Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Teen

(Spoilers from the first two books)
The final book in the Hunger Games trilogy sees Katniss rescued from another Hunger Games in an attempt by District 13, which everyone thought didn't exist, to overthrow the Capital. The problem is that Peeta was taken by the Capital and Katniss feels completely responsible. District 13 wants her to be the mockingjay and the face of the revolution against the Capital. It doesn't take Katniss long to decide when she sees Peeta show up multiple times on Capital television looking worse and worse. Only one person knows what she's going through, a previous victor who also made it out of the last Hunger Games, Finnick. As they commiserate with each other, District 13 is crafting a plan of how to capture the Capital and Katniss wants President Snow for herself.

The relationship development in this book was great and I would have liked to see it a bit more in the second book. I really enjoyed Finnick, once we got to know him and liked seeing Prim grow in to her own as well. Though not as captivating as the first two books, this still rounded out the series quite nicely. I don't think I fully understood Katniss' final decision of the Hunger Games. Was it for revenge or to save herself from Coin? This was a fabulous story and books I will be keeping in my collection!

First Line: "I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Teen

Spoilers from the first book!
Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived the arena of the Hunger Games only to be forced on a victory tour with the threat that if she can't make people believe that she loves Peeta, bad things are going to start to happen. Still not entirely sure of her feelings for him, she knows she has to do this because her loved ones are in danger, including her family and Gale. With the Quarter Quell coming up, an even more horrific Hunger Games, Katniss adds to her worries of being a mentor for some other poor children. But when the rules suddenly change, Katniss struggles to figure out how to protect her and her loved ones while determining if she should be for or against the murmurs of uprising against the Capital.

Katniss is such a strong female character but has some obvious flaws which make her such a refreshing character to read about. Some times her reaction to situations annoys me but no character is perfect. I simply couldn't put this book down. I enjoyed book 2 more than book 1 as there was a good mixture of tension with the Capital and another Hunger Games. This was a great second book to the series and I think it'll make an even better movie than the first one.

First Line: "I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached in to the frozen air."

Rating:
(5/5)

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult

In the post-apocalyptic world of North America, now Panem there is a capitol surrounded by 12 districts. There had been an uprising but the capitol in order to quell any more requires each district to select 1 teen-aged boy and 1 teen-aged girl to participate in The Hunger Games. These games are a death to the end reality show.

Katniss' sister is chosen as District 12's tribute but Katniss volunteers to go in her stead along with Peeta, the baker's son who happens to be hopelessly in love with Katniss. They are trained and dressed and paraded until the actual horrific games start.

I just could not put the book down and if I had had the sequel I would have started it immediately. A great book. The plot is developed bit by bit bringing the reader in and never letting him go. I could picture the festivities, the training and the games as the book progressed.

The only nit is why the districts didn't rebel against the slaughter of their children. It was like they were automatons doing whatever they were told to do. There is non-stop action in the book so the movie will probably be a best seller also but I don't think I could stand to see the gore in living colour

First Line: "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold."

Rating:
(4.5/5)