Thunderhead

Gleanings: Arc of a Scythe

Everfound (3) (The Skinjacker Trilogy)

UnWholly: Unwind Dystology

The Schwa Was Here

Roxy

Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles

Neal Shusterman's Darkness Creeping: Tales to Trouble Your Sleep

A three-book dystopian series set in a world where death no longer occurs naturally, and Scythes must control the population by ending lives themselves.

Arc Of A Scythe

Scythe is a dystopian young adult novel by Neal Shusterman set in a future where humanity has conquered death through the advances of technology. The society is governed by the Thunderhead, an omnipotent AI that manages all aspects of life except for the taking of life, which is the responsibility of Scythes. Scythes are tasked with controlling population growth by selecting individuals to 'glean' or kill. The story follows two teenagers, Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch, who are chosen to be apprentice Scythes under the tutelage of the honorable Scythe Faraday. Throughout their apprenticeship, they learn about the heavy burden of responsibility that comes with the power to take life, and they grapple with moral and ethical dilemmas associated with their roles. As they navigate the politics and corruption within the Scythedom, Citra and Rowan find themselves at odds with a new order of Scythes who glean with less compassion and restraint. The book explores themes of mortality, justice, and power, and challenges the idea of a perfect, deathless world.

Identity

Scythe

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Thunderhead

Neal Shusterman, 2018

Gleanings: Arc of a Scythe

Neal Shusterman, 2022

Everfound (3) (The Skinjacker Trilogy)

Neal Shusterman, 2011

UnWholly: Unwind Dystology

Neal Shusterman, 2012

The Schwa Was Here

Neal Shusterman, 2004

Roxy

Jarrod Shusterman, Neal Shusterman, 2021

Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles

Neal Shusterman, 1995

Neal Shusterman's Darkness Creeping: Tales to Trouble Your Sleep

Neal Shusterman, Michael Coy, 1993