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just2sadie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Really great book for a long car ride! I love dystopian novels, and this one is a great snapshot into a theoretical utopian society with precise rules and regulations to keep the society progressing forward with little to no crime, no famine, no sour spots of any kind. Each person gains different permissions at each age, and we follow our protagonist,Jonas, a 12 year old in this society, as he receives his permission to train for his role (job) in the society. It’s a shorter book that I believe is assigned to 7th graders. It is age appropriate and they can relate to the protagonist in being of similar age. The book continually makes new revelations in the plot, which would keep anyone reading entertained. I would recommend this book for anyone to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, and Suicide
mheffner3031's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Suicide, and War
lima_bean_ninja's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a book about love and grief and the hope that things can change
i can see how at first glance people interpret it as a communism critique, but if you think about it more closely,
the equal allotment of capital (aka the communism) is portrayed as one of the major positive aspects of their society. the big question the book asks you to consider is to what extent is sacrifice for the “greater good” worth it? logically, their way of living may be the most efficient or rational, but emotionally we feel strongly that it isn’t right. our feelings tell us that it’s cruel to kill a baby, even if in general this system allows the majority of people to enjoy a safe life. it’s our feelings—our love, our morals, our grief—that make us complete, and by ignoring them we risk losing our humanity.
i can see how at first glance people interpret it as a communism critique, but if you think about it more closely,
the equal allotment of capital (aka the communism) is portrayed as one of the major positive aspects of their society. the big question the book asks you to consider is to what extent is sacrifice for the “greater good” worth it? logically, their way of living may be the most efficient or rational, but emotionally we feel strongly that it isn’t right. our feelings tell us that it’s cruel to kill a baby, even if in general this system allows the majority of people to enjoy a safe life. it’s our feelings—our love, our morals, our grief—that make us complete, and by ignoring them we risk losing our humanity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
gandalf_a's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
welsh_witch's review against another edition
Disturbing, fascinating, and ultimately beautiful, this is a classic for a reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
mandareads222's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, and Deportation
sweetslowreadin's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Very good book
Was surprised with the ending thoughand learning how the other books in the series never go back to the community
Was surprised when The Giver revealed the failed Receiver was his daughter but very good
Was surprised when revealed Release was death, thought maybe people get released into cruel world but this is better
Ending surprising is cliffhanger not fully clear what happens if book was standalone
Not a bad surprise though
Was surprised with the ending though
Was surprised when The Giver revealed the failed Receiver was his daughter but very good
Was surprised when revealed Release was death, thought maybe people get released into cruel world but this is better
Ending surprising is cliffhanger not fully clear what happens if book was standalone
Not a bad surprise though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: War
Minor: Grief
lydderbox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
jaimeneutronn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book makes me upset I had the audacity to give any other book 5/5 stars before now.
I cannot remember the last time a book has made me feel so enraged — not at the writing, but alongside the protagonist.The betrayal Jonas feels when he discovers the truth of Release is justified! I’ve never been angrier than reading “Bye-Bye, little guy!”
This book may be “appropriate” for its YA demographic, but pulls no punches with its darker themes, truly shining through an adult lens.
I cannot remember the last time a book has made me feel so enraged — not at the writing, but alongside the protagonist.
This book may be “appropriate” for its YA demographic, but pulls no punches with its darker themes, truly shining through an adult lens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, War, and Injury/Injury detail
te_ss_i's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, and Grief