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olatzm's review against another edition
3.0
Its a 3.5
I really enjoyed the premise of a world were everybody is immortal and Sythes have the duty to kill people to keep the balance. It is a very original idea and it was very well developed. It shows you the rules of the world and the bureaucracy really well. Nevertheless, it felt a little slow at times. The characters were a bit flat for me. Two teenagers who are training. We have seen this plenty if times, I wish Shutterman would have good deeper with his main protagonists because I never really got to care about them. Nevertheless I must admit that I didn't see any of the plotwist coming. I think this is a nice YA novel for people who is not use to read and they want an original story.
I really enjoyed the premise of a world were everybody is immortal and Sythes have the duty to kill people to keep the balance. It is a very original idea and it was very well developed. It shows you the rules of the world and the bureaucracy really well. Nevertheless, it felt a little slow at times. The characters were a bit flat for me. Two teenagers who are training. We have seen this plenty if times, I wish Shutterman would have good deeper with his main protagonists because I never really got to care about them. Nevertheless I must admit that I didn't see any of the plotwist coming. I think this is a nice YA novel for people who is not use to read and they want an original story.
charlotte_lyla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ali_20's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
petra_bpm's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 | The plot is reeling and so am I.
”But to be a scythe means you are a scythe every hour of every day. It defines you to the core of your being, and only in dreams is one free of the yoke.
Yet even in dreams I often find myself gleaning…”
P L O T
Despite being YA Fantasy, this book was very thought-provoking. The ideas it explored and conflicting philosophies of the many interesting characters was fascinating. So many perspectives were powerfully portrayed to make a post-mortal world look very human indeed.
The world building gave so much opportunity to explore these varying levels of humanity and how they can manifest. You’d think a world where no one can really die would be dull and low-stakes, and I had that thought too when I started, but the rules of this magic system proved me very wrong very, very quickly.
Following a somewhat sedate introduction, the plot progressed at breakneck speeds, effectively communicating the whirlwind that followed Citra’s and Rowan’s time with Faraday. There was not a dull moment to be had in this book, every plot point punctuated by twist after twist.
C H A R A C T E R S
”She was the product of a corrupt system, and because of that, was denied her very life — as I almost was. …
I vow to become the change that might have been.”
CITRA WHAT THE FUCK—
For a large part of the book I admit I wasn’t that interested in her. I predicted this would be yet another YA series in which the female lead is overshadowed by the male lead, but I was once again sorely mistaken. What a strong-willed, clever, inspiring lead lady. I cannot wait to see how she will wield that miraculous mind of hers in the coming books.
”And while part of him felt like falling to his knees and hurling up breakfast, another part of him wanted to howl to the moon like a wolf.”
While Citra inspires free-will and justice, Rowan inspires in me apprehension and absolute giddiness.
Rowan interested me from the get go; the blank slate, apathetic boy he was at the beginning had so much room to grow. He was lovable; his subtle but mocking snark oddly reminded me of Percy Jackson and it made me biased towards him early on, and yet beyond that there was his evolution into something much, much more than a sarcastic little boy. The character potential feels limitless with Rowan.
”I am your completion!” intoned Goddard. “I am your deliverance! I am your portal to the mysteries beyond this life!”
Blades and bullets and flames.”
Goddard’s selling point is that he is vain, he is backwater, he has a god complex—however, he is also very human and, as Rowan admits, there is logic to a lot of his fucked up ideals. A lot of what he preaches isn’t unjustified. It’s scary to think about.
Curie and Faraday were a strong contrast to Goddard, diversifying the spectrum of humanity even more. I look fondly on their interesting past histories and also forward to their future contributions to the series.
I loved that every last character of significance served a purpose. Not one named individual didn’t contribute to the plot or another character: from Volta to Esme and even to Scythe Emerson.
R E L A T I O N S H I P S
One thing I’ve heard often, even from those that enjoy the series a lot, is that the romance between Citra and Rowan is stale and unnecessary. So far, in my opinion, it’s not so bad. I don’t actively dislike it, but it could easily be replaced with a childhood friendship and would probably be more meaningful that way. Their loyalty to one another would make more sense, but also I suppose a lot of their allegiance stems from shared ideals against a basically ubiquitous enemy. My stance now is that the romance could be much better, but it could be much worse.
The other relationships are very interesting, and there were many surprising ones that came to light. A lot of the fun of this book came from some shocking interactions!
… …
Rowan’s and Citra’s Scythe Historic names are SO BLOODY COOL.
”But to be a scythe means you are a scythe every hour of every day. It defines you to the core of your being, and only in dreams is one free of the yoke.
Yet even in dreams I often find myself gleaning…”
P L O T
Despite being YA Fantasy, this book was very thought-provoking. The ideas it explored and conflicting philosophies of the many interesting characters was fascinating. So many perspectives were powerfully portrayed to make a post-mortal world look very human indeed.
The world building gave so much opportunity to explore these varying levels of humanity and how they can manifest. You’d think a world where no one can really die would be dull and low-stakes, and I had that thought too when I started, but the rules of this magic system proved me very wrong very, very quickly.
Following a somewhat sedate introduction, the plot progressed at breakneck speeds, effectively communicating the whirlwind that followed Citra’s and Rowan’s time with Faraday. There was not a dull moment to be had in this book, every plot point punctuated by twist after twist.
C H A R A C T E R S
”She was the product of a corrupt system, and because of that, was denied her very life — as I almost was. …
I vow to become the change that might have been.”
CITRA WHAT THE FUCK—
For a large part of the book I admit I wasn’t that interested in her. I predicted this would be yet another YA series in which the female lead is overshadowed by the male lead, but I was once again sorely mistaken. What a strong-willed, clever, inspiring lead lady. I cannot wait to see how she will wield that miraculous mind of hers in the coming books.
”And while part of him felt like falling to his knees and hurling up breakfast, another part of him wanted to howl to the moon like a wolf.”
While Citra inspires free-will and justice, Rowan inspires in me apprehension and absolute giddiness.
Rowan interested me from the get go; the blank slate, apathetic boy he was at the beginning had so much room to grow. He was lovable; his subtle but mocking snark oddly reminded me of Percy Jackson and it made me biased towards him early on, and yet beyond that there was his evolution into something much, much more than a sarcastic little boy. The character potential feels limitless with Rowan.
”I am your completion!” intoned Goddard. “I am your deliverance! I am your portal to the mysteries beyond this life!”
Blades and bullets and flames.”
Goddard’s selling point is that he is vain, he is backwater, he has a god complex—however, he is also very human and, as Rowan admits, there is logic to a lot of his fucked up ideals. A lot of what he preaches isn’t unjustified. It’s scary to think about.
Curie and Faraday were a strong contrast to Goddard, diversifying the spectrum of humanity even more. I look fondly on their interesting past histories and also forward to their future contributions to the series.
I loved that every last character of significance served a purpose. Not one named individual didn’t contribute to the plot or another character: from Volta to Esme and even to Scythe Emerson.
R E L A T I O N S H I P S
One thing I’ve heard often, even from those that enjoy the series a lot, is that the romance between Citra and Rowan is stale and unnecessary. So far, in my opinion, it’s not so bad. I don’t actively dislike it, but it could easily be replaced with a childhood friendship and would probably be more meaningful that way. Their loyalty to one another would make more sense, but also I suppose a lot of their allegiance stems from shared ideals against a basically ubiquitous enemy. My stance now is that the romance could be much better, but it could be much worse.
The other relationships are very interesting, and there were many surprising ones that came to light. A lot of the fun of this book came from some shocking interactions!
… …
Rowan’s and Citra’s Scythe Historic names are SO BLOODY COOL.
tylerdillon98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
traveldanie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
stephanie6519's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dallas_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating take on the future of our world ~ Grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept me from sleeping to finish it! Now onto #2
eliguevara's review against another edition
5.0
THIS IS EASILY ONE OF MY NEW FAVE BOOKS EVER the love for dystopian novels that started in middle school with books like Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, Handmaid’s Tale etc etc etc has been rejuvenated by this book, I was SCREAMING the entire time the plot was so good it just kept going and going and going I actually had audible reactions multiple times!!!! The discussions around morals/ethics/politics/religion etc you could have within and around this book are unending the topics it’s tackles is just WOW love that this is a YA novel bc it is so THOUGHT PROVOKING and we need that!!!!! I need people to read this so we can discuss AND I need the next book ASAP I am just wowowowowow