Parents' Guide to

Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.

Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 9 parent reviews

age 13+

Intense Violence, Clever Writing, Fantastic Concepts

This book is a fantastic book with a well-developed world and great story telling. Readers will think deeply about mortality, AI systems, and ethical issues. There is A LOT of violence in this book, with many mass killings. Weapons include flamethrowers, axes, knives, poison pills, and others. Characters are forced into situations where they must kill. One character breaks another's neck. There's little swearing and sexual content.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
Too much violence
3 people found this helpful.
age 14+

Great Message...just have to read to the end.

I disagree that this book tells children that killing is ok. Those in the book that took lives in violent ways were the bad guys, and that is very clear. Yes, the book is about the necessity of death. It's not wrong. We need death to survive on this planet and it happens naturally. In this novel, death has been conquered, so overpopulation is a problem. The reputable Scythes take great care in selecting who will die, while making sure not to target any one gender, race or age group. The two main characters struggle throughout this novel with the morality of being a Scythe. This book offers a lot of good talking points for adults with kids. I believe a great deal of learning can occur through the reading and discussion of this novel. If you allow your child to read it, please make sure you discuss it with them.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
3 people found this helpful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (75):

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.

Book Details

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