About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the nature of authority, the ethics of technology, or the heavy weight of moral responsibility. In a future where death has been cured and a benevolent AI governs the world, specialized executioners known as Scythes must cull the population to prevent overcrowding. The story follows Citra and Rowan, two teens forced into an apprenticeship that requires them to master the art of killing while maintaining their humanity. It is a sophisticated exploration of what makes life meaningful when it never has to end. While the premise is intense, the book serves as a fantastic bridge for discussing justice versus cruelty and the importance of empathy in leadership. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high school students who enjoy complex world-building and philosophical dilemmas. Parents will appreciate how it challenges readers to think about the consequences of a perfect society and the personal cost of doing what is necessary.
