Young Adult Fiction Annotation- Scythe

Author: Neal Shusterman

Title:  Scythe

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Publication Date: November 22, 2016

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Number of Pages: 435

ISBN13: 9781442472426

Geographical Setting/ Time Period: A futuristic, post mortality world

Series: Arc of a Scythe #1

Subject Headings: Death and dying, Science fiction, Action and adventure, Social issues, Utopian fiction

Plot Summary:

Imagine a world with no hunger, no disease, war, murder, or misery. A world where humanity has conquered all its obstacles including death. If rendered deadish, you are revived within days, and at any point, you can rewind your age to whatever you wish. But with no death comes over-population, and to control this, this new world has implemented an elite society of scythes; those select few tasked with ending a quota amount of lives each year to control the population.

To help control this new system, a central artificial intelligence, called the Thunderhead, is the possessor of all human knowledge and history. Each human can interact with this system, except Scythes with the separation of Scythe and State ruling.

The novel follows the lives of Citra and Rowan, two teenagers chosen to apprentice under an old Scythe. Trouble ensues when the corruption and power tactics of the profession becomes known as Citra and Rowan must master how to take life.

Appeal:

Tone/Mood: Contemplative, Speculative, Commanding

Diction: Beautifully crafted, each word can be savored. Shusterman really wants to make you think about the heavy themes of this novel.

Storyline: Shusterman is no stranger to mind-bending themes and intricate world building. Scythe is no exception; the story line is crafted in a way that glides readers through heavy themes. Something inert compels you forward, makes you want to keep reading.

Characterization: The two main characters challenge and complement each other extremely well, making this a fantastic read.  Rowan is a teenager that skims through life with minimal effort until the Scythe chooses him. Even his own parents often overlook him, but he feels every emotion very deeply. Citra is high strung, with a strong desire to overachieve and prove herself the best; she does not hesitate to question all those around her.

Pacing: Something inert compels you forward, makes you want to keep reading. Shusterman is the master of constructing his story and words in a way that you just cannot stop reading. Very fast-paced.

Writing Style: Articulate, Eloquent, Stylistic

Young Adult Fiction Characteristics:

·         Coming of age story

·         Young narrator, first person narration

·         Fast-paced

·         Growing up

·         First loves

Read-a-likes/ Similar Authors:

·         The Diabolic (The Diabolic #1) by S.J. Kincaid

·         Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman

·         Honor Among Thieves (The Honors #1) by Rachel Caine