Scythe
Ratings511
Average rating4.2
This was so good. It was such an interesting idea and really well done. Onto book two.
This book is about death, mortality, killing, suicide, different methods of dying, and the dreariness of not dying. Make sure you're in the right headspace before picking this up.
Two sixteen year olds are chosen as apprentice Scythes (distributors of death) but there's only one job opening so there's a bit of competition. The pacing of this story is really good. We get to know the central characters pre-apprenticeship, then get to know what life as a Scythe is like for a good while before things go off the rails.
The bad guys are really unsubtle, even for a YA story. It makes one wonder how they rose to power in the first place. The other Scythes are a bit more nuanced, thankfully. The two apprentices have hormones but no romance in this book.
I really like the concept of this book! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in YA Fantasy.
I really like the concept of this book! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in YA Fantasy.
One sentence synopsis... In a future where natural death has been conquered, elected Scythes are responsible for culling the human population. .
Read it if you like... like ‘Hunger Games', this book poses philosophical questions about mortality and societal corruption in an entertaining way... also like ‘Hunger Games' it features a weak, lazy romance between two characters as little suited for each other as Katniss and Peeta. .
Dream casting... Griffin Gluck as outcast turned Scythe-hunter, Rowan. Taylor Russell as relevant Scythe-in-training, Citra.
What if you didn't have to feel pain? What if every think you could need was available to you?
There's a lot to enjoy in this story - the idea of a carefree world, the concerns of such a world, what differences we can see, and then...the characters and human drama. Scythe gives us a chance to ponder a world where a benevolent AI maintains a post-mortal world where humans are encouraged to thrive but don't actually have a purpose. Except a few - and their purpose is to kill - to keep the numbers down.
Um, so I have a huge point of departure in which I don't think people would have near as many children if they wouldn't die - so the premise of an ever expanding population seem a little exaggerated, but only in my point of departure. The author has decided it is a problem, and it works for the story.
3.5 Zipped along in a few parts but reaaaaally dragged in others and started very slowly. He also has a habit of adding in a romance plotline bc maybe he believes it necessary for genre YA but that little part of the storyline is always flat and unearned, no exception here. I'm curious to see where he's taking this series and will probably read at least the 2nd one to talk about it with the BOB kids but for all the hype I consider it midpack amongst his books.
Definitely better than most other dystopian books I have read, but I will probably never rate a book in this genre 5 stars
So I love a good dystopian and when I heard the premise of this I knew I had to read it, dark plots are so interesting to me. Luckily it did not disappoint, since that's always a fear with super hyped books.
I love both Rowan and Citra (rare for me to enjoy both viewpoints in a multi-POV book) and the secondary characters around them were interesting as well.
This book may have been sitting at 4 stars for me for most of it, because I loved it I did but then that ending?! Blew it out of the water! Can't wait to read the next 2 in this series!
I came in with high expectations for Scythe and it did not disappoint at all. Scythe paints a distorted utopian landscape of a human society that has plateaued after reaching its “final” stage of technological advancement - immortality and societal equity - which now requires Scythes, or death bringers, to control population growth. Natural death is obsolete, while unnatural deaths at the hands of Scythes is the new normal.
We follow Rowan and Citra through their apprenticeship journeys, where we learn about the different philosophies of their mentors and what they think is the purpose and morality of having/being sanctioned professional killers. Compassion and sadism lie on opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum, and we witness how a “highly moral” organization falls back into the same cycle of human nature and the supposedly eradicated vices of an evolved society. Holding onto one's individual morality and integrity becomes a challenge when faced by a persuasive cult of personality and its hedonistic narcissism.
While Scythe focuses a lot on the politics of the Scythedom, it has made me question my outlook on life and the future ahead of us. It made me think, what is the true meaning and purpose of life if you could live forever in a perfect utopia? What would happen to us once we become stagnant and stationary in our ventures?
I realized that the fragility of life actually brings sustenance and meaning to it. We do not want pain and suffering in our lives, yet the hope on the other side provides us something to look forward to and work towards. No, I am not trying to romanticize life's difficulties or societal inequities, and yes, I recognize my immense privilege that allows me to live comfortably and securely. But I now understand that the hope for better days, with the drive to progress and improve and change, motivates us in our lives and makes us cherish our lives a little more.
Something that I found troubling about the worldbuilding was that deaf people and blind people, and presumably people with any disability, no longer exist, but the authorial commentary about this fact was neutral. For such a world without deafness to come to exist, genocide against d/Deaf communities must have occurred, in the form of forcing the “healing” nanites into people to make them hearing. The fact of deafness no longer existing is revealed matter-of-factly in a single sentence, and is not mentioned again.
Similarly, there is mention of Tonists who intentionally blind themselves and have persuaded the Thunderhead to disable the nanites that would reverse their blindness, but this fact comes from Citra's perspective, and she thinks that Tonists are ridiculous. At another point, Rowan recalls a time when hus teachers decided his behavior was inconvenient enough to them that it veered into depression, and they tweaked his nanites. Rowan remembers this as an annoying event and one where he could not have objected to the tweaking, but the text doesn't relate this violation of bodily autonomy to the eradication of deafness and blindness—only to when Rowan's pain and healing nanites are turned off for his initiation into Goddard's circle. At best, this is a missed opportunity to encourage the reader to question the idea of eradicating disability for nondisabled people's convenience.
The Thunderhead is regarded as impartial, but any algorithm contains the biases of its programmers. It is very evident that bodily autonomy is not highly valued in this world, because there is no such thing as someone having a “do not revive” order in the event of a non-gleaning death. The consequentialist ethics behind killing and maiming not being regarded as a deep violation (because the person can be revived and/or fixed) are troubling, and I don't get the impression that the text is adequately encouraging the reader to question this assumption—Citra obviously struggles during her final test, but this is described as because of her empathy rather than it being a conflict with her values.
I have a hard time believing that in a society where killing isn't regarded as an unforgivable violation that it's not more common as a form of bullying. If Citra had been caught when she pushed her classmate in front of a truck, she would have gotten a slap on the wrist, but there's no mention of other children intentionally hurting each other fatalishly.
I also found it troubling that being rendered deadish is not regarded as a traumatic event. Nanites can stop brains from having chemical and structural and emotional changes from psychological trauma, but they can't change a person's knowledge of having had their body violated or their forming associations.
This makes me wonder about neurodevelopmental disabilities, which are about how a brain has organized itself rather than neurological disability due to injury or illness. I am also wondering what someone would need to do in order to transition—if nanites make body parts regenerate, is it a case of tweaking nanites to generate different reproductive body parts and hormone levels, or are trans people forcibly tweaked out of observable depression and left in a state of stagnation from being unable to feel active distress but also unable to feel like they have authority over their own bodies?
It is also said in the text that the only fat people who exist are fat by choice, because nanites alter metabolism to make everyone not-fat. It's troubling that the text contains the assumption that being fat is due to metabolic error and/or overeating, and cannot be any person's optimal state. I also really don't like when authors use fat as a metaphor for being excessive in other areas of life, or the trope of making the only fat character evil.
Reading this was mind-blown, my first dyostpian book. The different main character's perspectives and plot twists were amazing, my reaction were shocked, anger, confused and heartbreaking,I did come across some questions of my own though a reread would probably solve it. Also possibly tab and make notes next time 😅 Rate: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spoilers:
The first plot twist was unexpected but made sense in a way I understood how it became what the book is about. Scythe Goddard annoyed me so much yet he played a good villain. Declaring that Citra and Rowan should glean one another to decide who gets to be the scythe!
I was shocked and couldn't believe Scythe Faraday would gleaned himself but I knew something was fishy, then later in the book turns out he was hiding, I was so overjoyed! Though Citra gets fucking blamed for murder of her past mentor??? Come on >o< I was thinking it had to be Goddard but turns out it wasn't, but it amazed me on how smart and diligent Citra was. With hacking into the backbrain of Thunderhead, trying to backtrack to Faraday's last moment. It was just so much to take in and catch up.
I was hoping Goddard would be killed somehow and boy was I happy he was. By Rowan himself who he himself is called Scythe Lucifer later on! Citra last test to be a scythe took my breath away, she had to do the unthinkable act to be the next or rather bring the true justice of what scythedom was about. Her gleaning her own brother had to take alot on her, I tried not to cry lol because I can't imagine myself doing it to a love one of my own.
Scythe Faraday is my most favorite of all, the good guy in the book. His way of scythhood was compassionate and rendered with his consciousness. I pictured myself as him if I were a scythe. His existence I believe is who I believe made Citra who she is but not entirely, there's Scythe Curie who I also admired as well. It took me awhile to understand her way of scythhood and how she thought of humanity from her journal entries. Volta was another Scythe I really liked, he was not like any other or rather like Goddard's disciples. He had no choice to do what he had to but his suicide tore me abit because I really felt bad for him, he never wanted to hurt people that was not in the scythedom rules or just for pleasures.
I truly thought Rowan was going to be my favorite character throughout the book but not as much as Citra. I thought he was influencial, being under Goddard as his mentor he had. His motive to protect Citra to the end in which he did, but there were times I thought he would turn into Goddard. He was more of a finding my true identity within scythehood. Then I understood what Rowan's motive in the end with not being an offical scythe but to bring justice by getting rid of the false and overbearing bad scythes that bring shame of scythehood. So you could say it goes hand to hand on these two main characters, both of them had really amazing development throughout the book overall.
I was happy with what Citra did to save Rowan in order to free him just like how Scythe Curie did for her to escape from being punished and possibly gleaned! I didn't want neither of them to be gleaned or cast out of the book. I will say I didn't like the romance, it was better off as friends, the love/liking eachother was too unrealistic for either of them to be in that way. Though I understood why Rowan really liked Citra, his way and her way of protecting another was precious in a way best friends would've done for eachother!
If I have upset or misunderstood anyone with my review, feel free to correct my mistake. I have my way of understanding I'd like to hear/read yours!
It's been a fantastically long time since the book made me think about it non-stop. I'm so happy that I decided to read this book. The setting, that imagined future was so simple on the one hand and so pensive on the other.
It was my first utopia - at least I consider this book as such. Humanity knows no disease, no wars, no poverty anymore. People overcame mortality but created a completely new death for themselves. The whole concept of that book is so fantastic, that it alone earns it a 5-star rating.
However, good things do not end here. The plot, even if in some places overshadowed by the concept, is highly exciting. The characters - main and supporting as well - make me love this book even more. There wasn't a moment where I was annoyed at them being only 16 years old.
All in all, this book is worth to be read.
This was a slow build for me. I almost wasn't sure if I was going to complete it. When it came to the first twist I was hooked. It gave me Hunger Game vibes in the way that the world worked. Is the world just a little fucked? Yeah. Are there varying levels of corruption within a system that is supposed to be viewed with a great level of respect? Yup. Is there a romance between the two main characters included when it isn't even necessary to have a great story? Mhmm.
Overall with a little patience this was a fun book.
I'm interested to see how the Tonists will still tie into the story beyond just being a layer of camouflage for Rowan and Citra.
updated my review from 3 to 4 stars for this one. the first time i read it i was unreasonably cynical, but i actually quite enjoyed it this time around. there were a couple slow stretches but i'm not sure if that was the writing or just the fact that i vaguely remembered the main story beats and was anxious to get to them. i never read book 3, so i'm just anxious to get there now.
OH MY GOD! 5/5 stars for me all the way. This book is one of the best I've read in a long time and it definitely lives up to the hype. I loved the world and all the politicals that were at play in this. The Thunderhead and the Scythedom are so interesting. And you know those corrupt people within the ‘government' always make the story that much more interesting.
I find most books I've read lately really focus on having good characters and no plot or vice versa. THIS BOOK DOES BOTH! The characters are spectacular. Rowan and Citra are so dynamic and have such interesting ways of thinking. They are very intelligent as well which I really enjoyed. They thought about every move and it showed. Rowan is such a hunk by the way. I also loved the ‘good' scythes (you know who I'm talking about). The ‘bad' scythes I just loved to hate. The villains in this book are so good at being bad that you love to hate them. And I'm not saying that the main characters or the ‘good' scythes aren't grey characters because they are. They do questionable things sometimes but each thing has a purpose behind it. They are just mindless robots.
Now let's talk about the plot. I have never had a book that shocked me so much in such a quick succession. This book has so many twists and turns I never saw coming and let the book in a beautiful direction. There isn't much I can say without spoiling it but the plot is top notch and just kept me on the edge of my seat and flipping those pages as fast as I could.
The writing was also phenomenal. It had a very sophisticated, wise air to it. It really fit the plot and that's what I liked about it. This world is very different from ours and that is reflected in the writing. We also see journal entries from multiple characters and Neal Shusterman knows how to adjust his writing to reflect the thoughts, feelings, and actions of each character.
Overall I just need to read the second book because I need to know what happens. 12/10 one of my favorite books ever.
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-8
W-8
P-7
I-9
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-8.14/10
Loved this book. I had an incredibly difficult time putting it down. I loved learning with the Scythes and seeing their methods. The Plot is exactly what it tells you will be and makes you excited to see the future. For a Low action book, it feels very high action
CAWPILECharacters.Very well done characters. it felt like that is what people would do when given immortalityAtmosphereGreat Atmosphere and world building. I invested quickly and easily.WritingThe Writing was crisp and clear and very good prose. The writing is concise and has great voice.PlotThe plot is exactly what it says. 2 apprenticeships until they graduate. I want more and will definitely keep going in the series. Very well paced plot.IntrigueThe questions of who killed Farraday, Goddard and his craziness. What is the Thunderhead going to do about the scythes. Very intriguing kept me interesting. The Thunderhead talking to Citra while she is dead.LogicNothing felt outside the realm of possibility within the book. the smallest nitpick would be how Rowan can live "off" the grid so that scythes can't find him, because they can use the Thunderhead resources. EnjoymentI greatly enjoyed this book. Very Very good
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
Different, entertaining, and smart
This book was a unique premise that moved along at a quick pace. It was both smart, deep and entertaining.
Such an incredible book. I loved everything about it, it got me hooked from the very first few pages. I just couldn't put it down. I love the idea of humanity conquering absolutely everything, from disease to death to poverty and everyone living happily ever after - until they're gleaned, of course.
Citra and Rowan are two awesome characters. I loved how they evolved and they became some new, incredible versions of themselves. This is a really, really good dystopian book and I can't wait to read the next ones in the series and see what happens!
I highly recommend it if you like dystopian books.
Wow. Didn't see this one coming. Dark premise, but fascinating take on the post-healthcare world when all we have left is population growth... and control.