Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1), by Neal Shusterman → Start Date: February 14, 2017

[Vicki]

If you like Neal Shusterman, join Trisha, Ang Figgy-Pudding and me!

[Vicki]

Howdy, Ang!

[Jessie (Saffity)]

Definitely going to sign up for this one, it sounds awesome.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Yay! Welcome Ang and Jessie!! So excited for this one! I love this author! :)

[Laura (acquariusgb)]

Really want to read this one. May I sign in? Might encourage me to finally pick it up! LOL

[Vicki]

Laura, of course! Welcome!

Jessie, so glad you're joining!

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

I'll join! I need to get back into buddy reads! :)

[Farren]

I'd love to join! I decided I couldn't wait another month so I have this one planned for February anyway

[Vicki]

Yay! Welcome, Anna and Farren! : )

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

This is a big group! I don't think that I've done a buddy read with this many people before. :)

[Vicki]

I agree, Anna! Eight of us, if I'm counting correctly. It should be a fun read!

[Vicki]

Ang, rarely does everyone start right on time, so it might not matter if you get your book a couple days late.

[Vicki]

Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Ang, rarely does everyone start right on time, so it might not matter if you get your book a couple days late."

I know, but I have to cross my fingers that the other person(s) bring ..."

Yes, that's true! I waited FOREVER for a book once and I was #1 in the queue.

[Vicki]

Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Ang, rarely does everyone start right on time, so it might not matter if you get your book a couple days late."

I know, but I have to cross my..."

I hope so too! Good luck getting the book without paying an arm and a leg!

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

Are we still planning on buddy reading this one? It looks like there are 40 chapters, so every five? I just started, so I can wait for people if needed. :)

[Farren]

I forgot I asked to join this one! I planned on starting tomorrow since I'm watching The Girl with All the Gifts tonight.

[Vicki]

Definitely still buddy reading it! I probably will start tomorrow but definitely not tonight.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Yes! I'm definitely in too
unfortunately, I'm catching another cold (ugh!)
so I'm not starting tonight like I'd hoped. I'm off to bed but I'll start tomorrow!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Farren wrote: "I forgot I asked to join this one! I planned on starting tomorrow since I'm watching The Girl with All the Gifts tonight."

OMG please tell me how it is!!
Did you read the book?? I'm dying to read it then go see it! looks so good

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

Trisha wrote: "Farren wrote: "I forgot I asked to join this one! I planned on starting tomorrow since I'm watching The Girl with All the Gifts tonight."

OMG please tell me how it is!!
Did you read the book?? I'm..."

I read the book, but I haven't seen the movie. I think that I gave the book three stars. :)

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

End of chapter five (and part one)

I thought that it was interesting how (view spoiler)[Rowan and Citra were chosen to apprentice. I liked how they both didn't want the job, or to kill people, and that's why they were chosen. (hide spoiler)]

Faraday (view spoiler)[reminds be of Gibbs from NCIS. He's rough on the outside, but I bet that he will soften up as the story progresses. (hide spoiler)]

I was a little worried (view spoiler)[that I wasn't going to like this book because some people were saying that it was really boring. I also haven't like the past Shusterman book that I picked up, so that added more to my worry. But so far I'm really enjoying it. Hopefully it doesn't get boring! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

I read last year and enjoyed it, but I didn't get to watch the movie last night. It hasn't released in the US yet so I downloaded a not so legal copy because I was dying to see it and the quality sucked. I made my boyfriend watch City of Bones with me instead lmao

Since I just finished The Testing I'm going to jump into Scythe tonight. I have such high hopes and I'm worried about ending up disappointed!

[Laura (acquariusgb)]

I've finished the first five chapters. I really like the concept. I don't know why I thought (view spoiler)[it was going to be a fantasy and I was really surprised by the futuristic set. (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

I'm a couple chapters in but I've had a migraine and haven't read as much as I wanted to. So far so good. I didn't like his writing style in Unwind but I like the writing in Scythe.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I'm 5 chapters as well

Faraday(view spoiler)[ I agree. Agent Gibbs is a perfect description! He's very matter of fact...but he's been doing this a long time and knows how it all works (hide spoiler)]

Citra(view spoiler)[ I wasn't sure what I thought of her at first

and if I could strike the word "sneer" out of my books for the rest of the year, that would be great (I"m so tired of this word. No one honestly sneers this much).

she better get better because so far I don't like her at all (hide spoiler)]

Rowan(view spoiler)[ so far, I'm middle ground with him. I don't hate him but I don't really like him either.
I like why he was chosen though, and I like it more than I like Citra's reason

I also like that Rowan decided to say yes - because he thought he was well suited even if he didn't like it. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

End of chapter ten.

I really like the (view spoiler)[writing! I think that it is one of my favorite things so far. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a little concerned that (view spoiler)[not much has happened in the way of action. While I'm still enjoying the book, I hope that I little more happens soon. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying (view spoiler)[reading about them training. I think that it's interesting to read about the different ways that they kill people. And will that group of scythes become the villain? (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

Ok I'm done with the first 5 chapters, and Laura I was thinking the exact same thing.

As far as the characters go, Trisha I think you are also reading my mind lol

I'm pretty excited to jump into part 2 tomorrow. Now I'm off to change my tags to sci fi!

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

End of chapter 15

Faraday (view spoiler)[is becoming more and more like Gibbs to me as I read the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

I've read up through chapter 10 but it is quite slow paced and I don't have too many new thoughts.

Faraday (view spoiler)[ is actually a pretty cool guy. I like his story about challenging the guy to a duel before gleaning him. (hide spoiler)]

Rowan (view spoiler)[ seems like a bit of a troublemaker but he is growing on me (hide spoiler)]

Citra (view spoiler)[ I feel like I still haven't learned hardly anything about her, and I still don't like her very much... (hide spoiler)]

Favorite scenes so far (view spoiler)[ are about the group of mass-gleaning scythes. They seem like bad guys because they like it too much, but I think because the story has been pretty boring so far I enjoyed those parts. Plus they have special outfits lol (hide spoiler)]

I'm definitely still too sick to read a lot but I will try to finish this up in the next day or two. As of right now I plan to call out of work tomorrow and sleep as much as possible!

[Mojoreb]

Around chapter 26 and loving the book so far. The world and characters are done well. Haven't read Unwind and might do so after finishing this book.

[Mojoreb]

Plus sorry for late join. I've recently made a goodreads account and quite new to buddy reads and community in general. This is one of my first one's.

[Laura (acquariusgb)]

I've finished part 2. Even if I find the pace a bit slow it's still very interesting.

General: (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting this turn of events. Faraday dying was quite a shock. The conclave and their political game was very interesting (hide spoiler)]

Team Goddard: (view spoiler)[I'm curious to see what is their big end game (hide spoiler)]

Rowan and Citra: (view spoiler)[ A really hope there won't be anything more romantic between them. I was looking forward to a sibling/ rivalry relationship between them. I don't now why authors put romantic relationships everywhere. It's like they think that teenagers can't be just friends. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Farren wrote: "I'm definitely still too sick to read a lot but I will try to finish this up in the next day or two. As of right now I plan to call out of work tomorrow and sleep as much as possible!..."

I hope you are feeling better!! I know, it's tough to read when you don't feel good. I hope you got lots of sleep today!

[Mojoreb]

Ended up finishing the book. I absolutely loved it! The ending got me extremely excited for the second book. I loved how the characters progressed especially with Volta who became one of my favorites by the end.

[Laura (acquariusgb)]

Finished part 3. In this part the rhythm really picked up!

[Laura (acquariusgb)]

Finished the book! I've rated it 4 stars. Great concept. I think both main characters went through an interesting and evolving journey.

BIG SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED THE BOOK YET!

spoiler: (view spoiler)[I knew that Faraday was still alive when Citra began her journey to find Gerald, but I was surprised about the death of Goddard and his team. I thought they would have had a bigger role in the series. (hide spoiler)]

Considering how it ended I think it would have been okay as a stand alone novel.

What do you think?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

awe, sorry I'm late to finishing this one! I left this at a house but I'll pick it up tomorrow and definitely update more!!

glad to see you guys loved it!

[Farren]

I've been having trouble making myself pick this one up. I don't know why. I think I am halfway done right now, and my main desire for continuing is to find out what the worst thing Citra has ever done is...

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

End of chapter 20

I am surprised that (view spoiler)[Faraday committed suicide. I wish that he had told Citra and Rowan, or left a note. But I understand why he did it (if he wasn't murdered that is). (hide spoiler)]

I'm liking (view spoiler)[Curie! I think that she is going to be really good for Citra, but I'm worried for Rowan. I don't like his mentality right now. (hide spoiler)]

I'm also hoping that (view spoiler)[nothing else happens romantically between Rowan and Citra. I'm okay with that one kiss, but I really hope that nothing else happens. I really like them as just friends. I'm also hoping for a bit more action. I feel like the book is hitting a slow spot, and I need either more action, or more mystery/information. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. My life has been crazy this past week. :(

[Farren]

I'm also through chapter 20.

As far as I can see, Citra and Rowan don't even have any real chemistry between them. I'm surprised he would stand up for her the way he did.

I was wondering why the synopsis states that the winner must glean the loser but it wasn't a factor for a good chunk of the book. Now I am having trouble understanding why. (view spoiler)[ If Faraday "evoked the seventh commandment" and they are no longer competing, why does one of them have to die? Especially now that Faraday has died and another scythe is needed. (hide spoiler)] I feel like I may have missed something.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Farren wrote: "I've been having trouble making myself pick this one up. I don't know why. I think I am halfway done right now, and my main desire for continuing is to find out what the worst thing Citra has ever ..."

I agree...I'm having a tough time making myself finish this one.....

[Farren]

I'm having the same problem Trisha. I put it on the back burner to finish up my February books but I'm not looking forward to picking it back up. I hope the second half is better because I really don't want to DNF this one. I wish there was audio so I could just listen to it and finish faster.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

oh man, the audio is a good idea Farren! I could drive and get it read...

I'm on chapter 10 agree with others - not much new to add.....it's honestly not that interesting for me right now

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I'm 20 chapters and completely agree with both you guys - Anna and Farren...

I'm really(view spoiler)[ hoping there is no more romance. it just doesn't seem to make sense to me. there just hasn't been a chemistry between them - and "just because they are learning together" just doesn't seem like a good enough reason to throw them together. hopefully that one kiss and it (hide spoiler)]

Vs(view spoiler)[ and I agree....if Faraday is gone, why make them face off?? I mean, they GLEAN every day all day long it seems like. Why would they also want to glean in their spare time?
That's like the mechanic buying a car that breaks down so he can work on it on his days off....It just doesn't happen that way! LOL (hide spoiler)]

I also(view spoiler)[ don't think Faraday killed himself. I just wonder if it was the evil guy with the clan of bad kids or if it was someone else - it was definitely someone who pushed him. awful (hide spoiler)]

and I agree(view spoiler)[ this is a painfully slow part. I'm really hoping it picks up from here as Citra investigates who killed Faraday (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

29 chapters and done with part 3

great gods, i am bored!

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

I'm having a hard time getting this (and much of anything) read. It's a slow moving book, and I just haven't really had the time to read this lately. :(

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

no worries, it's hard for me to pick it up too! The only thing pushing me is the fact that the book was due today to the library (ugh!) so I have to finish it up in order to return it :(

it's not that good....the plot is super boring. I completely understand if you want to abandon it.....it would throw just about anyone into a reading slump!

[Farren]

I'm doing a dystopia challenge so I really do want to finish the book, but I have no desire to read it because I know I'm so disappointed in it. I think I'm just going to force myself to read one chapter a day until I'm finally done lol

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

THAT is a great idea Farren!! One chapter, no more no less!! That's a way to slowly get through it without it completely burning you out. I can't believe I'm paying daily for this book.....so I just finished it

I'm Done (and if this wasn't a library book, I'd spike it! lol)

after Part IV, it does get better but a little too late...

I was(view spoiler)[ surprised about Faraday. I would have thought he was murdered. I'm glad he's still alive
and I'm glad he got....the closest they can to love with Curie (hide spoiler)]

I still(view spoiler)[ don't understand the Rowan and Citra love story. so unnecessary and not something I enjoyed (hide spoiler)]

and finally(view spoiler)[ i like the end. I'm with others, I'm okay leaving them here and don't think I need a 2nd book. It's a good ending that leaves you with a little hope that maybe they started to figure things out (hide spoiler)]

[Anna (Adventures with a Book Nerd)]

I'm trying to get a couple chapters read at night, but it's still going by REALLY slowly. :(