Scan barcode
chaoticnostalgia'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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Confinement
Minor: Murder, Pregnancy, and Deportation
caitlaird's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
The pacing was a bit slow in some parts, but there were parts that could’ve used a bit more detail and world building. But for a rather short story it is very well done. I really enjoy the premise and it’s done very well. Jonas is such a wonderful character.
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Ron Rifkin. Anytime an important plot moment occurred there was music playing which I don’t generally mind but when listening in 1.7-1.8 speed it can be a bit distracting, especially considering it’s during the most important moments. Something to keep in mind.
The pacing was a bit slow in some parts, but there were parts that could’ve used a bit more detail and world building. But for a rather short story it is very well done. I really enjoy the premise and it’s done very well. Jonas is such a wonderful character.
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Ron Rifkin. Anytime an important plot moment occurred there was music playing which I don’t generally mind but when listening in 1.7-1.8 speed it can be a bit distracting, especially considering it’s during the most important moments. Something to keep in mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Suicide
jolien_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
melist6's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, Ableism, and Death
Minor: Suicide
onthesamepage's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was probably my first dystopian book, before I even knew that was its own subgenre. Rereading former favourites doesn't always work out, but in this case I was still just as impressed by the book.
The way the author builds up the world is clever. There's this slow, creeping sense of dread as you progress in the story. Every scene has a purpose, and it all builds up to a pretty horrifying picture. But the really impressive thing is that all this is accomplished without any frills, and in a very short book.
Some things are left rather vague, like how the actual transfer of memories works (all the Giver has to do is touch Jonas and send him a memory, which almost feels like there's a magical aspect to it? Unless they all have implants that make this possible somehow), and some other things I won't mention to avoid spoilers, but the book feels like it's for lower YA (maybe even middle grade), and I think in that context it makes sense to avoid overly technical explanations. It didn't really bother me, it's just one of those "oh, I wonder how that works" things my brain likes to get stuck on once in a while.
The way the author builds up the world is clever. There's this slow, creeping sense of dread as you progress in the story. Every scene has a purpose, and it all builds up to a pretty horrifying picture. But the really impressive thing is that all this is accomplished without any frills, and in a very short book.
Some things are left rather vague, like how the actual transfer of memories works (all the Giver has to do is touch Jonas and send him a memory, which almost feels like there's a magical aspect to it? Unless they all have implants that make this possible somehow), and some other things I won't mention to avoid spoilers, but the book feels like it's for lower YA (maybe even middle grade), and I think in that context it makes sense to avoid overly technical explanations. It didn't really bother me, it's just one of those "oh, I wonder how that works" things my brain likes to get stuck on once in a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse
alexthepink's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
robin_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
building_a_bookdom's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
Moderate: Death, Child death, War, and Suicide
Minor: Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Violence
bookish_bobbie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Torture
pumpkinsoup's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Ableism, War, and Suicide