Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of a Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #3.5)
by Neal Shusterman, David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Joelle Shusterman, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, Sofía LapuenteAlso by this author: Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1), Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2), Challenger Deep
on November 8, 2022
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Anthology
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The New York Times bestselling Arc of the Scythe series continues with thrilling stories that span the timeline. Storylines continue. Origin stories are revealed. And new Scythes emerge!
There are still countless tales of the Scythedom to tell. Centuries passed between the Thunderhead cradling humanity and Scythe Goddard trying to turn it upside down. For years humans lived in a world without hunger, disease, or death with Scythes as the living instruments of population control.
Neal Shusterman—along with collaborators David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, and Joelle Shusterman—returns to the world throughout the timeline of the Arc of a Scythe series. Discover secrets and histories of characters you’ve followed for three volumes and meet new heroes, new foes, and some figures in between.
Gleanings shows just how expansive, terrifying, and thrilling the world that began with the Printz Honor–winning Scythe truly is.
Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- More time in the post-mortality Arc of a Scythe world
- Unique and interesting gleaning styles
- More depth to known characters
- Bite-sized stories, all with an interesting twist
- A whole new look at the Scythedom
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Turn the Page Tours for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes are taken from an unfinished product and may differ from the final version.
It’s no secret that Arc of a Scythe is one of my all-time favorite series. What’s not to love about stabbiness, dystopian societies, plotting and schemes, and slightly creepy sentient AIs? So when I saw the announcement that Gleanings was going to be a thing, a short story anthology that ventures back into that world, I immediately knew I wanted to read it. It was everything I’ve been waiting for and asking for, because let’s be honest, I definitely was not ready to leave the world by the end of the third book. And now, thanks to this anthology, I don’t have to!
Gleanings is the revisit to the Scythedom we’ve all wanted, written by a talented group of authors that put their own spin on things. It’s filled with heart, plot twists, surprises, and everything that made us fall in love with the series from the start.
I was definitely not disappointed with this anthology. Like every anthology, there are stories I enjoyed more than others. However, one thing I can say is that I didn’t not like any of the stories. I enjoyed each and every one, just to varying degrees. Each author brings their own twist and spin to the world, and several had me absolutely on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Plus, none of them are straightforward, having some little twist or trick that the reader doesn’t see until they’re almost upon it.
Since anthologies are weird to write reviews for, let me go ahead and introduce you to some of my favorite stories in this collection!
Formidable
One-Line Summary:
Scythe Marie Curie is new to the role and an outsider still at the conclave, but she’ll do whatever it takes to be taken seriously. Even if that means taking matters into her own hands.
First Lines:
Which was easy for him to say—Michael had already been a scythe for five years.
Favorite Quote:
“I’m not that kind of scythe,” Marie told them.
“No,” said Hinton, dripping disgust. “You’re the worst kind. Young, idealistic, pigheaded. Thinking your cause is as pure and gleaming as your blade.”
“Maybe I’m all those things,” conceded Marie, “but I’m also inevitable.”
Why I Loved It:
Scythe Curie was one of my favorites from the series in general, so of course I was immediately going to be endeared to a younger version of her! There’s still a glimmer of the Curie that we know and love from the series, but just a glimmer. After all, she’s much younger, new to the role, and without the assurance and confidence that comes from doing something for a long time. Still, her personality is one I’ve always loved, so getting to see her origins was a ton of fun!
Never Work With Animals
One-Line Summary:
Scythe Fields has owned a long line of dogs, but he refuses to settle for anything less than perfection. His latest companion is everything he’s been looking for in a pet—at least on the surface.
First Lines:
Favorite Quote:
But as Jimmy got older, he suspected it was a lie, and they had let Towser stay dead, what with the increasing expense of pet revival. The possibility that he’d been lied to about Towser was one of the many reasons Fields had found it fairly easy to plunge that sword into his father’s chest at his final apprenticeship test three decades ago. His father, of course, was revived, but never forgave him. Fields suspected that was part of the reason for the test: to emotionally distance young scythes from their families. Although for Fields that emotional distance seemed to extend to most other human beings as well. But pets were different. Their love was unconditional—and he was certain that Trixie could be conditioned to love him.
Why I Loved It:
This is one that I was absolutely hooked on. It’s got very sinister, creepy vibes that build all the way to the climax. I sort of saw it coming, but that just made the big reveal all the more exciting. It’s the sort of story that you can absolutely get lost in, run the gamut of emotions, and come out the other end feeling entirely vindicated and satisfied. Plus, as an added bonus, there’s a cameo from one of my favorite characters from the series. I won’t name names, but if you know, you know. 😉
A Death of Many Colors
One-Line Summary:
The Robinsons hold increasingly lavish celebrations for All Hallows Eve. This year, Dax Robinson has promised the best, spookiest fete of all . . . and he’s really outdone himself.
First Lines:
This occurrence fell in mid-autumn; the time of year when trees go deadish for the winter with spectacular displays of bronzing foliage. A time when the sun seems to tire of being so long in the sky. A time when spiders grow their largest before filling their egg sacks and withering away.
Favorite Quotes:
“Why do we say that anyway?” his friend Savina asked.
“It comes from mortal days,” Dax told her. “People would come up to your door on All Hallows, and ask for diamonds, or gold or whatever, and if you didn’t give it, they shot you.” He made his thumb and forefinger into a gun and aimed it at her. “Trigger-treat,” he said, and pretended to shoot her between the eyes.
Savina giggled. “Mortal people were so weird.”
Why I Loved It:
I couldn’t choose just one quote from this one, so you get two! Lucky you. This story was just fun. It really sucks the reader into this world in so many different ways, including my personal favorite: the morphing of “trick or treat” into “trigger-treat” and the (slightly erroneous) backstory behind it. This story really sells the dystopian future society angle in a way that was delightful and also slightly creepy and hard to imagine. There’s also a very unique method of gleaning in this story that I thought was very cool. I’ve very much enjoyed seeing all these new techniques!
A Martian Minute
One-Line Summary:
Carson will do anything to escape the Mars colony and finally find freedom back on Earth. Anything.
First Lines:
“That’s not the precise quote, Carson.”
“I know—but we’re not exactly spread out across the galaxy, are we?” Carson Lusk asked.
Favorite Quotes:
But, of course, the Thunderhead was unfazed. “I could give you an unsavory point for throwing that, but I won’t, because I know you’re just being melodramatic.”
The rover hit a jarring bump in the dirt road—a bump that the Thunderhead could have steered him around, but Carson had the controls on manual. Still, it could have warned him, but no. The Thunderhead was passive-aggressive that way. It irked him.
“But you said he’s not here to glean anyone.”
His father took a moment to consider his steak knife.
“Scythes lie,” he said.
Why I Loved It:
Not gonna lie, I totally forgot who Carson Lusk was. On the one hand, I’m a little disappointed in myself. On the other hand, it made the story so much more meaningful partway through when I remembered! Such a gut punch. Ugh. I have a love-hate relationship with this story, mostly because of my feelings toward the character himself (or, rather, who he’ll become). Definitely a must-read for some more insight into a character in the series!
The Persistence of Memory
One-Line Summary:
Scythe Dali loves creating bigger and better displays for his public gleanings . . . assuming his rival Scythe Gaudi doesn’t ruin it for him. But this latest gleaning will be his biggest and best of all, and it’ll finally put Scythe Gaudi in his place.
First Lines:
Favorite Quotes:
Gaudi continued tending to his garden. “You seem unsettled, Salvador. Can I interest you in some calming herbs?”
“Do you deny it?”
“I was nowhere near the cathedral.”
“But you have conspirators!”
“Ah,” said Gaudi, handing Dali a cluster of yellow chamomile flowers. “You must mean friends. I know it is a concept you’re unfamiliar with.”
Why I Loved It:
The rivalry between Scythe Dali and Scythe Gaudi is *chef’s kiss*. While I don’t necessarily agree with Dali’s style and gleaning method, neither of the scythes are necessarily bad people. Which makes the build-up of the story even better. I don’t want to give too much away on this one, because everything I can think to say amounts to spoilers, but it’s one I definitely recommend reading!
About Neal Shusterman
Neal Shusterman is the New York Times best-selling author of over thirty novels for children, teens,and adults. He won the 2015 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature for ChallengerDeep-and his novel, Scythe, was a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honorbook-and is in development withUniversal Studios as a feature film. His novel, Unwind, has become part of the literary canon in manyschool districts across the country-and has won more than thirty domestic and international awards.He co-wrote his mostrecent novel, Dry, with his son Jarrod, and in addition to being on numerousaward lists, Dry is currently in development with Paramount Pictures. His upcoming novel, GameChanger, is in development with Netflix as a TV series, and he is co-writing the pilot episode.
October 23
Turn the Page Tours — welcome post
The Clever Reader — 5 Reasons to read Gleanings
October 24
October 25
Bookworm Bonomini — 5 Reasons to read Gleanings
October 26
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 30
October 31
November 1
November 2
November 3
November 4
Ashwee Reads
Pisces: The Book Lover
November 5
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Anthologies can be hit or miss for me. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
Wendy recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #64!
I am finally reading this! Will have to read your review when I finish!
I hope you enjoy it! Can’t wait to hear what you think when you’re done. 😀
This looks interesting! I’m a big fan of anthologies, as they seem to keep up a faster pace that allows you to switch from storyline to storyline. And I like anything with sinister, creepy vibes!
Christian Steinsworth recently posted…How to Make Money During a Recession
Reading The Arc of a Scythe series before this one is a must, but it sounds like something you would like. 🙂
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