If I particularly enjoy a book I like to take time to recommend it on my blog. Tonight I'm recommending an entire trilogy called The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
For any of you not in the know about this New York Times Bestselling Trilogy, it's a critically acclaimed dystopian trilogy that pretty much blew my mind. In my top ten books of all time, I'm going to lay it out for you here, with book blurbs and my reviews. If you're looking for something awesome to read this Christmas then look no further.
Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.
In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.
When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.
My Review:
What can I say? One of my most absolute favourite books EVER.
It's fast-paced, full of suspense and horror and has a sharp and likeable heroine whose first person narrative pulls you so deeply into her world it's hard to put the book down from the first page. My first thought when picking up the book was that it was The Running Man meets Battle Royale but as you begin to read it feels more like Suzanne Collins has created a vision of the future in which imperial Rome meets modern technology...she utilises a lot of Roman names throughout the book (Caesar, Cato, Cinna, Claudius,Flavius)for people from The Capitol or positively associated with the Capitol, the controlling centre of Panem (what was once North America). The idea of each of the districts working their industries for the benefit of the Capitol is reminiscent of the laws of agriculture of imperial Rome, but the biggest inspiration of course are the Games which took place inside the arena of the Colosseum - violent theatrics carried out for the gratification of the emperor and his people. Overall an incredibly clever use of history to create a fresh, explosive sci-fi novel that may be marketed for YA but should be enjoyed by all.
LOVE IT!
FIVE MASSIVE, MASSIVE, GIGANTIC STARS!
Book #2 Catching Fire. Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
My Review:
Wow.
The sequel to The Hunger Games is just as mind blowing as the first novel in this so far exquisite trilogy.
The protagonist Katniss Everdeen is a thrillingly complex character; real, resilient, courageous, scared, vulnerable and somewhat closed off from people because of life's bitter experiences. Peeta is Katniss' opposite; open, loving, brave and self-sacrificing and I've never rooted more for two people than I have these.
The repression and horror of the Capitol's control grows steadily worse in Catching Fire and culminates into the shocking re-entry of Peeta and Katniss into the arena. Like it's predecessor, Catching Fire is gripping, fast-paced, violent and full of suspense. It is also beautifully written. Never has an author touched me more than Suzanne Collins. There is never half-hearted sentimentality in her world, but deeply moving, quiet heartbreak and I defy anyone to not be moved to tears by the people of her future and their fight for freedom.
Another triumphant page-turner. Five MASSIVE, MASSIVE, MASSIVE Stars!
The sequel to The Hunger Games is just as mind blowing as the first novel in this so far exquisite trilogy.
The protagonist Katniss Everdeen is a thrillingly complex character; real, resilient, courageous, scared, vulnerable and somewhat closed off from people because of life's bitter experiences. Peeta is Katniss' opposite; open, loving, brave and self-sacrificing and I've never rooted more for two people than I have these.
The repression and horror of the Capitol's control grows steadily worse in Catching Fire and culminates into the shocking re-entry of Peeta and Katniss into the arena. Like it's predecessor, Catching Fire is gripping, fast-paced, violent and full of suspense. It is also beautifully written. Never has an author touched me more than Suzanne Collins. There is never half-hearted sentimentality in her world, but deeply moving, quiet heartbreak and I defy anyone to not be moved to tears by the people of her future and their fight for freedom.
Another triumphant page-turner. Five MASSIVE, MASSIVE, MASSIVE Stars!
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 plans -- 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.
My Review:
I don't think I'm capable of writing a review that truly does this book justice. All I can say is that once again the plot was tense, action-packed, heart-breaking and violently, painfully engrossing.
Katniss Everdeen is definitely a character that I will never forget and easily my favourite in literature. The entire novel, in fact the entire trilogy, is deeply moving and I for one was amazed at the ending, not entirely happy but completely perfect.
Suzanne Collins has created a future so beautifully written, so compelling, that like Peeta I had to stop and ask myself, "Real or not Real?"
Five Incredible Stars
SERIOUSLY, I just finished Mockingjay and am somewhat shell-shocked. Powerful stuff.
Happy Reading!
Switched (Trylle #1). 