Brilliant, Clever, Dark Start to YA Trilogy
Scythe (2018) by Neal Shusterman is the first in his Arc of a Scythe trilogy, a dystopian young adult series exploring mortality in a future, perfected world. Brilliant, clever, and dark, this book was one of the most thought-provoking and impactful YA reads I’ve personally encountered.
The Plot Summary
In a perfected society where disease, war, crime, and natural death have been eliminated and the world is governed by the all-seeing Thunderhead, scythes exist to glean individuals at random for population control. Our story begins when Citra and Rowan, two sixteen year olds, are selected to apprentice a professional scythe. Throughout one year, they will learn and hone the skills of killcraft. When their year is up, only one of them will be chosen to be junior scythe.
What they don’t expect is coming face-to-face with the corrupt Scythedom, which determines that the winning scythe’s first task will be to glean the loser.
Ingeniously Written
Shusterman is a master author. Scythe explores extremely heavy themes, and the concept of gleaning is very dark and gritty. Shusterman writes these with appropriate gravity but also with wit and cleverness.
The novel moved swiftly and was well-paced. The characters were three-dimensional, flawed, and interesting. Shusterman shares the no-fluff writing style of Suzanne Collins. I appreciate this style because each word is carefully chosen to convey exactly what it needs to. It is direct and impactful.
An author myself now, I appreciated his writing style, but I think any reader will notice the ingenuity of what Shusterman has crafted.
The world was thoroughly explored and expounded upon. There were so many brilliant details to this book that elevated its world building. Some, in particular, that I enjoyed:
- The Thunderhead as the governing authority of all life on earth
- Old order Scythes vs new visionary Scythes
- Revival & “Turning the Corner“
- Genetic, Cultural Blends
- Twists on Language and Geography (“Midmerica,” “Afric,” “PanAsian,” et cetera)
Citra & Rowan’s Arcs
Citra and Rowan were really interesting protagonists. Both flawed, they are selected to be apprentices because of their integrity and humanity – traits crucial to being a reputable scythe. Watching them be forced to learn kill craft, to take lives, to communicate with the bereaved, and face the looming threat of killing the other was a gripping journey to take.
The other characters, including the Honorable Scythes Faraday, Curie, and Goddard, were equally well-developed and intriguing to read about.
Thriller-Level Twists & Turns
Every time I thought I knew what would happen in Scythe, I was surprised. The story kept me on my feet the whole time, in the same way a thriller does. I never knew what exactly would happen or how something would resolve. Down to the last chapter, I wasn’t sure if Rowan or Citra would win and if they’d come out together or not.
Meaningful Themes & Commentary
Shusterman certainly conveys intentional commentary on the themes within Scythe, similar to the way Collins directly addresses issues via the themes in The Hunger Games. This is done tastefully, surveying various perspectives and pros-and-cons via the characters and plot.
- Immortality
- Morality
- Value and Meaning of Life
- Ethics and Power
- Integrity vs Corruption
- Identity, Agency, and Free Will
If You Liked Scythe…
If you’re looking for a new series, definitely check out the full Arc of a Scythe and others by Shusterman.
- Scythe (2018)
- The Thunderhead (2019)
- The Toll (2020)
- Gleanings (2023)
Other Shusterman novels to consider:
Final Rating
Scythe was undoubtedly a FIVE STAR read. It was brilliant and gripping both, and I am itching to get my hands on The Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2).
However, it is a very dark book. While void of inappropriate sexual content and excessive language, the subject matter is weighty. I am an adult, and I found myself thinking about it long after I finished the final chapter. Perhaps, for parents who are concerned about that aspect, this would be a great book to read with your teens and discuss together.
Content Rating: Moderate
for heavy themes, including death and killing of others. Some mild language.
Copyright Neal Shusterman and Walker Books. Image from Amazon.
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