Scythe

by Neal Shusterman

This is a 5-star book in my opinion. It’s the first in a series and has definitely earned the award on its cover. It’s of the dystopian genre but not in the usual sense. Instead of things being at the worst, things are actually at a peak and death is no longer a thing. Let me
explain…

Humans have learned to control hunger and illnesses and war isn’t even a thing anymore. Unfortunately, with no death, there is a population problem. Enter the Scythes. They are the only ones in charge of controlling death in what they refer to as gleaning and must meet a quota each year. They choose who, how, and when. Rowan and Citra are both teenagers chosen to apprentice under the same Scythe but only one can be chosen. They must learn to take lives while trying to save their own. Can they uphold their morals and be empathetic towards those they choose to glean? Could this be our future?

I promise, if you try this book, you will be running out to find the other two in the series as soon as you finish! It’s written for Young Adults but as an adult, I enjoyed this fast-paced novel and found myself rooting for both Rowan and Citra, at times simultaneously.