Review: Son(The Giver Quartet #4)

Son

by Lois Lowry

Quote: " But it was fun for me today. Part of my job is giving the newchildren to their parental units. The new mothers and fathers are always so excited."~ Nurturer  pg.77

Started: Nov. 2, 2012

Finished: Nov. 9, 2012

393 pages/ hardcover

From the cover:

" They called her Water Claire."

When the young girl washed up on their shore, no one knew she had been a Vessel. That she had carried a Product. That it had been carved from her belly. Stolen.

Claire had had a son. She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. When he was taken from their community, she knew she had to follow.

And so her journey began.

But here in this wind-battered village Claire is welcomed as one of their own. In the security of her new home, she is free and loved. She grows stronger.

As tempted as she is by the warmth of more human kindness than she has ever known, she cannot stay. Her son is out there; a young boy by now.

Claire will stop at nothing to find her child...

even if it means trading her own life.

With Son, the two-time Newberry Medal-winning Lois Lowry has spun another mesmerizing tale in this thrilling and long-awaited conclusion to The Giver.

My Review:

This was a great ending to a wonderful series. Son, tied up all the loose ends to the 3 previous books. It was very well written and made a great story even better. The main character is Claire. She was chosen to be a Vessel but something went wrong. Even with the Elders wisdom and great reputation for making the best choices, the unexpected happened. From then on Claire was changed, different and unsure of most things. The one thing she was sure of, she had to find her son.The book is divided in to three parts. Before, Between, and Beyond.  It tells everything from how each character got to where they are to where they were when they seemed "missing" in the middle books. It , for the most part ties everyone together and helps explain the how, why and whens. I would love to see these stories made into a children's movie or a mini-series.

*4 stars*

Review: Messenger

Messenger

by Lois Lowry

Quote: "Someone is coming to help us," she said. "It's the man with the blue eyes."~ Kira

started: Feb.1, 2012

finished: Feb. 3, 2012

From the cover:

For the past six years, Matty has lived in Village and flourished under the guidance of Seer, a blind man, known for his special sight. Village was a place that welcomed newcomers, but something sinister has seeped into the Village and people have voted to close it to outsiders.  Matty has been invaluable as a messenger. Now he must make one last journey through the treacherous forest with his only weapon, a power he unexpectedly discovers within himself.

My review:

I loved this little MG trilogy. If you haven't read all 3 you will not understand the "big picture". These books were meant to be read together. Each "story" gives you a little more into the whole. I really like the message. While this book is listed as dystopian or fantasy, I see it as a christian book. I know some will strongly disagree, and I'm alright with that. To each their own and,  isn't that part of the joy of reading anyway? To have different opinions on the same books(sometimes).

So, I feel like Forest is God. It isn't evil it is simply reminding the people that it is in control. When people started "trading" and the "sin" was known, Forest took action. 

I think Lois Lowry wanted us to see that each of us have a talent or gift and there sometimes is a need for it at a specific time. Some of us discover our talents by our own doing while others(as in Gathering Blue with Kira), it is known from a young age, noticed by others first. In the Giver, Jonas is given a job and then "trained" to use his gift. With Thomas, Kira and Jo being taken to a secluded place, almost a prison, I feel sometimes we do get "stuck" in our talents or "jobs". We feel we aren't usable for anything but what we have been trained to do. We feel as though our "captors" while with good intentions, sometimes try to control us.

     Through these books we learn that there are rules and limits for a reason, but with free will, we sometimes get off track or make a bad decision that will effect many people or even the environment. However you interpret these books I hope it brought you joy and at least made you think outside the box.

I would give this book(and the trilogy) 4 stars!

Here is a direct link to Lois Lowry's web page and books, enjoy!

Lois Lowry: The Trilogy

Review: Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue

by Lois Lowry

Quote: 

" She was imperfect. And fatherless as well. She should not have been kept." ~ Vandara  pg. 26

started: Jan 28, 2012

Finished: Jan. 31, 2012

From the cover:

  Kira straightened her shoulders and spoke. She held her voice steady and tried to meet the eyes of each woman in turn. Some lowered their gaze and looked at the ground. That was good. It meant they were weak.

" You know that in a village conflict that could bring death, we must go to the Council of Gaurdians," Kira reminded them. She heard some murmurs of assent. Vandara's hand still gripped the rock, and her shoulders were tense, preparing to throw.

 Kira looked directly at Vandara but she was speaking to the others now, in need of their support. She appealed not to their sympathy, because she knew they had none, but to their fear.

 " Remember that if conflict is not taken to the Council of Gaurdians, and there is a death..."

 She heard a murmur. "If there is a death..." she heard a woman repeat in an uncertain, apprehensive voice.

 Kira waited. She stood as tall and straight as she could.

 Finally a woman in the group completed the words of the rule. " the causer-of-death must die."

My Review:

 This is the second book of The Giver trilogy. While the 3 books only seem to relate vaguely, they do have a similar message in all.  In this book, Kira is the main focus. She is the "chosen" or main character. She is a young girl who although accustomed to her "black-sheep" lifestyle is learning that there is more to her and who she is than she could have imagined. One day unsure of her future or even if she will have one, and then suddenly it is all decided for her. Her opinion, hopes or wishes are not acknowledged. That is not their concern. What she can do for them is what matters.

I really enjoyed this "middle" book. While the utopia/controlled world  is related to the previous book it does have it's own story.

I would give it 4 stars!

Review: The Giver

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

Quote: "We celebrated a release this morning, and that always throws the schedule off a little, so things get backed up."~ Dad

Started: Jan. 22, 2012

Finished: Jan.24, 2012

From the cover:  

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community.

 When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

My Review:

I'm not usually big on the whole fantasy genre, but this book was more than that to me. I will say I have a "thing" for the "what-if" types of stories. What if this really was life? What if there were other places? Things we know nothing about. I really enjoyed this wonderful little book and the 2 books that follow. It is a great story that really makes you think about and appreciate the gift of free will. At the same time we learn that without pain there is no true joy. Without heartache, struggle and trials we cannot truly enjoy and appreciate the blessings and opportunities we have. 

I look at this book as "Community" being the parent and all the people are its children. It is a safe place to keep our children naive and oblivious to the dangers and pain we try to protect them from. We tend to think if they don't know it's there, it can't hurt them.

I give this book all 5 stars!!!