The Giver is the first novel in the Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry.

Plot:
Jonas’ twelfth year-ceremony is approaching – which is especially exciting because all kids get their community assignment at their twelfth year-ceremony. That means that they’ll finally find out what their role and duty will be in their community. Contrary to many other kids, Jonas has no idea what he is suited for. But he certainly did not expect to be announced as the new Receiver of Memories – he doesn’t even know what it is the Receiver does. When he starts his apprenticeship, the role of the receiver is far from the only thing he learns though.

The Giver is a nice read. Since it is geared towards kids, you can read it quickly, but while the language might be simplified, the content is not. That and Jonas’ likeability make the book a compelling read, even if I did not fall completely in love with it.

I was rather surprised by the ending of the book. First, the ending is not really an ending but leaves many questions unanswered. Which is quite okay for a series but at least the next book – which I read already – does not answer them at all. In fact, it starts a new thread entirely and I wonder whether the two will come together in the third book. There are indications for that.

Anway, back to this book. The other thing about the ending that surprised me was the “couple” that makes it out. I am so used to all of these kids fantasy novels having a romance subplot that the lack of one has a very novel thing. I don’t mind at all.

The idea Lowry works through is not necessarily the most original. But since she obviously thought a lot about it, gave it a creative twist and saw it through in all its consequences (down to colors – which reminded me of Shades of Grey a little bit), I didn’t mind that either.

The entire thing with the memories was fascinating, too. I would have loved to get a little more of an explanation on how it works in the book. Right now, I don’t really have a clear idea about it. But that is probably something that would bore most of the target audience half to death, so I understand why it isn’t there.

Even though I don’t have much to criticize about it, I did not fall in love with the book. I might be a little too old to do that. But I did really enjoy it.

Summarizing: yes, go for it.