Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)
By Suzanne Collins
Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Dystopian YA
Rating: ★★★★★

Summary
“Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.” –goodreads
 
Review
This book was by far one of the most emotionally draining books I have ever read. It has haunted me all day and I'm sure it will for quite awhile longer.. I have sat here for at least two hours struggling to find the words to describe this amazing book. What I know I can say is this: This book is the most moving and heart wrenching book of the series. It has left me with an immense feeling of loss, even if it is not necessarily an unhappy ending.

This book follows the others and is absolutely packed with action. Katniss never gets a break! I would say that it is more gory and graphic than the other two as well, but very realistic. If you thought you had seen human cruelty at its worst in the first two books: prepare yourself. You will feel all of Katniss' emotions: frustration, fear, helplessness, terrible loss. All of them. If you were concerned about the Gale vs. Peeta dilemma, then you will be happy to know it is resolved in this book.

I cannot say more for fear of spoiling the plot. This definitely needs to be experienced spoiler free.. There are so many twists and turns that Suzanne Collins had me guessing the entire time. I believe everyone should experience this amazing trilogy.. You will not be disappointed.

If you do not know what P.A.B.D is please click the button to find out.

Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press 
Format: Ebook
Pages: 391
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Goodreads
★★★★★

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol...

I loved everything about this book. The characters, the plot twists, the lush settings, and the cliffhanger ending (love-hate relationship with this) all lend themselves to form this amazing, perfect, and epic tale. And I mean it when I say that this book is epic

This is one of those books where you really need to struggle to find something wrong... I don't think I was as emotionally invested into this book as I was in the first, but that's not necessarily bad. I found that I was more concerned with the politics in this one.

Take everything you thought was going to happen in this book and just throw it out the window. There is a major plot twist that I was not expecting AT ALL! A word of caution: be prepared. I didn't know what to do with myself after that... I had to finish it at once! Also know that the ending is one of the worst cliffhangers I have ever experienced. I promised myself I would take a break between this book and Mockingjay to read some other books I need to review...but I honestly don't know if that will happen.

All of the hype around this book is certainly deserved for it is one of the best I have ever read. This book will make you think. It will make you reassess you values, your government, and your relationships. It will challenge you.

Get it. Read it. Love it.

Review: Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

by Suzanne Collins

Scholastic, Inc

Genre: YA Dystopian

★★★★★

Summary

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.- goodreads

What I Loved

• The descriptive writing skills of Suzanne Collins.
• The added humor to a grim storyline:

"It's lovely. If only you could frost someone to death," I say. "Don't be so superior. You can never tell what you'll find in the arena. Say it's actually a gigantic cake -- " begins Peeta.

• That the violence was not camouflaged to protect readers like some other books.
• Katniss' firey personality!
• Several unexpected twists that keep you guessing.

What I Didn't Like

•  This book was a bit slow in the beginning, but looking back I could see that it was all necessary. It was still a joy to read despite this! Note: The games themselves don't even start until about a third of the way in.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★


Review

In the beginning you are introduced to the strong protagonist, 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen. She certainly is a survivor: hunting, gathering, and providing for her mother and 12-year old sister, in a world where hunting outside town borders is prohibited. Her sister, Prim, is elected for the Hunger Games and Katniss volunteers to take her place not wanting to think about losing her little sister. This is where the real story begins. I do not want to give too much away!

I found Katniss to be a very likeable character. She is smart, clever, and a great hunter. She is a survivor. She can come off as harsh at times, but this only makes her character more believable.

Suzanne Collins' writing is raw and descriptive. She does not hold anything back. This is exactly what made me love this book so much. The picture she paints in my mind is of a future government that is oppressive, controlling, and merciless. Panem is world where only the strong or rich survive. Her characters are deep, believable, and relatable. The plot is raw, unheard of, and original. Her settings are extremely rich and descriptive. This book will become a classic read, no doubt. I would not be surprised to see this as a common read in schools in the future.

There is romance, action, heartbreak, sorrow, happiness, and rebellion all stuffed into the 374 pages of this excellent read. Expect a few unexpected plot twists as well! I did not think I would like this book as much as I did. I cannot recommend it enough and I will be starting the next book ASAP!

To-Read Tuesday: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

via goodreads.com

So why do I want to read this so bad?

It isn't because it is being raved about by everyone around me. It isn't because it has a 4 1/2 star rating on goodreads, or that 'The Hunger Games" movie is in the works. I want to read this so I can breach out from my usual YA fantasy books. I figured this would be a great start!

It falls within the YA genre, like most of my books, which means I will post a review here whenever I get around to reading it. I like the fact that it is considered YA dysotopian fiction: A genre I don't think I have ever read a book from. I will be blazing trails in new genres from now on!