“My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.”

I wasn't sure, when I first started this book, if I was going to enjoy it, despite all the ravings and positive reviews. It took me a while to get into the world and the story, to connect with the characters and for the plot to pick up pace. But once it did, I found myself enthralled and I love how Shusterman reflects on human nature and humanity and death through this futuristic world. I liked that the 'all seeing' power here for once isn't evil and doesn't want to destroy all humanity - the Thunderhead actually cares for the world and the human kind and only wants to do what's best, without judgment, only fairness. It's refreshing and different and offers a honest view on humans - we are capable of great evil and power truly corrupts. The political intrigues of the Scythe, the plot twists, how corruption still exists even in this 'controlled' society, how things that started out with a greater purpose can spiral into something corrupted and bad despite the best efforts - every aspect of this book was a subtle social critique, and it was amazingly done. It made me reflect upon a lot of things even after I finished the book.

And it still had room for the typical YA tropes, with well developed and strong characters, who were realistic and complex, a nice romance and small doses of tension to keep the reader on their toes. Citra is my favorite character, although I enjoyed the changes Rowan went through and I like to see where they're going from here. Can't wait for book 2!