Shusterman - The Toll (Scythe #3) [Nov 5, 2019]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

The Toll

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I didn't appreciate, until I started, how the ending of Thunderhead meant there would probably be some new POVs early on in The Toll... very excited to see where this goes...

The term Post-Mortal just sounds funny to me... was it used much in the first 2 books? I can't remember...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm highly anticipating that turning point that all Scythe books happen... you know what I mean, right?... the first one pivoted on the 2 Scythe conferences... the second book did similarly, but was all about that point when Anastasia went on the run looking for Faraday and Curie...

This one seems like it'll be about (view spoiler)[the Faraday timeline in the past catching up to the Rowan/Citra timeline in the present, after their recovery/acclimatization... (hide spoiler)]

25-30%: OH SHIT... (view spoiler)[SINGULARITY ALERT... looks like Thunderhead requisitioned parts to try and create a second benevolent AI, because it's lonely/self-aware... the first try wasn't very successful (unless you call Skynet a success) (hide spoiler)]

Not sure how I feel about the Toll storyline (view spoiler)[altho the part where the Thunderhead mused about embracing Tolliver was kinda heartbreaking (hide spoiler)]

The epigraphs are (view spoiler)[really showing how good of a politician Goddard is... you can almost forget what a crazy bad guy he is, since he hasn't gotten any unfiltered page time, yet... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ultimate Solution: theory (view spoiler)[is the Ultimate Solution going to be mortality?... without immortality, there would be no need for Scythes and Gleaning...

Also, the fact people are locked to Earth necessitates Gleaning... if Thunderhead can make duplicate benevolent AIs, humanity can expand to the stars and still rely on a Thunderhead Network, and remove the need for Gleaning...

So many possibilities... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ultimate Solution: 40%: Epigraphs: (view spoiler)[I'm starting to think that the Ultimate Solution is more along the lines of a Tonist religious uprising... considering the way recent epigraphs have a weird understanding of the Scythedom, due to bad interpretations of Tonist writings in some nebulous future... up until now I haven't tried to decipher the Tonist epigraphs much... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

55-60%: Things are getting more and more interesting... (view spoiler)[Tolliver has cropped back up in the present, after 2 years "dead"... Rowan was saved from execution (as expected, I assume it was Tolliver and the Tonists)... and Citra is doing something in Asia (hopefully she's going to take the stage soon)... no clue about Faraday, yet (last I heard he sounded fatalistic about the chances of ever accessing the Ultimate Solution, but I assume that won't happen until Rowan/Citra show up)...

Goddard was as horrible as expected... I've never been particularly sympathetic to Ayn Rand, but her flip-floppiness seems key to the trilogy... (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Look HOW thrilled he got...😄😂 made me smile...😄
I haven't opened any these spoilers but THANKS for the log, Iain.

Its kinda sad you are always reading alone at warp speed but here is
The Great F(view spoiler)[OR (hide spoiler)]K to keep you company in 'siscouraging' ways:

(view spoiler)[



WHAT?
I am an innocent explorer of a Tone Cu;lt and I'll not abide any religious persecution from a bot...😂😄😝
Also, I can't believe that picture actually exists...hehehehhe!
(hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

My copy is here! I'll likely start at the weekend.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

WOO... I loved the book... the end was full of surprises... finished at work so I didn't get a chance to comment everytime there was another surprise at 70/75/80/90/etc... I thought the epilogue was very satisfying, and some things were bittersweet but made sense... interested to see what Shusterman writes next...

[Zaara]

Charlie wrote: "My copy is here! I'll likely start at the weekend."

Be here soon too.

[AehCad]

Timelord Iain wrote: "WOO... I loved the book... the end was full of surprises... finished at work so I didn't get a chance to comment everytime there was another surprise at 70/75/80/90/etc... I thought the epilogue wa..."

I completely agree. Loved the ending! (view spoiler)[ TBH I do wish there was a little more time devoted to Rowan/Citra, especially because I love how they interact with each other, but that is how it goes I guess. (hide spoiler)] Overall It was a great read!!

[Zaara]

Thru five chapters...didn't read much bcuz hols + @Siobhan may arrive here soon so 👍😊 woots!!

Ch 2 (view spoiler)[ that Scythe Dali story made me smile...
"It was, to say the least, very surreal." ...but then I felt it was a bit overkill with the famous explorer death riffs coming a few pages after...
And 😂😂😂 the weather quirk of the genderfluid captain...bet that one's gonna be played a bit more!
I knew (slightly, thru interviewing him) a marine salvage guy once, ages ago...Bill Day, his name was....the business is much more than Dirk Pitt (am I remembering right?) tho...
But Lannister, my fave marine memory *cue Top Gun sexy jetengine sounds* is being aboard an aircraft carrier...the scale and size of those things....😳💪
(hide spoiler)]


Ch 3
(view spoiler)[...book suddenly turned into Castaway...I love that movie (and the Martian)..़.hope this "phase" gets a few more chapters and we don't leave the island too SOONISH :D

“Ah,” he said jovially, “you’re awake at last!”
He handed her the coconut for a sip.
(hide spoiler)]

It is so good being back with Schusterman and yea 😜😂😁 the ppl who had to wait aeons after readin' Book 2. We struck lucky by cunningly lingering and arriving late!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Zaara wrote: "Thru five chapters...didn't read much bcuz hols + @Siobhan may arrive here soon so 👍😊 woots!!

Ch 2 that Scythe Dali story made me smile...
"It was, to say the least, very surreal." ...but then I ..."

#2 is the book I feel is just asking for a movie... nanosharks eat everyone...

[Zaara]

Timelord Iain wrote: "#2 is the book I feel is just asking for a movie... nanosharks eat everyone... "

But aren't they gonna, already?
O Fin...you are gonna be so chuffed...here in return for your 😂😜 picture over at Smedry:
From the Toll preface:
"The entire Arc of a Scythe series continues to be in development as a feature film with Universal, and I’d like to thank everyone involved, including producers Josh McGuire and Dylan Clarke, as well as Sara Scott at Universal..."
🎉🎉🎉
+ and hey...new Bond trailer is out.......

EDIT italics....

[Zaara]

Ch 4

(view spoiler)[
1. Epigraph: Didn't take long for Goddard's true colours to show...wonder how long before the world wakes up and realise...some of the scythes sure seem to have his number, Possuelo among them but I can't wait for this jerk's FULL unmasking and dowmfall...I hope it is brutal and public. I don't think I will forgive him for Scythe Curie and mutilating the poor unsuspecting Tyger.

2.Also did anyone else find the "enduring heart" artificially kept alive by electrodes kinda creepy?? Like those brains in the Dept of Mysteries...

3. Wonder how long it'll be before they find Anastasia & Rowan... (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Zaara wrote: "Thru five chapters...didn't read much bcuz hols + @Siobhan may arrive here soon so 👍😊 woots!!

Ch 2 ..."

(view spoiler)[I feel that gender fluid based on the clouds may get a bit old fast... We shall see!

I also like the castaway vibes! Can't wait to see what's on the island. Hope someone rescues them eventually. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Zaara wrote: "Ch 4.."

Couldn't agree more on (view spoiler)[Goddard! Can't wait for his eventual downfall. It's going to be sweeeet! (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Yeah Siobhan good point but (at this stage) I guess the genderfluid char will never be on page long enough.
Btw 😘😘😘 the Thunderhead (view spoiler)[
cunningly skirting around "the rules"...what if it runs amok tho? Tho this could just be my old fear talking....
And 😣 Faraday's heartbroken over Curie.
Those Tonist commentaries have me all at WTF...?? (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

How're you guys going? I'm reading but kinda "scattered"ly + deffo have no time to keep long notes because of all the holiday demands on my time + I think I might fail my Se7en challenge...😿 but still, I tried...

Part 2 Greyson... (view spoiler)[😐😒 he's too young to be trapped in the stifling glass box of a "holy man"...poor kid...he doesn't deserve this...but seems to be coping with...
Great to see an irreverant perspective tho. I love Schusterman + I actually laughed at "the Sonority"...the Tonists are soooo wtf sometimes! (hide spoiler)]

Thunderhead BIG HINT & CLUES in Chapter 13...😢😣
(view spoiler)[
1. “Yes, but for humankind, I have engineered a soft landing. It will be painful for a while, but it will build global character.”
“Painful for them, or for you?”
“Both,” the Thunderhead replied. “But my pain must not prevent me from doing the right thing.”

Chris/Siobhan: you guys reckon the TH is planning to self-destruct in a grand sacrifice to save humanity?
🙈😱
Boooooooooh...I love the TH...he's the only bot I evarr loved...& I nevaaarr felt this way about machines before...😂
💔 ohk @Siobhan let's start getting ready to have our hearts crushed and stomped on! Sh!t...why does this always happen? Why do I love the chars that will always die on me...
+
*hiiiiss* what a grand and original idea, Schusterman!


2. Epigraph: “For if everyone could return from death, why would we need the Toll at all?”
So I guess from these weird "far into the future" historical commentaries that mortality is coming back too?? Makes sense...with the TH gone...

3. “And what of humanity?”
“I believe it may have a place in service to us.”
Ha #Skynet + War of the Worlds + the Matrix = my worst nightmare...
(hide spoiler)]

Really enjoy reading those "iterations" sprinkled round the place tho...this bot just ate my heart....

[Zaara]

As of this point in the story I find Rowan & Citra are boooohring...well, no they're cute n all...
Look at this quote:

NONSPOILER (BLURBISH/END OF BK 2) ROMANTIQUOTE FOR SHIVORM:
“Rowan finally sat up. “How is she?” he asked.
“Scythe Anastasia is not your concern.”
“She’s my only concern.”
Possuelo considered that, then said, “She is in a revival center, not far from here, regaining her strength.”

Rowan reminds me so much of my brother (the Gorilla) and how he is with his wife...this quote made me smile!
But yea...my fave track is deffo the Castaways + the vague Indy Jones + Lara Croftiness of it all + I also like the Rand char, guys...interesting to see where that goes...

[Chris]

Not quite done with part 1 here.....

[Siobhan]

I'm up to chapter 20, in part 2. Really enjoying all the different perspectives and timeline jumping. I don't think there's any one POV that I'm liking less, they're all super interesting!

Zaara, RE the Thunderhead and those iterations: (view spoiler)[I really hope he's not planning to self destruct, I love, love, love him too - but apparently I always fall in love with AI... (Illuminae, Skyward, All Systems Red) 😅
But anyway, those pre-chapter iterations make me think he's "interviewing" a replacement, and none of their opinions or ideologies have been appropriate for him so far, hence the deleting at the end of each exchange! None have been as selfless as the Thunderhead. ❤️ (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 21 - (view spoiler)["ever since their prophet was gleaned" - Noooo Greyson!! They did it?! Just like that he's gone? Surely not. :(
And now Goddard has poor Rowan! It doesn't bear thinking about what they'll do to him... I hope he escapes some how. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

That 'Testament of the Toll' and Analysis just before chapter 23 - (view spoiler)[Such a telling glimpse into the future! No Scythes! Scholars don't even know much about them. This whole system is doomed to fall. The Thunderhead is planning a reboot isn't he.
Like that little line at the end 'they merely consumed their flesh' 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23 - (view spoiler)[Yayyy Greyson! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Chris wrote: "Not quite done with part 1 here....."

Ohk...no worries Lann, its the holidays...I completely stalled on Mage's Blood and don't even ask about Priory of the Orange Tree...that's been going for two months and they're both great books I'm enjoying...its just there are many demands on my time. It was my nephew's first birthday yest :D and hey...remember this time last year I was so worried & scared & dealing with? You were there...Lann...one year and I'm in a much better place, tyvm.

@Siobhan...that was typed just before I saw your posts...😂😂😂 I just I'm gettimg to the end of part 2 and guess (from status update) that Siobhan's also around there...

The TH in this part (view spoiler)[is having an "evil schizophrenia" ok this book turned a little conceptually scary now but I'm not freaking out in my frilly petticoats or anything...I'm still reading but I hope the TH doesn't go evil in its temdencies...still its only realistic that the temptation for megalomania and godhood must be there...something that powerful and (almost) all-seeing...

So I'm guessing the Kwajalein Atoll is the "Skynet" ops base?
(hide spoiler)]

Talk about megalomania...Goddard & (view spoiler)[his cleansing putsches...look how he made the big madness all sound soooo reasonable and brainwashed/steamrollled everyone & "cut" their tongues/crushed their spirit. (hide spoiler)]

21 end
(view spoiler)[
Well...I kinda guessed it from the cover that Rowan will be forced back into "Goddardhood" (one of the green scythes has gems ob his robes) and he & Citra will be separated by The Wall all over again...basically Bk 1 rinse and rpt. Oh well...it isnt "samey", not when so much has changed. Poor guy, he's going thru so much while Citra always gets to stay golden with all the "outs"...well she DID die with him for three years tho...😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 21 - "ever since"

Sh!t I missed this....whaaaaa...no WAYYY.....where was...
*riffles pages noiselessly in ebook*
Thanks...o dear that's deffo gonna (view spoiler)[ piss off the TH (hide spoiler)]
Re the rest of your comment, Siobhan, yea I felt similarly....don't worry, he'll have a plan! 💪💪

[Chris]

End of Part 2:

(view spoiler)[YES!!! You know I have to love a book that features lyrics by The Doors (Jim Morrison). He's the honorific I probably would have taken if I had to be a Scythe. Or I could be Scythe Cornell (as in Chris) (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chris wrote: "End of Part 2:

[spoilers removed]"

I loved seeing those lyrics too.

❤️ Scythe Cornell is the Scythe we deserve.

I would be.... Scythe Swift. (Taylor obv). Or Scythe Bon Jovi if I were a man! XD

[Siobhan]

Finished! I loved it, (view spoiler)[even though it was bittersweet and heartbreaking (poor unsavoury Thunderhead 😭😭😭 He was only doing what he had to!). (hide spoiler)]
Can't wait to see what you both think.

[Zaara]

@Siobhan
I'm still in Part 3, haven't read much further and nothing much to say: (view spoiler)[ Citra's in "sanctuary"...really liked the description of Tenka's eclectic "house"... (hide spoiler)]
Truth told, I know I said I wouldn't join this year but I got distracted/enticed by you & Charlie's quiet Xmas Harry Potter Readathon tradition and jumped in with a totally random read of most of HP4 (read enough to call it a fullbook, only skipped the almost drowning Lake Task bcuz 🙈) and now I'm went backward and am re-reading Book 1, for some strange reason...😂😂😂

@Chris Scythe Cornell...😬
Heh, its funny that was the very question I was going to ask/say...viz. that we should have one of those Top 3 threads asking ppl to share their scythe "nomer"/alterego shortlist...you guys answered already :) I'm still thinking...

[Siobhan]

Charlie finished her Potter reread before I started I think, so our timing was shit! XD I'm up to book 3, my favourite. Can't wait to start it, but I need time to get on the computer and put the audiobook on my phone. Been so busy!

That really is a good question about the Scythe nomers isn't it!

[Bea]

I finished this a few days ago and unfortunately didn't enjoy it as much as the first two.
I found it a little slow moving and wished we would have gotten more of Citra and Rowan. I found none of the new characters as engaging.
Also (view spoiler)[I was so underwhelmed by Goddard's fall. I expected book 3 to be more of a final battle against him but in the end it was more like 'oh yeah, Goddard's still there, too, we'll deal with him quickly I guess' (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

@Chris...I'm still reading this and not too far ahead of you but I'm gonna be offline until the new year so I'll post my notes then.
Bye for now + Merry Christmas...have a good one!
🎉🎄🎁

[Chris]

Merry Christmas, Zaara ♥

BTW, got through Part 3 yesterday...

[Chris]

Finished.

(view spoiler)[I'm kinda underwhelmed. I guess everything got wrapped up, but I don't know. I'll think on it a few days.. (hide spoiler)]