Scythe - Neal Shusterman

    

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Bibliography: 

Shusterman, N. (2022). Scythe. Walker Books Ltd. 

Plot Summary: 

In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ('gleaned') by professional reapers ('scythes'). Two teens must compete with each other to become a scythe--a position neither of them wants. The one who becomes a scythe must kill the one who doesn't.

Critical Analysis:

I honestly had no expectations for this book whatsoever, so I think its pretty safe to say that this was so much better than I thought it would be! and I can definitely understand the hype - the concept was just so fascinating. Maybe its because I havent read a dystopian novel in quite some time, but I found this to be so interesting! The writing was so nicely done, as well. It was quite crafty in a way - I felt like there were so many little cliffhangers throughout the book that I had the immense need to just read without stopping. however, I could have done without the journal entries before each chapter (I actually started skipping them once I realized they weren’t relevant to the immediate plot).

Overall, this was quite enjoyable, and I’m excited to see what the second book has to offer!

Review Excerpt: 

New York Times Book Review

Full of sly plot twists and absorbing set pieces. 

Kirkus Reviews

Elegant and elegiac, brooding but imbued with gallows humor, Shusterman's dark tale thrusts realistic, likeable teens into a surreal situation and raises deep philosophic questions. A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning.

Connections:

Good Vs. Evil Concepts

Social Emotional Learning 

Dystopian Science Fiction Unit