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.