Scythe

Author: Neil Shusterman
433 pages
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Book description (from goodreads): 
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

So using the new lovely rating system:

• Characters 10
• The main characters are lovable, Rowan and Citra simply are great. They are not perfect each has their own teenage issues be it as they may be. Then they each show such growth they both become mature beyond their years. 
• Roan especially faced huge moral fights and yet still tried to escape from, I mean tried no one is perfect.
• Scythe Faraday and Scythe Curie are also high standing people morally speaking at least compared to others. They also place morality, confidence and compassion avobe pretty much everything. Though they still are a bit selfish giving it a very realistic feel to it. 
• Plot 9
• The world is so developed and easy to understand.
• The twists that are presented are really a surprise. And personally, I enjoyed each reveal.
• It was dragging a bit in the middle because I felt I needed the knowledge of how it would all turn out.... Considering it's the first time you read it, the story is not slow paced at all but it might have been the anticipation rather than the actual flow of the story which in a way made it seem never-ending. 
• Logic 7
• The world was explained in a very easy manner but I still can't wrap my head around the fact that the human limitations were completely eradicated. There is no explanation for several issues such as deaging to a certain degree and not being able to get any farther back. The supposed weather control, how did that even begin to happen.... But oh well the story takes place in a world where all that is already not only possible but part of everyday life and people don´t really care. 
• All in all, with the little explanation we were given it is still possible to submerge in this futuristic planet. 
• The "religion" that was practiced was ridiculous and at least in the story it is addressed as the nonsense it is. That was handled very well. It does make sense that if you live forever you will stop believing in most religions
• Why care about an afterlife? Heaven, resurrection? You never die, how can you wish it.
• How can you inspire the fear of God if you will never face judgment?
• Intrigue 9
• In the beginning, it was simply curiosity but as the story progresses and the trials become more life-altering the need to know the result of that competition was too much for me. Had I had a bit less of a busy day at work I would have finished it much sooner. 
• Writing Style 9
• Can't complain really
• Intention 10
• It does deliver a strong moral value in seeing a society plagued with such high disregard for appreciation of life be it one's own, of people so unappreciative of the blessings they were bestowed upon them. Overall it gives the message that even among huge trails (violence, torture, temptations and psychological conditioning) with a lot of effort a person can still go through hell and get out with some humanity left in them. Do not be mistaken, facing such trials can destroy a person and twist their emotional health so bad that they rather not face reality or life anymore.
• Enjoyment 10
• Loved it!

Average 9.2, therefore, this book falls in the 5-star rating.

Definitely worth the time. I will now need to go ahead and buy the next book anr read it.

Also this book was read for the Randomathon the first Challenge to read Scythe.  I am way behind on the challenges need to pick up speed!