Scythe
Scythe is the first novel in the trilogy “Arc of a Scythe” written by Neal Shusterman. It is set in a distant future, where death by natural causes has been virtually eliminated thanks to advances in technology, and an advanced computer system known as the "Thunderhead" controls society. The Thunderhead is a form of artificial intelligence, originated from the cloud that does not make mistakes or have regrets. The Scythedom is an organization separate from the Thunderhead, controlled by humans, and tasked with “gleaning” (killing) others, as overpopulation has remained a problem. The novel follows two teenagers, Citra Terranova, and Rowan Damisch, who undergo training as they are recruited into the Scythedom by Scythe Faraday. But things change with the death of Faraday and a story about corruption in this perfect-looking world begins…
I chose this book because it deals with topics that I find remarkably interesting. This also includes the idea of the future. How will mankind develop? What will happen? The ideas that Shusterman has processed in his book are fascinating and his idea that in the future, not technology is evil, but humans are is refreshing and captivating.
The book was recommended to me by a friend and I would like to recommend it to others. However, this book is not for people who cannot deal with the subject of death and murder, as every now and then “gleanings” and suicides (even though they don’t really die in this case) are also described. But I think this book can captivate everyone who gets engaged in it and I hope that I could at least get a few people interested in it. It’s worth it ! ?
Nikola Fritsche
