Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collin, 398 pages

This was my least favorite of the Hunger Games books, but I wanted to finish the trilogy and was very glad I did.  I was anxiously awaiting the ending.  It took me about half the book to get into the story, but once the story started moving I couldn't put it down.  The ending was action packed and had some surprises and shocking twists.  Katniss fulfills her prophecy of being the Mockingjay and saving the rebellion.  The book is worth reading just to find out will it be Peeta or Gale?  

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, 391 pages.                                                     Catching Fire follows Katniss and Peeta after they have won the Hunger Games and are living a privileged life with their families, including Gale, her"cousin".  Tensions and suspicions flare of uprisings throughout the districts.  President Snow has not been very happy with Katniss and the manner in which she has carried on since the games.  There is more then one surprising twist in this book.  I really don't want to spoil the book for the few who still have left to read it, but found the twists are shocking enough to let out loud gasps.  The ending is enough to make me rush to finish book three which I am sure I will complete in the next month. Great read for ages teen to adult.



The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 374 pages

I put off reading this book, and I am not sure I would have read it if I hadn't heard it was coming out as a movie. Also, not to mention, it was a book everyone was talking about. Like most parents, when I heard it was about kids killing each other until there was one survivor, I did not want to read this book.  It was nothing I was interested in, but I have a young son whose classmates were reading it and thought if he was going to read it, I should read it first.  For the price of $6.79 this book was well worth the money.  Although the book was not as graphically violent as I thought it would be, it had violence in it that could give a preteen nightmares.  Katniss is a strong role model who takes care of her family and who since her father's death, is a survivor and a fighter.  The friendship between Peeta and Katniss that starts to look like young love makes me want to read the next two books to see if it is about the Hunger Games or the relationship between the survivors of District 12.  Suzanne Collins has cleverly written a book to appeal to both adults, young and old, and preteens and teens.  I am glad I read this book as it also reminded me of an adult trilogy I recently read the first book of, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Hats off to the strong female heroine.  We have someone to cheer for.  My money is on Katniss all the way.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins-  374 pages

This book is a futuristic dystopia that takes place in Panem (future North America). Panem is divided into 12 districts. Once a year, two teens from each district are selected to compete in the Hunger Games, a televised event in which they are pitted against one another in a dangerous arena. The story follows Katniss, a resourceful 16-year-old who volunteers for the games in place of her little sister. I had initially read this book a few years ago and wanted to refresh my memory since the film version is coming out soon. It was even better this time around. Though at times it can be brutal and depressing, that does not overshadow the overarching themes of bravery, love, and perseverance.