Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Details: Hardcover, 390 pages
Published: August 24th 2010 by Scholastic Press
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

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.

My Review: I love this trilogy, however I was slightly disappointed with this book. After I finished Catching Fire, I had to start Mockingjay right away. Going from such an amazing read is probably why I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two. Don't get me wrong, it is still an incredible read, it just didn't feel the same as the books before it.

I gave it 4 out of 5 bats because even though it was a bit of a let down, I still really loved it. I wish there was more.

My Rating: 

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

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

Details: Hardcover, 391 pages
Published: September 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press
Source: I bought it.
Buy It: The Book Depository

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

My Review: What can I say about Catching Fire other than wow! I put off reading The Hunger Games because of all the hype. After I finally read it, and loved it, I told myself I would put off reading Catching Fire because I wanted these books to last as long as possible. It wasn't easy but I managed to keep it on my shelf for a month or so.

I finally caved and read it and I loved it just as much as the first book. I may have even enjoyed it more. I want to dive right into Mockingjay. I want, no, I need more.

Collins really knows how to create amazing stories and develop incredible characters. I need to read Mockingjay right now. I can't wait any longer. I have to know how it all ends.

My Rating: 

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins 
Details: Hardcover, 374 pages
Published: October 1st 2008 by Scholastic, Inc.
Source: I bought it.
Buy It: The Book Depository

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 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Review: Where do I begin? I've read only three books this year so far that have pulled me in completely and this is one of them. While reading The Hunger Games I forgot all about sleep and eating. I couldn't put it down. I read right through it, dying to know what was going to happen next.

There were so many times I picked The Hunger Games up in the store just to put it back because of all the hype. It's the same reason it sat on my self for months before I finally decided to give it a try.

The hype for other books ruined them for me so I was more than a little worried going into this one. I am so glad I didn't pass it up. I think the last time I read a book with a plot this good, characters this interesting and with writing this incredible was when I read Harry Potter for the first time. I have never compared anything to Harry Potter before because I had never read anything as perfect as that series until now.

If the other two books are as amazing as the first, I know I will be re-reading all three over and over again for many years.

My Rating: 

Review: Mission (Un)Popular by Anna Humphrey

Mission (Un)Popular by Anna Humphrey 

Details: Hardcover, 416 pages
Published: June 14th 2011 by Hyperion Book CH
Source: I got it for review.
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: Margot Button has a resolution for 7th grade: Be more normal. Easier said than done when you have --no best friend (sent to Catholic school because of your "bad influence")--no new clothes (stepdad had a "moral objection" to his job)--no eyebrows (tweezer mishap)--improvised bangs (see above)--a new nickname ("Hamburglar")--an unpaid afterschool job (babysitting the triplets--five days a week) Well, Rome wasn't built in a day. If Margot could just learn to control her big mouth (and hair), there is hope. The new girl, Em, needs a friend too. Plus she dresses like a rock star, is quick with comebacks, and actually has the guts to stand up to Evil Sarah. Em has an agenda for change at Manning Middle School and wants Margot on her side. Progress! So, okay, Em has a flexible relationship with the truth, and goes too far with her comebacks. And her secret campaign to turn the tables on Sarah's clique may involve bending some laws. But after years of Sarah's bullying, it's hard for Margot to resist Em's call to action. Margot's approval rating is finally up, and well, it's only fair to take the mean girls down a few notches...isn't it?

My Review: Mission (Un)Popular is a really good book. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry and it even has a great message.

Margot goes through a lot throughout this book and comes out a better person for it. She learns a lot about herself, friendship and life in general.

I found this book to be well written and is very believable. As someone who was walked all over by "friends" and was always doing dumb stuff to fit in when I was a kid, I can definitely relate to Margot. I will be reading more by Anna Humphrey in the future.

My Rating: 

Mini Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen (Fallen #1) by Lauren Kate 
Details: Hardcover, First, 452 pages
Published: December 8th 2009 by Delacorte Press
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

My Review: Between the beautiful cover and all the great things people were saying about this book I just knew I had to pick it up right away. I read it not long after I bought it and I just have to say that I was very disappointed. Maybe if my expectations weren't so high going into it I would have loved it.
I found the story to be a bit slow at times and I didn't feel that attached to any of the characters. However, I did enjoy it enough that I bought Torment. I haven't been in any hurry to read the second book but I plan on getting to it soon. Hopefully it will be better than Fallen.

My Rating:

Review: Awakened by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Awakened (House of Night #8) by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Details: Hardcover, 290 pages
Published: January 4th 2011 by St. Martin's Grffin
Source: I got it for my birthday
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: “My love, speak to me. Tell me everything.” Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal.

“What would you have me say?” He didn’t meet her eyes.

“Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.

“She does.”

“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.” She started to walk away from him.

“Where are you going? What will happen next?”

“It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

My Review: While I was reading this book I couldn't stop thinking about other things. I don't know if I'm getting sick of this series or if this book just wasn't as good as some of the others. It seemed to be very slow with not a lot happening. I didn't get pulled in like I have before with these books and I didn't find it at all interesting until the last few chapters.

It did have it's good moments, but like I said, they were near the end and by that point it was a little late. I almost gave up on this book. There were also some things that made me angry and I spent a lot of the time rolling my eyes at the characters.

In the end, I will probably still buy the next book, Destined, and keep going with this series until the end. I just hope it gets better.

My Rating: 

Review: Shakespeare Undead by Lori Handeland

Shakespeare Undead (Shakespeare Undead #1) by Lori Handeland
Published: June 8th 2010 by St. Martin's Griffin

Summary: Something wicked this way comes . . . and it keeps coming and coming and coming. . . .

William Shakespeare was one of history's greatest writers, a master of words with a body of work that is truly impressive . . . some may say a little too impressive for a single man to accomplish in one lifetime. Perhaps, as many have speculated, he had assistance. Or perhaps the explanation is more . . . unusual.

Who was William Shakespeare?

Who was the Dark Lady of the Sonnets?

Why are the undead stalking the alleyways of London?

And can they be stopped?

Something is definitely rotten in the state of Denmark.

So brace yourself for a wild ride through twisted streets and shadowed graveyards of Elizabethan London, where you'll discover how the Bard got his Bite.

My Review: I love these type of books. So when I came across this one on sale I had to grab it. Even though I really enjoy these books, I didn't really have any expectations going into this one. They can be very hit or miss. So because of that, part of me was surprised at just how much I liked it and another part of me was wondering why I was so surprised.

Shakespeare Undead is so well written that you are pulled in from the first page. I loved Kate. She is so brave and strong. We need more characters like her. I wish I was like her. I also loved Will. He actually had me laughing out loud and that doesn't happen too often while reading.

If you haven't read this book, you need to go get it right now. You wont regret it. I will be getting the next book, Zombie Island as soon as I can.

My Rating: