Month: April 2023

Mockingjay

Suzanne Collins

Published August 24, 2010

Read January 17-18, 2023

5 out of 5 stars

Summary: Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.

My Review: This was such an amazing close to the series. It was sad and funny and just all-around beautiful.

The character development was better than both books combine. We saw Katniss and Peeta put their lives on the line and go through so much. Yet they grew as people and they grew as a community. It was such an absolutely amazing thing. We also got to see sides of characters that we didn’t see before. Somewhat in Snow, but especially in Effie, Haymitch, Gale, and Coin. Seeing Effie and Haymitch have more compassion than we gave them credit for, (at least I did). Gale and Coin saw sides of power hunger, especially in Gale, something we never thought we would see out of them.

The plot was a times harder to follow during this book. Though it allowed for so many opportunities for growth in the characters. It was a very different idea than the first two books. And it was very interesting to see this side of Collins. Overall, the introduction and closing of this book and plot were done very smoothly and naturally. I very much enjoyed it.

The writing style was something I didn’t enjoy as much during this book. I think for the fast-paced parts it was well done. But, in some of the slower parts of the book during conversations, it was dragged on a little too long. Thought that was on the rarer side, so I can’t complain too much. Overall this was an amazing book.

In terms of the whole series, this was a great one. I only have one huge complaint that stands out. And that would be the ending. I won’t spoil it but I will say it was a weak ending to some strong books. Other than that, it was amazing, a complete roller coaster of emotions, and definitely worth a read.

-Nina

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Catching Fire

Suzanne Collins

Published September 1, 2009

Read January 9-13, 2023

5 out of 5 stars

Summary: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Review: If you thought the first book was good and this can’t get any better, think again. This was spectacular! I truly loved the story and, if possible, I think I cried even more reading this one.

The character development picked up exactly where we left it. Katniss who was very happy just overcame the Hunger Games and all that she went through, she kept growing. She truly became this force to be reckoned with. Peeta, who is exactly the opposite of Katniss in all the right ways, also continues to grow and change. Katniss and Peeta’s interactions really set the tone, especially at the beginning of the book. Then when you through Haymitch in they really help build each other up.

The plot development was very good. After the cliffhanger, Collins wasted no time getting back into it. Even throwing our characters into some more trouble. I love how (and I will touch upon this more) we saw it from a more objective view this time. The picture was widened as to what Katniss and Peeta did and meant.

The writing style was amazing. The way we saw what was happening in other districts during the tour was from both Katniss’ point of view and also just in general. We truly were able to see more than just what Katniss was seeing. I also loved again how Collins wasted no time jumping back into the story. She did go back and reiterate what happened but very briefly. You got what you needed to be reminded and then she kept building on the story. Overall a banger of a second book.

-Nina

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The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

Published September 14, 2008

Read January 5-8, 2023

5 out of 5 stars

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 for 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Review: I watched the movies before I read the books. And may I say the movies were great! Anyway, I thought these books were done so well. This book in particular was a great opener to a series. It was honestly beautifully done. I cried so hard during this book. Honestly just an amazing story.

The character development is something admirable. The way that Collins just told us from minute one who was who and what was happening was incredible. We were able to get more time for stories and not wait for chapters for something to happen. We saw Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Prim, Haymitch, and Effie go through so much during this book. They all grew as people and learned so much. We were able to see the way the characters interacted. It truly felt like something that would happen. It didn’t seem scripted.

The plot development was done wonderfully. As I said earlier we got the plot within the first chapter and Collins just jumped right into it. I honestly loved how we had plot twists and times when you couldn’t put the book down. The characters helped push the plot and the plot pushed the characters just the way it should be.

The writing style was also wonderful. Including the **SPOILER** cliffhanger at the end. The way Collins kept the book moving in a timely fashion and was able to describe scenes. When Katniss is running for her life, she still finds a way to describe the scene. While doing this you still know the urgency of what is going on and she describes it as if you were in Katniss’ position, doing it quickly. It was just an amazing book all around. Highly recommend.

Addition thoughts: Honestly I loved the books. And if you enjoyed the books watch the movies. They truly are some of the best adaptations I have seen in a long time.

-Nina

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