Tag Archives: technology

Review: The Toll by Neal Shusterman

Book Review and Content, Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,
The Toll Neal Shusterman

The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3)
Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster
Published November 5, 2019

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Toll

It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.

In this pulse-pounding conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy, constitutions are tested and old friends are brought back from the dead.

My Review

I needed a break between THUNDERHEAD, the second book in the series, and THE TOLL. The ending of THUNDERHEAD kind of overwhelmed me, so it took me a while to feel like I was ready to pick up where it left off.

This is kind of a dark book, especially at the beginning. Scythe Goddard is in charge and pretty much willing to do anything to cement his power. Rowan and Citra return, but of course if Goddard finds out they’re alive, they’ll be in trouble. Grayson finds himself in a really strange situation with the Thunderhead once again. As he and his allies discover more about the history of the Scythe system and Goddard becomes still more unhinged, it becomes pretty clear they need to do something big.

I liked all the buildup where the story bounced between different characters, and it feels like all of them begin moving toward one cohesive goal. This book introduces some new characters that I enjoyed a lot. I think this book needed to feel really big, and it did feel like that to me.

Thoughts on Technology in The Toll

In this whole series, humans have a really interesting relationship with technology. The Thunderhead knows all of history and connects to each person (outside of the Scythes) so that it knows them deeply. It also views itself as a sort of shepherd of humanity, and humans have come to rely on it as a companion they can speak to at any time. It’s not presented really as a religion, but it sort of functions that way.

On the one hand, I really enjoyed that this is a technology-positive story. There are TONS of books out there where the computer turns out to be the super villain, right? This one isn’t really like that. But it does present some interesting questions about our dependence on technology and whether that’s a good thing. So, I liked some of questions the story raised in that vein.

I’m glad I finally did sit down and finish the series. I think it was worth finishing. Readers who enjoy a good dystopian series should check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
In this futuristic story world, all races are pretty mixed. Certain characters are also described as “leaning” toward a particular race or other. Scythes are mandated to kill across a diverse population or else face punishment.

One character is genderfluid.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to sex between a boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
Tonists are a cult of people whose worship centers around sound. They believe in the Toll, a prophet of sorts.

Violent Content
Sythes glean (kill) people in various ways, sometimes violent ones. Tonists attack and attempt to kill people they oppose.

Drug Content
None.

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Review: Colt O’Brien Grows Up by George Matthew Cole

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, New Adult 18up, , , , , ,

Colt O’Brien Grows Up
George Matthew Cole
Createspace (Independent)
Published October 30, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

With computer certifications under his belt and a new job waiting for him on campus, Colt O’Brien, his best friend Bobby and girlfriend Amy head to their first semester of college. Colt is quickly overwhelmed with school work and problems on the job. His boss Gerry is a UNIX guy in a Windows world, and Colt finds himself the only Windows tech providing support for an entire campus of computers. Despite the unfairness and Gerry’s apparent plot to get rid of him, Colt rises to the challenge and is determined to keep up with his work load.

The first semester of college isn’t exactly what freshman Amy Strong expected, either. With her boyfriend drowning in work and school, she is left on her own to ponder her own future. And to her own surprise, what she really wants isn’t that shiny degree at the end of the four year path. She wants a baby.

As Colt and Amy struggle to maintain their relationship amidst swirling emotions and other commitments, both begin to worry about Bobby, who seems to have fallen off his straight and narrow path. Rumors abound that Bobby is drinking too much, and soon Colt stumbles onto the evidence. It’s clear Bobby needs help, but convincing him of this fact will not prove easy.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Colt’s psychic abilities seem to go on the fritz, and he can’t figure out why or how to respond. When an accident disconnects him from his body, his friends and family must wait helplessly for Colt’s mentor to discover what has happened and attempt to bring him back.

Through his journey, Colt gains some maturity through the difficult work experiences and the counsel of his mentors. He learns to bite his tongue and hold back angry outbursts. He begins to recognize when he is thinking only of himself and learns to see others’ perspectives.

Author George Matthew Cole writes with an omniscient stream-of-consciousness style, providing a broad view of the story, though in some scenes it causes confusion. First mention of Colt’s psychic abilities comes almost as an afterthought, but as the story develops, the connection between the ability and the story becomes stronger and clearer. While Colt’s character is well-developed and shows growth, Amy seems to regress. Her interests shrink and her emotional well-being becomes bound to having a child and future with Colt.

 Colt O’Brien Grows Up is an interesting look at a period in early adulthood not often explored in literature. Though ultimately dominated by the psychic problems Colt wrestles with, the story focuses at first on the practical issues of freshman year of college and the struggles and temptations students face.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Heavy. A few F-bombs with other curses throughout.

Sexual Content
Colt and his girlfriend go on a weekend getaway to have sex. Limited details. Two college girls attempt to seduce him while he fixes their computers. Some crude details.

Spiritual Content
Colt has psychic dreams and experiences which he does not understand. He does some research and finds mentors who explain various techniques and procedures.

Violence
Colt and his friend get into a fist-fight while in jail. Colt is injured when he goes to a party to pick up a friend.

Drug Content
College students drink alcohol, often excessively. Colt experiences a contact high at one party.

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