Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 96 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an engaging and thought-provoking read that explores dark themes of mortality and violence, making it suitable for mature readers, generally ages 10 and up, though many suggest 12 or 13+ for full comprehension of its philosophical ideas. While it contains significant violence through the concept of "gleaning," the gore is often not graphic, and the book emphasizes moral messages about the necessity of death and the implications of taking lives rather than glorifying violence.
- philosophical themes
- maturity required
- graphic violence moderation
- moral messages
- engaging storytelling
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As SCYTHE opens, Rowan and Citra have no intention of becoming scythes, favored officials who rule on matters of life and death in a future where disease has been vanquished and death can be easily thwarted. But when they both become students of Scythe Farraday, they begin to question the meaning of life and death. And when they're pitted against each other, they will have to face the possibility of personal extermination, even as they struggle against the machinations of a corrupt band of renegade scythes.
Is It Any Good?
A fresh, rich central conceit is often the first step toward a superior science fiction saga, and this new novel has a winner of a premise. Readers of Scythe will be with Rowan and Citra every step of the way as they prepare for their duties as dealers of death. Author Neal Shusterman tackles big themes but keeps the action running high, with plenty of twists, reversals, and unexpected secrets. This volume delivers a satisfying reading experience, but it also leaves plenty of room for an exciting follow-up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Scythe portrays a world where death is an infrequent occurrence. How would near immortality change civilization? Would human nature change at all?
How is violence used in Scythe? Is it only used for evil? Do people ever welcome death?
What would it be like to have the power of life and death over someone?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : November 22, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 435
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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