, poisons, martial arts, and firearms under the wise and compassionate Scythe Faraday, they quickly learn that with great power comes great responsibility. It also becomes apparent that not all Scythes are as honorable as Scythe Faraday, who gleans with dignity and respect. No, some Scythes seem to actually enjoy killing, taking lives in “mass gleanings,” quite similar to the terrorist attacks that plagued the Earth back in the ancient days of mortality. Yes, something is amiss in the Scythedom, and Citra and Rowan are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Scythe is a thrilling novel that dares to imagine a world where the end of life is no longer determined by disease, accident, or a higher power, but rather by other humans. When only certain individuals are given a license to kill, everyone else is at their mercy, proving that it is of the utmost importance that those with power, respect that power. Scythe is terrifying trip into a utopia gone wrong. In a world where conditions are controlled, and everyone’s needs and wants are fulfilled, Scythe proves that people are variable, unpredictable, and will never fit that perfect mold. This is a thought-provoking novel that asks the tough questions. This title would be perfect for a book club or discussion group, and will appeal to YA and adult readers alike.

Availability: Book Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it) Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian


ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS Scythe


AWARDS: YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2017 GENRE: Dystopian Fiction; Multiple Perspectives; Science Fiction

THEMES: Battle Royale (People are pitted against each other in high-stakes competitions, often serving the interests of the powerful elite rather than their own.)

TONE: Darkly Humorous; Thought-Provoking STORYLINE: World-Building CHARACTER: Likeable SUBJECT: Competition; Corruption; Death; Murder; Teenage Apprentices; Teenagers


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