Scythe

I first read this novel in 2018 before the 3rd book had been released, “I really like this concept of a utopian future. The characters are easy to love and hate and to connect with. The conflict and political intrigue are realistic in this fantasy world. I can't wait for the 3rd book.”

I’ve thought about this story several times since then, and the concepts are still compelling. The idea that humanity overcomes natural death and has to create artificial administrators who work outside standard governing influences is the crux of the story and its political intrigue, but with this read I picked up more on those just living… endlessly.

It’s not the focus of the story, but Shusterman does touch on how life might be without the consideration of death. I think it would create a new paradigm for the living, new stages of life. The youthful stage being filled with risk and partying, a life without consequence. Then a stage of education, where the living try “to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,” and then a stage of resignation, those that Scythe Curie looks for. I guess these stages aren’t much different than our current situation, but without aging the last stage would look a lot different.

I must have bypassed Scythe when it came out, because I'd become a bit phased by young adult dystopia, but then I saw Hanna @ Booking in Heels loved it. She's a tough critic. Turns out it's set in a utopia and has plenty to say about human existence.

Nature deemed that to be born was an automatic sentence to death, and then brought about that death with vicious consistency.

In the distant future all illnesses have been cured and humans can live forever. Even if involved in an accident, the deadish can be revived. This is all overseen by a vast artificial intelligence; the Thunderhead. Whilst the Thunderhead provides well for the larger population, there is still a small need for population control. That's where the Scythes come in.

The Scythes have quotas, they must each take the lives of a predetermined number of people a year. It's not called killing, it's gleaning and gleaning is permanent. Their selection criteria and methods of gleaning are left up to each Scythe, but they are reprimanded for bias or cruelty. In this world where death is a rarity the Scythes are both revered and feared. They live by ten commandments, the first being "thou shalt kill".

There is so much world-building, the plot is almost secondary, and I loved it. The story is interspersed by the journals of the older Scythes, some of who are hundreds of years old. They philosophise over what they do, how they do it, are there better methods. The history of the world is well laid out in these segments.

Being a Scythe is an honour, but the position should only be bestowed on those why don't really want it. They should be compassionate and live humble lives. There is a new faction forming, one who think Scythes should revel in their power, kill how they choose and take advantage of their privilege. It's a classic story of how power corrupts.

There is a young adult plot in amongst this. Citra and and Rowan are two teenagers who are selected to be apprenticed to Scythe Faraday. Taking two apprentices is highly unorthodox and only one of them will be selected should they pass the tests. It's not romantic and, through various calamities, I liked the way it played out. I was worried about the pitting themselves against each other angle, but in the end it allowed all sides of the Sythedom to be revealed.

The Scythes all take names from illuminaries from history. I think if you know of the historical figures, you can tell a little bit about each Scythe, those known for weapons research for instance, might just be the power-hungry kind or seek destruction.

Humans do strive for technological and health advancement, but do we ever stop to think what will happen if we reach such goals. Do we really want to live forever?

Rowan and Cyn(?) are 2 teenagers in a future world where the advancements in medicine have made it possible to have a long, long, life. The Thunderhead, an omniscient AI that rules the world in a seemingly benign way, is at the center of society and it has not gone HAL. However, due to limited resources but unrestricted breeding the earth cannot support the human population. Therefore, certain humans are tasked with culling the population. This feared and revered class of assassins has glamour, power and all those sensational qualities that frequently appeal to teen readers. The political intrigue of the Scythes coupled with surprise plot twists and deaths make for a suspensful and exciting read.

The Scythe has everything one wants in YA dystopia, and it also raises interesting questions about the role of mortality in shaping human consciousness. It would also be a good classroom read for 8th-10th grade.

It has nothing racy in it either, so it is appropriate for both Middle School.