In the world of Scythe, all forms of death have been eliminated and, to control the population, there are designated “Scythes”, who take the names of their Patron Historic (a famous person from the past that they are inspired by) that are experienced in “gleaning”, a word essentially meaning murder. Also in this world is the Thunderhead, a sentient and omniscient network of the world’s artificial intelligence. The story begins with two teenagers, Rowan and Citra, who are individually chosen by Scythe Faraday and leave their homes to learn the duties of a Scythe from him. After one year has passed, Scythe Faraday will choose one of the two apprentices to be ordained as a legitimate Scythe, leaving the other to their normal life. Soon, they begin their strict training regimen with all the necessary skills for a Scythe like martial arts, knowledge of poison, and knowledge of weapons. Not only that, Scythe Faraday insists on taking at least one of his proteges to each of his “gleanings”. Not long after Rowan and Citra’s first Conclave, (a meeting where other Scythes and other Scythe apprentices come together thrice a year) guards visit Scythe Faraday’s home and inform them that Scythe Faraday has “self-gleaned”, a word that means suicide. Citra is then sent to apprentice under the revered Scythe Curie while Rowan apprentices under Scythe Goddard, who loves nothing more than killing. Citra is eventually framed for the murder of Faraday and Rowan is forced to participate in even more elaborate “mass gleanings”. After a hail of events, Rowan and Citra attend the final Conclave where it is eventually announced that Citra has earned the Scythe position and that she is required to glean Rowan. However, she punches him in the face, registering his DNA and granting a full year of immunity. Rowan then fights his way out of the Conclave and the book ends with rumors of a vigilante burning all the corrupt Scythes (Fire is one of the few ways to completely destroy a body and thus render the person unable to be revived). I loved this book; it was insightful and full of questions about existence and ethics and a compelling read all the way through. Overall, Scythe is a wonderful book for those interested in exploring what it would be like in a future in which people are immortal and have to struggle to answer some of the most difficult questions about philosophy and existence every single day.
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