T E R M D A T E S S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 5 6 FAITH WORLD
School re-opens for students: Tue 22nd April 2025
May Half Term: Mon 26th - Fri 30th May School re-opens: Mon 2nd June 5
@edengirlswf
Considering the theme of this issue is “Friendship”, this prophetic teaching seems befitting: “Souls are troops collected together and those who familiarised with each other (in the heaven from where these come) would have affinity, with one another (in the world).”
Hadith (Sahih Muslim 2638a)
It is no wonder that we seem to just “click” with some individuals, we know what they’re thinking and can complete their sentences – it’s as if these special friends are our soulmates! It all makes sense if our souls have already met in our existence before this world This also reminds us that this life is only temporary and so we want to spend it wisely in the hope that we are reunited with the friendly souls in our final abode in the hereafter.
Though this term has been short, our students have continued to flourish, taking part in lots of opportunities and positively encouraging their friends to also partake We have had the UKMT – Intermediate Challenge (Year 9 – Year 11), where we achieved five gold, 14 silver and nine bronze awards We marked World Book Day, where friends grouped together to represent each of the characters from one book We have had British Science Week, allowing our students to better understand the world around them and coding challenges like Bebras and CyberFirst
In order to pave our path to Jannah we also focus on our students’ spiritual development. This term we welcomed Ramadhaan – the month of Mercy and delivered some firsts for Eden In preparation for Ramadhaan we organised The Night of Light – a Spiritual Sleepover which was delivered as a Ramadhaan workshop for some students This gave students an opportunity to experience Qiyam-ul-Layl and its benefits, and learn how to develop a closeness to our Lord Students enjoyed wonderful food, sunnah sports and uplifting ibaadah (worship) We also organised a Qur’aan Recitation Competition where we were left mesmerised by the beautiful recitations of the Qur’aan by our students One was as young as seven years old when she had committed the whole Qur’aan to memory – truly an inspiration to us all
This Ramadhaan we continued to raise money for those affected by war especially children in Gaza and Syria, as well as supporting struggling families who are a part of our school community – in total over £12K has been raised during Ramadhaan We have also made Eid hampers for local care homes and shelters to share the blessings of Eid
With fasting comes the breaking of the fast: we held our annual Big Iftaar where guests and staff spoke of the importance of faith, staying true to your values and serving the community
The upcoming holidays will allow families to get some rest and hopefully continue with the good acts we had become accustomed to carrying out during Ramadhaan We pray that you have a wonderful holiday, where families have an opportunity to spend quality time taking part in activities and hobbies – especially as the weather is getting warmer
Ms Aamena
This term, pupils in Year 7 visited a construction site to learn about careers in this field After a safety briefing, they were led to a site where they learnt how to put up scaffolding and more.
Our Edonians went to Lea Valley Centre to do some ice skating, which they enjoyed very much This was a recreational trip, allowing students to take a break after a stressful exam period
Spring was short, but packed full of activities!
Interfaith workshop with Willowfield
Ice Skating at LeeValley
Isolation and friendship in the modern age
'The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated'
-William James
People For some, they are a source of fear, an overwhelming tide of uncertainty that compels them to overanalyse every word, every glance, in some sort of deluded desire to control or at least predict the unknown. It's a fragile dance, trying to orchestrate the perfect moves and smile, to craft a shield against the chaos of human interaction. For others, it's what the majority make of it essential to society and the heartbeat of existence, woven into the very fabric of society and our DNA But most of us? We’re somewhere in the middle of the confusion, trying to find a place in the ever-shifting landscape of social life
Humans are inherently social, yes, but we’re also complex creatures, capable of both connection and deceit, of collaboration and betrayal What’s truly at the core of this? The world around us is filled with uncertainty, and it's easy to get lost in the noise There’s an overwhelming desire for certainty, for a singular answer to our complex lives, but perhaps the pursuit of that singular answer itself is what keeps us trapped in the web of uncertainty. We can get stuck, trying to figure out the "right" way to engage, but in doing so, we might overlook the many valid, albeit different, approaches to social existence
The truth is, socialisation isn't as simple as a binary of right or wrong It involves far more than just knowing how to behave within society It’s an emotional, and psychological, balancing act: how do we express ourselves authentically while still meeting societal expectations? How do we preserve our individuality, while also seeking connection with others who might not share the same views or interests as us?
This balancing act is compounded by the evolution of society In a world where everyone has access to the internet and an endless flow of information, how do we ensure that we truly connect with others, rather than just appear to?
We’ve all seen it before the people who seem surrounded by hundreds of friends and followers, yet still feel a deep sense of loneliness This paradox, one might argue, is at the heart of modern social life
To be honest, no one fits neatly into any one box: the human social world is a labyrinth of contradictions, intricacies and infinite complexities And within all of us, growing quietly in the corner of our hearts, lies an inert seedling of doubt. A doubt that makes us question whether we truly belong, whether we are ever really understood It's that lingering uncertainty that keeps us on edge, constantly questioning our place And yet, despite this doubt, we still reach out hoping for connection, for validation, for understanding, even as we navigate the shadows of our own insecurities and our desire to be seen
Shouldn't this be the nature of things?
After all, a fixed decision on something as intricate as human connection could limit our understanding of its nuances Maybe we don't need to seek definite answers all the time, or perhaps we need to trust the ambiguity But why? Is it simply so we can make sense of a world that feels otherwise overwhelming? To make peace with the chaos that surrounds us? It’s odd, though to be constantly searching for clarity when we might never find it
This is where things get interesting Technology, though it has revolutionised the way we interact, has also brought new complexities While it offers the illusion of connectivity, it can sometimes leave us feeling more isolated The overwhelming influx of digital connections can mask the deep, essential connections that humans really crave And yet, it’s not simply technology that’s responsible for this shift The societal expectations placed on younger generations, the pressures of success, status, and identity, create a tension that feeds into feelings of isolation
So, while we might be surrounded by people, this does not always equate to true companionship or understanding And that’s the crux of it all, isn’t it? That we need to be seen and understood This longing isn’t just about the quantity of relationships we form, but the quality of them. We don’t simply want to be noticed; we want to matter to others in ways that are deeply meaningful. And, perhaps, in that desire, we find the truest form of social connection not one that demands constant interaction, but one that nurtures the authentic self
So, the best I can, I hope to condense the uncertainty of the social plane into a written medium to share ideas not really to spread any idea of hope or pessimism, just to take a breath and think for ourselves.
SSPIRTIUALITY PIRTIUALITY FFAITH AITH
Like flowers, friends come in all colours, shapes, and sizes, and they have different needs However, there are some things they have in common, like the need for sunshine, water, and soil, or whatever keeps them thriving Think of yourself also as a flower or a beautiful plant that provides benefit for others. You are beauty, shade, softness, nourishment, and fragrance that is appealing to the senses Your pleasant, smiling face is like colourful petals in full bloom, making others feel comfortable and welcome
Likewise, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, likened the believers to date palm trees that are firm and produce fruit, even in the middle of the harshest desert Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim Tell me the name of that tree” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer; the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree” (Sahih Bukhari andMuslim)
Good friends who are committed to their faith can help strengthen one’s own faith and lead to positive spiritual growth Islam encourages us to choose friends who have good character, are honest, trustworthy, kind, and compassionate These are the sweet-scented perfume sellers or flowers These qualities not only benefit our development but also contributetoahealthyandpositivesocialenvironment
Choosing good friends is of the utmost importance in Islam It can positively impact our faith, by helping us maintain our religious principles andvalues Remember:Youarethecompanythatyoukeep!
MrJasat
The Big Iftar at Eden
During this event, students presented performances, and informative speeches were made by individuals from our school and visitors from our borough As a school, we united together, making prayers and duas together, breaking the fast at the allocated time, and then joining together at collective prayer. Afterwards, everyone joined in the canteen to share a delicious meal with their friends prepared by the staff! The purpose of this event was to teach the students the idea of unity in a community where most individuals in this school follow the same faith But instead of staying divided, we used this time to bring everybody together to appreciate another Ramadan and to celebrate as a family
Night of Light was a sleepover hosted by Eden to encourage students to connect with their religion and harvest rewards prior to Ramadan The night included many different spiritual activities, beginning with Isha salah. Next, students were given Islam-based talks which helped broaden their understanding of, and love for, their religion. Of these speeches, the most memorable to many students was the ‘five before five’ speech This was based around holding onto the most precious aspects of life: for example, youth before old age, or life before death Students were then woken up before Fajr time for Tahajjud and to pray the witr of Isha salah, before going home with a goody bag containing a daily adkhaar and connecting with the Qur’an books, along with miswaaks so the students can continue gaining good deeds even at home
However, the night was not only based on worship and faith The students took part in many fun activities, such as sports - students and teachers played against each other in games such as badminton, football and even boxing! Furthermore, students were given a full three course meal consisting of dinner, dessert and breakfast Many students took part in games of UNO and other card games before bed, which was incredibly fun and a relaxing way to end the night
Aaliyah Patel
This Ramadan we held a special Qu’ran recitation competition. Pupils in all year groups were invited to the try-outs, where Qari Is’haaq Jasat & Maulana Yahya decided who made the final stages. They were judged Tajweed (pronunciation & articulation), fluency and accuracy, melody and voice, presence and confidence and finally proper pauses and understanding.
At the live event, the finalists had to recite the Qu’ran in front of a panel of 4 judges and a large audience of staff and parents.
KS3 winner, year 7 pupil Nusayba Mohamed memorised the Qu’ran at the age of eight years old. Our KS4 winner Janna Saliman is not only a keen footballer but excels at her recitation. Congratulations to all who took part. See you next year!
Pupils in KS3 and KS4 put together Eid gift hampers for the residents of Forest View Care Home. Ms Shaddock helped the pupils put the hampers together and they were delivered by our Head’s of Years. The hampers were well received and the residents were overwhelmed at the thoughtful gesture.
WorldBook day
All About World Book All About World Book dday: ay:
At Eden, World Book Day is an annual event that is joyously celebrated From Harry Potter to Alvin and the Chipmunks, we had it all. Students let their imaginations run wild, crafting costumes from ordinary things such as cardboard.
World Book Day is an event that commemorates the significance of reading books for children and adolescents, by allowing children to live vicariously through their favourite fictional characters
The original idea was conceived in 1922 by Vicente Clavel, director of Cervantes publishing house in Barcelona, as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes and boost book sales It was first celebrated on 7 October 1926, Cervantes' birthday, before being moved to his death date, 23 April, in 1930
World Book Day has encouraged millions of children across the globe to broaden their book tastes and find enjoyment in reading Reading allows children to live a thousand lives; whether that be through the magical world of Narnia or the mystical school life of Harry Potter
World Book Day was celebrated on the 1st of April at Eden, in consideration of Ramadan, but the late arrival did not result in any hesitation in terms of creativity of costumes Overall, World Book Day at Eden was yet another fantastic success, and we cannot wait for another!
Brilliant club is an extra curricular activity where students are given the opportunity of writing university essays based on various topics This gives students a taste of what university will be like and will also improve their written communication, as well as their ability to share their thoughts and opinions. Students are also given the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the world around them, which inspires them to follow the careers they are interested in
Brilliant club gives students the opportunity of writing essays to a high level standard and it will give them the chance to improve their writing skills so that they are prepared for University Students will gain knowledge from different topics that they don’t usually study at school
By Aqdas Mirza
UKMT Intermediate Challenge
It was seven years ag career change and rocked up to Eden as a green behind the ears student teacher. And it was six years ago, in September 2019, when I joined the Eden English department as a fulltime staff member On both occasions I was warmly welcomed by the Eden family and quickly made to feel part of the teaching community I think it was in the summer term – or maybe the following year - that I became involved in the Edonian magazine, one of my favourite experiences at Eden
Although my teaching duties reduced over time, I maintained my role at the Edonian and really enjoyed working with Ms Ayub (aka Superwoman) on the magazine. And it’s been a real pleasure to work with a changing group of Edonian student writers who are full of inspiration, drive and great ideas I hope it has created some positive lasting memories for them as they move on to do great things
It’s with a tinge of sadness that I say goodbye to the Edonian and to the Eden family after my years of involvement But I look forward with excitement to indulging my hobbies, my volunteering, and spending more time with my two sweet grandsons. Teaching has been a great chapter in my life and although there were some low moments on the journey, I’m so glad that I can look back as part of this amazing profession that does so much to help guide, educate and inspire young people I will miss you all
Mr Janoff
UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) offers a range of challenging competitions for participants of various ages to test their skills and logic. The Trust offers 3 levels: Junior - for year 8 and below, Intermediate - for year 9-year 11, and senior - for years 12-13.
Students that do exceptionally well can qualify for further, more difficult challenges such as: Junior Kangaroo and mathematical Olympiad for those qualifying the Junior Maths Challenge; Grey and Pink Kangaroo and Intermediate Olympiad for Intermediate qualifiers; and Senior Kangaroo and British Maths Olympiad for Senior Qualifiers.
Overall, UKMT is an excellent way to challenge and improve your maths skills and opens doors to many other brilliant opportunities that take you further along your journey in mathematical excellence. The challenge helps students to attempt difficult challenges and not be daunted, but rather continue working hard until they get to the correct answer. The challenge provides students with a way to improve both in maths, but also, in the long-term, with their problem-solving and confidence.
Aaliyah Patel
According to a study in the US, 75% of people were satisfied with the number of friends they had, while over 40% felt they were not as close to their friends as they would like.
In Colombia, South America, once a friendship has developed, greetings become warmer and a lot more hands-on - men will embrace and pat each other on the shoulder (known as an ‘abrazo’) and women kiss once on the right cheek.
Ireland is the top country who values friendship, with a rate of 70%!
In Russia, values of friendship and loyalty are intricately woven into the nation’s cultural tapestry, with origins tracing back to communal living and strong family bonds.
The concept of friendship in Japan can be traced back to ancient times, when people formed close bonds through shared experiences such as hunting or farming.
Friendship in China is viewed as a lifelong bond infused with obligation, respect, loyalty and honour
International Day Of Friendship in Africa is celebrated on the 30th of July, to raise awareness and contribute to the building of harmonious and inclusive societies
At Eden, we value the wellbeing of others and we strive to support those around us by providing as much help and advice as we can. We enrich students by providing opportunities to understand and acknowledge the importance of Mental Health and how it can affect us as we progress in life’s journey, and in order to achieve academic excellence it is vital to ensure that everyone can identify when they need to reach out for help.
Eden has introduced Young Mental Health Champions, a career opportunity which gives students an insight of Mental Health and its advantages and disadvantages. Students explore the value and significance of Mental Health and the importance of taking care of themselves.
Mental Health Champions >
This year, students competed to become a Mental Health Champion, in which they had the opportunity to explore Mental Health and its effects Students had to write an essay explaining why they would like to become a Mental health Champion and why they think they would be suitable for this role This extra-curricular activity gives them the opportunity to explore how they can make a difference and support those who are struggling with Mental Health issues Students came up with campaigns to spread awareness of Mental Health and how it can affect others and are currently working on different ways to support others by giving advice and preparing different activities to help them cope with their problems This extra curricular activity is equivalent to a GCSE and it helps develop an an advanced understanding of how Mental Health can have negative impacts on others and how people can cope with it
By Aqdas Mirza
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK
Dementia Workshop - Year 10s
Year 9 and 10 students were given the opportunity to participate in a study organised by students of UCL The study focused on the general statistics for pattern recognition, memory, and emotional and numerical intelligence in students aged 9-19
The participants took part in numerous tasks that aimed to test their recall and logical thinking skills on an app called ‘Ignite’ After completing these challenges, students were provided with an IQ test, which consisted of a range of questions, in ascending order of difficulty, that aimed to test students’ pattern recognition skills
After taking part in this study, students enjoyed an educational talk in which they were taught about the stages of drug development, including the importance of pre-clinical (before human) trials, and clinical (on human) trials, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Overall, the workshop was incredibly engaging and educational for the students, and while it was challenging, many students enjoyed various aspects of both the study and the lecture
Students in other years were also able to take part in many engaging workshops: Year 7 were able to look at natural selection and genetics with Queen Mary’s Centre of the Cell, while Year 8 learnt all about climate change, which involved a Kahoot quiz!
Aaliyah Patel
JASPREET KAUR
Y7 WORKSHOP
This term, Jaspreet Kaur introduced the year 7s to two books that she had written which were ‘Brown Girl Like Me’, a non-fiction book exploring what it means to be South Asian, and ‘The Spaces in Between’, an illustrated children’s mindfulness poetry book Jaspreet Kaur claimed that she wrote the book to support young people and children who suffer from anxiety, and the book offers different techniques on how to cope with anxiety The reason why she became a writer was to write books about mental health and to give advice to young children.
During the workshop, students ch other and shared heart-warm ne another. Students also wrote a g , ey wrote three things they were grateful for Jaspreet showed students videos of her spoken word poetry to give them an insight into her career and the different poems she wrote for different companies.
SPRING LANGUAGE TRIPS
This year, the year 9 French language students went to the British Film Institute (BFI) on the South Bank in London to watch the movie “Le Voyage de Fanny,” a movie based on the holocaust and the brutal treatment the French Jews received at the hands of the occupying German forces.
The students took part in sessions where they analysed the movie and practiced their understanding of French and afterwards watched the full movie in French, which really improved their linguistic skills
Overall the movie was very engaging. The characters faced many obstacles along the way and they were very resilient. It was very heart wrenching yet heart warming at the same time
The year 9 Spanish class we also went to BFI to watch a Spanish film, however something a tad more heart warming: landfill harmonic The documentary was an insight into one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Cateura, Paraguay and the reality many face living next to a landfill, with poor sanitation, poor education; and how, although faced with a tough situation, a bit of hope can help make the best of the situation
In Cateura, families often make their living scavenging off the
Ashalina Haider
For years, women have faced immense challenges that men do not even have to think about They have had their rights taken and their opportunities pulled out of their hands.
Let's travel back to 1928 to commemorate the reform brought on by one formidable force: feminism Having previously not been allowed to vote, women decided to no longer stand for this. The suffragettes brought with them a wave of change, and their powerful protests included several extremely memorable incidents, one of them being when Emily Wilding Davison stepped in front of King George V’s horse during a race to bring attention to the movement. She died a martyr: a pivotal figure known worldwide
Despite countless protests for gender equality, women are still diminished today Whether it’s being told that they can’t succeed in their dream field because they are ‘inferior’, their ideas being disregarded in conversations, or even being told that their job is to ‘stay at home’ Why is it that men are put on a pedestal, whilst women have to climb their way up a much longer ladder? International Women’s Day (IWD) is a way to remember all the powerful women in history who have fought for equality. Without them, we would still be living in the same primitive society that killed women for simply speaking out.
FunFact
THE THEME OF THIS ARTICLE IS PURPLE AS IT IS ONE OF THE THREE COLOURS REPRESENTING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, WITH A POWERFUL DEFINITION MEANING ‘JUSTICE’
International Women’s Day grew out of the labour movement The earliest recorded origins were when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote, in equality with men. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman's Day, but Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and women’s rights advocate, used her power to ensure that IWD took place internationally The first IWD was celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland The United Nations (UN) started marking the event in 1975.
In Afghanistan, girls above primary-school age remain banned from further education, held back by the shackles of the patriarchy The UN states that women and girls in Sudan are being abducted and assaulted in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), where they are forced to marry and are held for ransom According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index, no country has yet achieved full gender equality This is appalling We live in a so-called ‘modern era’, yet women are still treated in horrific ways and seen as inferior to men
We cannot give up until all women have equal rights to men, and we live in a society where one gender does not have a biased reign over the other Together, let’s fight for a world where the girls of the future never even have to consider the prospect of being ‘insufficient’ compared to their male counterparts.
WALTHAM FOREST
Waltham Forest Poetry Competition 2024
On Monday, 17th March, year 8 visited the Globe Theatre, an experience that was entirely new to many Being accustomed to films and TV series, I had almost forgotten the raw passion and energy that live performances bring to the stage. The play we watched was Macbeth, which featured impressive acrobatics that added excitement, particularly during the scenes with the three witches. Their dynamic movements made the performance captivating and enhanced the storytelling, even for those less familiar with Shakespeare’s complex language.
Track can experience, timers. their clipping bikes wonderful and pushed falls.
The Waltham Forest Poetry Competition is a national and local poetry competition. In 2024 the theme was Friendship, and the competition was judged by Jacqueline Saphra, a T.S. Eliot Prize nominated, award-winning poet, and a playwright, editor, agitator, teacher and organiser. She is the author of ten stage plays, four books and five collections of poetry.
We encourage Eden students to look out for the 2025 competition as the summer approaches, and enter some of your own poems! Just search for ‘Waltham Forest Poetry Competition’. At the time of going to print, the theme of the 2025 competition and the judge have not yet been announced. The competition is open to adults and young people alike, with a special category opportunity for people who live, work or study in the borough of Waltham Forest.
Below, with the writer’s permission, we’ve printed some of the local winning and commended poems from the 2024 competition.
My best friend
My best friend is really sweet
He likes to sleep
He likes to eat
He has nice eyes
And really soft hair
He only speaks a bit
A few words here and there
He’s a very good listener And gives the best hugs And he doesn’t like strangers And fights the bugs I think of him as family
Though we don’t share any genes Yes, I love my best friend
My cat, Beans
Iris Betts is 13 and attends Willowfield School. Her poem was awarded 2nd place in the local category.
If the world was to end
Friends are just people
Who take up time and space
They don’t matter much
Its not hard to face
You don’t actually need them
session shows how much they enjoyed it despite the challenges. It’s a testament to their resilience and enthusiasm!
8 students have been spotlighted as talent and invited back for trials.
Miss Ashraff
Is what I say
When someone asks me
What does friendship mean to you anyway?
But if you asked me on a deeper level
The truth would come out
I’d say so much
It would turn into a shout
Friends are just people
They take up time and space
They matter so much
I’ll say it to your face
You need them so greatly
Is what I now say
When someone asks me
What does friendship mean to you anyway?
It means to be close
No not to live near
But to have a bond so great
That when together there’s nothing to fear
You may have a fight
But it will not last
Your bond will grow closer
When some time has passed
You make so many memories
Not at all easy to forget
You treasure them dearly
Like when you first met
You enjoy being together
And you make the other smile
Your happiness is so bright
It stretches for miles
So if the world was to end I would want them to know
Our friendship means eternity
As we lie down below
Frankie Goldhill is 13 years old and attends Highams Park Secondary school. Her poem was Commended in the local category.
R E V I E W S
“If we are lost, God is like water, finding the unknowable path when we cannot.”
All My Rage is a young adult contemporary novel written by Sabaa Tahir, which explores the layers to grief, forgiveness and love.
The story is told with a dual timeline: Misbah and her husband Toufiq move to the United States after a tragic incidence and Noor and Salahudin, who after growing up as outcasts in Juniper, California, are more family than friends. But after his mother Misbah’s health fails her, and his grieving father Toufiq loses himself to alcoholism, Salahudin struggles to run his mother’s motel, whilst Noor desperately tries to apply for college in a bid to escape Juniper and her vengeful uncle.
For such a heavy book, Tahir does a wonderful job of presenting the difficult topic of grief and loss in a way that is not too overwhelming. She also incorporates lots of positive South Asian and Muslim representation whilst also challenging cultural and religious stereotypes.
One criticism I would offer however, is that the book tries to cover too many difficult themes over its pages. It felt like much pent-up rage was never given closure and needed further exploration.
Overall, I would give this book 4.75 stars out of 5. Recommended for 14+
Khadijah Dada
Skulduggery Pleasant Scythe
Skulduggery Pleasant is a series of dark fantasy novels written by Irish author Derek Landy The story centres on a young girl named Stephanie, who aspires to be a detective One day, she stumbles upon a skeleton that can talk and reveals himself to be Skulduggery Pleasant, a legendary skeleton detective Intrigued, Stephanie agrees to be his partner, and they set out to solve magical crimes together. As they solve mysteries, the duo faces life-changing adventures, and the book will hold you spellbound till the end
The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and evokes feelings of mystery and wonder There’s a strong sense of adventure as the characters face various challenges and obstacles The humorous moments in the book help to break up the tension and create lighter moments.
The characters are very well-developed and interact in a way that is authentic and believable The magic is described in a way that is both mysterious and enchanting The book also takes on serious themes such as loss and death, giving the story emotional depth
Aqdas Mirza
Scythe, by Neal Shusterman, is a dystopian novel based around a society that conquered death and became useless. The thunderhead - an adapted form of the internet - controls all of society’s needs, leaving humans to lives of bliss. To prevent overpopulation, legal killers named “scythes” chose people to “glean”, and this was deemed the ultimate job. Scythes were above the law, and their family’s given immunity from gleaning as long as they live.
The novel is incredibly engrossing and has many twists and turns that grip the reader and encourages them to read on. The story follows two Scythe apprentices, Citra and Rowan, on their journey into the Scythedom, until they were pitted against each other by corrupt Scythes who took pleasure in mass “gleanings” under the pretense of following their duties.
Overall, Scythe is an incredibly well-written and enjoyable read and explores the dark concepts surrounding an ever-evolving world in which humans break down natural barriers in their thirst for ever more.
