Sci-Fi Pick: Scythe (Guest Reviewer Gloria James-Avalos)

This review is by guest reviewer Gloria James-Avalos, YA librarian, William Slider Middle School, El Paso, Texas. Follow Gloria on Twitter @GJAvalos_WDSMS

Scythe
Book 1
by Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
2017
448 pages
ISBN: 9781442472426



First in a planned series, Scythe is set in a world that is not really dystopian, but nearly Utopian. Scythe is where everyone lives. No one dies: every illness, accident and even death can be remedied. Through technology, humanity can now go on forever. While this future world sounds wonderful, the biggest problem is overpopulation. To control the population, some young people are apprenticed to Scythes, legal assassins. Citra and Rowan are two teens who are apprenticed. Neither of them wants to be a Scythe, and only one will be chosen. One will face a lifetime of gleaning, or killing, and the other will face immediate death.

Scythe is a bold and thoughtful work, precise and fantastical, and not too far-fetched from what can be accomplished by science. Questions of what makes us human, our humanity, and who can pick and choose who lives and who dies will bother readers. A Printz Honor Book, Scythe delivers a sweeping tale that is sure to stick with readers long after they've turned the last page.

Highly recommended grade 7 and up. Fine for middle school but not for the faint of heart.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the book from the publisher. Neither I nor the guest reviewer received monetary compensation for this review.

Don't Miss: The Archived

The Archived

By Victoria Schwab

Hyperion

2013

321 pages



Brilliant, thoughtful and powerful, The Archived is a real treat for readers who love a captivating story, a feisty female protagonist and a charming, almost alarming and totally disarming, male love interest.



MacKenzie Bishop, aka Mac, is a Keeper. It is her job to capture and return missing Histories to the Archive where they can be shelved. The Archive is a special storehouse where the Librarians maintain the Histories of each dead person. Once one escapes into the Outer, the Archive is in danger.



After the death of her beloved younger brother Ben, Mac’s family moves to the Coronado, a massive old building that was once a beautiful and prestigious hotel. Its old grandeur can still seen in the marble floors and sweeping staircase, but history has taken its toll on the old building—it’s dusty, musty, and ancient. There are only a few residents who still live there, but Mac’s mother dreams of opening a coffee shop in the old building. Soon, strange things begin to happen at the hotel.



Mac meets Wesley, a boy who visits his aunt and cousin at the Coronado. Lucky for her, he seems to show up whenever she needs help, and being a Keeper is a dangerous vocation.



As Mac begins to investigate the strange deaths of several past residents of the Coronado, the Archive is in danger of crumbling. Roland, Mac’s favorite librarian, agrees to work with Mac to find answers, but he warns her to speak to no one else. Someone In the Archive is working from within to destroy it.



Readers will love the obvious smoldering hot attraction between Mac and Wesley, and Wesley is swoon-worthy and oh, so quick witted and smooth. The Archived is a darkly compelling novel oozing with gothic romance. Victoria Schwab excels at world building and this is one fascinating world I wanted to live in. The idea of a “library” that houses the “Histories” of each life and is maintained by “librarians” and cataloged with order is a novel one.



Highly, highly recommended for readers grade 7-up. Some kissing.



FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.



This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Zombie Pick: The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead

The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead (book 2)
By Ty Drago
Sourcebooks (Jabberwocky)
2012
419 pages

Read about Book One:

"Plenty of action, gruesome descriptions, and hand-to-hand combat will draw mostly middle-grade boys, but there are lots of strong girl characters as well. A satisfying ending hints at a sequel. Recommended.” – Library Media Connection

Click here for the book trailer and other fun zombie stuff!


Exciting and explosive, the second book In The Undertakers series, Queen of the Dead, is a real treat for tween and teen readers who love a great zombie read.

Will Ritter is a part of an underground group of children who have the ability to see these otherworlders (Corpses) as they truly are. Adults only see the exterior of these monsters, but the kids and teens can see the rotting corpses beneath the smooth exteriors. Will and his band led by tough girl Sharyn are the city’s only hope from total destruction. The Deaders are taking over the bodies and minds of the city’s officials and top cops. The kids have to do something to stop them.

The Undertakers realize that the Queen of the Dead has made her comeback and she’s suddenly very popular in politics and with adult voters. Her Deaders have taken an FBI agent hostage and the kids will stop at nothing to get him back. Even if it means breaking into a state prison.

The Deaders are dead set (pun intended) on taking over and they begin to infiltrate at all levels, even kidnapping Will’s mother and sister to use against the Undertakers as leverage. The Queen doesn’t have any idea how strong Will’s conviction can be. He’s out to avenge his father’s murder and to save the rest of his family.

Can average teens defend Philadelphia against an army of Corpses? These aren’t your average zombies either. These Deaders are fast, smart, and capable of language. Not only that, they don’t have much to lose. They’re already dead! What does an army of dead meat want? And what are they capable of?

This is book 2 in the series, but readers will not have to read book 1 to understand the action; however, fans will want to read both books.

Highly, highly recommended grades 7-up. No sex, no language. PG zombie violence.

I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)