Shusterman, Neal Scythe, 435
pages. Simon & Schuster, 2016. $19.
Language: 15 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (large
volume of killing, some graphic and bloody).
In Citra’s world, immortality
has been achieved, but babies are still being born – so someone must decide who
will be gleaned. That job falls to the
scythes. When Citra is chosen as apprentice
to Scythe Faraday, she has no idea what she really is in for – a world full of
politics and intrigue that doesn’t belong in such a solemn occupation. Because Scythe Faraday has chosen two
apprentices, the Conclave decides that whichever of the two is chosen to become
a full-fledged scythe must immediately reap the other. If matters couldn’t get worse, Scythe Faraday
dies and Rowan, the other apprentice, is taken on by Scythe Goddard, one of the
worst when it comes to excesses in the course
of his profession. Citra and
Rowan are caught between a rock and a hard place. And still, only one of them
can survive.
Shusterman has taken the
topic of death – and choosing who will die – to a whole other level. It is very easy to accept the shape of this
new world, but every reader will be caught in thought as they come to terms with the parameters,
strictures, customs, and controversies of the job of gleaning and of the
Scythes themselves. I was surprised to
read that this is the beginning of a series – it feels whole, complete to
me. It can only get better from here if
Shusterman stays true to the pattern of his previous series (every book is
better than the one before). The violence
is stark is some places and overwhelming in others. As much as the students at my school adore
Shusterman, I would recommend that this be left to the high school level.
HS – ESSENTIAL (read the
ratings). Cindy, Library Teacher
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