Scythe (Arc of a Scythe) by Neal Shusterman Condition:New

Scythe (Arc of a Scythe) by Neal Shusterman Condition:NewA dark, gripping and witty thriller in which the only thing humanity has control over is death. In a world where disease, war and crime have been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ("gleaned") by professional scythes. Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythes' apprentices, and despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation, they must learn the art of killing and understand the necessity of what they do.

Holland not the Netherlands and the colour orange so important

Dr Dilbert Dinkle started his career as an ordinary

they are capable of recreating a dish from their customers' pasts – dishes that may well hold the keys to unlocking forgotten memories and future happiness

'Ebullient and funny' The Times

everything he's come to love will be destroyed

Margot and I started packing our most important belongings into a satchel

and he has devoted his life to the bookshop since his wife left him five years earlier

one- or two-page tales exhibit those distinct aspects of the Chinese character and approach to life which derive from the values of Taoism

Delores must gather all her strength to save them

At wassails and hoodenings and winter gatherings

China has a rich oral tradition and these stories

Adunni's life amounts to this: four goats