Review: Neal Shusterman’s ‘Arc of the Scythe’ trilogy redefines life, death, everything in between

From The Daily Beacon By Kacie Burns

https://www.utdailybeacon.com/arts_and_culture/reviews/review-neal-shusterman-s-arc-of-the-scythe-trilogy-redefines-life-death-everything-in-between/article_a0e3cbc9-eb89-4342-9d2c-54f430a02004.html

Since its debut, Neal Shusterman's “Arc of the Scythe” trilogy has been praised for its unique and haunting ideas of dystopia. As of November 2024, a television show of the series is in the works, resurging readers' interest in this world nine years after its original release.

This young adult series is set in the future, where death has been eliminated, disease has been cured and the cloud has evolved into an all-knowing AI named the Thunderhead. Humans have become immortal, capable of setting back their age to as young as 21, whenever and however many times they wish.

However, death is possible. The only way for people to die is by official execution, known as gleaning, from a scythe. Scythes are people tasked with the job of keeping the Earth’s population under control, and the story follows two 16-year-olds who are training to become scythes.

Book one, “Scythe,” introduces us to Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch, who are training under the renowned Scythe Faraday. This book excels at worldbuilding and provides an emotional arc that balances detachment from death, moral questions and classic teenager vulnerability.

Terranova and Damisch are thrown headfirst into the politics and corruption of the Scythedom. The plot twists and hidden secrets are extremely clever, making it hard to put down.

In book two, “Thunderhead,” everything changes. New characters are introduced, the Thunderhead’s inner monologue is explored and the world’s scope expands dramatically.

The Thunderhead, which was no more than a silent and unseen tool in book one, becomes a true character. It is forced to watch humanity crumble without the capability to intervene — the Thunderhead is not allowed to communicate with scythes.

This book explores powerlessness and hopelessness in a way that is unique to dystopian fiction.

Terranova and Damisch have now completed their apprenticeship, but the struggles have only just begun. They grow stronger, the stakes intensify and “Thunderhead” ends with a cliffhanger so bold and unthinkable that it will leave readers questioning everything.

The trilogy’s finale, “The Toll,” takes place three years after the ending of “Thunderhead,” and the world looks very different. Silence, lies and unchecked power are running rampant.

Characters introduced in “Thunderhead,” such as Greyson Tolliver, take on a much larger role in the third book, shifting the narrative from personal rebellion to societal reckoning.

The Thunderhead’s role evolves in “The Toll” into something almost divine — the mythology deepens and politics are messier than ever before. The ending to this series is nothing close to simple, but it is powerful and unexpected.

Some readers have complained that “The Toll” is paced much slower than the previous books, focusing heavily on philosophical questions. This ambitious writing choice is not for everyone, but it adds further depth to a world that has to redefine itself.

The “Arc of the Scythe” trilogy does not just tell a story — it asks readers important questions. What makes life valuable when death is not guaranteed? And what happens to humanity when it outgrows mortality? These themes are embedded in every page, not only entertaining readers but making way for ethical inquiry.

The character arcs are equally as compelling. Terranova transforms throughout the series into a beacon of hope and a moral force of nature. While Damisch descends into darkness, what is more important is how he finds his way back.

Romance in this series is not the central focus, but it does provide emotional grounding for readers. Terranova and Damisch’s relationship evolves through sacrifice and shared trauma while never overwhelming the narrative. It does, however, keep these characters anchored in their humanity when it is their job to kill.

By the end, “Arc of the Scythe” is more than your typical dystopian young adult series. It is a philosophical epic, a study of mortality, governance and the soul of humanity in a world that has conquered death but not consequence.

Rating: 4/5