The Arc of a Scythe series explores a post-mortal universe, in which death by disease, aging, and accident became virtually impossible in 2042. In this world, people are implanted with nanites that control pain, regulate moods, and accelerate healing. People can turn a corner, or reset their age when they please, and “deadish”—clinically dead—people can be revived at healing centers.

With immortality a reality, scythedoms have been set up to glean people, or deliver final death as a mechanism of population control. Scythes are free from the control of the Thunderhead and are supposed to operate by a strict code of ethics, such as gleaning without bias and within limits. However, as time goes on, many scythes grow corrupt, killing for cruelty and personal gain. Events in the series begin at this juncture, nearly 300 years after the Thunderhead was set up.

In Scythe, the first book of the trilogy, teenagers Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch are chosen as apprentices to the honorable scythe Michael Farraday. The two talented young people fall in love. Farraday fakes his death to prevent a deathly face-off between his proteges, but Rowan still falls into the hands of evil scythe Goddard.