Review of Mocking Jay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What an amazing ending to a wonderful series! I can't help but have been swept up by the power of these books. I think the first person narrative really kept me involved, kept those pages turning. I wasn't exactly the most fond of the heroine, Katniss, because I found some of her flaws were overpowering and incredibly irritating. But I could see the goodness in her, too, that made me want her to win, want her to succeed, even when she couldn't see the end herself.



This book was what I expected the second book to be. I wanted to see the war before it happened, I was waiting for the rebellion before it took place. There were a LOT of twists and turns that I didn't see coming (Peeta's return, for example, and what happened to Finnick in the tunnels--hopefully without giving away too much!) but those only kept me on my toes and reading more, not necessarily getting frustrated and wanting to stop.



The characters that I loved from the first two books, that I was hoping to see again came back with a vengeance. I ended the series the way I started it, loving Peeta more than most of the other characters. Katniss' mother was such a strong character, even through her weaknesses. A lot of the story can be attributed to her actions, for better or for worse. Even though the story ends with a lot of things falling apart, there's still hope in the rebuilding--that hope was what I read the whole series for.



I only wish that the epilogue had been a bit longer, a bit more in detail. But all in all, I loved this series, and would recommend it to all my friends and loved ones.



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Review of Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The second installment in Suzanne Collins' brilliant Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire, picks up right where the first book left off. From the get go it's a page turner, answering some of our questions but leaving us with many more about what's going to happen with Katniss, whether she's going to choose Peeta or Gale, how she's going to protect her family and her district, and how on Earth the Capitol is going to finally get her.



When I first picked up the second book, I was expecting it to go straight into the rebellion, to describe the highs and lows of the war that we all know is coming, to jump into action. But I was met with... well, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book yet. But it surprised me. And it took me quite some time to come around. But once the action started up again, once Katniss was back in the Capitol, I found that I was enraptured again, caught up in the story and the characters, and their interactions.



Some of the characters that I loved so dearly from the first came back with a vengeance, and some of them were glossed over a little. There were even more interesting characters introduced, making me hungry to read the third installment (which I've already started!) and reach the end of the story.



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Review of The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Whenever I open a book to see that it's written in first person, I oftentimes feel nervous or roll my eyes. It feels as if the story is written to fulfill some sort of fantasy in the author's mind. At the same time, though, I feel as if the first person (especially the present tense) in this book kept the story moving at such a pace that the reader could really feel the intensity, and get drawn into the action.



Even though I found the main character, Katniss, to be a bit irritating at times, I found the book to be a page turner. There was enough energy and action to keep the story going, and enough description to keep my curiosity sated. It's a shame to enter a "last one standing" sort of contest, and find likable qualities in any of the other contestants. Especially when our main character--our POV--is such a loner. But I really enjoyed learning about the world, and meeting the fringe characters. There are some that I can't wait to see again in books 2 and 3, and others I know that I will miss through the series.



All in all, I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family, as a nice escape from the monotony of day-to-day life. Afterall, isn't that one of the best parts about good fiction? Good fantasy? I'm reminded of The Handmaid's Tale, Farenheit 451, Brave New World or Rite of Passage, books that I read while I was in school. I'm reminded of the film Battle Royale, which was just as much a whirlwind of action and adventure, with interwoven threads of pure, confusing, conflicting yet satisfying emotion as The Hunger Games.



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Review of Alexander Death

Alexander Death by J.L. Bryan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had no idea that the other shoe was about to drop until it did. Some of the characters were just as I thought they were going to be, and others turned out completely differently. Some of the central questions that came up (What is a monster? Who decides our fate? etc.) were answered in a very interesting way. I enjoyed the whole trilogy very much, and would absolutely recommend them to all of my YA reader friends and others.



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Review of Tommy Nightmare

Tommy Nightmare by J.L. Bryan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As much as I loved Jenny Pox, I found Tommy Nightmare to be a delicious and suspenseful middle to this amazing trilogy. I enjoyed the changes and growth in some of the characters, and the introductions of new ones. I loved the way things spun around to bite you in the backside, and twists took you on an interesting journey. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.



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Review of Jenny Pox

Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I bought this book for the Kindle on a recommendation of a friend, and I was far from disappointed. It was a gripping story of love and loss, filled with appealing characters and intricate plot. It made me want to talk about the plotlines with my friends and loved ones. The romantic scenes were very well written and full of emotion. Though, I have to admit that sometimes the gore was a little much for me. (weak, pregnant tummy.)

All in all, I very much enjoyed this book, and will absolutely be reading the sequel.



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Olympia Heights: The Pantheon by Amy Leigh Strickland

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Amy Leigh Strickland's Olympia Heights: The Pantheon (only 99 cents on the Kindle for a limited time!) is a wonderful, action-packed, teenage-hormonal adventure that introduces a group of high school students who find out that they're reincarnations of Greek Gods. The characters, though many and introduced in a rapid succession, become individual and easily recognizable (not to mention likable) by the end of the book. The action is realistic and believable, and the danger becomes more and more personal and important as you turn each page.

Speaking of turning the pages, I couldn't stop! The action and dialogue keep the reader engaged, and the lessons taught by the characters merits and mistakes stuck with me all the way through. I must say, I'm interested to see where the friendship between Penny and Peter goes, and if any feelings eventually develop between Jason and Celene. Zack's plight to either win back the jealous June or go on on his own to spread his seed is also rather interesting. I was a big fan of the comedic Lewis, and would love to see more interactions between him and Diana.

All in all, I'm very interested in the series, and can't wait to read more! I hope all of my friends read and enjoy the book very much. It would make a wonderful stocking stuffer this Christmas for anyone with a youthful heart and a spirit of adventure.



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