Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 4.5/5
Summary (from Goodreads):  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.


My review:

After the Arenas of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, this book came as a shock.  The difference was enormous, unexpected and enjoyable.

I was really looking forward to this book, so much that I went to a midnight release party for it.  The ending of Catching Fire had me crazy because I wanted to read this one so much.  It wasn't a huge disappointment, although it definitely wasn't as good.  Here are the reasons why it was excellent, and why it wasn't.

Suzanne Collins still has amazing descriptions, and vivid images.  I liked that there was a new take on it, and I honestly don't think I'd want another Arena, after reading about the other two.  I loved the ending.  It was the sweetest, most sad, beautiful and touching ending I have ever read.

I didn't like the setting.  District 13 was not like how I expected.  I don't like the way the schedules work, their food problems, or the people there, especially President Coin.  I also don't like how crazy Katniss and Peeta are in the end.  I don't like that Katniss is called the Mockingjay, and is part of a TV war.

This was a great book all in all, and I didn't even really mind the things that I dislike.  Perhaps I think that it should have been different, but it's still amazing just the way it is.



Next, I'll be posting about a different series, the Seven Kingdoms Trilogy!

Catching Fire

 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 5/5
Summary (from 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.


My review:

Catching Fire was like The Hunger Games, it had me clinging to my seat in excitement, and the book wouldn't let me put it down.  It was crafted ingeniously.  As the second book to The Hunger Games Trilogy, it was destined to be amazing.   It was much more than words could describe.

The thrill of The Hunger Games still hadn't left me when I bought this one.  It started out simple enough, Katniss and Peeta were living in the Victor's Village, richer than the majority of the people in District 12.  But that changed.  During their Victory Tour for winning the Hunger Games, they witnessed an uprising against the Capitol.  The Capitol are the people who made the first Hunger Games.  Katniss then finds out that the uprising was caused by her, when she defied the Capitol at the end of the last Games.  As the spark spreads to more and more uprisings, Katniss is called back into the Games.

It's different, though.  Instead of kids, it's 24 adults, a man and woman who have already won for their District.  I loved this Arena.  I didn't figure out the secret until it was shared; A, that the Arena was a giant, ticking clock, and B, that there was a plan against the Capitol to pull them out of the Arena, by destroying it.

I loved and hated the ending, disliking it because I had to wait another year for the next one to come out, and I was dying to read it.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 5/5
Summary (from Goodreads):  Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

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.


My Review:

I loved The Hunger Games.  In some parts, it had the breath out of my body, and in others I wanted to cry.  Instead, I kept my eyes glued to the page and continued reading.

The Hunger Games met my expectations, and more.  I must admit that the cover isn't too interesting so I'd probably seen it before I got a recommendation from my friend, but never picked it up.  The idea is interesting; dystopian, but very unique.  The Hunger Games was intriguing: kids between twelve and eighteen fighting to the death in an unnatural arena.  I still lie awake thinking about it sometimes.

I loved the characters.  Peeta is definitely my favourite, but I'll start with Katniss.  Katniss was everything at once:  the fierce, strong woman with spirit and determination, but also the weak, hesitating, unsure girl from District 12, the poorest District.  I always saw her with spirit, even when she seemed to be doubting herself.
Peeta was different.  He was the water to cool Katniss' flame.  Gentle, forgiving and helpful, he was amazing.  Suzanne Collins seemed to put a lot of work in him.  In the beginning, he didn't seem important.  In the end, I saw how wrong I was.

The starcrossed lovers from District 12 broke my heart, but kept me enjoying it at the same time!