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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
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.
Oh I am so glad that I loved this book. I loved the note it ended on.
It was funny, when I was reading The Giver this last time, I had wondered how the newchildren had come into being and that question and a whole lot more are answered in this book. It really does tie up all of the loose ends that were still scattered after Messenger.
It was funny, when I was reading The Giver this last time, I had wondered how the newchildren had come into being and that question and a whole lot more are answered in this book. It really does tie up all of the loose ends that were still scattered after Messenger.
I read the first three books all over again just so I could read this one. I had always been kind of disappointed, thinking the three books were the whole series and how they didn't really all fit together. "Son" mostly fixes this and makes it all cohesive... to a point. It answered a lot of questions and tied up some loose ends, enough that I am no longer frustrated with this series and can say I've enjoyed it as a whole. However I do still have a lot of questions. And the end was a little frustrating. lol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
The 4th book of The Giver series doesn't disappoint. What a lovely ending to a terrific series. Glad I took the time to read all 4 of the books. Each book is special and powerful in its own right but together the series is even more powerful and moving.
emotional
inspiring
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I liked it better than the last two of the series, but not as much as The Giver.
Ok Lois redeemed the series with book 4 imo. I thoroughly enjoyed the way it all wrapped up in the end. The way she shaped this world from book 1 to book 4 was so incredibly interesting. Poor Claire
Just soooo slow. Could have been a much more compelling story in half the page count. Was happy to see story of Jonas and Gabriel wrapped up, though.