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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Finally finished this. I liked it better than Messenger, but I still probably won't ever read any of the books in this series again, except for The Giver.
It was fine, but it just. took. so. long. for. anything. to. happen. It's really repetitive, and when my husband would get to the end of the chapter (we were reading it out loud together) he'd ask if I wanted him to stop or keep going, and I always picked stop, because it was exhausting to wade through all the old repeated information to get to a tiny scrap of new information. Reading it felt like trying to walk through a waste-high swimming pool.
But the story wasn't bad though. I did like how everything tied back together with all of the previous books. I was expected a cliff-hanger, wide-open ending by this point, so that did really bother me this go around. But she better go back and marry Einor, that's all I have to say about that.
It was fine, but it just. took. so. long. for. anything. to. happen. It's really repetitive, and when my husband would get to the end of the chapter (we were reading it out loud together) he'd ask if I wanted him to stop or keep going, and I always picked stop, because it was exhausting to wade through all the old repeated information to get to a tiny scrap of new information. Reading it felt like trying to walk through a waste-high swimming pool.
But the story wasn't bad though. I did like how everything tied back together with all of the previous books. I was expected a cliff-hanger, wide-open ending by this point, so that did really bother me this go around. But she better go back and marry Einor, that's all I have to say about that.
“It will help when you learn them. Fear dims when you learn things.”
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Some parts moved slow so it was harder to get through but we got to revisit some old characters and I enjoyed it
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first 2 parts of this book are excellent, providing a fuller picture of the community Jonas lived in and Claire's searching for her son. However, the last part felt rushed. Trademaster is a fascinating character and I wish he wasn't defeated so quickly. Additionally, I liked seeing more of Gabe but I would have liked to hear Claire's perspective at the end. It would have been nice to have an epilogue with Claire and Gabe together, as well as one final look at Jonas and Kira. That way, the series is wrapped up with each other the characters receiving their ending. It wasn't terrible but I was a little disappointed with this one.
It was different in true giver fashion. This book kind of brought everything together in a weird way. Almost shoving it on your face at the end. The last two chapters felt out of place. Overall I'm indifferent to this novel. Of course I don't think any of them compare to the giver itself.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked that this book brought the series full circle. While it didn't move me as much as the others it was still a decent read with good characters. I wish there was a bit more action and epilogue. In the end The Giver series isn't really a dystopian read, but more fantasy.
3.5 stars
Son is the fourth book set in the world of The Giver. I chose not to read the intermediate two books, which I think is fine since the action begins during the time of the Giver, it's just told from a different point of view. I would, however, absolutely read The Giver first, otherwise it would be not only confusing but also would loose its emotional punch. Also, this review will have spoilers for The Giver :)
A girl named Claire is a Vessel, but when her product is taken from her, she is unable to remain emotionally detached from it. From him. Her son. The boy they took and that Claire wants back. But just when she realizes that she cares enough to actually do something about it, Claire's life turns upside down and 2/3 of this novel is Claire's journey, both physically and emotionally, to the place where she can be with her son again.
I can't decide how I feel about it. On the one hand, it's just dang good writing. Lois Lowry's characters are learning amazing things about the world that we as readers take for granted and I love how she describes things like color and love and emotions. I liked the resolution this books gives to The Giver and she fills us in on the important things from the middle two books that we need to know. However, I would be lying if I said that it all sat well with me. First of all, this book isn't Dystopian the way The Giver was. I'd call it more paranormal or fantasy. Which is fine - I happen to love fantasy - it's just that in my head this world was more of a realistic Dystopain future, so when things that are clearly paranormal/fantasy started happening, I was taken aback enough that I had to shut the book and readjust my thinking. I had to go back to the Giver and see the events (the sharing of memories, etc.) as something more paranormal than they felt when I was reading it, otherwise it just felt like I was reading the wrong story.
All that being said, I think I just liked The Giver a lot better. I enjoyed the ending of Son, its thoughts on evil and happiness and the importance of knowing where our hearts desires truly lie, I just wanted more from the journey.
Son is the fourth book set in the world of The Giver. I chose not to read the intermediate two books, which I think is fine since the action begins during the time of the Giver, it's just told from a different point of view. I would, however, absolutely read The Giver first, otherwise it would be not only confusing but also would loose its emotional punch. Also, this review will have spoilers for The Giver :)
A girl named Claire is a Vessel, but when her product is taken from her, she is unable to remain emotionally detached from it. From him. Her son. The boy they took and that Claire wants back. But just when she realizes that she cares enough to actually do something about it, Claire's life turns upside down and 2/3 of this novel is Claire's journey, both physically and emotionally, to the place where she can be with her son again.
I can't decide how I feel about it. On the one hand, it's just dang good writing. Lois Lowry's characters are learning amazing things about the world that we as readers take for granted and I love how she describes things like color and love and emotions. I liked the resolution this books gives to The Giver and she fills us in on the important things from the middle two books that we need to know. However, I would be lying if I said that it all sat well with me. First of all, this book isn't Dystopian the way The Giver was. I'd call it more paranormal or fantasy. Which is fine - I happen to love fantasy - it's just that in my head this world was more of a realistic Dystopain future, so when things that are clearly paranormal/fantasy started happening, I was taken aback enough that I had to shut the book and readjust my thinking. I had to go back to the Giver and see the events (the sharing of memories, etc.) as something more paranormal than they felt when I was reading it, otherwise it just felt like I was reading the wrong story.
All that being said, I think I just liked The Giver a lot better. I enjoyed the ending of Son, its thoughts on evil and happiness and the importance of knowing where our hearts desires truly lie, I just wanted more from the journey.