Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent sci-fi thriller finale plays masterful endgame.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the finale of the series is a deeply thought-provoking and brutal conclusion, though opinions on its quality vary significantly. While some praise its satisfying and emotional ending with complex themes, others find it confusing, overly lengthy, and lacking the engaging character focus of its predecessors.
- violent themes
- complex narrative
- emotional ending
- age appropriateness
- character focus
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Opening in the aftermath of the sinking on an entire island, THE TOLL finds in Greyson Tolliver in a unique position, able to converse with the god-like AI (artificial intelligence) known as Thunderhead when the rest of humanity is cut off from it. Having been captured by a cult-like religious group calling itself "the Tonists," he is reluctantly elevated as "The Toll," one of the two most powerful positions on the planet. Opposed to him is the megalomaniacal Goddard, who has his own agenda for humanity. Other characters from the earlier books take sides in the epic struggle, until the fate of humankind rests in one desperate gambit for freedom.
Is It Any Good?
Super-sized science fiction sagas can sometimes test the patience of readers, but this epically convoluted trilogy rewards readers who persevere until the breathtaking ending. In The Toll, favorite characters appear in new roles, and each chapter brings fresh complications. Author Neal Shusterman orchestrates the narrative's endgame with high levels of suspense and humor, bringing to a conclusion a saga whose captivating premise has been explored from every interesting angle. The Arc of a Scythe books will appeal to readers who relish moral conundrums but want plenty of action to accompany the mind-bending philosophy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Toll deals with the subject of death. Would life have any meaning if there was no such thing as death?
In The Toll, humanity made aborted attempts to establish outposts on Mars and the Moon. Should humankind assume that there are reachable planets that offer a second chance at not destroying themselves? How might society change its mind about climate change, for example, if people could live for centuries?
Is it possible to become desensitized to violence? Do violent games or movies have addictive qualities?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : November 5, 2019
- Number of pages : 627
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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