Scan barcode
ravensandlace's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Title: The Messenger
Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Format: ebook from libby
Series: The Giver
Star Rating: 4 stars
tw: violent deaths, child abuse, animal abuse, assault, cruelty to those with disabilities, ableism (a character is called the blind man)
When I first started this book, I was a little apprehensive. I liked Matty in Gathering Blue but he wasn’t my favorite character. I wasn’t super into that book anyway. I was so in love with the Giver, that it was hard for any other book to live up to it. So that’s why I waited so long to start this book. I am so mad I waited so long because this book was fantastic!
The world Matty lives in is just so amazing. The whole world would be such a better place if the world was like Matty’s. There was no selfishness. Neighbors are already ready to lend a hand. People from other places were welcome and treated with love and respect. It was just a truly great place. It made me sad that I live in a world where we are selfish and treat others like garbage.
While I was reading this book, I remember an assignment from school. We had to write an “ending” for the Giver. Like what happened with Jonas and the baby he rescued. I think I made mine into a happy ending, where they get taken in by a nice family and taught about the holiday of Christmas. It was pretty fun, even though at the time, for some reason, I hated the Giver. This book kind of reminded me of the ending that I wrote. I wish I still had it. It’s probably not very good but I remember being pretty excited about it.
I am so mad about how this book ended. I won’t give anything away but, ugh. I stayed up way too late reading this book and I was just devastated by the ending. I just laid there and stared at my wall for a couple of minutes. Thank goodness I have the next book already, as I’m trying to collect a certain edition of all the books or I would have been even more furious because I probably would have waited for the book to be available on Libby.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. It’s a great tie-in with the first and second books. I’m anxious to see how everything gets wrapped up. There are still a lot of unanswered questions that I sincerely hope get answered. I really can’t recommend this series enough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Grief, Bullying, Child abuse, Ableism, Blood, and Death
sankta_aleena's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
lacey_wi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Child abuse
triptych_turning's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I read this book in one sitting, and I enjoyed the concept. I like the ideas it presents, but to me, it gets bogged down with poetic reflection and the plot is flat and two-dimensional. That being said, I like this addition to the world of the Giver and I appreciate the worldbuilding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Animal death, Blood, and Child death
More...