Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Scythe. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Citra Terranova wins the contest to become a Scythe and takes the name Scythe Anastasia, and she secretly spares Rowan Damisch. Rowan escapes and begins a new life as “Scythe Lucifer,” a vigilante who kills corrupt scythes.
Quick facts
– Book: Scythe by Neal Shusterman
– First published: 2016
– Type: A young adult dystopian novel
– Tone of the ending: Tense and hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In a future where death has been conquered, scythes are the only ones who can end lives to control the population. Teenagers Citra and Rowan are chosen as apprentices by Scythe Faraday. When Faraday seems to die, they are split between Scythe Curie and the brutal Scythe Goddard, and they learn that only one of them will be ordained.
What Happens at the End of Scythe
At the final conclave, Citra is chosen. The rule is that the winner must glean the loser, but Citra punches Rowan, giving him a chance to escape, and she marks him in a way that protects him. Rowan, who had already killed Goddard and his followers, slips away. Months later, rumours spread of a masked figure killing corrupt scythes, known as Scythe Lucifer.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Citra becomes Scythe Anastasia.
- Rowan escapes instead of being gleaned.
- Goddard was killed earlier by Rowan.
- Rowan becomes a vigilante.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Citra Terranova | Becomes Scythe Anastasia |
| Rowan Damisch | Becomes Scythe Lucifer |
| Scythe Faraday | Revealed to have faked his death |
| Scythe Goddard | Killed by Rowan |
What the Ending Means
The ending raises questions about power and morality in a world without natural death.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers think Rowan is a hero, others a villain. The series continues to explore these questions.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Death. Gleaning is a moral burden.
Corruption. Scythe Goddard represents abuse of power.
Choice. Citra and Rowan follow different paths.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Scythe as tense and hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Neal Shusterman to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tense and hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Neal Shusterman closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Scythe with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about death, and do you agree with Neal Shusterman's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tense and hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces death and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Neal Shusterman leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Scythe often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Scythe earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Scythe on Amazon
Books to Read After Scythe
- Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
Related: Scythe by Neal Shusterman: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Scythe You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Scythe?
Citra Terranova wins the contest to become a Scythe and takes the name Scythe Anastasia, and she secretly spares Rowan Damisch. Rowan escapes and begins a new life as “Scythe Lucifer,” a vigilante who kills corrupt scythes.
Is the ending of Scythe happy or sad?
Most readers call it tense and hopeful.
What does the ending of Scythe mean?
The ending raises questions about power and morality in a world without natural death.
Is Scythe part of a series?
Yes. It is the first book in the Arc of a Scythe trilogy, followed by Thunderhead and The Toll.
What age is Scythe for?
It is written for teens, roughly 13 and up, because of frequent killing and some graphic violence.
Who wrote Scythe and when was it published?
Scythe was written by Neal Shusterman and first published in 2016.
Is Scythe worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult dystopian novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Neal Shusterman prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Scythe before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.