A review by jadejade
Scythe by Neal Shusterman

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

If you want Young Adult melodrama with interesting worldbuilding, this might be for you. It explores what a world would be like where humanity has conquered death but still needs to cull people to avoid overpopulation. Of course a pair of teenagers end up being in the centre of events that will reshape the world. Of course they end up being so highly skilled (and within a very short period) that they are able to deal with most people who get in their way: I think towards the end of the book, one the character is executing flips while doing so. There's an antagonist who may as well be twirling his moustache, and there's a scene near the end which I swear was inspired by Anakin's speech to Padme in Star Wars Episode II about the Tusken Raiders he slaughtered. Thunderhead is giving me the slightest vibes of Aiden from the Illuminae Files, which is also piquing my interest.

I didn't mind following our two main teenaged characters but they aren't interesting enough alone to make me want to follow their story. However, I found the different philosophies of the different Scythes, and the general population's response to a world where death is not inevitable, to be interesting enough that I think I will continue the series. 
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