Tuesday 2 May 2017

Review: Scythe by Neil Shusterman


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Thou shalt kill.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.


I won a book of choice from Cassie over at Rants and Raves of a bibliophile and this is the book that I choose. Thank you so much, Cassie! <3
Why I loved this one:
  • The Writing - wow, the writing was amazing in this one. I don't know how to explain it except to say that it was intense and lyrical and just generally masterful. Whilst reading, I felt like I was being TOLD the story by an amazing storyteller. 10/10.

  • The story - the concept of this one sounded so good, so I was really worried that it wouldn't live up to it. But it totally did! The concept is executed beautifully, and the world is so well fleshed out. The Sci-fi aspects of the story also really reminded me of Illuminae, one of my favourite Sci-fi books. I feel like the whole story was really well planned and paced as well, at no point was I bored and I didn't see any of the plot twists coming.

  • The characters - Citra and Rowan were such incredible characters, strong, belivable and easy to epathise with in some ways. I also loved the side characters, such as Faraday and Curie. Even better than the hero.. the villans! They were just so evil, you couldn't help but hate them. 

  • The ending - one of my biggest issues with many titles is that I feel that they are poorly wrapped up. Not so with this won! I loved the wrapping-up of the story, and the way it leaves things open for the next book. I NEED IT. WHEN WILL IT BE HERE!?


 (side note: isn't this cover incredible? Seriously, it's even more beautiful in person. I can't wait to see what the next one looks like. I hope it matches! :-) )
ALSO THIS IS BECOMING A MOVIE.....WHATTTTTTTT!?



Quotes:
  • “Mortals fantasied that love was eternal and its loss unimaginable. Now we know neither is true. Love remained mortal, while we became eternal.” 


  • “Hope in the shadow of fear is the world's most powerful motivator.” 


  • "Human nature is both predictable and mysterious; prone to great and sudden advances, yet still mired in despicable self-interest.” 
Basssssicallly... this was my face after reading this one. I NEED more.




 





Have you guys read this one! If not, I hope I have convinced you! Let me know if I have! If so, please leave a comment so we can collectively fangirl ^-^

Love,





30 comments:

  1. Yes, this book took me by COMPLETE surprise! Shusterman's writing made this play out with a movie and he knew just how to provide just enough background to help me understand his world.

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  2. My daughter has told me I need to read this book, but I am so addicted to contemporaries. She gave it high praise. Great review!
    Sam @ WLABB

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    1. I love a good contemporary too, but this one so so so worth the read. <3

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  3. I really want to read this book. Everything about it sounds amazing. Hopefully, I can squeeze it in soon. Glad you enjoyed it. Great review!

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    1. Thanks so much Carole! I hope you really enjoy it when you read it :)

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  4. I wondered about this one when it came out then forgot all about it!!! I need it now :D

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  5. Omg I love your little graphics! And Scythe is soooo amazing -- I love it so much! And yes, that cover is great. The concept of the world and scythes really drew me in too! The characters, ending, and writing were definitely great -- basically, I agree with all of your thoughts. XD

    May @ Forever and Everly

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Seems like we always have similar taste in books - I can always count on your recommendations. :)

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  6. I still need to read this one and I think that it sounds like such an interesting concept. I am glad that you enjoyed it so much. I look forward to learning more about those incredible characters! :)

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  7. Ooh I'm so glad you loved this one! I have it to read and I'm kind of ashamed I haven't tried it yet. 😂 But I will soon! And I'm glad it's extremely well written. I think Neal Shusterman is pretty much an excellently magical storyteller. <3 I loved his Unwind book!

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    1. Ooh, you've made me so excited to read Unwind. Just bumped it up my TBR :)

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  8. Eeep, so glad you loved this book! I didn't get to finish it (hopefully I will soon) but I was really enjoying it before! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

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    1. Let me know your thoughts when you finish it! Would love to chat about it :)

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  9. wow how this one managed to fly under my radar!??? I had seen i around and for someone reason the cover didn't make it for me so I didn't even read the blurb! sounds so freaking good, Especially after your review! great writing and characters, totally "hateable" villains YEAH BABY! off to GR to add it :)

    by the way.. are we already GR friends? if not WE NEED TO BE! I can't find you GR icon anywhere.

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    1. I added you on GR! Excited to keep up with what you read :)

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  10. Lovely review! I haven't read this one yet but heard only good things about it so far. I really love the quotes you've included there as well...I think this means I need to add this to my TBR ahah :)

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    1. Aww, thanks Marie! I'd love to hear what you think when you read it! :)

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  11. Oh, I had no idea this was going to be a movie! I also didn't know that there was going to be any more books along this story line. I really wanted to read this a bit ago but it got thrown to the wayside to cry in solitude. I love the idea that immortality has forced this society into a very questionable moral place!! :D

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    1. It's so so good! You should totally read it when you get the chance!

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  12. This reminds me a lot of Michael Grant's Messenger of Fear series, which I've really enjoyed so far as well. I haven't read anything by Neil Shusterman as yet but this sounds like the perfect read to start with it. Brilliant review, really enjoyed it <3

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    1. I LOVED Michel Grant's Gone series when I first read it (although that was six years ago, I don't know what I would think of it now) and I can see the similarities.

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  13. Wow, this rounds really good. And I think it could make a great movie.
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. Agreed! I just really hope they do the book justice.

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  14. Oh, this book is on my TBR pile! I'm not sure about humanity conquering death, though.

    I do agree that the cover is GORGEOUS!

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  15. Have you read the Unwind Series? If not, you MUST! Shusterman is just a genius. Period.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I KNOW! I need need need to read it! I've just been shopping around for the best editions lol.

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