Scythe (novel)
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| Author | Neal Shusterman |
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| Cover artist | Kevin Tong |
| Language | English |
| Series | Arc of a Scythe |
| Genre | Science fiction, biopunk, adventure, dystopia, dystopian fiction |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | 2016 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback, paperback) |
| Pages | 443 |
| ISBN | 9781442472433 |
| Followed by | Thunderhead |
Scythe is a 2016 young adult novel by Neal Shusterman and is the first in the Arc of a Scythe series. It is set in the far future, where death, disease, and unhappiness have been virtually eliminated due to advances in technology, and a benevolent artificial intelligence known as the Thunderhead peacefully governs a united Earth. The notable exception to the Thunderhead's rule is the Scythedom, a group of humans whose sole purpose is to replicate mortal death in order to keep the population growth in check.
A feature-film adaptation is in the works.[1] Sera Gamble was writing the script.[2] However, the new draft is being written by Gary Dauberman.[3]
The book was an Honor Book for the Michael L. Printz Award in 2017 for teenage novels.[4]
Plot
[edit]In the year 2042, effective immortality is discovered, and advanced medical technology allows most injuries to be quickly repaired. These revolutionary technologies allowed humanity to triumph over death and ended what is posthumously referred to as the Mortal Age. Earth becomes united under a nigh-omnipotent artificial intelligence called the Thunderhead, carefully designed with perfect motives. Utilizing all of humanity's knowledge and power, the Thunderhead solves climate change, mental illness, and discrimination. It also decides that death is still required in order to give life meaning, but is unwilling to be the means of death, as it is unable and does not want to be viewed as a killer.
Instead, a group of humans creates the Scythedom, an order of individuals who are responsible for killing ("gleaning") others permanently, unable to be revived by law. Scythes are entirely separate from the Thunderhead's rule, not having to abide by any law beyond the Scythedom's.
270 years after the Mortal Age, teenagers Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch are informed by Scythe Faraday, that they have both been chosen to become his apprentices. They both live with Faraday as he trains them in various ways of killing. A few months later, Faraday takes his apprentices to the triennial regional conclave of Scythes, where Scythedom policies are discussed and various ceremonies are performed. At the conclave, Citra and Rowan are tested on knowledge. Citra is asked what her greatest wrongdoing was. Curie deems her to be lying. Rowan intentionally fails his question so that he remains with Citra.
Soon after the conclave, Citra and Rowan are informed that Faraday committed suicide in order to free them of their apprenticeship. However, this fails as Citra and Rowan are separated and taken on as other Scythes' apprentices. Citra is trained by Curie at Fallingwater, whilst Rowan is taken on by Scythe Goodard.
At the next conclave, the test requires Citra and Rowan to fight each other, and both fight with the intention of losing. Eventually, Rowan breaks Citra's neck violently. She is rushed out for revival and Rowan is disqualified. Once again they are tied for last.
Later, Citra is accused of murdering Faraday and she is hunted down, after which she temporarily kills herself. During her revival process, Curie brings her out of Chilargentine to Amazonia (formerly the top of South America) as a refugee. Citra discovers that Scythe Farraday is still alive and in hiding.
Meanwhile, Rowan's morals are put to the test as he experiences Goddard's extravagant lifestyle and harsh training. Goddard brings him on several mass gleanings, during which Rowan secretly helps people to escape. However, on one trip, during which Goddard takes Rowan to a cloister of a religious group of anti-Scythe cultists known as Tonists, Rowan kills Goddard and burns his body, preventing revival.
At the next conclave, the apprentices are given a final test. They must kill a family member. Although both Citra and Rowan pass, it is announced that Citra will become the newest Scythe. After choosing the name Anastasia, her first assignment is to glean Rowan. However, after she is given her Scythe's ring, she punches Rowan, transfering his blood to her Scythe's ring, granting him immunity for a year. He escapes the conclave and finds Faraday, whom Citra has waiting for him. They quickly drive away.
In the epilogue, Scythe Anastasia remarks on the recent stories of Scythe Lucifer, a rogue Scythe who hunts down corrupt and unworthy Scythes and permanently ends them. It appears that Rowan has become Scythe Lucifer. She states that she hopes that when they meet again, he will remember her as one of the good ones.
Characters
[edit]Main characters
[edit]- Scythe Michael Faraday - Honorable Scythe Faraday trains two apprentices, Citra and Rowan. He is well respected by the Old Guard and is the former lover of Scythe Curie.
- Rowan Damisch - One of the main Protagonists; trained by Scythe Faraday and later by Scythe Goddard as an apprentice. He becomes Scythe Lucifer, a vigilante gleaner of corrupt and 'unworthy' Scythes.
- Citra Terranova - Another one of the main Protagonists; trained by Scythe Faraday and later Scythe Curie as an apprentice. She becomes Scythe Anastasia, named after the Russian princess Anastasia Romanov.
- Scythe Marie Curie - aka The Grand Dame of Death, who tests the Apprentices at their first Conclave and later becomes Citra's mentor. The former lover of Scythe Faraday.
- Scythe Robert Goddard - A Scythe known for mass gleanings and an opulent lifestyle. He is charismatic but narcissistic, and the New Order's effective leader.
Secondary characters
[edit]- Scythe Volta - A Junior Scythe to Scythe Goddard. Secretly disgusted by the mass slaughters and his peers' behaviors, he self-gleans after guilt from genocidally killing Tonists and children.
- Scythe Chomsky - A Junior Scythe who works with Scythe Goddard who specializes in flamethrowers. Brainless and a fan of mass gleanings.
- Scythe Rand - Scythe who works with Scythe Goddard. Described as having pan-Asian features and a green robe. Extremely loyal to Goddard, she revels in death just as much as her mentor does.
- Esme - The secret daughter of High Blade Xenocrates, whom Goddard uses to control Xenocrates.
- High Blade Xenocrates - Holds the position of 'High Blade' of MidMerica. The father of Esme, who's used against him frequently, because Scythes by law are forbidden to have children.
- Tonists - Followers of a religious cult,[5] they dislike Scythes and welcome the idea of 'natural death'. Sound is sacred to them. Often targets of Scythe attacks and mockery. They are said to believe in a thing called the Tone and an event known as the Great Resonance. Curie despises them, and Goddard makes a point to commit genocide against them.
Reception
[edit]Scythe has received the following accolades:
- 2016: Booklist starred review[6]
- 2016: School Library Journal starred review [6]
- 2016: Publishers Weekly starred review [7]
- 2016: Kirkus Reviews' Best Books Of 2016 [8]
- 2017: Michael L. Printz Award[4]
- 2018: American Library Association (ALA) Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults[9]
- 2018: ALA Teen's Top Ten [10]
- 2018: International Dublin Literary Award Longlist [11]
- 2019: Barnes & Noble Young Adult Book Club Pick [12]
- 2021: Time The 100 Best YA Books of All Time[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Universal to Adapt Upcoming Neal Shusterman YA Series, Starting With 'Scythe' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
- ^ "Neal Shusterman's Twitter". Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Shustermania September 2020 Newsletter". Mailchi. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ a b "Scythe | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ Thaler, Engelbert (May 31, 2021). "Teaching Transhumanism". Narr Francke Attempto Verlag: 66.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b "Scythe by Neal Shusterman". FictionDB. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Scythe". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Scythe". Kirkus Reviews. July 26, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Scythe | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Teen's Top Ten | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. September 18, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Scythe – DUBLIN Literary Award". September 3, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ Barnes & Noble. "Scythe (Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Edition)". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "'Scythe' Is on TIME's List of the 100 Best YA Books". Time. August 11, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2023.