"An action packed, edge of your seat, don't want to put it down because you just have to find out what happens, sequel that will keep you riveted." 5 Stars
Pros: The same characters from the first novel so there aren't many new people to remember/Shusterman's artful craftsman with intertwining plot twists and turns
Cons: Scythe Anastasia (Citra's) ability to always say the right thing at the right time comes off as arrogant and self-assured, which can be a little grating at times, other than that, the book was great.
Full Review:
Almost a year has passed since Citra was ordained as Honorable Scythe Anastasia and Rowan escaped gleaning by her good timing and a clever scheme cooked up by Faraday, Curie et al.
As the months have passed, Citra has continued to train under Scythe Curie and they've developed a Mother/Daughter tenderness towards one another. Their gleaning methods are different and yet they are effective. Citra chooses to give her gleaning targets one month to get their affairs in order and once the time runs out they will meet again and choose the method of their gleaning. Citra's way is unorthodox and has caused some uproar at Conclave but it pales in comparison to some.
Such as Rowan who has taken it upon himself to act as judge/jury and executioner, literally of those Scythes he deems as unfit in their role. His training under Goddard left its mark and now having donned the name of Scythe Lucifer, he's doing everything he can to make sure that maniacs like Goddard who enjoyed the act of killing are taken care of permanently. He claims that he chose the name because it means "the bringer of light" and he's trying to enlighten the world but when seen from every angle his actions certain seem devilish as well.
Meanwhile the character of the Thunderhead, the omniscient AI that in essence, runs the world, is shown as an actual character. The reader is given insight into his logic and reasons and it's an interesting plot development and one with a great amount of potential. It's obvious through certain events that the Thunderhead knows he must act in the interest of certain Scythes, though it can never do so directly as it would be a violation of the separation of Scythe and State. And as the plot grows and certain secrets are uncovered, the Thunderhead begins to question itself, its knowledge, its betrayal by the first Scythes. It starts to waver between a sympathetic character who just wants to help humanity be all that it can be, to an angry, wrathful, all knowing, always watching presence and it's truly disturbing. You never quite know how to feel about Thunderhead but he does set things in motion that are extremely important. Such as his intervention into life of a mild mannered teenager whose dream has always been to serve the Thunderhead, who has been the one constant presence in his life.
Thus enters Greyson Tolliver, a promising young student training at the Nimbus academy. He is studying to be the physical representation of the Thunderhead, as a Nimbus agent, but his training abruptly comes to an end when he is told of a plot against Scythes Curie and Anastasia and he is forced to either act upon this knowledge or let them die.
There would obviously be no story if he just let it happen, but his actions throw not just his life into chaos, but everyone else's as well. And always on the periphery are other Scythes, like Constantine, who has no solid alignments and seems to have made it his mission to hunt down Rowan and bring him to justice. And there is of course, the interesting development of Rowans' old friend, Tyger and his apparent "apprenticeship" to a certain Scythe in an emerald robe.
Greyson's reluctant acceptance of his new role as an Unsavory, the defiant, rebellious outcasts of the Thunderheads perfect world begins the day after he meetings his parole officer, who is the same Nimbus agent who told him of the plot against Scythes Curie and Anastasia. There's obviously strings being pulled and things made to happen and though it makes him sick to do it, Greyson transforms into his new persona as Slayd Bridger and begins to frequent AWFul clubs and get to know how the Unsavories work. He's a smart kid and can tell that he was chosen to the save the Scythes lives and so he chooses to accept his new role and see where it will take him.
And it definitely takes him to places and connects him with people who fit the description of Unsavory to a T. The plot against Curie and Anastasia only grows and its all Greyson can do to try and stop it.
There are so many moving parts that tie into each separate character and you know that everything will come to an amazing, intense, spectacular end, but you can never quite guess what it will be because Shusterman is constantly throwing curve balls right when you think you have it all figured out. That's the best part though. Shusterman is a master of suspense, constantly keeping you guessing, wondering, biting your nails at the edge of your seat having no idea what's going to happen or how anything is going to turn out but it's all so well crafted that you're riveted.
And Shusterman does not skimp out on the ending. In true fashion, events are put into motion that will have huge consequences and you can't help but finish the book, no matter what because you just have to see what happens! An absolutely amazing, suspenseful, intricate, entertaining and heart pounding read. I can't wait to get my hands on The Toll.
I would recommend this book to anyone who had read and enjoyed Scythe and the entire series to anyone interested in the future and anyone who's ever wondered how the world might turn out if all of our AI does become self aware and whether that's really a good thing or not.
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