Neal Shusterman presents a thrilling book – Scythe. In this dystopian novel, no hunger, war, misery, or death exists. Scythes are the most respected and feared individuals in society because they are the only ones who can end life and are responsible for curbing the population. 

The story starts out with Rowan and Citra, two very different people of diverse backgrounds who are chosen to be apprentices by Scythe Faraday.  The unassuming protagonists do not realize that only one of them can become  a scythe.  However, neither Citra or Rowan wants to be scythe and throughout the novel both characters are forced to learn how to kill citizens referred to in the book euphemistically as “gleaning”- scythes are prohibited from referring to their job as killing. 

Turning to the world-building of the book, Scythe presents us with an immaculate world showing one the different lives between the scythes and ordinary citizens. For instance, immoral scythes abound  who take advantage of their position and take pride in others’ work. Specifically, in one scene a scythe blackmails a billionaire telling him that if he doesn’t give him his possessions, he will glean his family. Moreover, the author introduces the Thunderhead, a cloud that stores all of the information in existence, executes the law, and  watches everything; however, the Thunderhead is not permitted to meddle in the affairs of the ScytheDome, the city where scythes meet one another and carry out laws, causing corruption to flourish among the scythes. 

Scythe entices the reader through its character development. For example, Rowan starts off as a person who despises scythes and also believes that the world he lives in is a utopia. However, as the story progresses he learns why scythes are necessary, but also realizes how he lives in a world where there is no meaning to anyone’s actions. On the other hand, Citra comprehends how to become more compassionate towards others, and similar to Rowan realizes the brokenness of SyctheDome.

The book’s allure extends to the philosophical questions posed on the reader. For instance, even though scythe Faraday terminates people to prevent overpopulation, he does it in a respectable manner and admits to Rowan and Citra that he abhors his job and what he does is a necessary evil. Therefore, the reader comes to the conclusion that all actions depend on the situation. On the other hand, scythe Goddard, a misguided blood thirsty scythe, purposefully prolongs the death of the citizens that he gleans, and he does so in the most gruesome way to quench his blood lust.

Whether one wants to read a book to pass time or think in a philosophical manner, Scythe is a must read for all readers. With its adventure, plot twists and insight into Rowan and Citra, one is certain to be spell bound by this book.