Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

Last week, I was gifted 2 paperback copies of Scythe for my classroom. I’m a book pusher; as soon as I get new books, I find a kid to read them and pass off that book like a hot potato. When a third student asked me for a copy, I told him I’d try to get one over the weekend. On the same day, a colleague told me that I NEEDED to read Scythe; she finished it in one day over the past weekend. So, on Friday, my daughter and I headed out to the local used bookstore to find a copy.

I wanted it right away, so I bought the only copy they had (it was about $12 new). It’s around $9 on Amazon, and a used copy is $7 on eBay. I didn’t even mind overpaying for Scythe; that’s how much I loved this book.

It’s been a long time since I read a YA dystopian I really loved. Consider that dry spell broken. Scythe was thought-provoking and engaging in a way that I didn’t realize I missed. Normally I read purely for selfish fun, not to better myself or learn something. Scythe made me do both.

I expected the story to be dark and heavy, due to the themes of death and AI-as-a-god. The characters keep it real, though. I loved the way older “mentors” interacted with the young apprentices. The humanity seemed more real than ever, despite the fact that the characters would never die a natural death.

Schusterman managed to unleash a tremendous plot without profanity or sex scenes. There is a lot of violence, but it’s not gory or overly descriptive. It’s a book for kids and adults who like to think.

I’d like to listen to this series on audiobook, but instead I purchased print copies so that I can put them in my classroom. Thunderhead is on order and should be here by Monday!