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fearlessreader 's review for:
Scythe
by Neal Shusterman
This book was on my radar from BookTube, but it wasn't until rave reviews from Elliot Brooks that I decided to give it a try and - needless to say - I loved it.
Premise: The story takes place in our world hundreds of years into the future when technology has reached its full magnitude and now everything has been corrected or cured resulting in a world with no cause of death - not even old age. The only threat to our world and resources is overpopulation. As such, an independent organization called the Scythe are created to 'glean' humanity. This story follows two Scythe apprentices: Citra and Rowan. At the end of a year in training one of them will become a Scythe and the other will not.
Writing/Story: The pacing was great. There wasn't a time that the story felt too slow, or moved too fast. There was always something happening, but each event or sequence was given its full due - nothing more, nothing less. This is a fascinating look into death, dying, murder, mercy, compassion, empathy, and apathy. There are so many interesting perspectives and the book provides so many topics to induce reflections and introspection. Good conversation starters - would be GREAT for a book club.
Characters: The character creation was ingenious. Their make-up was actually fairly simple as it goes, but the author very strategically chose what few facts to give about each individual, and those few details painted a whole person so completely. Each one tugged at you in some way that encouraged a level of emotional reaction or attachment. Great writing.
Looking forward to starting the sequel Thunderhead!
Premise: The story takes place in our world hundreds of years into the future when technology has reached its full magnitude and now everything has been corrected or cured resulting in a world with no cause of death - not even old age. The only threat to our world and resources is overpopulation. As such, an independent organization called the Scythe are created to 'glean' humanity. This story follows two Scythe apprentices: Citra and Rowan. At the end of a year in training one of them will become a Scythe and the other will not.
Writing/Story: The pacing was great. There wasn't a time that the story felt too slow, or moved too fast. There was always something happening, but each event or sequence was given its full due - nothing more, nothing less. This is a fascinating look into death, dying, murder, mercy, compassion, empathy, and apathy. There are so many interesting perspectives and the book provides so many topics to induce reflections and introspection. Good conversation starters - would be GREAT for a book club.
Characters: The character creation was ingenious. Their make-up was actually fairly simple as it goes, but the author very strategically chose what few facts to give about each individual, and those few details painted a whole person so completely. Each one tugged at you in some way that encouraged a level of emotional reaction or attachment. Great writing.
Looking forward to starting the sequel Thunderhead!