From the Bookshelf of Parallel Magic…

Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1)

Neal Shusterman

Start date: December 5, 2017

Finish date: January 1, 2018

Discussion: Fantasy

Why we're reading this: One of the 2017 Goodreads finalists for Sci-Fi/Fantasy YA
[close] One of the 2017 Goodreads finalists for Sci-Fi/Fantasy YA

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 3 topics — 11 comments total

Fantasy

Houses
By Jonas · 5 posts · 9 views

last updated Mar 28, 2018 08:31AM

AWIT - Genre?
By Jonas · 2 posts · 4 views

last updated Mar 28, 2018 06:47AM

What Members Thought

Mar 07, 2017 Shannon Thompson rated it it was amazing

My favorite book of the year so far has officially been handed to Scythe.
This was my first Shusterman novel, and I was not disappointed, not at all. In the future, death no longer happens due to advanced technology. Neither does abject poverty or war or starvation or diseases. All of that is solved—and even if you’re in an accident that should kill you, you are revived. But overpopulation needs to be controlled. This is where Scythes come in. They are people, just like anyone else, until they a My favorite book of the year so far has officially been handed to Scythe.
This was my first Shusterman novel, and I was not disappointed, not at all. In the future, death no longer happens due to advanced technology. Neither does abject poverty or war or starvation or diseases. All of that is solved—and even if you’re in an accident that should kill you, you are revived. But overpopulation needs to be controlled. This is where Scythes come in. They are people, just like anyone else, until they are hired to deal out death to those they choose to die—however which way they feel necessary. They only have ten rules to abide by, and they are famous wherever they go. (So famous, there are even trading cards.) After two frightening encounters, Citra and Rowan are taken in as Scythe Faraday’s apprentices. I would tell you more about the plot, but I don’t want to spoil the read for anyone.
This book is brilliant, morbid, hilarious, and emotional. There are so many ethical discussions and miniature stories threaded throughout a larger, much more complicated work that I could barely put it down. The only tiff I would talk about is the “romance” between the Rowan and Citra. It felt a little forced; they could’ve easily gone through the same motions of the book with just a powerful friendship. But their relationship also didn’t take center stage, which I appreciated. This book had the perfect ending.
I cannot WAIT for book 2.
~SAT
Recommend to: YA fantasy readers interested in scythes/grim reaper/discussions about death and life.
Favorite Quote: "Hope in the shadow of fear is the world’s most powerful motivator." (8)
Favorite Word: Metallurgy: the branch of science and technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification: There was metallurgy as if applies to weapons, the philosophy of mortality, the psychology of immortality, and the literature of the Scythedom, from poetry to the wisdom found in famous scythes’ journals. (120)
...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2018 Kate M. Colby rated it really liked it

When reading the description for Scythe, I was immediately hooked by the concept. Humans have conquered death, and now must control the population through selective killing by a team of carefully chosen grim reapers? Yes, please! As expected, the concept was the strongest part of the book, followed closely by the worldbuilding Shusterman did to support it. Everything from the technological advancements (like the world being controlled by a benevolent AI) to the term of "gleaning" instead of "kil When reading the description for Scythe, I was immediately hooked by the concept. Humans have conquered death, and now must control the population through selective killing by a team of carefully chosen grim reapers? Yes, please! As expected, the concept was the strongest part of the book, followed closely by the worldbuilding Shusterman did to support it. Everything from the technological advancements (like the world being controlled by a benevolent AI) to the term of "gleaning" instead of "killing" to the way the various characters view death (particularly the scythe journal entries) was fascinating and well thought out.

As for the plot of the book, it reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games and other young adult science fiction (especially dystopian) novels. A teenage girl (Citra) and boy (Rowan) are thrown together in a life-or-death situation, fall in love (for seemingly no reason and with little chemistry), and attempt to take down a corrupt institution. While the concept and world offer a fresh take on this pattern, and Citra and Rowan themselves are complex and sympathetic characters, the tropes remain and make the plot relatively predictable.

There were also times when events weren't adequately explained, such as when one character is revealed to be alive ... with minimal explanation as to how their death was faked. This reveal wasn't a shock, but the lack of explanation was really disappointing. And while most of the writing was well done, even punctuated with moments of beautiful prose, there were a few inconsistent details throughout. For example, the same character reports a different number of witnesses for the aforementioned fake death, with no possible explanation but inattention to detail by the book's content editor.

I realize this review might sound a bit negative, so I want to make it clear that I really enjoyed Scythe. I read the bulk of the novel on a plane ride, and it kept me engrossed and entertained for my entire flight. Overall, the strength of Scythe lies in the intricate and compelling concept, meticulously crafted world, complex and sympathetic characters, and the larger themes of life/death, gleaning/killing, and duty/desire. Highly recommended for fans of young adult dystopian novels. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing

Fabulous story! I loved every second of it. It is such an interesting concept and the writing was beautiful. Also, I can't tell you how much time I spent staring at the cover. I love it. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 09, 2017 Jonas Lee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, sci-fi, 2017-reads

I did some flip-flopping between the audio and the hardback version since I own both. Both are great and the story is exquisite. So many angles to contemplate and debate and ponder. I loved how Scythes used humanitarian pseudonyms. All around, wonderful writing and story play. Cannot wait for the next installment.

Like · see review