Arc of a Scythe Series by Neal Shusterman -> Restarting July 10th, 2021

[☘Misericordia☘]

1.
2.
3. The Toll

[Celia]

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RESTARTING DECEMBER 1ST 2020

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[Jammin Jenny]

I'll keep watch. I'm going to read soon and also have . When were you planning on reading ?

[Celia]

I'm not sure if it actually fits into my plans right now. I have a lot of other buddy reads, but I might restart soon.

[Deanie]

Part I: (view spoiler)[ Very well written book. Interesting world. I liked the observation that the post-mortality art is uninspired... and that a lot of what people do is really unnecessary. Good start. (hide spoiler)]

Part II: (view spoiler)[ So Scythedom is completely corrupt. Not exactly a shocker there, since absolute power corrupts absolutely. Faraday killed himself to prevent his apprentices from having to kill each other. Citra might be okay with Curie (we don't know much about her yet), but poor Rowan, being stuck with evil and corrupt Goddard. (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

Part I: (view spoiler)[We meet (or perhaps re-meet) the Thunderhead, a computer AI that is guiding the course of humanity and the world. For a computer AI, he's a bit megomaniacal. I also liked seeing Citra again and felt bad for her when she returned home for Thanksgiving and her family was very strained with her. It must be difficult to be a Scythe. (hide spoiler)]

Part II: (view spoiler)[I felt bad for the young man that was denied entry into the program to become a "scythe" or other type of peacekeeper. It was very brave of him to jump in the way of Curie and Anastasia Scythes to save them from a booby trap. I think the government is against those Scythes. (hide spoiler)]

Parts III and IV (view spoiler)[ Wow! These parts the Thunderhead spoke about the population burden on the world, and that sending people to outerwords (like the moon etc) had disastrous consequences so the only option would be to have hundreds of thousands of Scythes doing 100 gleans a day. This is because no one dies anymore, they are just "deadish" until they are revived (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

Deanie wrote: "

Part I: [spoilers removed]

Part II: [spoilers removed]"

I also love the world building in this story. (view spoiler)[A world without disease, hunger, strife, etc. sounds too good to be true...and unfortunately it is! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanie]

Part III: (view spoiler)[ I love the contrast of Rowan and Citra's lives. Citra trained in the "Old Guard" style, with reverence, compassion, and honor... Rowan in the "New Order" style with arrogance, mercilessness and disrespect. I hope they both survive. And I really like Volta. Hopefully he can make his own way and escape from Goddard. (hide spoiler)]

Part IV: (view spoiler)[ I also love Citra's escape. And Faraday is alive! I wonder if he's named Faraday because he's off the grid in his space, and a Faraday cage blocks electromagnetic fields. But poor Volta... (hide spoiler)]

Part V: (view spoiler)[ I was wondering how both Rowan and Citra were going to survive the ending. It's awesome. I can't wait to read the next books in the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING MAY 18TH, 2021

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[Alaina]

Starting Scythe now!

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Well, I can say that the audio is a lot better than just reading this book. Which is weird to say - I guess? Also, I would have shat my pants during that meal in the beginning. Just saying. The not knowing if you are going to be gleamed is scary. I would be stressed the eff out. All day. Every day. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Yeahhhh not a huge fan of Goddard and the followers. I'm probably NOT in the minority here but who knows?!? I just don't like that they see this being a sport or whatever. It definitely creeps me out. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Wow. So many secrets are coming out now. Not sure if they are even considered secrets but it's all starting to make sense in my brain. Esme being the high blade's daughter was a little shock and it definitely makes sense with what Goddard is doing and why he keeps her around and such. Also I just have so many questions about Goddard and how he went down this evil route. Like so many questions. I just hope he doesn't ruin Rowan because I will not be happy with that. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[OKAY I HAVE QUESTIONS. IF SHE KNEW HE WAS ALIVE AND SHIT.. WHY DIDN'T SHE DIRECT CITRA AWAY FROM INVESTIGATING? So confused. Also really happy that he isn't actually dead. Just saying.

ALSO, fuck you Goddard. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Wow gleaning someone you love sounds painful. I don't think I could do that.. unless wine counts? Can I glean wine? I love wine. If so, I think I could do without a bottle or two lol (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Okay, probably like the 4th time I'm claiming to join this thread. I'll probably start tomorrow or Saturday.

[Celia]

Part 1 (15%) - (view spoiler)[I remember feeling ambivalent but interested when I first read this, but I don't remember many details from the story.

I do appreciate Scythe Faraday's methods. He is easily one of the most impartial in a world of partiality. The contrast between humanity and technology is interesting as well, as this book does bring up questions of who or what is human and who or what is tech. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 (40%) - (view spoiler)[After half a year of reading books with mediocre relationships, the ones in Scythe offer a healthy respite with complex and multidimensional characters. All characters are engaging and have distinct personalities that create an important story. I also like the approach and look at humanity that this takes.

Knowing what I do about the ending, I'm going to make more of an attempt to look for foreshadowing about Scythe Faraday and Rowan this time around. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 ( 76%) (view spoiler)[I forgot how intense that last part gets with the investigations and the suspicion, as well as the relationships. Like I said, it's a good break from characters with badly written relationships into a whole web of them. There are so many little scenes I forgot, like the attempted murder of Xenocrates, and that Esme was his daughter and not Goddard's.

I think I remember what's coming up, but I'm not sure. Excited to finish this though. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4 (view spoiler)[Okay, that redemption scene is one of the things that stood out most, and what I most remember from my last read. It's really strong and well done.

I think last time I read this, this scene was when I knew without a doubt that Citra would be ordained and not Rowan. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[I was surprised that when reading my earlier review I didn't like this as much, and that my memories of it weren't as favorable. After the last two years I've had a fairly big change in perspective when it comes to the future, and I think Scythe potentially explores a very realistic possibility, while also maintaining strong characters with various motives and goals. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Starting book 2 now!

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Rowan being scythe Lucifer made my dark side happy. Don't ask me why lol. I also really like how him and Citra are still friends.. even if I secretly want more. Again, don't ask me why. Also, is anyone else getting bad vibes with this potential job or is it just me? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Ooo Greyson being a secret undercover agent is making me happy. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Oh snap! Let the bamboozling start now. Not really sure if I'm just supposed to sit back and let these things happen because right now - I'm not happy. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[I feel like I'm going to throw up. Tyger is dead. Goddard is fucking weirdo. Why is he even still alive? Can someone please kill him? I'll help. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 5: (view spoiler)[I feel like everyone is fucking high here. Why would you nominate Goddard for fucking high blade? A bunch of idiots. You all need to be gleaned. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[hehehe I'm a little excited with what's going on with Citra and Rowan. Other than that this ending was a huge clusterfuck and my brain hurts. I'm sad that Curie self-gleaned herself. I also really don't like Goddard and need him to die. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I think I'm going to dive into the third book tomorrow.

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Ugh, Goddard. Still hate this guy and his little speech made me angry. Glad Rowan and Citra are good but now he's a "criminal" whoop-de-doo people! I just need Goddard to die. THAT IS IT. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[OMG GRAYSON ISN'T DEAD? Heck yeah buddy! Ugh, also why is Goddard still alive? Come on people - make me happy! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Ugh, to be Jericho.. would be amazing. Such an interesting character. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[So much is happening in this book. I'm not sure what the next part will bring me but I hope someone's death. Pretty please?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[😭😭😭😭 I wanted more for Goddard's death. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING JULY 10TH, 2021

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[Celia]

End of part 1 (11%) (view spoiler)[Wait, they're making Tyger an apprentice now? Why? He's so much unlike an ideal Scythe. Could this have something to do with Rowan and the intent to capture him? Interesting.

Love that we're getting the Thunderhead's POV in the interlude now as well. It's one thing to know there's a supercomputer that powers the world, and quite another to get a glimpse of its consciousness. I'm excited to see where this will go if Rowan starts splatting.

This is one series where I truly have no idea where things will end up over the course of the next two books. Keep the plot twists coming, I need a series that'll keep me on my toes this summer. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Starting now!

[akacya ❦]

End of part 1: (view spoiler)[Yes, I was curious about that as well. I agree, I think it has to do with Rowan. But the lady did say “Yes, you could say that” instead of a simple “Yes” which makes me think…maybe something different? I don’t know.

Yes, same! The Thunderhead’s POV is so interesting and unique.

I agree. I’m surprised I didn’t get to this sooner, I devoured book one earlier this year. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

I also fell in love with the first book earlier this year, it was a reread for me but it made my rating go up. Actually I was on the last BR for this, in May, for my reread, but I never got around to reading the rest of the series. When I reread Scythe I figured I'd finally do that this summer.

End of part 2 (27%) (view spoiler)[I don't know why but I'm having a hard time with Greyson's POV in the story. There's something I don't like about his narration style, although I'm sure he's a good character. I just find him hard to like as a character or literary entity.

Wait, Tyger is working for Scythe Rand? As in, the Scythe Rand who spent her junior scythehood with Goddard? How is she alive? (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

18%: (view spoiler)[Ouch…I realize the Thunderhead had to cover its tracks, but marking Greyson as an unsavory is harsh. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

23%: (view spoiler)[Okay, so there was a better reason as to why Greyson was marked as an unsavory. That makes me feel a little better haha (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

End of part 2: (view spoiler)[I actually don’t mind Greyson that much. I’m curious as to how he’ll continue to play into the story.

I think it said in part 1 that she was Scythe Rand, but I completely missed that connection lol, glad you pointed it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

akacya ♡̷̷ˎˊ wrote: "End of part 2: (view spoiler)[I actually don’t mind Greyson that much. I’m curious as to how he’ll continue to play into the story.

I think it said in part 1 that she was Scythe Rand, but I completely missed tha..." (hide spoiler)]

Oh, did it say that in part 1? I must've missed it. Still, how???

[Celia]

End of part 3 (44%) (view spoiler)[Okay, so I imagine Purity and Tyger are both working for Scythe Rand whether they know it or not, and she's the one orchestrating the killings, because who else would? That's too bad about Greyson though, there's so much he could have done. I wonder if Agent Traxler's gleaning was intentional the way Rowan's father's was. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

What the actual fuck!!!

End of part 4 (59%) (view spoiler)[Okay, I had sort of guessed Goddard would reappear somehow, but I hadn't realized they'd kill Tyger to do it! These people are a different species!

And yeah, I had a feeling Traxler's gleaning was orchestrated. Rowan should have just gleaned Brahms when he had the chance. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

I know I should stop and actually do something productive with my day, but OH MY GOD this is heating up. I'll probably finish it tonight within the next hour.

End of part 5 (78%) (view spoiler)[Okay, I probably should have seen that coming. Scythe Xenocrates isn't even that strong of a High Blade, and Goddard did try to surpass him once already.

I wonder how Scythe Morrison figured this out so quickly.

One thing I'm super glad about is that there's no love triangle between Rowan, Citra, and Greyson. I am starting to like Greyson more. As for Rowan, I just feel really bad for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

OMG that ending... I'm screaming internally!

FINISHED (view spoiler)[Goddard is the most ruthless villain imaginable. Literally no villain, and no backstory. And is Scythe Curie really gone? And Xenocrates, could he be revived? (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Celia wrote: "End of part 3 (44%) [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Ohhh that’s a good thought, it probably is Scythe Rand behind all of this..
I was so shocked about Traxler and sad for Greyson! I do think Traxler’s death was intentional. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

End of part 1 (19%) (view spoiler)[So I accidentally downloaded this last night. A few too many new characters and perspectives for my liking, but hopefully that will sort itself out now that Rowan and Citra are alive again. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

End of part 2 (42%) (view spoiler)[Interesting. Is the Thunderhead having conversations with itself as a split personality, or is this with Greyson?

The Tonists are another interesting consequence of Goddard's power. It makes sense that they would come to play more of a role. I get the feeling Neal Shusterman doesn't include any small plot point without intentionality. There's so much going on here that folds back on itself.

Hopefully now that the timeline convergence makes sense this novel will move from less and less omniscient and back to the main characters of the last two books. And I need to know their plans for Rowan! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Celia wrote: "What the actual fuck!!!

End of part 4 (59%)"

(view spoiler)[I had the SAME REACTIONS! When Rowan saw that it was Goddard in that wheelchair…omg, my jaw DROPPED. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Celia wrote: "I know I should stop and actually do something productive with my day, but OH MY GOD this is heating up. I'll probably finish it tonight within the next hour.

End of part 5 (78%)"

I think I’ll finish today!

(view spoiler)[Omg yeah, I don’t HATE love triangles, but it is super refreshing to read a book without it. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Celia wrote: "OMG that ending... I'm screaming internally!

FINISHED [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The ending has me SHOOK. The next book is going to be so good omg.

I agree about Goddard. I hate that dude. Interesting thoughts about Curie and Xenocrates…I hope to at least see Curie again! (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

End of part 3 (54%) (view spoiler)[Okay, things are slowing down a lot more now that we've got Citra and Rowan's POVs back fully. I do want to know what happened with Greyson in the two years, though.

I really like Jerico. I wonder how much effort on Shusterman's part went into the lack of pronouns when writing this character. Those parts are difficult to read because I keep expecting pronouns and they're not there. This is a good example of the way we change word usage to fit the real, complicated world around us (especially regarding gender) instead of enforcing word usage that doesn't fit. (hide spoiler)]