Messenger (The Giver, #3) by Lois Lowry was an absolute delight to read. It was a vast improvement over Gathering Blue. The story was not only enjoyable but also extremely well-written and engaging. I found myself easily getting immersed in the world that Lowry had created.

  It was an illusion. It was a tangled knot of fears and deceits and dark struggles for power that had disguised itself and almost destroyed everything. Now it was unfolding, like a flower coming into bloom, radiant with possibility.

Matty, the protagonist, was a perfect fit for the story. His easy-going nature added to the overall atmosphere, making it even more captivating. I was eager to see how he had changed since the events of the last book. However, I did wish that we could have learned more about his secret. It felt like there was a missing piece of the puzzle, and not having an explanation bothered me.

The writing in Messenger was simply superb. It managed to create a rich and creepy vibe that kept me on the edge of my seat. The suspense levels were off the charts, and I couldn't put the book down. Overall, I highly recommend this addition to the series. The story had a clear purpose, and the characters were realistic and charming. I can't wait to see how the series will conclude and how all the threads from the past three novels will be woven together.

This week, it's rather ironic to read such comments considering the headlines related to Sea Watch and Libya. Seriously, a village building a wall to keep immigrants out! It's truly astonishing. More children should have read books like this one during their childhood.

I'm still enjoying this series. I really loved the connection it has with "The Giver" and "Gathering Blue". However, towards the end, it drifts a bit too much into the "fantasy" realm. Nevertheless, it still conveys a powerful message about how even good societies can lose sight of what truly matters.

The story doesn't explain why certain things occurred. For example, did the forest attack because of the trade market and greed in the village? And is it really the case that all they need are healers? I hope "Son" provides more answers. I give it 2.5 stars mainly because of Matty. His story really tugged at my heartstrings.

This book is truly excellent.

You will finally discover what occurred to Jonas and Gabe. The conclusion is rather good, yet you might feel a bit disappointed.

The forest has finally achieved peace.

It's as if all the turmoil and uncertainty that Jonas and Gabe faced throughout their journey has come to an end.

The description of the forest in its peaceful state is vivid and evokes a sense of tranquility.

However, despite the good ending, there may be a hint of disappointment as some readers might have expected a more elaborate or different resolution.

Nonetheless, the book as a whole is a captivating read that keeps you engaged until the very last page.

It makes you think about various themes such as individuality, freedom, and the importance of memories.

Overall, it's a book that is definitely worth reading.

The first two books, which are half-dystopian and half-magical, Seçilmiş Kişi and Maviyi Toplamak, are combined in this book. I also really like Lois Lowry's writing and the messages she conveys one after another. However, unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with this book as much as the previous ones. It felt a bit forced. Many questions remained unanswered. For example, what happened to the Trader? Why did evil rise, and who lit the fuse? Although Matty was a character I liked, he sacrificed himself for these questions.

The last book Oğul is thicker than all of them. I hope we can find answers to these questions.

Happy reading to everyone.

Okay, so upon completing The Giver trilogy, I was a little upset.

Within the first few chapters of all three books, they were tied together. I have three questions after reading it:
(The following questions contain spoilers)
1) How were the changes occurring? - While it was clear that the Trade Mart was the root of the evil, it was never clear how that all operated. The Mentor traded his deepest inner self, but were the others trading the same? Whatever it was, their trading for comfort, ease and entitlement was somehow connected to the forest. Somehow they were connected, which brings me to my next question.

2) What explains Forest's demeanor/personality? - The forest warned them from entering/kept people from leaving. It was like the gatekeeper to the Village. It seems to me that it at first protected others from the communities from which they fled, then in the end protected others from the changing community's new negative attitude towards outsiders. This is in comparison to the total control over the earth and its resources demonstrated in The Giver, where increased technology and knowledge can conquer the elements meant to protect us, in order to establish stability and efficiency, yet requires the sacrifice of personal autonomy and pleasure--freedom and joy. Speaking of sacrifice,

3) How did Matty heal the Mentor and others like him in the Village? - I understand that he can heal physical and even emotional or mental illnesses and injuries. I don't, however, understand how he was able to change the inner self of people who had chosen to trade it away. Especially when it had already been said that what is traded can never be taken back. That doesn't make sense to me. That Matty dies in the end troubles me, but I understand that it is symbolic of the necessity of sacrifice to allow for the compensation of wrong acts. Sadly, nothing of the atonement of Matty points to permanent change. In but a generation people will forget, just as they had forgotten the roots of their village's founding.

Overall, while I enjoyed the trilogy, these questions linger in my mind, making me question the true depth and meaning of the story.

It's not that this book was bad per se.

Just like the others in this series, it is beautifully written and features beloved characters. However, it would be a stretch to say I liked it.

First, the plot elements are mystical, something that has never really happened before and which I found totally out of place in the world. The series has toyed here and there with fantastic ideas, but they could be explained, if at a stretch. The Messenger, on the other hand, is dealing with things like sentient forests and paranormal powers that come out of nowhere.

Ultimately, though, I didn't like this book because nothing was concluded. The final sacrifice was made, yet the main problem is left unresolved. The thing is, you can't force salvation. To save someone, he or she needs to want to be saved and have some idea of what they're being saved from...or they'll go right back where they were. The solution in The Messenger is at best an extremely costly finger in the dike: the problem is still there, the cause of the problem is still there, and the water is still going to drown the populace.

This is not a satisfactory end to a book. In fact, I felt I had wasted quite a lot of time reading a story that went nowhere. It's a pity, really, because the potential was there, but it just didn't deliver in the end.

Bruh. The series is truly becoming abysmal with each successive book. There are so many glaring plot holes that it's简直令人难以置信.

For instance, was the sled actually real? Or was it just a hypothermic hallucination? And if it was real, why on earth would there be a sled in the middle of fucking nowhere?

Then there's the question of how they obtained the magic. It seems to come out of nowhere without any proper explanation.

The forest also undergoes strange changes. Why does it change? And why is it suddenly killing people? In particular, why did it kill the gatherer?

Who the fuck is the Trademaster anyway? And how the fuck was he able to collect the 'deepest selves' of the people?

Matty healed the forest, which is okay, but then how the fuck did he manage to return the deepest selves of the people? And where the fuck did the Trademaster go?

It's truly baffling how anyone could give this book five stars.

Total time spent: 2h 35m.

This will be one of the best series that I have read.

It has all the elements that make a great story. The characters are well-developed and interesting, each with their own unique personalities and backstories. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The author has a great writing style that makes it easy to get lost in the story. The descriptions are vivid and detailed, allowing you to picture the scenes and characters in your mind.

I can't wait to see what happens next in the series. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read.

This one is truly up there with The Giver for me!

It has so much potential for classroom discussion, writing activities, and more. Yes, the English teacher in me definitely comes out sometimes when I think about this book.

What I really love about it is that it can be understood on several different levels. It's not just a simple story, but one that invites deep exploration and interpretation.

Moreover, the allusion to and symbolism of Christ in the book are extremely powerful. They add another layer of meaning and depth to the story, making it even more engaging and thought-provoking.

I told Kirk that if he doesn't read another novel all the way through in the next 5 years, he should definitely read this one. He and I read The Giver together during the beginning of our marriage, and we both loved how much it gave us to discuss and all the gospel connections we were able to make. I had read it before, but I wanted to read it again with him to share that experience.

In many respects, this series shows improvement as it progresses. However, it has definitely not taken the path that I had anticipated after reading The Giver. The Giver was clearly dystopian and could easily hold its own in that regard. Even though we are left in the dark about what becomes of the gifted protagonist beyond the final page, the conclusion is still satisfying.

I discovered that Gathering Blue was satisfying in a distinct manner. The futuristic society in which Kira resides is different from that of Jonas, yet it is equally flawed. Kira possesses a gift of her own, which appears to be in part artistic creativity, but with a somewhat mystical twist.

In Messenger, we encounter characters from both of the previous novels, and their gifts are revealed as, or have developed into, full-fledged supernatural abilities. I have no issue with that. I'm here for the adventure, Wordsmith. Lead me wherever you will. But, as I stated earlier, it is definitely not the direction I had expected based on my reading of The Giver.

Messenger is a far more allegorical than dystopian novel. I adored young Matty in GB and was pleased to see him become the main character of this story. I'm delighted by the way these tales are woven together; although, I'm very much aware of the fact that each character has brought about change to their flawed world through great personal sacrifice. I'm fairly bursting with anticipation about where Lowry will ultimately take us on this journey.

I'm a little bit disappointed that part 3 of the Giver quartet seems to have lost quite a bit of its dystopian flavor, as compared to parts 1 & 2. It has become more of a fantasy tale and moved away from its sci-fi beginnings.

There are way too many unanswered questions. The forest is growing crazy and killing people. People are getting these "gifts" of power. What's the deal with the strange thing at the Trade Mart? Also, I'm not really happy about how Messenger ended either.

Did the kid live or did he die? I'm kind of assuming he died but why didn't his healing powers save him?

Okay, I guess that's enough complaining about a children's book not living up to my adult standards. Anyhow, I do plan to read Son, because I have to see if there is any real conclusion here. Maybe Son will answer some of these lingering questions and bring the quartet to a satisfying end. I hope so, as I have been invested in this story since reading The Giver. I'm curious to see how Lois Lowry ties everything together and what final twists and turns she has in store for her readers.

I read Messenger a long time ago.

To be honest, I can barely remember the specific details of the story.

I believe it is a continuance from The Giver series.

However, it was just too dystopian for my taste.

The world presented in the book seemed so dark and无望.

There were no bright spots or glimmers of hope.

The characters had to face numerous challenges and hardships.

Maybe some people would appreciate this kind of dark and gritty story, but for me, it was a bit too much.

Overall, I would rate it 2 stars.

It wasn't a terrible book, but it just didn't resonate with me on a deep level.

I guess everyone has different preferences when it comes to literature.

Some like the light and fluffy stories, while others enjoy the more intense and thought-provoking ones.

For me, Messenger just didn't quite hit the mark.