The Hunger Games Mockingjay

The Hunger Games Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Summary (From Back Cover)
"if we burn you burn with us"
Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But she's still not safe. A revolution is unfolding, and everyone, it seems, has had a hand in carefully laid plans - everyone except Katniss.
And yet she must play the most vital part in the final battle. Katniss must become their Mackingjay - the symbol of rebellion - no matter what the personal cost.

Review
There's this rule. You've probably noticed it, and it's that sequels suck! Now, this rule is more appropriate for film rather than books however, there are occasions when it also applies to the written word. Where the author hasn't spent as much time perfecting the story lines as they did in the first book. This, unfortunately, falls into that category. Don't get me wrong, it's defiantly worth the read if you've read the other two books but at the same time I couldn't help being disappointed. I wanted to be able to write this was an epic conclusion to an exciting series but I can't.

The book picks up with Katniss being introduced to the rebellion she's - unknowingly - helped build. Peeta's still stick in Precedent Snow's slimy grasp and the rest of their world is falling to pieces as the citizens of Panem prepare to fight back. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little surprised it took them 75years to get up the courage to tell the officials that they can't kill their kids anymore, but who am I to judge?

One of the main things I was disappointed in with this book is the way in which Collin's kills off her characters. I won't tell you who, but trust me you won't be able to guess either! And that's because they don't make sense. I have no problem with authors killing off character's, I think it's a necessary evil to make the world seem more real. After all, you're not got going to have a full blown rebellion without a couple of casualties. However, it seemed that she chose these character's for the purpose of shocking the reader rather than because it was vital to the story. They were sloppy kills that, in all honestly, let the book down. It deserved more thought than what it got.

Of course there's also a conclusion to our little love triangle and again I think the ending was sloppy and unsatisfactory. This book had so much potential and it was almost upsetting to read it, it felt rushed.

However, there was one good thing to come out of this book. One that I was never expecting, I no longer hate Katniss. Now, those of you who have read my other reviews will know that I've always had a problem with this particular heroine, as she can come across annoying and selfish, but in this book I can finally get behind her. I can finally stop wishing that someone would blow her up. Which, I hate to admit, I had hoped that on more than one occasion.

I know this isn't the most complementary review, and it's really not that bad of a book. But I think as I am a fan of the series I just found it upsetting that when I closed the book I didn't feel like it was properly resolved. I still had unanswered questions. It's brilliantly written, as always, but it left me feeling a little frustrated. I could have done with another couple of chapters to fill in some of the blanks. Fingers crossed that the movie adaptation is better than the book! They have been thus far, and I hope that it continues to get better and it corrects some of the fatal plot flaws that happen in this instalment of The Hunger Games.



There's no official trailer for the Mackingjay films so I thought I'd share this little gem with you. It's just some info on the upcoming films, but the presents is so enthusiastic it's kind of funny.

If you haven't done so already check out my reviews for the previous THG's books

The Hunger Games     .     The Hunger Games Catching Fire

The Hunger Games Catching Fire

The Hunger Games Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary (From Back Cover)

Katniss Everdeen survived The Hunger Games. Now the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are still alive. Katniss should be relieved, but now these are whispers of a rebellion against the Capital - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

As the nation watches Katniss and Peeta, the stakes are higher than ever. One false move and the consequences will be unimaginable.

Review

For those of you who have read my review of The Hunger Games you'll know I have a disdain for Katniss and unfortunately this instalment doesn't change my opinion. However, there are so many new character's introduced in this book I can almost overlook my disliking of the winy main character. 

The story line for this is why I rated it lower than the first. As far as the actual writing, it's easy to read and has it's moments, although I think that - spoiler alert - sending Katniss and Peeta back into the arena was - in some ways - a lazy way to move the story forward. The story itself if set just after THG's finishes and takes a look at Katniss and Peeta's life after the games and the way they cope with their new celebrity status. It also follows Present Snow as he tries to rid himself of his biggest problem - Katniss and the rebellion she seems to ignite. 

The character's for me are this books saving grace. I do like THG's trilogy and I think it's entirely because of Collins vivid character building. In Catching Fire you get a better look at some of your favourite character - Effie's back - as well as the newbies. Look out of Finnick - I think I'm in love - and also Mags. 

Then there's Snow. We got a glimpse of the sociopath in the first book however, in this (and the next) instalment he will truly make you blood run cold. I don't think I've read a character that I've hated as much as Snow. He's diabolical and disturbing on a level that I've not seen before. After reading these books just the mention of a white roses gave me the creeps. 

Overall it's a half decent second novel, although I would have liked to gotten something new. The problem I had with this book is there were a lot of moments where I was getting a serious case of deja vu and it it's until the end or maybe even the next book that you see the point to any of it. But saying all that if you loved the first book then you'll like this one. Keep reading because Collin's does tie up the series well in the final book, Mockingjay.

Move Trailer

If you haven't check it out already that have a gander at my review for the first Hunger Games book. 

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary (From Back Cover)
Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death.
In a dark vision of the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show 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.

Review
Where to start! I picked this series up just before the first film came out and I read them all in two weeks. I couldn't put them down! There's something for everyone - you've got the love triangle and a strong family aspect, with epic fight scenes and a futuristic world that not only seems vivid and real, but magical and full of fantasy all at the same time.

The story itself follows a young girl - Katniss - as she has to fight in a live TV show. I loved the connection between this world and our current obsession with reality TV. Now days you can watch everything live, from 12 strangers in a house to a trial in court - for the record I don't agree with that last one. No matter what they put on our screens someone out there will watch it! Which of course makes The Hunger Games all the more terrifying, because deep down, you know that under the right circumstances a future like this is completely plausible!

Now for those of you who don't know, The Hunger Games is a live battle between 24 children (tributes) that takes place every year as a way for the government to keep control of the country. To remind them who's in charge. The 24 tributes are chosen from each district, 2 from each. One girl and one boy, but the further you get from the Capital (District One) the more poverty stricken you become and you're chances of survival dwindle. Only 1 person has ever won the games from District 12.  Twenty-four go in but only one can come out of the arena, and no matter what that child will come out a killer. Katniss (District 12 tribute) goes into the Games after volunteering when her sister gets chosen. She'll have to fight to get home.

The other tribute chosen from district 12 is Peeta - now I love Peeta and his burnt bread. Even though I know that a lot of people are routing for Gale. This is where the tragic YA love triangle comes in. Gale is Katniss' best friend, but he'll never understand the situation that she finds herself in. Peeta on the other hand. You'll have to make your own mind up on what team you're on!

However, unlike a lot of other books I couldn't stand the main character. I disliked her so much that there are moments when I'd be happy to see Katniss die in the arena. She's irritating and frustrating. She gets under my skin and I think that's why I had to rate this down slightly. Because if you can't get behind the heroine of the story then somethings got to be wrong.

Other character's to look out for are the eccentric Effie and the grumpy drunk that is Haymitch. These two give the book some humour, which is needed in a book like this. Effie with her naive outlook on the world and Haymitch and his bitter views. They're the polar opposite of each other and the book wouldn't be anything without them!

Overall it's a must read for any lover of YA fiction and will make you question a lot of things, or maybe I'm just thinking too much about it. It's a good easy read though, and when you get into it you wont be able to put it down. 

Bellow is the official movie trailer:

Killing Our Heroes One Word at a TIme

THIS BLOG CONTAINS SERIOUS SPOILERS!!!

One of the most controversial things an author can do is kill off one of it's main characters. Whether it's a baddie or one of our favourite hero's, killing off a character can cause quite a riot. But, I think that sometimes it's a necessary evil, it gives the book that degree of believability - no matter the genre. I mean Zombie Apocalypse comes not everyone going to live! And if they are, then why the hell are we so worried?

Bellow are some of the most controversial kills in YA books that I've come across. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm going to name some dead people. If you've not read the book I suggest skipping to the next one.

The Hunger Games Trilogy - Finnick Odair
Okay, first of all I think this is probably one of the sloppiest kills I've ever read in a book, period! It didn't seem to do anything for the story line or serve any purpose what so ever. I remember reading it and thinking what the hell just happened. It almost felt like Collins killed him just because she could, because she needed something to pad out the chapter a bit. I'm all for axing off a beloved character but this one just felt irrelevant.
On the plus side I've read - although it may just be a rumour - that they plan to rectify this mistake in the movie, as Collins herself also believed it was wrong to kill of Finnick!

Noughts and Crosses - Callum
AH! I read ahead with this one - last page first - and I wish I hadn't. Yes Callum's dead was well written and paramount to the WHOLE series but it was heartbreaking and I wish he hadn't had to die. Author's quite often kill off main character's but I've never known someone to kill off THE main character at the end of the FIRST book. And in all honesty, the other three never quite lived up to the first book.

The Divergent Trilogy - Tris
I'm on the fence with this one. I would have liked to see Tris and Four get their happy ending after everything they've been through but it did feel right. If Tris had let her brother die she wouldn't have been the girl we've comes to love. She's reckless and doesn't think past the now, causing destruction pretty much everywhere she goes. So, really, I don't think I would have been happy with any other ending. Damned if you do, damned if you don't with this one I'm afraid. Although, as far as the writing goes I did like the fact even with her death it wasn't what we expected, Roth still managed to sneak a little twist in there.

The Madness Underneath - Stephen
Okay so technically not dead, well he is dead but it's a book about ghost's so it's not like we're never going to see him again. I think what hurt the most with Stephen's sudden demise what just that, I didn't see it coming. One minute I was awwing at the relationship beginning to develop between him and Rory and the next he's brain dead and they want to turn off the machines. NOOO! I'm dying - no pun intended - to find out what happens in book three and I really hope killing him off was worth it and in some way beneficial to the story line.

Harry Potter - Fred Weasley, Dumbledoor, Dobby & Snape
Where to start... we go six books without having any serious issues with JK and her choice of kills  - except maybe Cedric - and then from the last chapters of The Half Blood Prince and the entirety of The Deathly Hallows we're constantly reaching for our tissues. There are so SO many people to choose from with HP but I think that Fred, Dumblerdore, Dobby and Snape where the most heartbreaking.
The Weasley's are the heart of the books and to have one of them killed -for lack of a better word -sucked. I mean couldn't it have been Percy? Who would have really cared if it was Percy? Poor George, he looses his ear and his twin in one book!
Dumblerdore was upsetting, but I don't completely object to his death. You can see why he needed to die, and it was very cleverly done in reference to the elder wand story line. I can now, after a couple of years, accept my favourite bearded wizards death... just about.
Dobby was just... well there are no words for Dobby's death. It was unnecessary and all it did was make us cry. Would it really have hurt to keep him alive?
As for Snape, I think that was the most devastating for me because it wasn't until his death that you found out he wasn't such an evil prat after all. I'll ALWAYS miss him!


SO what do you think? Are there any character kills you wish had never happened? Or do you agree with the authors decision to stick our favourites in the printed graveyard?