The Toll Review: Is It the Finale We’ve Been Waiting For?

In a time when stories about dystopian worlds are very popular, 'The Toll' by Neal Shusterman shines as an exciting and thought-provoking book. This novel is part of the Arc of a Scythe series and explores important ideas like life and death, moral choices, and the effects of living with advanced technology.

In this review, we will look at the main themes, characters, and overall impact of 'The Toll' to help you understand why it has grabbed readers' attention everywhere. Whether you are already a fan of Shusterman or just looking for a new book, this review will help you decide if 'The Toll' is a good fit for you.

The Toll

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Book Details and Content

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What is The Toll About?

The Toll is the final installment in Neal Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe trilogy. It continues the story from the previous books, Scythe and Thunderhead, set in a future where death no longer exists. In this world, Scythedom controls the population by "gleaning"—the advanced AI known as the Thunderhead manages society and looks out for everyone's well-being.

In The Toll, the story picks up after the major events of the second book, Thunderhead, with the world in chaos. Scythe Goddard has taken control of the Scythedom, causing a growing divide between those who follow his brutal methods and those who believe in a more humane approach to gleaning. Meanwhile, the AI known as the Thunderhead has gone silent for all except one individual, the Toll, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding events.

The book delves into themes of power, corruption, mortality, and what it means to be truly alive, as the characters from the previous books—Citra, Rowan(Scythe Lucifer), Scythe Faraday (my favorite character), and others—fight against a corrupt regime in an attempt to change the fate of their world.

My Spoiler-free review

Neal Shusterman creates a fascinating world where the story is packed with tough choices and exciting battles for power that make it fun to read all the way through!

One thing to note is the time jumps. While they added some complexity, I felt like they weren’t fully explored, which made the pacing a bit uneven at times. However, the new characters in this book are amazing, and the overall plot is strong. I was excited to figure everything out, but Rowan’s storyline felt a bit boring to me—it seemed like nothing new was happening with him. On the other hand, Citra’s storyline was more engaging, and we got to meet a lot of the new characters through her.

What makes The Toll stand out from the first two books is its more mature tone. While the earlier books felt very young adult and straightforward, this one feels deeper and more complex, which might be why it's my favorite of the series (even though that might not be a popular opinion). The plot and characters have a lot more depth here.

Although I thought the ending was a bit rushed, I’m not quite ready to leave this world, but I’m excited to read more of Shusterman’s books. Overall, I highly recommend the series, even with its flaws.

My Overall Thoughts

Looking back on 'The Toll', I feel my reading experience was a mix of admiration and a bit of disappointment. As the last book in the Arc of a Scythe trilogy, it has the job of wrapping up a rich story and resolving the complex themes and character journeys that Neal Shusterman has developed throughout the series. Although I can appreciate the creativity behind this book, it didn’t quite meet the high expectations set by 'Scythe' and 'Thunderhead'.

I’m thankful for the journey Shusterman has taken me on, and I’m eager to read more of his work. While this book didn’t fully live up to the standards of the first two, the trilogy overall offers an intriguing look at a dystopian future that makes us think about life, death, and everything in between.

What I Liked:

Power Struggles

The conflict between kind-hearted Scythes like Citra and the ruthless Scythe Goddard keeps the story exciting. The power struggles and tough choices the characters face make the book hard to put down.

More Mature Themes and Tone

Compared to the first two books (Scythe and Thunderhead), The Toll feels more grown-up and serious. While the earlier books were more straightforward, this one digs deeper into the politics of Scythedom and explores heavier issues like power, corruption, and rebellion. Citra’s journey as Scythe Anastasia, where she tries to stay true to her beliefs while dealing with the pressure of her position, adds a lot of depth. This is why it feels more complex and thought-provoking than the first two.

Great New Characters

The new characters introduced in The Toll, like Jerico and Greyson (the Toll), made the story even more interesting. Jerico’s role as a navigator brought new energy to the plot, and Greyson’s transformation into the Toll, the only person the Thunderhead (the AI) still talks to, added a fascinating twist. Watching Greyson go from being an outsider to a key player made his storyline one of the best parts of the book.

What I Disliked:

Confusing Time Jumps

The book jumps back and forth in time a lot, which makes things a bit confusing and messes with the pacing. It felt like some parts of the story got skipped over, especially with characters like Citra and Rowan, making it harder to connect with their journey. These time jumps sometimes made the story feel a bit disjointed and left me wanting more details.

Rowan’s Boring Storyline

Rowan, who was a big part of the first two books, didn’t get much development in The Toll. His storyline felt repetitive, and it didn’t seem like he grew as a character. While Citra’s story got more interesting and introduced cool new characters, Rowan was mostly hiding and running, which made his chapters less exciting. I wish he had been given more to do, as his arc felt like it was going nowhere.

Rushed Ending

The ending of The Toll felt rushed after all the build-up throughout the series. Scythe Goddard, who had been the main villain, was defeated too quickly, and it didn’t have the emotional impact I expected. Given how dangerous he was, his downfall felt too easy, and I would’ve liked more time spent wrapping up the story. While the ending didn’t ruin the book, it left me feeling like some things were unfinished.

Would I recommend it as a Christian?

Yes, I would recommend The Toll! The book includes themes that connect with Christian values, such as the importance of life, the moral questions surrounding immortality, and the impact of our choices. It encourages readers to think about what it means to have power and the responsibilities that come with it.

Readers will also face important questions about life’s purpose and what happens in a world without death. These ideas can spark meaningful conversations about faith and ethics with friends and family.

However, even though it is considered a Young Adult book, it's essential to be cautious as the book contains scenes of violence and death that some may find unsettling. These parts add tension to the story, but they might not be suitable for everyone. While *The Toll* has valuable lessons, it's a good idea to think about your views and comfort levels before reading it.

Detailed Summary

Three years after the events of Thunderhead, The Toll begins with a world that has changed drastically. After the sinking of Endura, the Thunderhead has cut itself off from everyone by making the entire human population "Unsavory," except for Greyson Tolliver, who becomes known as "The Toll." In his absence, Scythe Goddard has risen to power as the Overblade of MidMerica, controlling much of the world.

As chaos unfolds, the Tonists, a religious group that honors sound, begin to create violent disturbances, and Greyson, now their leader, tries to guide them toward a more peaceful direction. Meanwhile, Citra and Rowan thought to be gone in the sinking of Endura, are found alive by a salvage team led by Jerico Soberanis, an interesting character who is gender-fluid and adds depth to the story. With their return, new friendships are formed, while old enemies like Goddard remain a constant threat.

While Citra is kept hidden, Rowan is captured and used as a pawn by Goddard, who plans to make a public spectacle of his execution. In one of the book’s most intense moments, Rowan nearly gets burned alive but narrowly escapes with help from a group of bad Scythes. This sets the stage for a major conflict between the various factions of the Scythedom, with Scythe Anastasia (Citra) and her friends fighting to put an end to Goddard's reign of chaos.

As these events happen, Scythe Faraday and his assistant Munira discover an old backup system hidden in secret bunkers, which holds the key to restoring balance to the world. They spend years on a secluded island trying to figure out how to activate it while the world outside sinks deeper into conflict.

In the end, a major twist reveals the building of spaceships meant to carry some of humanity away from Earth, leaving behind the twisted Scythedom. As these ships get ready to launch, Goddard attempts to stop them by bombing the launch sites, destroying several ships and killing thousands. During all this chaos, Citra is seriously hurt but is saved by Rowan, and they are placed into stasis for over a century, in hopes of awakening in a new world free from the Scythedom’s corruption.

The novel wraps up with the Scythedom shattered, Greyson and Jerico finding peace together, and humanity divided between those who escaped Earth and those left behind to deal with the aftermath of the failed backup system.

Conclusion

Even with its flaws, I still highly recommend The Toll and the Arc of a Scythe series. The world Shusterman creates is fascinating, and the tough questions about life and death keep you thinking long after you finish the book. Though some parts of the story could have been better, the new characters and deeper themes make The Toll worth reading. I’m sad to leave this world behind but excited to read Shusterman’s future books!

Make sure to check out my other book reviews. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!