Lois Lowry - Gathering Blue

Release date: September 25, 2012

Series: The Giver #2
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
Format: Hardback
Pages: 256 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA Dystopia Magic 

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Synopsis

In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever. As she did in The Giver, Lowry challenges readers to imagine what our world could become, and what will be considered valuable. Every reader will be taken by Kira's plight and will long ponder her haunting world and the hope for the future.

This first companion novel to The Giver was definitely an ode to one of the most important elements in the previous book, namely the discovery of colors. Jonas is not present in this book and the new heroine is Kira, who was born with a crooked leg in the wrong place. Weakness is not tolerated and punishable by death. She's an orphan and has to face the ones that want to take her down alone. Fortunately, she's saved by a magical talent: a gift that reminds us of Jonas's. It doesn't work the same way at all but her ability is as important. 

This second book is breathtakingly beautiful. The world created by Lois Lowry is so vivid. The action is a little bit more fast-paced in Gathering Blue, only because there is the dimension of physical violence and decaying society and mortal lies going on. When in The Giver, the Community was pretending to protect society at any cost, here things are clearer. There is concealed corruption but the rotten state of the city they live in is a secret to no one. 

Kira is a little less acute than Jonas was - the character that may be reflective of the young Giver is the child Matty. Yet, she is a fine observer of life and turns out not to be a naive girl. The duo Kira/Matty is amazing in this book, adorable and powerful! They take us into their adventure to look for the blue color and lead us to poignant revelations.

When I read this book last year, I was well aware of the outcome. I absolutely adored the book even though there was no surprise at all. Again, Lois Lowry's writing was all it took for a complete mind blowing. But I guess it would have been even more remarkable when I was younger and less perceptive... haha. I definitely recommend you reading this one too (all the series in fact).

Lois Lowry - The Giver

Release date: September 25, 2012
Series: The Giver #1
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
Format: Hardback
Pages: 240 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA Dystopia Magic 

Buy it on the BookDepository (free shipping)










Synopsis
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 is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

The Giver is the other book (now series) of my childhood, one of those that got me into reading and writing. First published in 1993, the last book in the series Son was published on October 2nd, 2012. Almost twenty years separate the four books and still, the last one hasn't lost the essence of the first one. 

The Giver is one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I love dystopias and it was the first time I discovered the genre, though I didn't know what it was when I was 11. I re-read the book last year (I learned in 2011 that there was a sequel) and the read left me speechless again. Lois Lowry's world is amazing and extraordinary and both awful and hopeful. This book tells the story of a very special and outstanding young boy who has the gift to see beyond and is called to become the Giver of the Community. The Community, it's a place where love and colors don't exist, where birth and feelings are monitored and where children don't have a say in their future.

Jonas, the young boy in question, is witty and smart and mature and it makes the story even more interesting and captivating. The book may be intended for children but I couldn't feel, didn't note any bothering childish element. The innocence of the children bring to light the dystopian dimension even more and the contrast between good and evil becomes stronger as the book goes on. This dystopia is not the usual fast-paced action-packed story you all know, but it will give you goosebumps nonetheless. The breathtaking excitement is not so much in the rhythm - though it can't be forgotten - but in Lois Lowry's writing style. In her choice of words. 

Some details are really important for the next books in the series. They are said to be companion but it is definitely essential to read them in the right order and to read them all. I guarantee that you won't lose your time. The Giver is full of emotion and hope as Jonas figures the world and tries to find a way to do what he believes to be right. 

I definitely recommend this book for young and adult people!