Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Reviewed by: Joscelyn Lockwood, Youth Services
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Teens, Adults
What is the book about?: Humanity has reached the point that immortality is no mere dream. Nanos in the bloodstream mute pain, heal, and have the ability to make a person young again with proper manipulation. Suicide has become an activity that teens do for entertainment, and governments have been replaced by the all-knowing Thunderhead.
Rowan and Cita are normal teens chosen to become apprentices to a Scythe. This means they have to learn the one method of population control that society has left, sanctioned killing. Neither of them particularly want to become Scythes, and they know only one will be chosen at the end of the year long term. Which begs the question, can one ever become okay with the idea of taking lives?
My Review: I cannot contain my excitement for this book. My expectations were a little low, given the recent rash of Young Adult books that seem to all follow the same blueprint. Mr. Shusterman just blew that right out of the water. The world he has created and the depth of the characters are wonderful. Rowan and Cita’s perspectives and thoughts are engrossing, and you really feel empathetic towards them. Each Scythe they meet in their journey is unique, and their outlooks towards death transcended the book and made me think about how our own culture views death and the possibility of immortality. Far more than your average YA romp, this novel is, thankfully, free of awkward love triangles. I really wish more writers could be this creative while still staying within the genre. It was a treat to read.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Action, Suspense, Thought-provoking.
Give This a Try if You Like… Any type of YA, dystopian worlds, unexpected twists and turns.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!