I actually just finished reading Gathering Blue. It was quite interesting, to say the least. The story had its moments that kept me engaged and curious about what would happen next. However, when compared to its companion book, The Giver, it simply didn't measure up. The Giver had a depth and complexity that Gathering Blue lacked. The themes explored in The Giver were more profound and thought-provoking, while Gathering Blue seemed to skate on the surface of some interesting ideas without fully delving into them. Nevertheless, Gathering Blue was still an enjoyable read, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. It just didn't have the same impact on me as The Giver did.