The problem with this book is that it doesn't seem to be set in the same world as The Giver.

In The Giver, the world was filled with advanced technology that controlled the weather and genetically modified people. They had pills to suppress emotions and passions. Moreover, mammals and birds were not allowed.

However, the world in this book is harsh and filthy. Parents physically discipline their children. Men hunt with spears, and women are not allowed to read, which is both sexist and appalling. Everyone resorts to violence at the slightest provocation. They live in mud huts and even confine children to chicken pens.

The only nice building is the one where Kira lives after her mother passes away and she becomes an orphan, lacking a father but possessing great talent. Despite the dirty and gritty nature of her world, the stakes for her are not as high as they were for Jonas.

She enjoys a comfortable living with hot water, while Jonas was fleeing from a place of comfort into the unknown.

I'm skeptical about how she and Thomas will bring about change, but at least they are safe.

Also, I find it hard to believe that Jonas and she get married in the fourth book. Marrying Thomas makes a bit more sense. Additionally, the whole syllable thing is rather confusing. Some names simply don't require four syllables. Truly, The Giver is superior to this book.

Furthermore, one has to wonder if M Night Shyamalan borrowed ideas from this book for his movie The Village.

This book is nothing like The Giver, both in quality and in plot.

There is no emotional connection to any of the characters. The so-called "magical" quality of the small scrap of cloth that Kira owns is irritatingly not explained. It seems equally impossible and fails to cover up the weak writing style. The building of tension is not done well, and the big reveal is far too obvious. The slight twist near the end is far too convenient, and the main opportunity for conflict is completely bypassed in a book that is supposed to be about being different and starting a revolution. The function of the Singer within the community, or any effect he and the Gathering have upon the community, is not detailed and seems a rather weak idea to base the whole oppressive society on.

Not only does this book have a weak beginning and an even weaker middle, but it doesn't actually have an end! If 1984 had trailed off with a weak, "Maybe he'd try and change things...", it would never have been considered a classic. Kira never truly challenges the society or the Guardians, and the book just stops without any actual conclusion or climax.

Besides that, there's no real importance to the "blue" to be gathered except that it's not a common colour, but Kira doesn't even gather the blue! It's as if JK Rowling had written Harry Potter from the viewpoint of Dudley. We'd hear that Harry was a wizard and this was important, and then she'd send him off to Hogwarts while our main character is left with no damn story!

I wouldn't consider this as a companion to The Giver. It's irritating. Perhaps that's why it ends so abruptly, maybe the author just got fed up. I know the feeling.

**Gathering Blue (The Giver, #2), Lois Lowry**

Gathering Blue is a captivating young adult social science novel penned by Lois Lowry and published in 2000. It serves as a companion to The Giver (1993), set in the same future era and universe, exploring some of the same profound themes. It is followed by Messenger (2004) and Son (2012) in The Giver Quartet.

The story's central figure is Kira, a girl with a deformed leg who becomes orphaned. In a society where the weak or disabled are typically left to die in the fields, Kira must find a way to survive. As the book progresses, she discovers the art of dyeing thread in various colors, except for blue, which is unknown in her community. Through her journey, she also uncovers the truth about her village and the dark secrets it harbors.

This novel, "Gathering Blue," is a fantasy and science fiction tale from a series of stories with the theme of striving for social change, written by Lois Lowry. The first story in this series is titled "The Giver." Kira's struggle to survive and find her place in a cruel world makes for a compelling read, filled with mystery, adventure, and thought-provoking themes.

It invites readers to question the values and norms of society and to consider the power of art and individual talent in the face of adversity.

Gathering Blue is the second installment in the captivating Giver series, which consists of four books penned by Lois Lowry.

Unlike its predecessor, this story has no direct connection to the first. It is set in a different place with distinct circumstances. The Giver presented a seemingly perfect society on the surface, but Gathering Blue is far from that ideal.

Once again, we are plunged into a dystopian world, where young Kira takes center stage as our heroine. She endures the harshest of circumstances, growing up in a difficult environment where a special skill sets her apart from others. Orphaned, she not only survives but eventually thrives. However, as she matures, she begins to see the true nature of her world.

The story starts off slowly, but as Kira embarks on her journey with her urchin friend Matt and another talented boy, Thomas, it gradually unfolds. Similar to The Giver, there are no straightforward answers or conclusive endings. Nevertheless, once again, Ms Lowry weaves a beautiful and meaningful story that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

After reading some of the other reviews, I was hesitant to read this book. In all honesty, it is very different from The Giver, but it is a good book.

The best way I can tell you how to read this book is to assume it takes place in another village outside of the Giver village or just forget about The Giver when reading this book. This book revolves around a girl who has a handicap with one of her legs. She experiences loss, which is a very painful and challenging thing for anyone. However, throughout the story, she grows and learns the truth.

As she faces various difficulties and obstacles, she discovers her inner strength and courage. She realizes that she can overcome her handicap and achieve great things. The story is full of emotions and lessons that will touch your heart and make you think. It shows that even in the face of adversity, we can find hope and grow into better people.

Overall, this book is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story with a strong female protagonist.

3.5*

Although this story doesn't reach the originality of "The Giver" (and thus it has only received 3 stars), it still has its own charm. The writing style is simple yet correct and pleasant to read. It takes the readers on a journey that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The story builds on the world that was established in "The Giver" and offers new insights and perspectives. It explores themes such as memory, choice, and the consequences of our actions. While the connection between the two narratives doesn't occur until the third book, "Messenger", this story still manages to stand on its own.

I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoyed "The Giver" and want to know how the story continues. It is a great addition to the series and will leave you eager to read more.

(review in English below)

3,5*
Sem chegar à originalidade de "O Dador de Memórias" (e daí ter ficado apenas com 3 estrelas), esta história tem também o seu encanto. A escrita é simples mas correcta e agradável.

Recomendado a quem quer saber como continua a história que começou com "O Dador" (embora a ligação entre as duas narrativas apenas aconteça no 3º livro, "O Mensageiro").

Without the originality of "The Giver" (hence the 3 star rating), this story has its own appeal. The writing is simple yet correct and pleasant.

I'd recommend it to those who want to know how the story of "The Giver" continues (though the connection between the two narratives occurs only on book 3, "Messenger").

That's not a plot, that's a twist!

I read this book as a companion to "The Giver," and I was pretty disappointed. The underlying sense of unease and the tense pacing that makes "The Giver" so fantastic just isn't present in "Gathering Blue."

Part of this is because it is a companion book, I read this book differently than I read "The Giver." Instead of reading the book with white knuckles and wide eyes, thinking, "What the heck is wrong with these people???" I read it thinking, "Yeah, yeah, creepy village -- what's the twist?" I think the book might actually be better read if you haven't read "The Giver." However, I'm hesitant to say that, because if you're going to read one dystopic Lowry novel, you should definitely go for "The Giver."

Because the main character is an outcast and the reader is therefore also kept at arm's length from the village, the reader doesn't feel a strong sense of betrayal or shock when the inevitable twist occurs. We're not connected with the village, in the way that we were connected to Jonas's community through his ties for his parents and friends. Furthermore, the world is not incredibly well-crafted. Do we really need the beasts? Another device might have been even more menacing. The world-building seems a bit uninspired.

Kira is also very passive and it was hard for me to connect with her. Things happen to Kira -- she doesn't make things happen, which doesn't make for a gripping read. I wish the story had been told from the point of view of her adventurous young friend Matt, the only character in the novel who is dynamic enough to act. Also, the pacing is horribly slow. I don't think I would have had the patience for this novel as a young reader.

If you think that reading about someone sitting around and weaving is absolutely thrilling, then this book is for you. Or, if you keep a framed photo of M. Night Shyamalan on your nightstand, then you'll definitely like this book.

I had this book vividly mapped out in my mind. From the moment where The Giver left off, I was completely certain that book #2 would commence with Jonas and Gabriel miraculously surviving and then stumbling upon the mainstream community, much like that of our modern civilization. In this idyllic place, there would be music filling the air, a riot of colors everywhere, and love abounding. And they would live happily ever after, a beautiful conclusion to their arduous journey.

But alas, book #2 had a different agenda. It wasn't overly concerned with telling Jonas's life story or providing a respite from the potential perils that might face humankind in the future. Instead, Lowry was resolutely continuing to explore the complex and often disturbing world of a post-apocalyptic society.

In this book, she has masterfully created a Village that is shockingly hostile to young children. Here, a person's worth is ranked by how many syllables are in their name, a truly absurd and unjust system. And those who are damaged or deemed unfit are callously cast out to the menacing Forest.

Set several years after The Giver, we are introduced to Kira in this new installment. We learn that before she was born, her father went hunting and was said to have been taken by the dreaded 'beast'. Kira herself was born with a crippled leg, a physical deformity that, according to the cruel laws of the Village, should have led to her immediate expulsion. But her mother Katrina, a woman of great courage and love, refused to let that happen.

Tragically, upon Katrina's strange and untimely death (which marks the start of the book), Kira suddenly found herself orphaned and at the mercy of The Council of Guardians, who would determine her fate. Fortunately, it turned out that Kira was an 'artist' with a particular talent that they needed. She was allowed to stay and became the seamstress responsible for handling the highly coveted Singer's robe.

During her time in the Village, Kira befriends another 'artist', Thomas the Carver. She also maintains her previous friendship with Matt, a spirited and mischievous young 'tyke'. Then, through her interactions with Isabella Annabella, a dye-colorist expert, Kira learns a startling truth: there are no beasts in the Forest. This discovery, along with the mysterious captivity of Jo, another 'artist' (a young girl with a beautiful singing voice), leads Kira to begin wondering what exactly is going on beneath the surface of the Village.

In the meantime, Matt's eccentric and adventurous character leads him into the Forest, where he makes a remarkable discovery: Christopher, who turns out to be Kira's long-lost father. Before she knows it, Kira is piecing together the puzzle of the Village's secrets. And of course, the ending is yet another thought-provoking cliffhanger! The seed of hope that has been planted may or may not flourish in the uncertain future.

Once I finally understood the direction that Lowry was taking with this book, I found myself quite liking the plot. However, I must admit that I didn't find the characters as utterly gripping as they were in the first book. With the exception of Matt, that is. His charm and spirit truly shone through, and I'm glad to see that he will have a major role to play in the third book.

I am now filled with curiosity to see how Lowry will ultimately manage to tie it all together and bring this captivating trilogy to a satisfying conclusion.

My quote-ables:
"Take pride in your pain,...You are stronger than those who have none."

I made an effort.

The book is worse than the first volume :v

To be honest, I was quite disappointed when I started reading this book.

After the excitement and anticipation brought by the first volume, this one just didn't meet my expectations.

The plot seemed to lack the same kind of charm and excitement.

The characters didn't develop as deeply as I had hoped.

It felt like the author was just going through the motions, rather than really putting their heart and soul into the story.

Maybe it's just me, but I really think this book could have been a lot better.

I hope the author will take the feedback and improve in the future.

Overall, it was a bit of a letdown.

This book truly exceeded my expectations. I was rather astonished because it received a lower rating compared to The Giver, and numerous reviews claimed it wasn't as good. However, I found it to be truly excellent. It had a distinct setting from the first book. While the first one was more futuristic and presented a seemingly pleasant world, this book was more barbaric. The way they treated the children was truly horrifying. That was by far the most difficult part of the book to read.

I'm extremely curious about how the next book in the series will unfold. I'm hoping it will offer yet another unique setting. It's fascinating to observe how different worlds can be constructed and developed. Although this book didn't fully explain why the world was in such a state, perhaps that's because it didn't require an extensive explanation. It left room for the readers' imagination to fill in the gaps.

I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.

~4.25 stars~

This rating of 4.25 stars indicates a high level of satisfaction. It shows that the product or service being evaluated has met or exceeded the expectations of the majority of users. With such a rating, it is clear that there are many positive aspects to it.

Perhaps the quality is outstanding, with attention to detail and精湛的工艺. The performance might be excellent, delivering results that are both efficient and effective. Or maybe the customer service is top-notch, providing prompt and helpful assistance whenever needed.

However, it's important to note that a 4.25-star rating also means that there is still room for improvement. There could be a few areas where the product or service could be enhanced to reach an even higher level of excellence. This might involve addressing minor flaws or making small adjustments to the overall experience.

Overall, a 4.25-star rating is a great achievement, but it should also serve as a motivation to continue striving for improvement and providing an even better product or service in the future.

Based on the reviews I had read, I expected this volume not to be as exciting as the previous one (the divider). However, it was! The story was also very engaging and smooth.

In the beginning of the story, since I was always waiting for the characters of the previous volume to enter the story, I didn't pay much attention to the story of Kair. But gradually, I liked Kair and in my opinion, the depth of her character was greater than that of Jonas (the main character of the divider) and I had a very good connection with her :).

Overall, it was very good, but still the ending was like that of the previous volume in a way that one thinks the last ten pages of the book were misprinted :))).