Messenger is the middle child of the Giver Quartet—earnest, thoughtful, but a little awkward. Lowry's trying to say something important about borders, greed, and what we owe strangers, and there are moments of real beauty. But the sudden shift to magical realism (sentient forests! healing powers!) feels like a different author showed up halfway through.

Matty's sacrificial death is handled with grace, and the themes are worth discussing—especially in our current moment. But if your kid loved The Giver's chilly, controlled dystopia, this one's warmer, messier, and less satisfying. It's fine, but it's not essential unless you're committed to the whole series.