I was just having a discussion (per the TikTok trend) with my fiance about how women think about murder about as much as men think about the Roman Empire. Which apparently is a lot.

Speaking of murder, how do you control population growth when mortality is no longer a natural problem? Have state-sanctioned murderers of course! But because the word murder makes people feel icky, let’s call them Scythes in homage to the Grim Reaper.

This book has such a great premise. The world-building is top-tier. It does a brilliant job of blending together the history of this world with the plot-relevant story in a way that doesn’t feel like paragraphs of pointless exposition.

We also get to think through reading this book. There is quote from a British historian that “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I couldn’t help but think about this quote while reading this book.

The Scythes were started as a way to bring balance to world. The original Scythes looked at their mission as a sacred duty. But over time, the unchecked power of being able to end life with no serious repercussions led to corruption. Watching our two main characters: Citra and Rowan grapple with their morality as it relates to their world and their apprenticeship is an entertaining ride from start to finish.

This book also provokes a bit of morbidity about how you would like to die. There is a particular scene which has made me add “death by flamethrower” into the definitely don’t want to die that way column.

This trilogy is not one you’ll forget or ever regret reading. Check it out!