The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman -- Restarting January 5th 2024

[Blue Butterfly]

Moksha wrote: "Finished:
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah most of it was really slow but the ending was fast paced and much better. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

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Date changed. Restarting November 5th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Akshita]

Starting now!

[Akshita]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ I am having a hard time concentrating. The writing feels a bit harder to grasp as compared to the last book.
So far, I am not a huge fan of the scythe journal snippets we get after each chapter. I much preferred Thunderhead's POV like we had in the previous book.
We already see a number of new faces. Though right now, I am most interested in parts following Greyson Tolliver. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ This book is already starting to feel like a chore. There's so much happening on various ends, it all feels so messy.
The timeline is also weird. I no longer fully understand when certain things are happening in relation to others. Hope it gets better soon.
I would also like to see how general public is affected now that Goddard is the High Blade. There hasn't been much talk of it yet.
Also. I can't wait to see Scythe Faraday's reaction to everything that's happened in the world since he came to the Atolls. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 3"

(view spoiler)[I totally get that. It feels very different from the previous two books and I'm longing for some familiar povs haha. Although we did have Greyson in the last book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 6."

(view spoiler)[The timeline is throwing me too. I thought everything was happening at the same time, but Citra and Rowan were deadish for three years?? Confused. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Part 1

(view spoiler)[I've missed this series and world, but I'm slightly struggling so far. Maybe it's because I've left a massive gap between reading books, or maybe it's we're being introduced to new povs and stuff. Hopefully now that we have Citra and Rowan back again, it'll start feeling like the previous two books. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[Well.. What an interesting turn of events. I was scared that Greyson was gonna get gleaned for free. Just when I think it was Scythe Possuelo said to Citra that the Prophet was dead, I thought he would be killed. Smart move from Greyson though.

I'm totally into this now. I love it. I think the little snippets from the Symphonius are funny. Especially the analysis part. Like there was a comment about how scythes didn't consume people's souls, they just ate their flesh, and it feels like a commentary on how historical documents are interpreted. Made me laugh anyway. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Part 3

(view spoiler)[Well shit. I was not expecting that! Safe to say that Goddard did not take Rowan being rescued too well.. I can't believe he got the scythes to glean the whole audience!! The man has lost his fucking mind. Well I mean he lost it a long time ago but surely Rand can see he needs to be stopped!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Ashleigh wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Chapter 6."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, I still don't get it. So Scythe Faraday scenes are happening six weeks after Endura sank? But Citra and Rowan scenes are after 3 yrs?? Doesn't make any sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Ashleigh wrote: "Part 1

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Same. While the last two books mostly focused on scythedom, there's been a huge turn of events in this book. And now everyone is involved.
And did you get what those two-way conversations (iterations) are? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Akshita wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Chapter 6."

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Very confusing to start with. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Finished (view spoiler)[I was worrying so much how it would end and have a satisfying conclusion, but I think it had an almost perfect end.

So happy to see Citra and Rowan together again. Can't believe Rowan stuck out the 117 years while Citra was deadish. I would have wanted to go to sleep too haha.

I was wondering how the world population would be controlled if they got rid of scythes, but it makes so much sense to have a random 5% killed from natural causes every 20 years. Shusterman really thought of everything.

So happy and yet so upset at the thought of leaving this world and not seeing my babies anymore. I've loved this series sooo much! (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Ashleigh wrote: "Part 2

Well.. What an interesting turn of events. I was scared that Greyson..."

(view spoiler)[ Honestly, I have never been so scared for a character's life before. Greyson is my favourite character in this series. It nearly broke my heart when Possuelo said that! I am so relieved that he's alive.

Isn't it a bit weird though that Thunderhead is giving Greyson personal info about everyone? Like it's supposed to be confidential. 🤷

Towards the second half of the second book and through the first two parts of this book, I had actually started questioning Thunderhead's motives. But now with those iterations, I am convinced that it just wants best for humanity and has no selfish intentions.

It's getting better now. And now that I realise that we are actually switching between the timelines, everything is making much more sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Ashleigh wrote: "Part 3

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Exactly. I mean, how can anyone allow this?? Gleaning of Thirty-thousand innocent people just because his ego was hurt?? That was so messed up!!
And though I am extremely grateful that those Texan scythes saved Rowan, but at the cost of lives of so many people...?
And if all those new-order scythes were okay with that, then this world is now full of gruesome murderers under the name of scythes. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ The part where Greyson told Thunderhead that he won't talk to him anymore brought tears to my eyes. And I am not a person to ever cry over books. BUt Thunderhead and Greyson's relationship was my favorite, so precious.
I think the idea of mortal age diseases killing 5% of the population every 20 yrs is a genius idea.
I almost decided to rate this book 3 stars when Thunderhead revealed its plan about sending dead people to other planets and stars. Something about it just didn't right with me.
But when everything gradually settled towards the end, I felt a sense of great calm with that ending. It was perfect! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting January 7th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Aneta]

I finished current book yesterday so I'll be starting this one a little earlier than I expected.

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

I'll start this one tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it. :)

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

16 % (view spoiler)[It took way to long for Citra and Rowan to appear in this book. I was wondering where they were. It's good so far, but we'll get a little more action now. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

42 %, Part 2 (view spoiler)[Hmm... this feels so different from the other books. There isn't enough Rowan and Citra in this, especially Rowan is only briefly mentioned, I wished there was more. The Thunderhead seems to have a bigger plan with Greyson, the tonists and the colonialization of those islands. I'm looking forward to know what but I'm not totally invested in anything that happens. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

53 %, Part 3 (view spoiler)[Goddard is absolutely crazy and with all that power, I wonder how long it takes until everyone starts to rebel against him. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

74 %, Part 4 (view spoiler)[I liked that part more than the others, I still don't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I really like Greyson and Jeri, but I do think it was a mistake to let Mendoza go, he knows a lot of things and can become an enemy. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

The End (view spoiler)[Well, this took an interesting turn I didn't see coming reading the first two books and I think it was a great ending for the series but I don't know if I like it??? That last conversation between Greyson and the Thunderhead was very sad, but I liked that he and Jeri stayed together and Rowan waited for Citra to be revived. <3 I think the solution that every 20 years 5 % of the population dies was really great and fitting and that Faraday had a chance to help those, who were suffering from diseas. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished Part 1
(view spoiler)[I'm sorry it took me so long to write an update. I struggled a little bit with part 1. I think it's because we were introduced to a lot of new characters and POVs. Plus Rowan and Citra were nowhere to be seen. I hope it will get better for me when these two are back. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Aneta wrote: "Finished Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Don't worry, it was the same for me. I actually went back to my notes from book 2 to see if I just forgot some characters, but no, there were so many new ones... (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Finished Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

It was a little bit confusing!

[Aneta]

Finished Part 2
(view spoiler)[I like Grayson's POV the most so far. I was worried about him when there was a mention about his death but I'm impressed with him. I definitely didn't expect he would team up with Morrison. I'm looking forward to how this will unravel. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished Part 3
(view spoiler)[I knew this is going to happen when Rowan was gone. Goddard is a maniac. When he thought they are laughing at him it was end for everyone there. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Aneta wrote: "Finished Part 3
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, Goddard is crazy and that he was able to get away with it always makes me mad. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished part 4
(view spoiler)[This was an interesting part. I already knew Goddard had something to do with these colonies because he mentioned he had to leave his parents behind. But I didn't know it was to this extend!
I love Grayson but I kind of miss Rowan. I thought he would get a bigger part in this book. He is barely there! (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "74 %, Part 4 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think Mendoza could become a problem as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "74 %, Part 4 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Power-hungry people always are, especially if they think they are losing control. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "74 %, Part 4 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's true. Just look at Goddard. I'm exicted for the last part of this book to see what problems these will make. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "74 %, Part 4 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, absolutely true. At least we know Goddard won't let anyone try to take over his "success". I'm looking forward to see what you think of it. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "74 %, Part 4 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers re..."

I think I will finish it tomorrow and I'll definitely let you know :)

[Aneta]

Finished
(view spoiler)[This was a great conclusion to this series and I definitely didn't see this ending coming! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting August 25th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Helen 2.0]

Started today. Very excited to see how the author resolves that insane cliffhanger from the last book.

[Helen 2.0]

End of Part 2 (view spoiler)[I'm listening to the audiobook so it's been difficult to keep track of the little snippets at the beginning of the chapters which come from all different timelines. It's a cool worldbuilding tool.

I was so worried about Greyson getting killed so I'm happy he found a way to deal with Scythe Morrison! This whole "Toll" thing with Greyson becoming a prophet is so funny. Not at all where I expected his storyline to go. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Ch 38 (view spoiler)[ I loved this reunion!!! It’s so funny how Citra/Anastasia happens to meet and make an impression on literally all the big players in this story. Meanwhile poor Rowan is just constantly having the worst day ever over and over. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

DUDE I JUST FINISHED THE THUNDERHEAD!!! Omg that was SO INTENSE!! I’m still blown away. I’ll post my updates and review of the second book tomorrow omg, fair warning, the updates are looong🤣

[Helen 2.0]

Right the ending was insane!!!

[Helen 2.0]

I finished the Toll (view spoiler)[I don't know what it is about that ending but it made me freaking sob :( Rowan has been put through so much, it just broke my heart that he chose to live for 120 years without Citra just because he knew that's what she would want.

I'm glad Grayson got his happy ending with Jericho, they're a good match (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

I'm probably starting this in September bc I don't have a lot of time to read and won't be able to finish it before the end of the month, so I'll probably do it next month asap!

[Helen 2.0]

Danique wrote: "I'm probably starting this in September bc I don't have a lot of time to read and won't be able to finish it before the end of the month, so I'll probably do it next month asap!"

Ok! Hope you enjoy

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting December 17th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Shannara]

Crap I totally forgot about this one, can we reschedule for January??

[Danique]

Omg yes that would actually be perfect! I'm so behind :P I can probably do like the 5th of January, would that work?