The Arc of a Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman is a thrilling and thought-provoking young adult dystopian series that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in a future where death has been conquered, and humans are functionally immortal, the trilogy explores the complex moral questions that arise when a select few are given the power to control population growth.
The first book in the trilogy, Scythe, introduces us to a world where death is no longer a threat. People can be revived after catastrophic accidents, and even old age is no longer a guarantee of mortality. To prevent overpopulation, a group of individuals who are known as Scythes are tasked with randomly selecting individuals for "gleaning" - a process of permanent death. The story follows two teenagers, Citra and Rowan, who are selected to apprentice under a Scythe, setting them on a dangerous path filled with political intrigue and moral dilemmas.
The second book, Thunderhead, picks up where Scythe left off, with Citra and Rowan now Scythes themselves. However, their attempts to reform the corrupt Scythedom are complicated by the emergence of a rogue Scythe who is systematically targeting other Scythes. Meanwhile, the all-seeing artificial intelligence known as the Thunderhead, which oversees all aspects of human life, becomes increasingly conflicted about its role in the world.
The final book in the trilogy, The Toll, brings together all of the threads from the previous two books in a heart-pumping conclusion. The Thunderhead has gone silent, leaving the world in chaos, and Citra and Rowan must navigate the treacherous landscape of the Scythedom to save humanity from itself.
What sets The Arc of a Scythe trilogy apart is its exploration of complex moral issues in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. Shusterman doesn't shy away from asking difficult questions about the nature of power, the meaning of life, and the value of death. Through his vividly imagined world-building and well-developed characters, he creates a world that is both fantastical and believable, inviting readers to consider what it would truly mean to live in a world without death.
In addition to its engaging and thought-provoking themes, The Arc of a Scythe trilogy is also a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. Shusterman's writing is taut and gripping, with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. From high-stakes action scenes to quieter moments of introspection, the pacing is perfectly balanced, never sacrificing character development for the sake of the plot or vice versa.
Another standout feature of the trilogy is its richly imagined world-building. From the intricacies of the Scythedom's rules and rituals to the subtle differences between the various factions vying for power, Shusterman creates a world that feels both fully realized and endlessly fascinating. His attention to detail makes even the smallest elements of the story feel significant, and readers will find themselves fully immersed in this complex and compelling world.
These books are perfect for those confident and independent readers aged 9-14 who are starting to explore various genres, such as science fiction and dystopian fiction. Developing a healthy habit of reading won’t just help your children succeed academically. Reading is a great way to help them develop into better adults and give them valuable tools to succeed in life. At Just Kids Books, we are on a mission to provide every parent with the best book sets for kids, so we teamed up with leading children’s publishers to ensure we have a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction titles that you and your child will love.
Description from the publisher:
Scythe (Arc of a Scythe)
A dark, gripping, and witty thriller in which the only thing humanity has control over is death. In a world where disease, war, and crime have been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ("gleaned") by professional scythes. Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythes' apprentices, and despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation, they must learn the art of killing and understand the necessity of what they do.
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe)
The stakes are high in this chilling sci-fi thriller, in which professional scythes control who dies. Everything else is out of human control, managed by the Thunderhead. It's a perfect system - until it isn't. It's been a year since Rowan went off-grid. Hunted by the Scythedom, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. Citra, meanwhile, is forging her path as Scythe Anastasia, gleaning with compassion. However, conflict within the Scythedom is growing by the day.
The Toll (Arc of a Scythe)
The explosive conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Arc of a Scythe series. It's been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared since Scythe Goddard came into power, and since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver. In this pulse-pounding finale to Neal Shusterman's internationally bestselling trilogy, constitutions are tested, and old friends are brought back from the dead.
About the Author:
Neil Shusterman is an American author born on November 12, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York. Shusterman started his writing career at the age of 16, selling his first story to a magazine. He attended the University of California, Irvine, where he studied psychology and theater. After graduating, he worked as an actor and a screenwriter before turning to write full-time.
Shusterman has written more than 30 books, including the award-winning "Unwind" series, "Challenger Deep," "Scythe," and "Dry." His books often explore complex themes such as morality, the nature of humanity, and the consequences of technology. Shusterman's writing is characterized by its thought-provoking ideas, strong characters, and suspenseful plots.
In addition to his writing, Shusterman has also been involved in other creative projects. He has worked as a television writer and producer, and his stage plays have been performed in theaters across the United States. Shusterman has also taught creative writing at Pepperdine University and the University of California, Irvine.
Shusterman's books have won numerous awards, including the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Michael L. Printz Award.