Reviews with content warning for Torture - The Toll

This was such a long journey! So many things happened in this book, more than 630 pages of slow but constant development of the story. I liked how things ended, I really didn’t expect what is going to happen. I loved how well the characters were written, I’ve read that they’re working on making the trilogy into movies which sounds so good! Cannot wait!

Content Warnings

hales_1243's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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fancypotato1995's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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cepbreed's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I am in awe. I really thought this book was on track to be the worst in the series, but I couldn't have been further from correct. In fact I enjoyed it the most out of all three. The story is long and convoluted yet every single thing happens for a reason. Each little detail is brought back and explained in a way that makes Neal Shusterman seem like a human on another level of existence. The mind he has to weave all of these details together is amazing. The ending filled my heart. I had grown to love each character so much I wanted the best for each of them. I am so glad he gave his creations the ending they deserved. Such a masterful balance of world-building, character arcs, and romance. Never was there a moment where I felt bored even when details were introduced that we wouldn't be able to comprehend for another 20 chapters or more.

I was particularly moved by the cutting off of the Thunderhead. It was such a beautiful and melancholy moment. I never thought I could have grown so fond of an AI. Also, I am so glad to see Scythe Rand, who I despised, come into her own in a way that did not compromise her character. She is cold and calculating yet her act to fix the mistake that was her killing Tyger and bringing Goddard to life made me love her.

Ranking of the books: The Toll, Scythe, Thunderhead

Song:

Glory and Gore - Lorde

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anaguana's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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bill369's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the last book from the Scythe series and it is a good one.

The story is finished, therefore my opinion of the characters has changed. I still like Scythe Anastasia and she's my favourite character throughout the series, however in this book I've got a new favourite character and that is Sister Astrid. You see she got it all. She's kind, smart and her faith makes her stand out. I truly enjoyed her character and I love how she tried to make Toll a bigger believer. I truly hope she found happiness and that she will be forever remembered as Mother Astrid.

Since it's a sequel the theme is the same, however, there is room to discuss Toll and Tonism. I am pleased with how the author used Tonism to his advantage and that it wasn't just some random detail about the world, that he created. I believe it is detailed and I appreciate the space it has gotten in the book. Thanks to this we are able to see this „better“ world from many perspectives and I always love to see that. Toll himself is quite likeable and in my opinion, Thunder truly chose the best guy they could find. In the matter of faith part, which is a big deal, especially in this book, I am content. I don't wish for more insight, because I feel I know more than enough and that makes me happy since I don't like not knowing stuff.

My favourite lines are from the last page of the story, page 541. They are between Rowan and Citra, the reason why I chose them is simple. They represent a special, charming moment that is to be remembered. The lines are:

“Hey,” she says back, her voice gravelly and rough. “Weren’t we just… running?
Yes, there was something going on, and we were running….”
His smile broadens. Tears fill his eyes. They drop slowly, as if gravity itself has
become less adamant, less demanding.
“When was that?” Citra asks.
“Only a moment ago,” Rowan tells her. “Only a moment ago.”

The ending was well written. From what I've read it seems like everyone had a happy ending in their own way and that makes me feel accomplished. I am glad it ended like this, I can't imagine a better ending.

This is a fantastic book, however, it just isn't a five star. I didn't cry and it all felt more relaxing than tense and I hoped for some tense situations. It's a great book and series, this book in particular is just not a five star.

Also, I would like to add a link to Arc of Scythe fandom Wikipedia, since I think it sums it all up well.
https://arc-of-a-scythe.fandom.com/wiki/Arc_of_a_Scythe_Wiki

Content Warnings

judereadsalot's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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