Thou shalt kill.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
Just the other day I was talking over at my
bookstagram about how I haven't read many dystopian books lately and then this brilliant book comes along and absolutely
FLOORS ME.
Scythe is set in a
dystopian world which depending on how you look at it, could also be considered an utopia. A world where everyone can have
all the knowledge they ever wanted; a world
free of disease, hunger and above all
death. This is the world where if you get too old, you can reset back to a younger age and live again; if you die, you can simply be taken to a revival center and brought back as good as new.
But death can't be done away with. In a planet with limited resources, there has to be balance and the balance is kept by the
Scythes. Scythes who are above every law except the 10 laws of the Scythedom.
Scythes who can choose who dies and who lives; making the Scythedom the perfect place for the rot of corruption to grow at.
“The sanctity of the law...and the wisdom to know when it must be broken.”
REASONS WHY YOU OUGHT TO READ THIS MASTERPIECE (
Yes of course I made a list. Lists are awesome)-
↠ The premise is so awesome? I mean it literally makes you question if this is a dystopia or an utopia and I'm here for
morally grey worlds with characters who are constantly being made to choose between doing what's needed and what's morally right.
↠ I liked the little worldbuilding details like how Scythes, once ordained had to change their name to their chosen Patron Historic's name? So basically we have Scythes walking around with names like Marie Curie and Mandela and this has made me think which Historic I'd want to be named after. (
No I haven't decided yet so don't ask. But if you have decided, do tell me! I wants to know)
↠ The plot is all full of scheming Scythes,
death (
obviously),
secrets and an almost
all-powerful AI called the Thunderhead. I really hoped to see more of the AI though? I have a thing for AIs since Illuminae 'cause they're so complex and make things so very interesting. So I really missed not having the AI around more
BUT THEN I saw book two is literally named after the AI so just
REALLY EXCITED.
“I've found that human beings learn from their misdeeds just as often as from their good deeds. I am envious of that, for I am incapable of misdeeds. Were I not, then my growth would be exponential.”
↠ The characters are interesting and I really related with Citra's need to just be good at something even when she doesn't want to? Like hey girl, I get that ambitious "
have to be good at all I do" streak! But Rowan is the more complicated character I think. He is someone who prefers to stay the "lettuce" as he puts it; someone mediocre, who wouldn't attract any attention but then he's thrust in the middle of it all only to realize he's actually good at things but he also just wants to be the "lettuce"?
Seriously someone give Rowan a hug!
↠ And all those twists ahhhh I really liked them? Like some made me go all "nonono" but I was still glad for them 'cause let's face it I like murderous drama *
shrugs*. Also just want to say that Citra is a genius. No context.
“But remember that good intentions pave many roads. Not all of them lead to hell.”
↠ Also the diary entries! They're scattered all over the book between chapters and gave a clearer picture of the world it's all set in and also really made me think? I really like books that make me have moral arguments with myself.
“My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.”
Basically probably the best futuristic dystopian I've read so far. Will probably read Thunderhead by the end of the month although I'm pretty sure that would end in a cliffhanger and leave me screaming but oh well. (for the record, I haven't read book two yet because we all know how I procrastinate when it comes to sequels.)
***
Have you read this book? Any favourite dystopian books? Tell me in the comments below!
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