Arc of a Scythe

I wasn’t sold with the first book in this series. Scythe was a good first novel, it did good with regards to world-building and introducing some very interesting characters. However, for me, it did feel like just another dystopian YA novel. I finished the first title not knowing if I would continue the series.

I changed my mind in early 2019 when I decided to listen to the audiobook of its sequel Thunderhead. The progression of story-building and deep exploration of its characters was undeniably fascinating. As soon as the last book in the trilogy, The Toll, was released I immediately bought a copy and dived back into the world of the Scythe.

The Arc of a Scythe trilogy tells the story of a very far off future where technology has advanced to the point of granting humanity immortality. A world without war, hunger, or death. In a world where death no longer comes naturally, society has instituted a new system in which the most honorable and enlightened will have the power to decide who will die. These honorable and enlightened individuals are called Scythes and their whole purpose is to thin out the ever-growing population.

The first book in the series introduces Citra and Rowan, two teenagers who are chosen to start an apprenticeship with Scythe Faraday. They are taught to learn what it means to be a bringer of death and the responsibilities that came along with that. The story delves deep into human nature oftentimes through many biblical and religious parallels.

In the past humans have always created a Deity in order to explain the unexplainable. As the world has evolved the knowledge of science has replaced, for the most part, the need or belief of a Deity. In this story, technology has advanced to the point of making artificial intelligence the god of earth.

Author, Neal Shusterman provides us with such an incredibly fascinating story that makes the reader actually consider a future in which the world can become as such. The amount of research and thought that was put into the story is evident on every page.

I highly recommend this series to anyone. You’re in for a treat!