Helpful Score: 1
It's very hard to describe Messenger without giving away parts of The Giver and Gathering Blue. This is the third book in that trilogy. So I'm not going to say anything about the book, other than I enjoyed it very much but consider it to be the weakest of the three. It was nice to have a sequel that wrapped up (somewhat) the other two titles.
Helpful Score: 1
Such a great book! This is a bit different than the one that came before it, in that it's darker and definitely more enjoyable for older audiences. (In my opinion, the other two were more suitable for younger audiences.) The story is really touching, though. Definitely my favorite of the three.
This book completes the trilogy (The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger). While I loved The Giver, and enjoyed Gathering Blue, Messenger left me a bit disappointed. This book did touch upon things that happened in The Giver, which was great. I do suggest reading all 3 in order, but be prepared that The Giver is the best in the trilogy.
Not just a book for young adults-this is a great thought provoking story.I was sad to have the story end it left me wanting to know more about these people
enjoyed reading the final book in The Giver trilogy. Tied up all the pieces.
Like the rest of the Giver Quartet so far, this was a quick read that escalated from light to heavy very quickly.
Still no word of Jonas from the original book, but the main players from Gathering Blue are back, as Matty (two syllables now!) is watching changes happen in his new home with Kira's father. The Village that Kira's father introduces at the end of Gathering Blue seemed like the ultimate utopia where everyone cared for each other, however, something sinister has come and people are trading their own souls in exchange for their desires. This shatters the utopia that is the Village and causes the people to close their borders to newcomers.
Matty has 3 weeks to travel through Forest and bring Kira home, before the warped villagers can build their wall (I had to look up the publishing date when this came up... 2004, long before the story paralleled in the US). In the end, he uses his newfound gift to save them all, but at what cost?
Still no word of Jonas from the original book, but the main players from Gathering Blue are back, as Matty (two syllables now!) is watching changes happen in his new home with Kira's father. The Village that Kira's father introduces at the end of Gathering Blue seemed like the ultimate utopia where everyone cared for each other, however, something sinister has come and people are trading their own souls in exchange for their desires. This shatters the utopia that is the Village and causes the people to close their borders to newcomers.
Matty has 3 weeks to travel through Forest and bring Kira home, before the warped villagers can build their wall (I had to look up the publishing date when this came up... 2004, long before the story paralleled in the US). In the end, he uses his newfound gift to save them all, but at what cost?
I was disapointed in the ending of this trillogy. I thought it was depressing and it did not answer a lot of questions about why this universe that Lowry created was the way it was. I needed some kind of origin story or back story. I felt that The Giver was a stand alone book and the next two were just afterthoughts.
This is Book 3 of The Giver Quartet.
In this book, Lowry brings her main characters from Gathering Blue to the town where Jonah found refuge at the end of The Giver.
This book was interesting (and again, a good bit creepy) because Lowry is starting to personify evil, to give it ground as it starts to manifest itself in various ways. The once-peaceful town is changing, the people are starting to turn on each other, and nature itself is starting to turn on them.
Lowry really begins to bring the special gifts of the characters into focus, and they become a central element in the progression of the story. Im starting to accept the fact that Lowry isn't going to wrap up the end of her stories with a tidy little bow, as I've come to expect the rather vague endings. I know that theyre coming, but it still leaves me longing for more.
In all, this was a very insightful and important installment in The Giver Quartet. I am really looking forward to the final book, and am anxious to see how all of this is going to end.
In this book, Lowry brings her main characters from Gathering Blue to the town where Jonah found refuge at the end of The Giver.
This book was interesting (and again, a good bit creepy) because Lowry is starting to personify evil, to give it ground as it starts to manifest itself in various ways. The once-peaceful town is changing, the people are starting to turn on each other, and nature itself is starting to turn on them.
Lowry really begins to bring the special gifts of the characters into focus, and they become a central element in the progression of the story. Im starting to accept the fact that Lowry isn't going to wrap up the end of her stories with a tidy little bow, as I've come to expect the rather vague endings. I know that theyre coming, but it still leaves me longing for more.
In all, this was a very insightful and important installment in The Giver Quartet. I am really looking forward to the final book, and am anxious to see how all of this is going to end.
I liked how this book ties in the first three books a little bit. I did like most of the characters here as well. I am a bit sad for the ending though.
