By: Samson Belihu

*Warning: this article contains spoilers

To help better understand this review, it is important to know that in this book, they don’t say “kill” they say “glean”. For example, “Today I have chosen to glean you.”

‘Scythe’ is about a city in the future that is an advanced civilization,
and there’s an AI that is called “The Thundercloud” that is able to solve any problems in the world.

It is so advanced that any form of illness or injury can, and will be, cured. The AI has also stopped global warming, and world hunger. Its influence is so great that governments aren’t needed in this society, and this leads to overpopulation.

We are introduced to a group of people called “Scythes”. Scythes have one job, and it’s to stop overpopulation by gleaning people. Scythes are immortal, they also have the power to change their age and faces so they are not recognizable. To balance the power the Scythes have there are 10 commandments they must also follow or their powers will be rebuked.

People that are Scythes become Scythes by being chosen by another Scythe. Once they are chosen they can’t refuse. If they do refuse, their whole family, including the chosen person, gets gleaned.

The book introduces us to two teens, our main characters Citra and Rowan who are chosen to be Scythes by Scythe Faraday. At first they wanted to refuse because that would mean gleaning people, but when they remembered the consequences they had no choice but to accept and be apprentices for the role of Scythe.

That’s when we’re told “There can only be one Scythe!” Both are hesitant at first, but once their lives are on the line, they are determined to win no matter what it takes. That’s when they both are split up and are chosen by other Scythes.

Rowan’s teacher is called “Scythe Goddard”. Whether he is the evil main villain or not is controversial. Some say he’s doing what he has to and some say he’s gleaning more than he has to just for fun.

Citra’s monitor is Scythe Curie, a teacher determined to not be corrupt despite the jobs they have.

In the end, who’s going to win? Will it be Rowan, or will it be Citra? The only way to find out is by reading the book.

In my opinion, I recommend reading this book. It has a lot of suspense and mystery. Overall, I would give ‘Scythe’ a 9.2/10.