Thou Shalt Kill
Welcome to the future. At a certain point in time, everyone will be immortal. No more diseases or tragedies because everyone can be brought back. Sound perfect?
Except, over-population leads to the creation of the Scythedom. Scythes are in charge of “gleaning” a certain amount of people to keep the population size in check.
Scythe Faraday believes that the best Scythes hate taking human life. It keeps them compassionate. When he comes across Citra and Rowan, he knows they’d make excellent apprentices because of their strong moral character.
Both of them will compete and at the end of one year, one will become a Scythe and the other can return to their normal life. Or so they think. But Scythe Goddard, who always needs the spotlight, and his associates don’t believe this is right. Scythe Goddard wants the winner to have to glean the loser…so it’s no longer a fight for prestige, it’s a fight for their lives.
The problem: Citra and Rowan don’t want to be Scythes or die. The two cannot work together or get attached to the other because the inevitable that awaits them at the end of the apprenticeship.
Shusterman knows how to world build better than almost any other YA author! His Unwind series had us captivated the entire time. So, we had high expectations when beginning the Arc of Scythe series. It did not disappoint.
Shusterman brings you into a seemingly perfect future where people no longer fear mortality. But, that comes with a price. The Scythes incite fear wherever they go. Some do only what must be done and feel remorse and others enjoy it. That’s where the political divide in the book comes in. The unrest and dispute in the Scythedom seem to grow at every conclave.
Then, Citra and Rowan are brought into the middle of the political issues and are used as pawns by some of the higher members of the Scythedom. The two main characters felt well developed. They start as normal teenagers and grow throughout a year of training and being away from their families. The two had instant chemistry, but any romantic feelings were put on the back-burner because of their unique situation.
Shusterman’s books typically comment on human nature. With the power of the Scythedom comes corruption. However, he also describes that a world without conventional mortality leads to people lacking any creative desires. Everything in life has been accomplished. There is nothing really to strive for. Everyone goes to school or work without a desire to think outside the box. Everything in life has been determined by the Thunderhead, the all knowing computer system that houses all human knowledge.
This thought-provoking plot will keep you up all night. We’re already excited to read Thunderhead, book two in the Arc of Scythe series. If you consider yourself a fan of creative plots and dystopian societies, go to your nearest bookstore immediately!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Glad you did a review of this book. I hadn’t got it yet, but Neal is one of my favorite authors of all time. Loved his Unwind and Everlost series.
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We’re almost done with book 2. The series is addicting.
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Scythe has been sitting on my TBR for a year and your review makes me want to read it asap! Thank you for you r great review!
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I’ve been meaning to read this book for ages, and I really just need to get on with it. It sounds so good!
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We waited too long to read it. But, at least all three books are out so no waiting.
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Scythe sounds like an interesting read. Glad you enjoyed the read overall!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
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Sounds like a solid book. Just added it to my To Be Read list! Thanks for the review!
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It has been so long since I’ve read this book! I remember liking it at the time!
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This sounds like such an interesting book b/c I think most people have thought about what it would be like to live forever, but living forever would come w/ consequences.
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I hadn’t planned to read this. I think you changed my mind!
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We hope you enjoy!
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Excellent review guys! It sounds like this book does a really interesting take on the the idea of immortality. It sounds like a very exciting book!
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Thank you!
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This is an amazing review, and I am so looking forward to reading Scythe!
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Thank you!
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Great review! I’m one of the weirdos that didn’t love this book. I thought it was ok but there is something in the writing that I feel is very clinical and lacks prose. I wish I would’ve enjoyed it more cause it’s a very cool concept
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This book has been on my TBR for a very long time, especially because of all the people who rave about it. I just haven’t gotten to it yet though.
Great review!
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It’s great to read it now that all 3 books are out!
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This sounds really good and I love the cover! Adding to my Goodreads TBR. Great review!
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This book is on my Feb TBR! I’m so excited to read it! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I’m definitely adding this to my TBR! I love a creative and unique dystopian sort of plot, as so many feel sort of the same but I think this is so original and I’m so intrigued to read it. Thanks for sharing such a great review!
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Thank you! Shusterman does a really great job of writing creative worlds!
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I really want to read this series. The covers put me off for some reason, but the synopsis sounds awesome.
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Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking the time and actual effort
to create a top notch article? but what can I say?
I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
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