I read this for school.

I read The Giver back in junior high, so this was a nice trip back for me. It was like revisiting an old acquaintance.

While I enjoyed the majority of the book, there were times where I was just depressed at the juvenile style the story is written. Yeah, it's a YA book, but I don't feel emotionally drawn to any of the characters. Kira is very flat and detached as a narrator, which is surprising since it is her story. I kind of felt like she is a tool throughout the book to give us clues about the "mystery," if it could even be called that.

What was the mystery? Oh, I guessed that in chapter 5. The Council was secretly murdering gifted-kids' parents in order to control the kids, then using those kids to influence a future they want. There aren't any beasts, and Kira's dad is alive! GASP. What a surprise! But it wasn't really a surprise because it was so obvious.

No, this would have all been good if the resolution happened differently. In the last chapter of five pages, Kira tells us in exposition that she figured out what was going on...and that she isn't doing anything about it. The "villains" of the story are never confronted. How...Anti-climatic. It was a huge letdown.

Totally ruined the book. I threw it after I finished the last page. I was so disappointed that I couldn't even keep it on my shelf.

I think the blue-eyed boy mentioned in a single sentence was Jonas

I can't hide my interest in reading young adult books ^_^ The book was about a friendship between Kaira, Thomas, and Matt ^_^ They all live in a decade full of selfish people, but each of them has an extraordinary power. Kaira is a magical weaver, Thomas is a barber, and Matt has a kind heart and, of course, a cute little voice :) And finally, there's Abby, which is made from a water lily and rainwater, and only kind people can create it :))

I really liked it ^_^

Expanded version:

I simply can't conceal my deep interest in reading young adult books. ^_^ The book I'm referring to is centered around the beautiful friendship of Kaira, Thomas, and Matt. ^_^ They all exist in a decade that seems to be inundated with self-centered individuals. However, each of them possesses an extraordinary power that sets them apart. Kaira is a truly magical weaver, capable of creating wonders with her skills. Thomas, on the other hand, is a barber, but his talent goes beyond just cutting hair. And then there's Matt, who has a heart of gold and, to top it off, a cute little voice that can melt anyone's heart. :) And finally, there's Abby, a creation that is made from a water lily and rainwater. Interestingly, only kind-hearted people have the ability to bring Abby into existence. :))

I must admit, I really, really liked this book. It had a charm and a depth that kept me engaged from start to finish. ^_^

Matt 4ever.

Kira is a young orphan girl with a deformed leg. She is struggling to make a living and survive in a Village where the ‘undesirables’ are often cast out into the Fields to be the prey of the Beasts. However, Kira reveals a magical talent for embroidery. At her trial, she is spared on the condition that she works for the village and improves the Singer’s robe, which is one of the pillars of the community as the Singer's gifts help shape the society’s future. Befriending the Singer and a few others in town, Kira slowly begins to uncover the hidden secrets that lie beneath the innocent façade of the seemingly peaceful village.

This book was an excellent surprise! I was expecting a direct sequel to the events of #1, but instead, I got a completely different standalone story. What's more, I enjoyed it even more than the first one. It's a somewhat short novel, yet it is still very powerful. In a way, it could be said that this book is maybe too simplistic and innocent, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable at all. Little Matt and his doggie Branch were by far the best in the book. They are two secondary characters who are endearing and funny to no end. They are the kind of characters that make you smile and laugh every time they appear. Kira, Thomas, and Jamison are also good. And the plot and progression are engaging enough. This is a book that I will always remember as one of the best or second best in the series. It is highly recommendable.

Mat x100pre.

Kira es una joven huérfana con una pierna deforme. Está tratando de llevar su vida y sobrevivir en una Aldea donde los ‘indeseables’ son frecuentemente arrojados a los Campos para ser presa de las Bestias. Sin embargo, Kira revela un mágico talento para el bordado. Durante su juicio, es perdonada con la condición de que trabaje para la aldea mejorando la túnica de la Cantante, que es uno de los pilares de la comunidad ya que los dones de la Cantante ayudan a darle forma al futuro de la sociedad. Haciéndose amiga de la Cantante y algunos más en el pueblo, Kira lentamente empieza a desenmascarar los ocultos secretos que corren bajo la inocente fachada de una aparentemente pacífica aldea.

¡Este libro fue una excelente sorpresa! Esperaba una secuela directa a los eventos de #1, pero en su lugar recibí una historia solitaria completamente diferente. Además, lo disfruté incluso más que el primero. Es una novela algo corta, pero aun así muy poderosa. En cierta forma, podría decirse que es tal vez demasiado simplona e inocente, pero eso no lo hizo en absoluto menos disfrutable. El pequeño Mat y su perrito Palo fueron lo mejor del libro con mucho. Son dos personajes secundarios entrañables y graciosos al extremo. Son del tipo que te hacen sonreír y reír cada vez que aparecen. Kira, Thomas y Jamison también son buenos. Y la trama y progresión son suficientemente atrapantes. Este es un libro que guardaré en la memoria como el mejor o segundo mejor de la serie. Es recomendable.

It was an interesting read, to be sure. However, it didn't manage to hold my attention to a great extent, especially when compared to The Giver.

To be entirely honest, it gave the impression of being only half a book, specifically the first half. The story seemed unresolved, and, in a pun that aligns with the subject matter, there were several loose threads left hanging.

Moreover, Kira, as the protagonist, was rather uninteresting. Even when she discovered some truly horrible aspects of her world, she remained satisfied with staying put and being a part of the existing system.

On a positive note, I really loved Matt and Thomas. Their characters added a certain charm and depth to the story that was lacking in other areas.

Overall, while there were some redeeming qualities, this book didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I can only award this book a meager two and a half stars due to its incompleteness.

Why on earth would an author commence a book without the intention of seeing it through to the end? It commences rather dully, and I persisted in reading, convinced that it would eventually hit its stride, and indeed, I was correct.

Just as it starts to gain momentum and take off, it concludes abruptly. What? What just transpired?

Kira is a young woman with a disability. Disabilities are stigmatized in her village, and those born with any form of imperfection are callously "let go".

There is a dearth of compassion among the villagers, while hostility and competitiveness reign supreme. Ms. Lowry adeptly描绘s the hypocrisy in the village's intolerance for imperfection, which is ironically its greatest imperfection.

When Kira finally realizes that the gifts that have kept her alive will also keep her imprisoned and uncovers the truth surrounding her father's death, she makes the resolute decision to stand up and safeguard those she loves rather than flee and embark on a new life.

Her courage is what distinguishes her from the "handicapped" village in which she resides. Yet, just as we are on the verge of uncovering the village's sordid little secrets, the book comes to an end. Seriously, what?

I am aware that there is another book titled "The Messenger" that purportedly concludes this story, but I've heard that they are all standalone books.

A supporting character in this book becomes the main character in the next one, so how can that be considered a continuation? I don't believe that is equitable to the reader.

Books ought to have a distinct beginning, middle, and end. This one merely reaches the middle and then halts. It's an epic failure.

It is important to know that this is not a direct sequel of The Giver. Apparently, many readers were disappointed as they expected a continuation of Jonas's story. However, it is written in the same post-apocalyptic universe.

Hehe, it took me some time to figure out this little song:

Ravaged all
Bogo tabal
Timore toron
Totoo now gone.

This book presents another kind of dystopian society. It is similar to the one in The Giver, but in some ways, it is even harsher. It is characterized by the lack of empathy, and in this society, the weaklings and the damaged are condemned.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially Matt. Although the plot twists are pretty predictable, I still found the story interesting. It makes me think about the consequences of a society without empathy and how important it is to value every individual.

Well, as my friends said, the second volume of the series had no connection to the first one, and all my expectations regarding the first volume were in vain.

The previous volume was a highly scientific and dystopian one, and this one is a dystopian with a touch of fantasy.

For now, I don't have a particular opinion to give except that somehow I don't quite understand the significance of this series. I must take a look at its English text. Maybe the author's writing is better than his storytelling, and this very issue, along with the symbolism in his story, has made it so popular.

Overall, I'm still in a bit of a confusion about this series, but I'm hoping that by delving deeper into the English version, I can gain a better understanding and appreciation of it.

This sequel to The Giver is set in the same future time and planet. However, it presents a completely different society, one that is much uglier and far from the "perfect" society of The Giver. It delves into many of the same social themes but from a distinct angle.

In Gathering Blue, the protagonist, Kira, is a crippled girl who would not have been able to exist in The Giver. Orphaned at a young age, she is spared from being disposed of (killed!) after her mother's death due to her unique artistic ability, a skill unknown in this village of hardship, starvation, and ugliness. At first, Kira is grateful as she is protected by the village elders, provided with food, and given a comfortable place to live. But as time passes, she realizes that her comforts are actually a form of captivity, as the elders want to use her unique talents for their own ends. By the end, Kira, having learned many dark secrets about how her society operates, is prepared to endure her "captivity"… but only because she now knows that, regardless of the elders' plans for her, she is the one with the power to shape the future.

This is a charming story. Lois Lowry is a master at crafting a narrative that, despite being filled with darkness, also offers beauty and makes you fall in love with the characters, their friendships, their hope for the future, and their evolution from naivety to a belief in their own power.

I adored this book and highly recommend it!

So, apparently this is the second instalment to the series "The Giver".

However, it doesn't contain any character or plot from the first book. This really came as a surprise to me.

I was extremely worried about what had happened to Jonas and Gabriel in "The Giver". Their story had left me on the edge of my seat, and I had been constantly wishing that they would somehow turn up in this village.

Sadly, that did not happen. It was a bit disappointing to not see their familiar faces or know their fates.

But I guess the author had a different vision for this second book. Maybe there are new and interesting characters and storylines that will unfold as I continue reading.

I'm still curious to see where this new installment will take me, even though it doesn't have the elements I was hoping for.

Hopefully, it will still manage to capture my attention and keep me engaged like the first book did.

This is the second installment of The Giver Quartet. I'm not entirely certain if it is directly connected to The Giver.

It centers around Kira, a girl with a twisted leg. After her mother passes away, she is presented before the council to determine whether she should be taken to the field and cast aside or allowed to remain.

This is an intriguing dystopian tale where people appear to inhabit a village. There is a council, a group that seems to enjoy a relatively decent life, while another part of the village struggles to get by.

I found this story rather sad, especially regarding how the young ones were herded and almost mistreated, and how people tended to be more mean than kind. The twist at the end was quite a surprise, and I was astonished by the outcome.

It left me with a desire to know more about this village and the lives of its villagers. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book as it seems to continue the story.

Gathering Blue is a companion novel to The Giver. It's important to note that this book won't provide any resolution to the story in The Giver. However, despite this small drawback, I truly enjoyed Gathering Blue. I was captivated by Kira's story as she confronted an uncertain future. Lois Lowry's writing style is truly a delight. Her books are both frustrating and yet incredibly wonderful at the same time. The world she imagines is rather terrifying, which adds an element of intrigue.

Gathering Blue follows Kira as she mourns the loss of her recently deceased mother. Kira has a bad leg that disables her and makes her slower than the rest of the village. The other ladies in the village want to get rid of her so they can rebuild a home on her mother's land. But Kira is not one to give up easily. She discovers a talent that helps her navigate through the tough times and into an interesting future.

Gathering Blue is different from The Giver in that it is not as intense. While I do prefer The Giver, Gathering Blue is still a fantastic and wonderfully simple read. It was satisfying even though it was a relatively short book. Lois Lowry doesn't waste time with pointless plot development or an excessive number of characters. Her writing is simple, to the point, and a joy to read. I've heard that the next book, The Messenger, provides some resolution to the end of The Giver, which makes me even more eager to continue reading this series.