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Gathering Blue by Lowis Lowery (2nd Reviewer)

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers)
Having suffered numerous unnamed disasters (aka, the Ruin), civilization has regressed to a primitive, technology-free state... Kira, a crippled young weaver, has been raised and taught her craft by her mother, after her father was allegedly killed by "beasts." When her mother dies, Kira fears that she will be cast out of the village. Instead, the society's Council of Guardians installs her as caretaker of the Singer's robe, a precious ceremonial garment depicting the history of the world and used at the annual Gathering. From the Publisher's Weekly Review

 Category - Young adult - Dystopia
Why I chose this book - Second in the series

My personal opinion (the review)
Honestly I felt like this book was nothing special and were I not been interested in the series as a whole I probably would not having finished it. The disappearance of Kira's, Thomas's, and Jo's parents does create a questions in the background, but this book didn't create enough tension to make it interesting.

The elements of the song, robe, and staff that tell the history of the people is semi interesting to me. The common thread (no pun intended) between both The Giver and Gathering Blue is how each of these societies has chosen to remember their past. In The Giver it is through the Receiver and Giver and in Gathering Blue it is through the robe, staff, and song. In both cases, history and feeling are kept from the general public. What is Lowery trying to say about the importance of remembering our past? How will this theme be kept through the next two novels?

Warnings (language, violence, "adult" situations, death, etc.) 
Disappearance and death is common, but none are violent or graphic. 

 Movie rating equivalent - PG

 Protagonist description
In a world that sees her useless except for her talent in weaving, Kira exemplifies the need for teamwork, compassion, and thinking beyond the what you see at face value (in individuals and society at large). 

 Point of view of story - First Person

 Book length - Less than a week

 Story flow - It never really dragged, but I wasn't really engaged.

 Grammar and spelling issues - None

 Character connection (no spoilers) -None

For series:
Independent or integral (stand-alone or back story dependent)
Independent

Series review as a whole 
Through these novels Lowrey creates dystopian societies, each with their own unique, disturbing, intricacies. I am waiting to see how Lowery will bring them together. 

 If you only have time for one, read: (which one) 
The Giver
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