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A beautiful, heartbreaking story. I think I read this in middle school. Loved it.
Ohhhh I have mixed feelings about this one.
I've been making it no secret that I am reading a lot of books that I wanted to when I was younger. I started reading the Anne of Green Gables sequels, which I would have done as a child if I had access, I started reading the Casson family series, books my sister read and sometimes told me about, and now, I'm reading the Giver Quartet. I originally read the Giver in 7th grade English class. After we read it my teacher informed me that there were sequels, but that we didn't have the time to read them. When I reread The Giver last December, I decided I'd finally read those sequels.
From the start, I knew that the sequels took place in the same world but had little to do with each other. That was fine, I really didn't mind reading a sequel that worked just as well as a stand alone. And while this setting was different, I kind of liked it more. It was more interesting and different than what I was expecting. I liked the characters in this one, too. For a while, I had a hard time putting the book down, I wanted to figure out the answers.
But oh, that ending...
It wasn't a "bad" ending. I liked the ending to the Giver despite a lot of people I knew disliking it because it was a bit ambiguous (I actually that that was its strong point). I'm not sure if the ambiguousness of this ending was as good. It could have worked, it's just... all of the majors "reveals" and "twists" happened and then 5 pages later the book was just over? Okay? I think I would've liked it better if I had more time to sit on that situation. Just one more chapter could have sufficed. As it was, I felt like I was picking up the pieces even towards the very end.
It wasn't that bad of an ending, I just think I would've liked to not be left in shock and a little more explanation. Like, I understood 100% how the setting of the Giver worked and what was happening, but here I really felt like I was still trying to figure it out. Maybe I'm missing something?
As it stands, it's a solid book but I would lie if I was saying not properly understanding the ending wasn't a little disappointing.
Time to move on to the next two books and figure out why everybody I know whose read them hates them!
I've been making it no secret that I am reading a lot of books that I wanted to when I was younger. I started reading the Anne of Green Gables sequels, which I would have done as a child if I had access, I started reading the Casson family series, books my sister read and sometimes told me about, and now, I'm reading the Giver Quartet. I originally read the Giver in 7th grade English class. After we read it my teacher informed me that there were sequels, but that we didn't have the time to read them. When I reread The Giver last December, I decided I'd finally read those sequels.
From the start, I knew that the sequels took place in the same world but had little to do with each other. That was fine, I really didn't mind reading a sequel that worked just as well as a stand alone. And while this setting was different, I kind of liked it more. It was more interesting and different than what I was expecting. I liked the characters in this one, too. For a while, I had a hard time putting the book down, I wanted to figure out the answers.
But oh, that ending...
It wasn't a "bad" ending. I liked the ending to the Giver despite a lot of people I knew disliking it because it was a bit ambiguous (I actually that that was its strong point). I'm not sure if the ambiguousness of this ending was as good. It could have worked, it's just... all of the majors "reveals" and "twists" happened and then 5 pages later the book was just over? Okay? I think I would've liked it better if I had more time to sit on that situation. Just one more chapter could have sufficed. As it was, I felt like I was picking up the pieces even towards the very end.
It wasn't that bad of an ending, I just think I would've liked to not be left in shock and a little more explanation. Like, I understood 100% how the setting of the Giver worked and what was happening, but here I really felt like I was still trying to figure it out. Maybe I'm missing something?
As it stands, it's a solid book but I would lie if I was saying not properly understanding the ending wasn't a little disappointing.
Time to move on to the next two books and figure out why everybody I know whose read them hates them!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 stars, buddy read with finnous!
the second book in "the giver" series, this one follows kira, who is a disabled orphan in a village that tolerates none of those things. it is only through her skill of weaving that kira is able to survive, as she is chosen to restore an important ceremonial robe. through this venture kira navigates a new way of life and grapples with the secrets that make up her world.
while "the giver" focused on what a society devoid of any extreme feeling is capable of, "gathering blue" (in my opionon) focuses more on what we allow our children to tell of us. kira is one of three children entrusted to preserve the past and to tell history and the future, and as such they are discreetly regulated and controlled. they are more like pretty birds in a cage then free thinkers and that aspect of the book was fascinating. children hold the key to the future, and this book shows how we treat our children will effect our world. the children in this village are looked down on and borderline abused, and they grow up to repeat and continue these patterns and those in power seek to control the children who are capable of changing things for the better.
kira was a highlight of the book for me. even though life had given her many reasons to be quite awful (and who could blame her if she was?) she was always kind. she was a strong willed lead and i loved her a lot!
my only gripe with this book is how nothing seemed to pay of plot wise. we had this overarching plot of kira fixing the robe, which led to her living in the main house, which led to us seeing the control and abuse the talented children faced. towards the end of the book we see major things revealed that should cause some action towards the end, but i fear it all fell flat. we hear the new knowledge, and then the book ends. it felt like we were leading up to something and building anticipation, only for us to be blue balled with the book ending. while this could have been on purpose because it is part of a series, i just wanted a bit more of satisfying end with the mounting anticipation.
the second book in "the giver" series, this one follows kira, who is a disabled orphan in a village that tolerates none of those things. it is only through her skill of weaving that kira is able to survive, as she is chosen to restore an important ceremonial robe. through this venture kira navigates a new way of life and grapples with the secrets that make up her world.
while "the giver" focused on what a society devoid of any extreme feeling is capable of, "gathering blue" (in my opionon) focuses more on what we allow our children to tell of us. kira is one of three children entrusted to preserve the past and to tell history and the future, and as such they are discreetly regulated and controlled. they are more like pretty birds in a cage then free thinkers and that aspect of the book was fascinating. children hold the key to the future, and this book shows how we treat our children will effect our world. the children in this village are looked down on and borderline abused, and they grow up to repeat and continue these patterns and those in power seek to control the children who are capable of changing things for the better.
kira was a highlight of the book for me. even though life had given her many reasons to be quite awful (and who could blame her if she was?) she was always kind. she was a strong willed lead and i loved her a lot!
my only gripe with this book is how nothing seemed to pay of plot wise. we had this overarching plot of kira fixing the robe, which led to her living in the main house, which led to us seeing the control and abuse the talented children faced. towards the end of the book we see major things revealed that should cause some action towards the end, but i fear it all fell flat. we hear the new knowledge, and then the book ends. it felt like we were leading up to something and building anticipation, only for us to be blue balled with the book ending. while this could have been on purpose because it is part of a series, i just wanted a bit more of satisfying end with the mounting anticipation.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I read the first book the Giver and expected this to carry on the story. Instead it is a completely different place, set of characters. I did find similar themes that ran through both and interested to see how the next 2 books fit in
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
I put off reading this for a long time. I was worried it wouldn't be as good as The Giver- one of my favorite books. Well I was worried for nothing. Wish it had been longer.
I love the characters, the twists, and the uniqueness of the story. I loved the giver and I can't wait to read the next book.