Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

        Picking up where Catching Fire left off, Mockingjay begins with Katniss visiting the ruins of district 12, the place she once called home. Katniss now resides in district 13, which was thought to have been destroyed by the Capitol many years ago. However, the district actually survived the Capitol's bombing by building a city underground. The president of district 13, Alma Coin, sees the rebellions as a result of Katniss standing up to the Capitol and giving the people of Panem hope. Now, President Coin wants Katniss to become the symbolic leader of the revolution, the Mockingjay. Will Katniss accept her role as the Mockingjay and take responsibility for the loss of countless lives, and perhaps, the end of humanity altogether? Or does Katniss have a different plan of attack?
        Mockingjay continues the adventure with several unexpected twists and turns. After every chapter, the plot continues to thicken, and I found it impossible to set this book down. Collins writes with powerful words that describe even the smallest details. Mockingjay is a dramatic, suspense-filled journey that thrilled me from start to finish.
        However, after finishing the book, I believe Collins left some strings untied. I have a few questions that went unanswered. Perhaps, I was so caught up in the fantasy world of Panem that I did not want the story to end, which again shows the power of this novel.
         Overall, I absolutely loved The Hunger Games trilogy. Altogether, it took me around 30 hours to read all three books. This was in about a three day span. I honestly could not set these books down. I constantly wondered what was going to happen next and found myself reading until the wee hours of the morning. Once I started, I did not stop until i finished each book. Although this is classified as a Young Adult novel, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading science fiction or fantasy novels.

Mockingjay  4.5/5

The Hunger Games trilogy 5/5    

 
*The Hunger Games hits the big screen next month on March 23rd. Lets hope the movies are as good as the books. Catching Fire and Mockingjay will also hit the big screen in the future.  

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

             After Katniss and Peeta attempted to commit suicide at the end of last years Hunger Games, the Capitol interupted and they both became Hunger Game victors. Katniss became a hero for outsmarting the Capitol. It was a spark that gave the people of Panem hope, and she became an instant inspiration.
             Now, talk of revolution is beginning to surface in Panem. As Katniss and Peeta prepare for a victory tour, President Snow makes a surprising visit to Katniss. The cruel president threatens Katniss and her loved ones with death if she cannot bring an end to the idea of a revolution. If Katniss gives the wrong impression to the districts, the spark she started during the Hunger Games could quickly catch on fire. As her victory tour goes through the 12 districts, it becomes clear that calming the districts will be hard task to accomplish. With the 75th Hunger Games quickly approaching, Katniss is determined to convince all of Panem that her actions during the Hunger Games stemmed from her undeniable love for Peeta, and it  not an attempt to defy the Capitol. If Katniss fails to bring order to the districts, President Snow has a diabolical surprise for her.
             Catching Fire is the perfect way to follow up the first book in the series. The novel is full of suspense. The clever plot keeps the reader interested throughout the book as the adventure with Katniss continues.Collins' Catching Fire is hard to put down. Each chapter leaves the reader eager to know what happens in the following chapter. The book ends leaving the reader racing towards the bookstore to pick up Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games series.
             Catching Fire is a spine-chilling depiction of the future. The book is astounding. If you enjoyed the first book, you will certainly love the second.

5/5

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

              In the first part of Suzanne Collins' bestselling trilogy, The Hunger Games introduces Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is a sixteen-year-old girl living in a post-apocalyptic world called Panem. In what was formerly known as North America, Panem consists of twelve lower-class districts and one powerful, governing district known as the Capitol. Katniss lives in the twelfth and poorest district known as Seam, the coal mining district. When Katniss was young, her father died in a coal mining accident, and Katniss took over the responsibility of raising her younger sister Primrose after her mother had a nervous breakdown. Katniss provides for her family by hunting beyond the perimeters of the Seam, which is a punishable offence in Panem. As the provider of the family, Katniss will do whatever it takes for Primrose. This is evident when Primrose is selected to participate in the Hunger Games and Katniss volunteers to take her place in the bloody "games".
               In Panem, every year one girl and one boy, between the ages of 12 and 18, are selected  from each of the twelve districts to participate in the Hunger Games. The annual event was created to display the power of the Capital and remind the people of Panem never to rebel. If a district rebels, they will be crushed like the 13th district years ago. Only one participant can win the Hunger Games, and  although Katniss is one of the smallest contestants, the skilled hunter will not back down.
               The Hunger Games is a brilliant story from start to finish.  The underdog story of Katniss, the adventurous world of Panem, and a love story intertwined makes The Hunger Games a perfect book for almost anyone. Suzanne Collins develops an in-depth world and unforgettable characters. To say The Hunger Games was a great book would be an understatement. Quite frankly, it is the best book I have ever read. I can only hope that the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire, is as good as the first.

5/5

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

Written by Loung Ung, First They Killed My Father is a first hand account of the 1975 Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia. Ung tells her families heart-wrenching story of the Cambodian Holocaust. The book details the events of April 17th, 1975 as the Khmer Rouge army invaded the Cambodian Capital, Phnom Penh. Ung (5 years old) and her family were forced to flee to what would eventually become known as "the killing fields". First They Killed My Father gives a detailed account of Ung's tragic childhood. She recalls her families fight for survival and the horrible war crimes committed by the ruthless Khmer Rouge. Ung's story is packed with emotions, giving the reader a detailed look into the vicious atrocities that shaped Ung's childhood. The book will certainly teach most readers to have a greater appreciation for an ordinary upbringing.


I would strongly recommend this book. 4.5/5

Welcome!

Hi everyone,
This blog is for anyone who reads a lot. I will be posting book reviews when I finish reading books. Hopefully, it can give you some insight about the book and if you would enjoy it or not. Feel free to offer suggestions and comment on my reviews.
Thanks,
Steve