Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #3)

Picture from Goodreads.com

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover (390 pages)

Publisher: Scholastic Inc

Publication Date:  August 24th 2010

Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon

 Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary From Goodreads:

Katniss Everdeen, 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 plains--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.

What I think (Contains minor spoilers):I also apologized if the review seemed to a bit off compared to my other review. The review was written the moment I finished the book and I am still pretty teary and emotional about the ending =(

Review - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #2)

Picture from Chapters.ca

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover (391 pages)

Publisher: Scholastic Inc

Publication Date:  September 1st 2009

Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Against all odds, Katniss 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 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 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.

What I think:

Wow. Just… Wow. I am definitely speechless after reading this book. Catching Fire was both amazing and thrilling. I enjoy every single moment while reading. The plot of The Hunger Games' sequel can be summarized in one word: INTENSE. After Katniss and Peeta were crowned victors of the 74^th Annual Hunger Games, one might think that all their misery are finally over and that they can enjoy a luxurious life. However, with the Capitol still in power, Katniss realized that this luxurious life is actually another death sentence.

I felt like Catching Fire did a neat job in further elaborating Katniss' personality. I mean, yes, Katniss is not a “nice” person, but there are reasons behind it. I personally love how the characters are questioning themselves and battling their inner turmoils which didn't happen in the previous book. For Peeta, I felt like there could be more character development, however, I am happy with the amount of attention devoted to him in this book. Although new characters were introduce into the plot, I didn’t feel as connect as I did with Rue. However, I  particularly enjoyed reading about Finnick Odair (swoon worthy...).

Catching Fire has less action in comparison to The Hunger Games. A good 2/3 of the book was dedicated to Katniss’ problems and her thoughts on how to escape the Capitol’s grasp (not much is said on Peeta and Haymitch except some crucial parts). The last 1/3 of the book was where all the actions are and those scenes exceed my expectation.

Like The Hunger Games, Catching Fire was a fast paced book yet you can still feel everything even though details were left off. The emotion that Suzanne Collins created with her words were vivid especially the feeling of betrayal, hurt and confusion. Each chapter flowed really well and the sentences were beautifully crafted. The ending was perfect as cliffhanger and it was really unexpected!

Rating: ★★★★★

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #1)

Picture from Goodreads

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover (374 pages)

Publisher: Scholastic Inc

Publication Date: October 31st 2008

Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon

Get it at: Chapters | Amazon |

Summary from Chapters.ca

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 other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death on live TV.

One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor tohis or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district 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.

What I think:
 
I love this book. To date, The Hunger Games is still my favorite of all the Young Adult, Dystopian novel (although, Delirium is closely behind :) ). The plot was amazing and easy to follow. Although the story was told in the point of view of Katniss Everdeen, the audience can easily follow the development of secondary character. The pacing of the book was consistent all the way through. There weren't any filler or any unnecessary scenes. I thought it was well written and edited.


First time I read this book was in 2008, and back then I didn't really like Katniss' character at all. But reading it the second time, I can start to understand Katniss' feeling. Everyone kept on asking me if I was on Gale or Peeta's side. Honestly, I think there weren't any romance between Katniss and Gale. To me, their relationship is a more of a really close friend/family relationship that those two displayed (aside from the movie that push the idea the other way).


I don't have many bad things to say about this book. However, I thought maybe, Cato should be mention a bit more. I really love Rue and I actually cried during the scene. The book, itself is amazing and breathtakingly beautiful.

Overall, I really really really, love this book! Suzanne Collins is one amazing author

Rating: ★★★★★


Side Notes (about the movie):
 
I thought the movie really complemented the book. For example, there were more scene about Cato (not much with Rue though =( ). In addition, there are some character that showed up in the movie, yet not mentioned in the book --> Senaca Crane. But anyways, I recommend the movie to everyone and anyone =).