Like the rest of the Giver Quartet so far, this was a quick read that escalated from light to heavy very quickly.
Still no word of Jonas from the original book, but the main players from Gathering Blue are back, as Matty (two syllables now!) is watching changes happen in his new home with Kira's father. The Village that Kira's father introduces at the end of Gathering Blue seemed like the ultimate utopia where everyone cared for each other, however, something sinister has come and people are trading their own souls in exchange for their desires. This shatters the utopia that is the Village and causes the people to close their borders to newcomers.
Matty has 3 weeks to travel through Forest and bring Kira home, before the warped villagers can build their wall (I had to look up the publishing date when this came up... 2004, long before the story paralleled in the US). In the end, he uses his newfound gift to save them all, but at what cost?
enjoyed reading the final book in The Giver trilogy. Tied up all the pieces.
This book completes the trilogy (The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger). While I loved The Giver, and enjoyed Gathering Blue, Messenger left me a bit disappointed. This book did touch upon things that happened in The Giver, which was great. I do suggest reading all 3 in order, but be prepared that The Giver is the best in the trilogy.
I was disapointed in the ending of this trillogy. I thought it was depressing and it did not answer a lot of questions about why this universe that Lowry created was the way it was. I needed some kind of origin story or back story. I felt that The Giver was a stand alone book and the next two were just afterthoughts.
