Members are tasked with “gleaning” humans with an eye toward population control.

In response to this, an elite group has developed, named the Scythedom. In addition, people killed accidentally can be brought back to life (except in the case of fire or explosion) As a result, the world population has exploded.

Every 50 years or so, people can “reset”, essentially rejuvenating their bodies back to the mid-20s. An all-powerful computer construct, named the Thunderhead oversees everyday life, providing everything needed in order to live a comfortable existence. The story is set a number of years in the future. The premise seemed interesting and I was willing to give it a try. I purchased this novel after noticing it in a book store. Things get complicated as they form an attachment and the Conclave has special plans for them.Neal Shusterman has created a new and intriguing world with new and intriguing moral dilemmas. He begins their training but inexplicably gleans himself which leaves the two apprentices to other scythes. Some are compassionate and try to make the process as easy as comfortable but some enjoy the job too well and become basic killers.Citra and Rowan are both taken as apprentices by one of the former types, Scythe Farad. After a person is gleaned, his/her family is granted immunity for a year. This job falls to the scythes, trained to kill in as many ways as there are. I should not have waited so long.Mankind no longer has to face death, however, they do need to be gleaned to keep the population at a manageable level. I have put off reading this book because I absolutely was blown away by the cover art since it first came out and felt like there was no way the story could be as impressive.

Scythe by neal shusterman