Review - Mockingjay (Hunger Games, Book 3) by Suzanne Collins (5/5 stars)

This is the third, and final, book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  If you read the first two books, you will read this one.  All I can say is to be prepared for one heck of a ride.  A lot happens in this book and Collins doesn't hold off on killing off a lot of people.

The book starts where Catching Fire left off.  Katniss is in District 13 with Gale, her mom, and her sister Prim.  The Rebel group based in District 13 is trying to get Katniss to take up the Mockingjay symbol and become the face of their revolution.  Katniss is unsure if she wants to go this route or not.  Peeta is still missing and presumed captured by President Snow and being held in the Capital.  Katniss's journey eventually leads to the capital itself and a final face-off with President Snow.

This is a hard book to review without spoilers but I will give it my best shot.  The pace of this book is relentless.  Collins does not pull punches when it comes to killing off large groups of people, as well as people we love and care about.  This is a dark book, and that is putting it mildly. 

As far as characterization goes we begin to see even more of what defines Katniss as a character; she is not sentimental, she is a survivor foremost and that it what sets her apart from others.  A lot of the decisions made by Katniss in this book are driven by that personality trait.  In fact at one point Gale and Peeta are discussing Katniss and who she will "choose".  Gale sums it up perfectly when he says something to the effect of "Katniss will choose whoever she can't survive without."

On to other characters.  The ruthlessness we saw in Gale at the end of the Catching Fire is built upon in this book.  Gale is ruthless and practical to the point of dislike at times.  He begins to look like a character that likes what Katniss stands for, rather than who she is.  At the end of book two I was Team Gale all the way.  I thought that Gale and Katniss had more in common in survival instincts and could pull off a good relationship based on those characteristics.  As this book starts and continues, we see a side of Gale that is more ruthless and dispassionate than ever before.

In order to avoid spoilers I won't say much about Peeta, except that he is back in the story for the second half of the book.

Collins does an excellent job at showing both sides of the story.  You get to see both the good the rebel forces do, and the harm they cause in rebelling against the Capital.  As Katniss and team enter the capital, Collins relates the Capital takeover as yet another type of dome just like previous "Hunger Games"  this is an interesting idea and ties the three novels together well.  In each of them we see our teams of characters struggling to stay alive, doing things no one should have to do.  In each book there are brutal deaths.

There's quite the twist at the end of this book.  People may be surprised at who Katniss kills.  All I have to say about this is that I was satisfied with the choice Katniss made, and had actually been hoping that Collins would have it play out that way.  Katniss's actions at the end seemed like the best way to follow Katniss's beliefs, while trying to ensure the best ending for humanity as a whole.

The epilogue was interesting.  It was kind of nice to get a definitive ending to everything that played out before.  It wrapped things up nicely. Still, I didn't think the epilogue was necessary and I think the book would have actually been a bit better and more thought-provoking without it.  As with the previous books the writing style of this book was incredibly readable and engaging; no matter people think of the plot, you have to admit Collins is one heck of a great writer.

Overall I thought this was an excellent conclusion to the series.  Readers may not like how some of things play-out; but I thought they played out realistically and I liked the decisions Katniss made at the end...I thought her decisions really stayed true to the core personality trait of her character, which was to survive.  I am eagerly awaiting whatever Collins comes up with next.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- The Young Adult Reading Challenge
- The 100+ Book Reading Challenge

 

News - Hunger Games 3 title and book cover released - to be called "Mockingjay"

The title for the third book in Suzanne Collin's awesome Hunger Games trilogy was released just a little while ago.  The picture of the cover is shown below and the title will be "Mockingjay".  For more infomation go to the USA Today link here.

 

If you are interested here are my reviews for The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  I absolutely cannot wait to read the third book!

News - Hunger Games Book 3 by Suzanne Collins

Publisher's weekly just announced the third book is Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games trilogy will be released August 24, 2010. The title to be announced early 2010. I can't wait!

For more information you can view the full article here.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, Book 2) by Suzanne Collins (5/5 stars)

I have been waiting for this book since I read the ARC of the first book last year. I was so excited to get an advanced reader's copy of this second book that I was literally bouncing in place; and this book didn't disappoint! It was a wonderful book, as wonderful as the first book if not more so. Between reading these books, I went back and read all of the Underland Chronicles by Colllins. It is interesting because you can see how her writing has matured, her characters have gained depth, and her plots become more intricate.

This book picks up shortly after where the last book left off. Katniss and Peetra are getting ready to go on their victory tour of all of the districts. Shortly before they depart President Snow pays Katniss a visit. He knows the romance between her and Peeta was a farce, at least for Katniss. Snow warns that Katniss better convince the Capital that the actions she took to save Peeta were out of love and not rebellion; if he remains unconvinced, then her family will be the ones to pay. As Peeta and Katniss embark on their tour, Katniss realizes she has unwittingly become the focus of rebellion. As she realizes how deep the ramifications of her and Peeta's actions during the last Hunger Games were, she wonders if there is anyway she can convince Snow that she wasn't trying to turn the Districts against him.

This was a wonderful book. The plot is more complicated and entangled than the first book in the series; and this made it an even better book. Katniss and Peeta remain wonderful characters that you can really feel for and relate too. There are a ton of new, interesting characters introduced. Collins does an excellent job of making the characters well-rounded. It is hard to hate any of them, even if you may not like them sometimes. The plot plows forward at such a fast and griping pace that it is very hard to put the book down. I really wanted to stay up all night reading this book. At the same time it was such a good story that I never wanted it to end!

I really don't have anything negative to say about this book. I loved it! It was fast-paced, engaging, intriguing, and all around wonderful. The hardest part was finishing it, because I wanted to read more. Now I am desperate to read the last book in the series! This is a great series and I think people of all ages and readers of all genres should give it a go; you won't be disappointed.

News: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Okay so this isn't really important news. But, I needed to tell the world because I am sooo excited. I just scored an ARC of "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins from the Amazon Vine program. Granted it comes out next week; but I was so excited to see it that I was jumping up and down in my cube at work.

Don't worry my work-mates are used to me, so this wasn't that unusual. I will be reading that book as soon as I get it! I am so, so, so excited :-)

News - Wicked Lovely #4 and Alice in Wonderland

Okay I have some great news that I saw on another blog. Looks like the title for Wicked Lovely Book #4 has been released and it will be "Radiant Shadows". There are going to be five books total in this series. I've been kind of luke-warm on this series but it one of the few series out there that deal with fairy courts, which I love, so I have been sticking with it. For the original article see here: Wicked Lovely #4

Also a trailer is finally out for the Alice and Wonderland movie. Go here to link to it. It looks like a fantastic movie! Of course I am a bit bummed that it doesn't come out until next spring :-( I will be waiting in anticipation! So far there hasn't been a Burton/Depp movie I haven't loved.

Lastly Suzanne Collins book "Catching Fire" will be out in just over a month. I am soooo looking forward to this book. Anyone who hasn't read the first book in the series "Hunger Games" should; it was fantastic. You can read my review of it here.

Well that's all the news I have for now. I have three books that I have finished that are waiting for me to write reviews on them. Hopefully I will get to that tonight!

Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins (5/5 stars)

This is the fifth (and so far) final book in the Underland Chronicles. I think it was my favorite book of the series and I think it did a nice job of wrapping up the series in a realistic (if not fairy tale happy ending) type of way.

You enter this book right where you left off in the 4th one. Gregor is returning to the castle with his injured comrades and running to let the Underlanders know they are about to be attacked by rats. Gregor finds out about the Prophecy of Time and ends up heavily engaged in war with the enemy. This story is basically all one long battle between the rats and the humans.

It was a great story. There was a ton of action and some waiting too; as is realistic for a large scale battle. A highlight is when Gregor's sister Lizzie shows up to help break the Code of Claw. Lizzie is great character and it was nice to see her get some page space. Also you learn a lot more about Ripred's past and why he is how he is; I loved this since he is one of my favorite characters in this series.

So, much happens in this book. It is a fun, fast-paced read. With great fight scenes and great lessons. There is a lot of emphasis on the craziness of war; "how do you decide which side is right?" and "does anyone really win in a war?" This series will do a good job of growing with the younger audience it is aimed at. In this book Gregor and Luxa have to deal with tougher questions than they have previously.

I loved this final book and overall think this is a great children's series. I think young adults and adults alike will also enjoy this final book and wish that maybe Collins was going to write a few more books with these wonderful characters.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins (4/5 stars)

This is the fourth book in the Underland Chronicles. It was a great book as things really start to heat up in the Underland.

When one of the bats returns the crown that Luxa left with the Nibblers; Luxa knows the Nibblers must be in big trouble. Gregor is also making regular visits to the Underland to visit his ailing mother; during these visits Gregor trains with Ripred to improve his echolocation and in one visit meets the Bane. The Bane has grown substantially since Gregor saved him and is becoming a creature to match his name. Frustrated with the slowness of the council Luxa convinces Gregor and crew to meet with the Nibblers, but the Nibblers have disappeared and Gregor and Luxa (accompanied by Howard and Boots) are in for another another adventure that leads to a climax in the Underdark that has so long been inevitable.

This was a great book. It ripped along at a very fast pace, was very entertaining, and hard to put down. I just flew through this book. This book is different from the previous books in that the book is not a contained adventure; this book ends in the middle of the action and leads right into book 5. So, I would definitely get book 5 ahead of time to avoid frustration of being stranded in the middle of the story at the end of this book. It is also different from the other books in that there is not a prophecy forcing the story forward.

There is more blood and violence in this book than the other books. As the characters mature, so do the things they are forced to deal with. Luxa and Gregor both grow a lot as characters and begin to accept their responsibilities. You get to see a lot more of Gregor's rager abilities and a lot more of Luxa making the decisions a Queen must make. Ripred and Boots are deeply involved in the story too; these are probably my two favorite characters in this series.

A great addition to the series. Leads you to the climax of these books; very engrossing and fast-paced read. I wasn't thrilled with this series after the first couple books; but the last two books have made reading the series all worth while!

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins (4/5 stars)

The third book in the Underland Chronicles is one of the better ones so far in this series.

Gregor is called back down to the Underland when a horrible plague breaks out among the Underlanders. Upon arrival in the Underland Gregor finds himself swept up in yet another prophecy; The Prophecy of the Blood. Can Gregor and others find the cure for the plague in time? Or will all of the warmbloods be destroyed?

This was a quick read and a fast-paced novel. I continually find the presence of Boots as the two-year-old Princess of the crawlers (as I have a two year old son, I find that Boots' character is spot on). Gregor grows quite a bit as a character in this novel as do the people he travels with. There is a lot to wrench your heart in this novel and a lot of hope too. All of my favorite characters rejoined and it was nice to see Gregor's mom play a larger role in this book. There is also a ton of action and some great new characters that make an entrance.

I thought this was a really good book in this series. It made me really look forward to the next book in the series. I also think when my son gets a bit older these would be great books for us to read together.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins (4/5 stars)

This is the second book in the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. While I still didn't find this book to be as good as her novel The Hunger Games, I thought that this book was better than the first one in this series. If you liked the first book, you are sure to like this one.

Gregor is struggling to deal with life after returning with his father from the first book in the Underland Chronicles. His dad is sick and can't work so his family is struggling to make ends meet. In an effort to give his little 2 yr old sister Boots so semblance of a normal childhood he decides to take her out sledding in Central Park. He looks away for a second and next thing he knows Boots has been kidnapped back into the Underland. Gregor follows her kidnappers and finds that she has been kidnapped to in order to ensure her safety. Apparently him and Boots are part of the next Underland prophecy; one in which all is lost if the baby dies and one in which Gregor is supposed to single handidly destroy the evil white rat called the Bane.

I thought that the character development was better in this book and that in general the book was paced better with more engaging action sequences. This book wasn't wrapped up as nicely as the first book; there were still unresolved issues with missing people and stuff like that. A very solid children's book again, with easy vocab, and some violence and scary parts. I liked two of the new characters introduced; both Howard and the rat the accompanies Gregor (I am drawing a blank on her name) really add to the story and are developed as great characters.

My only complaints again would be that this isn't the most creative story. It is also a very straighforward story; there was a small twist at the end but it was nothing that couldn't be foreseen. I wish the plots of these books were a bit more complex. I suppose there is some charm in the simplicity of it too and I guess *it is* a children's book.

Overall this book is a quick read and it is engaging. A great children's book that I think adult fans of fantasy would like too. I am looking forward to the third book.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (4/5 stars)

I liked the book Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins that I got the first couple books in her Underland Chronicles. This is the first book in that series and this series is definitely focused to a younger age of child than the Hunger Games was.

In this book Gregor is forced to skip summer camp to watch his 2 year old sister. Gregor's dad went missing and his grandma is kind of neither here nor there and it is really hot and they don't have air-conditioning...so basically it looks like his summer it going to suck. Or so he thinks. Then it gets even worse when him and his sister (Boots) are sucked down an air vent into the Underland. The Underland is full of giants bugs, spiders, and rats as well as a race of humans that are trying to survive down there. They think Gregor is the warrior of their prophecy.

This is a solid kid's fantasy book. I didn't think it was super original or exciting; a lot of the ideas and the book can be found in other stories. It was well written though and I think a younger kid would enjoy it. A quick, easy read.

By the end of the story, I found that I was enjoying the story. This is definitely a lower level of reading though than Collins second series. The story was a bit tedious at times too. Overall I liked the book but I wasn't ecstatic about it. I will read the second book and see what I think about that one...then I will decide it I want to read the rest of the series. Definitely not as well-written and creative as The Hunger Games though.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (5/5 stars)

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I got this book. Needless to say I was very happy and pleasantly surprised at what a great book this was.

Katniss is a 16 year old girl who has been breaking the law to keep her mother and younger sister Prim fed. Katniss regularly hunts in a forbidden area of District 12, but since the locals enjoy her game as much as her family does they leave her alone. Everything is going fairly well until it is again time for the Hunger Games. The Capitol requires two children from each District to fight in a game to the death. When Prim's name is randomly drawn Katniss offers herself in her sister's place and partakes on an amazing and grueling adventure.

I really loved this book. I just couldn't put it down. The world created is intriguing and believable. The characters are very heartfelt and interesting. It was very well-written, action packed, and I just absolutely loved it.

Then only thing that disappointed me was that I thought the ending was left a bit too wide open. I understand that their will be another book; but this one could have been tied up a bit better.

I am really looking forward to the next book.