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Scythe

by Neal Shusterman

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Arc of a Scythe (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5,3592011,949 (4.25)46
""In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ('gleaned') by professional reapers ('scythes'). Two teens must compete with each other to become a scythe--a position neither of them wants. The one who becomes a scythe must kill the one who doesn't"--
  1. 10
    They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (norabelle414)
    norabelle414: YA books that take place in a world where our relationship with death has fundamentally changed
  2. 00
    Wool by Hugh Howey (CKHarwood)
    CKHarwood: Wool and Scythe share similar ideas about engineered futures and a detached writing style.
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» See also 46 mentions

English (197)  German (1)  Hungarian (1)  All languages (199)
Showing 1-5 of 197 (next | show all)
This young adult dystopian fiction tells the story of Rowan and Citra, apprenticed to be Scythes. Scythes kill at will, the only way to keep the population in check now an all powerful AI has made humanity effectively immortal.

I did have to lean into my suspension of disbelief a bit. I don't think a populace would accept random gleanings of healthy and successful young adults, or that they would generally show the fatalism and strength of character to go to their death without resisting. And the novel is so keen to end up with 'only one of Rowan and Citra can survive, and they luuurve each other' that it doesn't think too hard about the things it has to do to set up the situation.

But it is a gripping book, and the reflections on power, and the corruption that goes with it, are powerful. Maybe the whole book is an argument against virtue ethics and nepotism. If you just recruit people because one other person thought they would be a good person, how wrong can it go how fast? ( )
  atreic | Mar 27, 2024 |
This was an interesting world. I personally find the idea of eternal life on earth horrifying, but I would also hate to have to be the one who determines who has to die. The two apprentices vying for the chance to become a scythe are both strong characters. You find yourself hoping for a way for them both to succeed. The ending was fitting and I look forward to continuing on with the trilogy. ( )
  Woodardja | Jan 30, 2024 |
4.5 stars ( )
  EllieBhurrut | Jan 24, 2024 |
Interesting world premise, and a couple nice plot twists, but characters and writing too simplistic for me. ( )
  js3b | Dec 28, 2023 |
I thought it was very good. Aubrey and Em have both recommended I read it and I'm glad they did because I enjoyed it a lot. I'm looking forward to what the rest of the series is like. 10/10 - November 27, 2023 ( )
  XRayBlaster006 | Nov 27, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 197 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (14 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Neal Shustermanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Foglia, ChloeCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tong, KevinCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tremblay, GregNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Zarycky, HilaryDesignersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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For Olga (Ludovika) Nødtvedt,
a faraway fan and friend
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We must, by law, keep a record of the innocents we kill.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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""In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ('gleaned') by professional reapers ('scythes'). Two teens must compete with each other to become a scythe--a position neither of them wants. The one who becomes a scythe must kill the one who doesn't"--

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Average: (4.25)
0.5
1 11
1.5 1
2 25
2.5 3
3 78
3.5 21
4 284
4.5 47
5 359

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