Scythe

by Neal Shusterman
Scythe cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99 Hardback • £14.99
Bookshop
Format • £8.54–£14.24
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1455
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781442472433
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2017-11-28
  • Formats: 30
  • Reviews: 4

Scythe is the first book in a chilling new series by the author of the New York Times-bestselling Unwind dystology. Set in a future where humanity has conquered death, the story follows two teens who are apprenticed to become Scythes, the only ones permitted to kill. This Printz Honor-winning book explores themes of morality, power, and the consequences of immortality. The novel is praised for its thought-provoking narrative and compelling characters, making it a standout in the dystopian genre.

Reviews
Fully Booked · Angela · 2023-01-29
thought-provoking 4.50

Scythe is praised as a great dystopian novel that challenges ideas about justice in an imperfect world. The writing is commended for its quality and depth.

Angela finds Scythe to be a great dystopian novel that effectively challenges our ideas about justice in a world that is perfectly imperfect. She highlights the well-written nature of the book, which explores complex themes and moral dilemmas. The reviewer appreciates the depth and thought-provoking nature of the story, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Scythe is a great dystopian novel that challenges our ideas about justice in a perfectly imperfect world.

    It is a well-written book with ...

    The reviewer appreciates the depth and thought-provoking nature of the story.

Amy Rosenfeldt · Amy · 2021-09-24
profound 5.00

The book is praised for its deep exploration of the human condition through the lens of death. It's considered a perfect score for its profound themes.

Amy Rosenfeldt highly recommends this book, giving it a perfect score of 5/5. They believe nothing explores the human condition better than this book's treatment of death. The themes are profound and thought-provoking, making it a standout read. Amy's enthusiasm for the book is evident, highlighting its unique perspective and deep impact.

Quick quotes

    Nothing better explores the human condition than death.

    Scythe gets a score of 5/5.

    The themes are profound and thought-provoking.

Elitist Book Reviews · Vanessa · 2019-04-16
compelling 4.00

The book is recommended for its engaging plot and well-developed characters, despite some disturbing and bloody scenes. The reviewer finds it suitable for older teens due to its content.

Vanessa recommends Scythe for its engaging plot and well-developed characters, making it a compelling read. She notes that the book contains lots of death and disturbing scenes, which might not be suitable for younger readers. However, she appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot, making it a worthwhile read for older teens.

Quick quotes

    Recommended Age: 14+

    Lots of death, and while it can be disturbing and bloody, it's not ...

    The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot.

Goodreads · 2016-11-22
engaging 4.00

The world-building and plot are highlighted as standout elements, despite some reviews claiming the story is boring. The reviewer found the book engaging and unique.

This reviewer absolutely loves the world and plot of Scythe, which they consider the best parts of the book. They acknowledge that some reviews claim the story is boring, but they found it to be quite the opposite. The immersive world-building and compelling plot kept them hooked. The reviewer appreciates the unique concepts and moral dilemmas presented, making it a standout read in their opinion.

Quick quotes

    The world and the plot of Scythe are my absolute favorite parts of the book.

    I've seen many reviews claiming the story is boring, and while I ...

    The immersive world-building and compelling plot kept them hooked.

Appears in Lists