"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Three of The Hunger Games

Blurb:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the mining District of the nation of Panem. Every year, one girl and one boy from each district must compete in the televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV.

Having survived two hunger games, Katniss has been pulled from the arena by the rebel forces from district 13. Peeta, however is captured by the Capitol forces. As the face of the rebellion, Katniss assumes the mantel of the Mockingjay, appearing on television when the rebels can interfere with the Capitol broadcasts.

Peeta is forced by the Capitol to try and persuade the rebels to lay down their arms, obvious that the capitol is mistreating him. Once again, Katniss and Haymitch have to work out how to get Peeta out alive.

As is obvious before the book begins, the war comes to a climax in the Capitol.....

Verdict:

At 400 pages, this book took me about 8 hours to finish. The storytelling is rich in description, being able to visualise the areas that Katniss is in. I can see why this is going to be split into two movies and will look forward to seeing them.

On a down side, I felt that the author rushed the end of the book as it just has a feeling of "how can i finish the story?" The story of the Capitol ended too abruptly, with not everything explored. Also some parts of the book were a little disturbing, so I would not recommend for readers under 11.

Not as good as the first two books, but still an enjoyable read.

Rating: 4/5

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Two of The Hunger Games

Blurb:

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.

Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the mining District of the nation of Panem. Every year, one girl and one boy from each district must compete in the televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV.

Having survived the first hunger games, Katniss and Peeta return to district 12. No sooner does the capitol believe that they are to be wed, then the Quarter Quell is anounced and two of three victors of the Hunger Games from district 12 must be sent back into the arena for another games. Haymitch and Katniss agree that they must work together to keep Peeta alive.

The rebellion is also growing, and whether they like it or not, Katniss and Peeta beome the face of the rebellion much to President Snows displeasure.

Verdict:

At 400 pages, this book took me about 8 hours to finish. You can envisage what is happening just as easy as in a movie, as the descriptions give you a rich sense of where Katniss and Peeta are. Looking forward to the movie version of the book as I think it will be really well done as there is so much to be pulled from the book.

Rating: 5/5

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book One of The Hunger Games

Blurb:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The 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 is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the mining District of the nation of Panem. Every year, one girl and one boy from each district must compete in the televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV.

Katniss' younger sister is picked at random and Katniss volunteers to take her place, which is an unusual event. Along with Peeta Mellark, the Baker's son, they enter the games. As the story progresses we find that Peeta is in love with Katniss, and the battle for survival of not only one but both of them begins...

Verdict:

At 384 pages, this book took me about 7 hours to finish. This is one of those books that I consider to be a Sunday afternoon read, you pick it up and before you know it Sunday afternoon has gone. From teen to Adult, this book is great! There is a level of violence, but nothing most teens have not already been subjected to in our modern age of films, there is a lot worse out there.

I loved this book so much I had to start reading book two straight away.

Rating: 5/5