I decided to read this book mainly because there were numerous unanswered questions lingering in my mind after reading The Giver. And I had heard that this book was supposed to be the follow-up to it. However, to my great disappointment, there is absolutely no connection whatsoever between these two stories.

If you are someone who is seeking clarification and answers regarding the events and mysteries in The Giver, then this book will not provide you with the satisfaction you desire. It simply does not address or expand on the elements that made The Giver so captivating and thought-provoking.

That being said, this book is not a bad story in its own right. It has its own unique plot and characters, but it falls far short of the excellence and impact that The Giver had. It lacks the depth, the complexity, and the emotional resonance that made The Giver such a memorable and influential work.

In conclusion, while this book may have some merit, it is not the sequel that fans of The Giver were hoping for. It fails to build on the foundation laid by its predecessor and leaves readers with a sense of unfulfilled expectations.

I don't know what it is about dystopian that's so captivating.

Perhaps it's the sense of danger and uncertainty that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Or maybe it's the opportunity to explore what could happen if society goes wrong.

Whatever the reason, I'm a huge fan of dystopian literature.

And I especially love the writing style of this author.

It's simple to the point, yet still manages to convey a powerful message.

The fact that this is a sequel that's connected to the prequel only by theme is also very interesting.

It gives the author the freedom to write about other possible 'worlds' in the next books, or to somehow link them together as she hints to with the mention of the blue-eyed boy.

I can't wait to see where this story goes next.

This was yet another decent book within the series.

However, there were certain moments when I experienced a sense of boredom creeping in.

Due to this, it dragged a little in some areas.

Thankfully, it wasn't overly terrible as the book didn't consume an excessive amount of time to finish.

It had its moments of interest, but it also had those lulls that made it a bit less engaging at times.

Nonetheless, it was still an okay read that could potentially appeal to fans of the series who are looking for more installments to enjoy.

Overall, it had its pros and cons, but it managed to hold my attention for the most part.

It may not be the most outstanding book in the series, but it wasn't a complete disappointment either.

The complete review: http://palarisme.ro/chef/carti/recenz...

Lois Lowry's series should be studied in school. The symbolism is astonishing. "The Giver 2: Messenger" develops the themes from "The Giver", presenting them in a similar vision without seeking an explanation or a solution. It has a fluid style, a quick read, and magical characters. I really liked it a lot and I'm eagerly waiting for the third novel, which will connect the first two.

This series offers a unique perspective on a dystopian world. The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make it a captivating read. It challenges the readers' thinking and makes them question the norms and values of society.

Lowry's writing is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for readers of all ages. The series not only entertains but also educates, making it a valuable addition to any school curriculum.

Overall, "The Giver 2: Messenger" is a great continuation of the series and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction.

Reading this again in hard copy form, I still truly relished it.

I'm overjoyed that I'll be instructing it in Children's Literature. There are numerous powerful and touching themes. One of them being that "vibrant life still struggles to thrive despite such destruction."

I adore that Lowry desires children to understand that pain can render us strong and that, despite the hardships we'll all encounter, we can still lead fulfilling lives and have an impact.

The ending is flawless to me. However, I don't know why it isn't a five-star book for me. I like the characters, and the plot is sturdy.

It didn't seem as long when reading it as it did when listening to it. I had initially thought it dragged a bit, but this time around it didn't as much.

Still, perhaps there's a deficiency in the depth or development of the conflict. I believe that's it. We have conflict, but nothing ever truly reaches a climax, nothing with Vindara and Kira or Jamison and Christopher or the Singer who is chained or Jo.

So I wish those conflicts had been further developed and pushed. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book, and I hope my students do too!

It's always held a peculiar place in my heart since my childhood best friend recommended that I read it the first time around when I was perhaps 9 or 10.

I have a rule that I'll only listen to books I've already read the traditional way. This is so that if I miss something, it won't matter, and because for me, reading and listening are very distinct.

I wasn't certain what to listen to next then I went to my "books I need to reread and soon" shelf and saw this book on there.

I remember borrowing it from my best friend back in fourth grade, maybe, and loving it. I read it before I even knew about The Giver.

At this point, I've also read Messenger and Son and reread The Giver for myself and to teach it in Children's Literature, so I was excited to listen to Gathering Blue with all the context.

I really enjoyed it. I don't like the narrator's reading, particularly when she does older and/or male voices, but the book itself is as captivating as I remember it being.

I loved revisiting this world Lowry created and following Keira's journey. I love the ending, especially. It's so beautiful and hopeful and made me happy to hear it.

I also love the hint at Jonas living "yonder," the boy around Keira's age with a two-syllable name and blue eyes. Overall, this was great to listen to and experience again, and I'm excited to listen to Messenger!!

4 Stars for Gathering Blue: The Giver Quartet, Book 2 (audiobook) by Lois Lowry read by Katherine Borowitz.

Gathering Blue is an interesting story that offers us a deeper understanding of the world in The Giver. However, for me, it just doesn't have the same special charm as the first book.

The narrative in Gathering Blue takes us on a new adventure, introducing us to new characters and challenges. We get to see a different side of the society that Lois Lowry has created.

Despite its merits, I couldn't help but feel that it lacked the emotional impact and the sense of wonder that The Giver had. Maybe it's because my expectations were set so high by the first book.

Nonetheless, I still plan to give the third book in the series a try. I'm curious to see where the story will lead and if it can recapture the magic that made The Giver so memorable.

I'm hoping that the third book will bring something new and exciting to the table and make me fall in love with the series all over again.

If this book is the continuation of "The Giver", the author prefers that we don't even notice.

She coldly throws us into a different world than the one we knew in her previous book, with a new protagonist and new circumstances. The story is a kind of juncture to unite the previous account with those that will come. And that's how it must be understood (the truth is that's how I understood it, if someone understood something else, enlighten me).

Nora becomes an orphan and has a motor disability in one leg. Despite the practical and laconic suggestions of some ("Kill her"), the Council of Guardians keeps her because the girl shows an exceptional and inexplicable ability for weaving. And soon she will join other children who show an exceptional and inexplicable ability for something and who have also become orphans.

A story that slowly builds tension, with likeable characters, and where Lowry shows her narrative elegance and a remarkable creative capacity: A true Creator of new Worlds with their systems of government, laws, social rules, and cultural values.

The story is slow, simple, and brief. A bridge towards what will come. And it leaves a good taste in the mouth. It's not much more than that, but it has its merits.

Hmmm… I’m truly in a dilemma when it comes to this book. It presents a story that is markedly different from The Giver. Both delve deep into the issues of controlling a society, yet from vastly different perspectives. In The Giver, we witness a world where every physical need is met. However, in Gathering Blue, life is far from utopic, almost to an extreme extent. Technology seems to have been completely lost, and people are living in huts, struggling for mere survival. The two stories appear to be entirely unrelated.

The writing remains smooth, and there are still fascinating examinations of society, individual choice, unique talents, and the shunning of differences. All of these elements are treated in a very distinct way, and the stories don't seem to connect at all.

I don't wish to state that I'm disappointed with this second installment. The Giver, despite its uncertain ending, felt complete. Gathering Blue, on the other hand, feels like there is untapped potential. It doesn't stand as a complete story on its own. It requires a subsequent book. I know from a friend who just completed the series that everything comes together in the end. I'm glad to have this prior knowledge. Without it, I would be somewhat confused and a little irritated.

So, based on what I've read and what I know about what lies ahead, here's what I'll say. If you enjoyed Lowry's writing in The Giver, by all means, read Gathering Blue, but anticipate less of a sense of satisfaction when you reach the final page. I'm grudgingly content with this because I know I'll find a resolution in the next two books. (Unless, of course, my friend is not telling the truth, in which case we'll surely have a quarrel. But I'm reasonably optimistic that she is.)

If you're still undecided, here's a possible incentive. There is a precocious scamp accompanied by a lovable dog who engages in endearing mischief while offering invaluable assistance.

**The Color Blue**

The only color lacking in the life of this community created by Lois Lowry is blue. This amazing author who wrote "The Giver" has penned another story. Although this novel is the second part of a series, it has no direct connection to the events of the first one. The idea is somewhat similar, but the ending is different. It's as if the author decided to write the same idea in a different style with a new ending.

This novel, unlike "The Giver", is written slowly to the point of being a bit tiresome, even though it is shorter than "The Giver" scientifically speaking. It describes the community symbolically, with a simple and concise writing style. It describes everything in short sentences, making you see every situation clearly as if it were a picture in front of you, which I like about the author's style.

The way it is written makes you feel the warmth and makes you endure and wait for what the author wants to tell you. Maybe you feel that this novel is more childish than "The Giver". I actually felt the meaning of the word "teenage literature" because I didn't feel it in "The Giver".

Kira, the poor girl born with a physical defect in her foot, when her parents died, the community almost abandoned her to be left alone in the forest to be eaten by wild animals. But her talent in weaving and dyeing fabrics made them keep her for a specific purpose, which is to restore what they call "the rope", a wide fabric with designed pictures that tells the story of the past from the beginning of creation to the present moment, with parts left for Kira to embroider the future in her life. Also, this village has all the colors except blue.

As we see, the story is symbolic in depicting the past and the present. We know it and see it with all its mistakes but don't learn from it. Although there are places where a better future is drawn, we don't act. It depicts the harshness of the community towards the person who doesn't do what is expected of him. It depicts what a person likes to do and when this thing becomes an action, the person feels judged in a framework that doesn't measure his emotions and interests.

The portrayal of the characters was very good and deep in this novel. You feel as if you know each character as if they were real people you met in your life. Also, the author's portrayal of everything that goes on in Kira's mind and how a handicapped person feels in all aspects of his life impressed me.

This novel is average overall, which makes it weak because it is the second part of "The Giver", and "The Giver" was excellent. Also, the idea was fantasy in the first place, and it could have taken a more exciting path than the one the author took. But I predicted most of the events almost and felt a great sense of disappointment when I reached the end.

However, if God wills, I will continue to read the other two parts of this series.

I liked the portrayal of this picture of the character Fandara, a friend of Kira:

It's not as good as the Giver, and I have to say I am kinda bummed.

I was really looking forward to this book, hoping it would be as engaging and thought-provoking as the Giver. However, it just didn't quite measure up.

The story seemed to lack depth and the characters weren't as well-developed as I would have liked. There were also some plot holes that left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.

No more can be said. Well anyway, I hope the next one is better! Maybe the author will learn from the mistakes in this book and create something truly amazing in the future. I'll keep my fingers crossed and wait to see what comes next.

Gathering Blue is the second installment in author Lois Lowry's The Giver Quartet. I was quite confused when I started this book. I had simply assumed that the story would pick up right where The Giver ended. However, Gathering Blue presents a different story with distinct characters. It is indeed a dystopian tale, but it描绘了一个比我在其他反乌托邦作品中所习惯的更为平静的世界。这并不是坏事，只是与众不同。这个故事让我明白，关于黑暗的另类未来的梦想并不总是充满了非人性化的技术进步、人为灾难或基于阶级的革命……它们也可能充满了被动和对弱者的接受性抛弃，而这最终同样令人恐惧。



我最喜欢的引语：


“以你的痛苦为傲，”她的母亲总是告诉她。“你比那些没有痛苦的人更强大。”

The second volume has made me even more intrigued by this world.

It is a really good book.

It presents a rich and vivid fictional world that attracts me deeply. The story unfolds in a captivating way, with various interesting characters and thrilling plot twists.

As I read through the pages, I find myself constantly immersed in this enchanting world, eager to discover what will happen next.

The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, making it easy for me to imagine every scene and situation.

Overall, the second volume has not only satisfied my curiosity but also left me longing for more.

I can't wait to explore further and see where this amazing journey will take me.

It is truly a remarkable book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves reading.