"Gathering Blue" is a refreshing dystopian novel with an engrossing plot and well-rounded characters. Presenting a new kind of a dystopian society, it introduces the reader to a new kind of a society: it's not as progressive and sophisticated as those ones described in many dystopian books. In this book Lois Lowry strayed off the beaten path and it made the book even more interesting to read.

It was artistically written - really, not only dealt the narration with artistic issues throughout the book, but it itself had outstanding artistic power over the reader.

It's not as great as "The Giver" (which is the first part of the trilogy), but good nonetheless. A little bit weaker, but still very enjoyable.