Messenger is a fantastic novel in The Giver series which ties together the first two novels in wonderful ways. Matty (Kira’s friend from Gathering Blue) is the protagonist in this novel in the healing village (just called Village here) alongside Kira’s father Christopher (called Seer) and some other surprise appearances I’m not going to spoil but I’m sure you’ll see it in some reviews. Matty has matured so much from his first appearance which makes me so happy because I really didn’t like him much in Gathering Blue, but here he is really able to shine and show some magic of his own. In fact, there are multiple people displaying their gifts in this one which is very cool to see because it’s always been something that’s mentioned and seen in part, but never explained or lingered on too much. Here it’s a big part of the story.

My only gripe is how quickly everything gets resolved in the end. Something evil is happening in Village to the citizens but it’s not explained and it’s resolved suddenly in the end without resolution. It’s similar to what Lowry did with the ending of Gathering Blue, but in that novel you could connect the dots to see what the Council of Guardians were doing and why Kira stayed in the village (which is explained a tiny bit more in this novel). Nothing is truly explained here although I could go out on a limb and say the evil is manifesting through the emotions of certain people in the village… maybe. How? Why? Is the Trade Mart and Trade Master involved? I don’t know. Maybe we’ll find out in the next novel, I guess.

4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0