Book Review | Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: August 24, 2010

Pages: 390

Chapters: 27

Original Language: English

Source:Owned, Bought

Summary

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. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

[via Goodreads]

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A brilliant book to end the trilogy. And I am planning to reread it again sometime soon. Let's see how it goes...

The Plot.  A great taste of change of the book. This seems even darker than Catching Fire and more intense. It was really, entirely different from the first two books. At the first flip of the page. It is on high standards of reading. No lay-low on this one. Some I think every pages are on the climax which keeps me pumped up.

Good thing, humors breaks the ice. And I am very glad of it. It sends away some unfortunate scenes. There were a lot, I mean -- A lot of surprises here. I don't actually count how many of it. lol! Great revelations, turns of events, breath-taking actions and a lot more! Ohhh... This book keeps my blood on the rush! Awesome! :]

Just like the first to books, this one has detailed-maniac! Details from the writing is great and very understandable. You may not able to predict something is happening unless you read the full book. :]

The Characters. Things changed, really. And I love it how each and every characters grew and progresses here. I am so amazed how Katniss became more stronger, there are times I actually though she is Katniss at all.

I felt so bad when someone left or should I say gone in the story. Some of them, I felt so bad when it happens. Trust me, you'll feel the same way too and ask yourself, "Why on earth did that character died." I wasn't annoyed or anything. I really felt so bad, I feel like crying that moment. It is sad to know that sometimes, characters who had contributed on the story suddenly taken from his/her life. It was a bummer, but I just thought of it, that t makes the book contained more drama beside from the action and the others. Obviously, it affects me a lot -- Big time. In which results to a bigger applause. It is like the moment when Rue died on Katniss' arms right?

Collins is never tired creating new faces on the story. Making it less boring, not that I say it is boring. This book is never boring just to clear it out.

Other than that. Peeta really turned to be very, very, very different. I felt pity and surprise. Still, I liked him for Katniss. I'm a Peeta fan you know. Well, this book actually answers the question: WHO WILL KATNISS CHOOSE? Only one way to find out right? Read it! :]

Tiny Flaw. I am not satisfied about the epilogue, though. I hate to admit it but actually I am. I was anticipating a simple yet brilliant ending. I like how everything happens to Panem after all the disasters. Loved how Katniss' life turns out on the future. However, I felt it is not enough to end a simple -- just simple ending. Nothing more, nothing less. It was like, "Okay, it ends." - and that's it! I felt something is missing.

Weird, I wasn't happy how it turns out. But I love each contents except from what I mentioned earlier. In addition, just few parts turns for me to be confusing at first. Especially the part I must say, shocked me. I don't think I was confused or I am just probably don't want to accept those three words. I kept going back to that part just to assure it was true. Odd thing is... It is true. So I need to grasp that truth and get on with it.

Other Thoughts. I am not saying things in a negative way but that's what I felt. Especially some characters whom I loved to read just... went gone. I felt so much sadness for them. Though, I am glad that this book really affects me so much. Overall, Mockingjay ends with a BANG! :]

If you want to know how everything ends on Katniss' dangerous adventure. I highly recommend this book! And perfect book to end the trilogy! :]

OVERALL RATING

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Book Review | Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: September 1, 2009

Pages: 391

Chapters: 27

Original Language: English

Source:Owned, Bought

Summary

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.

 [via Goodreads]

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I have become deliberately addicted on The Hunger Games. Thanks to my friend, I wouldn’t love this book. Well, as you can see… I am now! I awarded myself a complete set of the trilogy a few weeks ago. And I didn’t disappoints me for the second time. Let’s see what I thought about Catching Fire.

The Plot. The first book really is great. The fight sequence, dramas and all. Catching Fire totally reached to its new level. It became darker and menacing. The feeling of excitement and anticipation drives you to finish reading it.

Details of the story is so precise, you’ll actually feel that you’re in the actual book. Collins amazed me on how brilliantly she wrote Catching Fire. It was do amazing it really blew me away. I was completely breathless. The contents of originality was in depth and precise. Every intensive action was literally to be loved.

In my love of action on the arena. Catching Fire never disappoints me. At first I thought there were no games involved at all. Well, I am definitely wrong. This part is not a spoiler, if you think so jump on the next part of this review. The part two of this book is about The Quell. That is more I could say and I’ll let you discover it more about it yourselves. That is my most favorite scene ever written on this book. Awesomely, it was described perfectly and very fresh. I was applauding on how cool that was. I was surprised about it, when I found the most detailed explanation about the arena. Goodness! I really love this book! :]

There are more from this book than it appears to. Unexpected and unwanted events truly make me marked this one as my most favorite book of the trilogy. Allegiance, trust, lies, sacrifice and all of that – totally a great piece of work!

The Characters. I am amazed by the progress of the characters. There are new faces to acknowledge and some are taken off the picture. [No spoiling here] I am proud how Katniss grew on this one and how obvious how vulnerable she is without Peeta. Ohhh… Peeta! Lol! Aside from them. Gale has been one on the focus. Remember that he usually mentioned by Katniss on The Hunger Games. Well, fortunately for him, he has a part here now. You will learn how he truly acts and not just by mentioning from Katniss herself.

Everything has changed from the first book. I mean everything. I am glad to know about Finnick, Johanna and a lot more. They contributed much and it makes this book more interesting and alluring to read.

Well, this does involves Gale and wondering who I will choose for Katniss. I should say, I am still voting for Peeta. Just like I mentioned about my review of The Hunger Games last month. I vote Peeta for Katniss! Peeta! Peeta! Peeta!  :]

Flaw? Nope. This is a remarkable piece of art. It truly devours me so much on loving it more. It’s been awhile I read this book and I only posted my review about this just now. I can still remember that whole scenario of the book. No flaws can’t take my eyes off this one! :]

A great 2^nd installment for The Hunger Games Trilogy. It is promising that I am definitely sure you’re gonna love this one! I extremely recommend this book! Collins really caught me off-guard on Catching Fire! A great salute for this one! *applause*

OVERALL RATING

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Book Review | The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

*The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Date Published: July 6, 2010 [on Paperback]
Pages: 374

Chapters: 26
Original Language: English

Source:Borrowed [Thanks Mia!]

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 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

[via Goodreads]

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I have checked this book at Goodreads and obviously most or I should probably say all of the people provided a review about this one really loved it. All of it gave it a 5 star. So I am not surprised because now I am one of them. lol!

If it weren't for my friend who happens to won this book and she let me borrows it, maybe today, I am totally clueless on how amazing this book is. Let's get started shall we?

The Plot. To be honest, I don't get it at first on why on earth it is called The Hunger Games. Only one thing to find out, right? I am not too surprised when I finally knew what it means. It became very common to me but in a different situation. What do I mean? Well, I have watched a movie something alike. Do you know the Japanese movie, Battle Royale? It is a very controversial novel published on 1999 called Batoru Rowaiaru written by Koushun Takami. I wanted you to see guys how slightly similar this book to the other. [see its movie trailer here] 

Let's get back to The Hunger Games. The storyline was different, of course. Though the words rings into me similarly. "Kill to survive". I loved it! Though I was expecting more violence and gore here. It has a minimal gore on my opinion though I like how this book is written.

It amazes me on how the book really drives me wide-eyed. It was simply downright brilliant! It applies only an amount of violence in action. Still, there is violence. The fact that I truly adore reading and watching those kind of things. It makes my blood rush in excitement.

There are not much of surprises here but I don't bother to regard it because this book is all about killing and surviving. It really helps you on how to survive in the wild. Its awesome!

The Characters. Katniss. I was a very uncommon name. Very original. I really liked her when she is completely blind on what really Peeta feels about her. I would gladly slap her head on how stupid she is. lol! And I am impressed on how her life in the forest was, when the Games started. Its unlike some characters in a movie or in another book, this one really suffers intensely bad injuries. I feel bad about her though she suppressed the pain and go on. I admire her courage and strength. Collins made her vulnerable but with strong will and spirit.

Peeta. Ohhh... He is interesting. I really liked him for Katniss instead of Gale. Obviously, he is the male MC here. I really thought Gale would be in the focus but it's not. Maybe he will take part on the next two books. I don't know and I wanted to find out. *laughs*

Effie, Haymitch and Cinna are awesome too! I love them taking part on the book. They really bring out some of the amazing things out here.

Tiny Flaw. I hate to admit but there is for me. I was not satisfied on the very ending. Literally, I was not. I paused for awhile and confused when I finished reading it. However, there is still an after-shock of amazement and brilliance on the book. It helped it go back to the top. 

I really highly recommend this book to the people who loves some intense violence action. I do suggest, to take a precaution to our very young readers out there. I am definitely going to read the next two book and hopefully get one of my copies! A big salute for Ms. Suzanne Collins for creating such an amazing book! :]

*The book will be in movies now and I, myself was very excited to see if how will it turns out. You can see in Wikipedia its Film Adaptation. And I found a blogger included a post related to the movie, you can check it out here.

OVERALL RATING

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