Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Based on 9 parent reviews
Intense Violence, Clever Writing, Fantastic Concepts
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Great Message...just have to read to the end.
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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: Neal Shusterman
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, 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, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 23, 2018
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