Arc of a Scythe 4 Books Collection Set by Neal Shusterman - Young Adult - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Scythe
Thunderhead
The Toll
Gleanings

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780678460238
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Range: 14+ (Grades 9 and up)

Overview
The Arc of a Scythe collection gathers Neal Shusterman's acclaimed young adult saga into one paperback set: Scythe, Thunderhead, The Toll, and the companion collection Gleanings. Set in a future where death has been conquered, humanity depends on a trained order of Scythes to responsibly cull the population. Told through two teenage apprentices caught between conscience and duty, the series builds a morally complex, richly imagined world questioning what a truly perfect society would cost. Fans of high-concept dystopian fiction will find a thought-provoking, unforgettable saga perfect for binge reading.

About the Books
Neal Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe unfolds in a utopia so advanced that natural death has been eliminated, disease is a memory, and an all-knowing artificial intelligence called the Thunderhead quietly manages civilization's needs. The only necessary evil left is population control, carried out by an independent order of Scythes who alone hold the sanctioned right to end lives, or "glean." Scythe introduces Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch, two ordinary teenagers selected against their will to train as apprentices, forced to master a role neither of them wants while a rift grows within the Scythedom between those who kill with compassion and those who begin to relish the power. Thunderhead deepens the stakes as the AI, barred from interfering in Scythedom affairs, watches a broken system spiral while Citra and Rowan chart increasingly dangerous, diverging paths through a fractured order they no longer fully trust. The Toll brings the trilogy's central conflict to a head, following a shocking twist that threatens the fragile order the Thunderhead was built to protect, forcing every character toward a reckoning years in the making. Gleanings then expands the universe further, collecting short stories that explore Scythedom through new characters, unexpected perspectives, and quieter corners of Shusterman's mythology, rewarding readers who enjoy immersive world-building alongside high-stakes moral drama, slow-burn suspense, and genuinely surprising twists throughout the saga.

Key Benefits

• Complete 4-book paperback Arc of a Scythe collection
• Includes the full trilogy plus companion collection Gleanings
• Thought-provoking dystopian world-building for YA sci-fi fans
• Compact paperback format, easy to shelve and travel with
• Great gift for teen and adult speculative fiction readers
• Perfect for summer reading or holiday gifting

Book-by-Book Guide
Scythe — Two teenage apprentices train to wield a scythe's power in a world where death has been conquered.
Thunderhead — Citra and Rowan chart separate paths as the all-seeing AI watches corruption spread through the Scythedom.
The Toll — A shocking twist threatens the fragile balance between the Scythedom and the Thunderhead.
Gleanings — Short stories expand the Arc of a Scythe universe with new characters and perspectives.

About the Author
Neal Shusterman is an American author known for young adult speculative fiction, including the Unwind dystology and the Arc of a Scythe series. His novels tackle weighty ethical questions through gripping, fast-paced storytelling that resonates with teen and adult readers alike. Shusterman has built a devoted readership for his ability to blend imaginative world-building with genuine emotional stakes, and the Arc of a Scythe series stands among his most celebrated work, praised for its inventive premise and morally layered characters.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This four-book paperback set delivers Neal Shusterman's complete Arc of a Scythe saga in one satisfying package, perfect for binge readers, back-to-school reading lists, or as a thoughtful birthday gift for the teen sci-fi fan who loves a story that lingers.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.