Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts

Friday, September 10, 2010

Book Review: Mockingjay

I'm glad I waited to read THE HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE because then I didn't have to wait for MOCKINGJAY. Suzanne Collins definitely wrote an amazing trilogy. Each book stands out strong... and in different ways. But I have to say MOCKINGJAY was my least favorite and CATCHING FIRE was my favorite.

One thing that really interested me about this series, that I failed to mention in previous reviews, is the clothing and style of people in the Capitol. Since this book takes place in the future, it takes something we do now and makes it unbelievable. I'm not a fan of the idea of cosmetic surgery. But it's something that is becoming more and more popular among people. I feel like it started out as something that only celebrities did, and now regular teens are having it done.

Cosmetic surgery in the world of The Hunger Games series is even more extreme. Coloring hair and skin to unnatural colors. Can you imagine living in a world where someone's entire body is dyed lavender or striped like a tiger? Or someone having cat-like whiskers surgically implanted in their face? To be honest, this was my favorite thing about MOCKINGJAY.

I've heard a lot of complaint about the ending of this book. There was death of characters I liked and characters I didn't. One, in particular, made me cry. I don't want to giveaway spoilers because I know not everyone has read it yet. There were sad parts and parts that tried to be happy. But when you're in a war, it's just too hard to be happy some times. I cried again at the end... at the epilogue. And for a while after.

I'm just happy I don't live in a world like that. I think that's one of the benefits of reading dystopian novels. It makes you realize that your life isn't as bad as you may have thought. We live in a free country. Not a country where you can be shot to death to punish a relative that pissed off the president or annoyed a peacemaker. Peacemaker=exterminator.

I think I'm still Team Katniss. And while there were parts of this book I really didn't enjoy, I've enjoyed thinking about all that's happened. I hope everyone who's read the previous two will read this. If for no other reason than to see how it all ends. There was a lot of controversy over how it ended. It seemed people either loved or hated it. And I think it all had to do with how it was read. Anyway, I liked the ending.



Synopsis:

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.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Book Review: Catching Fire

I recently read THE HUNGER GAMES. And while I did not love it, I liked it enough to continue the series. I’m glad I already had CATCHING FIRE on my shelf. I picked it up almost right away. I read it in six hours and loved it. I have to admit that I was concerned. Many friends of mine who had read THE HUNGER GAMES and loved it weren't huge fans of CATCHING FIRE. Imagine my surprise when I liked it more.

Katniss is back at home after The Hunger Games, and she and Peeta are about to go on tour. The thing I love about these two is that they are rebels. They continually act out, even though they know that it could cause punishment, including death. I love that we got to see more Gale in this one, though he still didn't get enough "screen time".

There was one scene that caused tears. Poor Gale! I can completely understand why Katniss is so torn between her two guys. Both are fantastic. I am still unable to choose sides. Currently still Team Katniss! And even though I was late to the party, I'm glad I was. This way, I didn't have to wait a year!

And again... Down with the Capitol!

Synopsis:

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.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Book Review: The Hunger Games

So, apparently... I'm late to the party... again. I've been told by countless friends and bloggers that I need to read THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins. My best friend raved about it. But... dystopian books really aren't my thing. I decided to pick it up anyway, and it's been sitting on my shelf for a couple years.

With the release of MOCKINGJAY and the frenzy surrounding it, I decided to start reading. As with other dystopian novels, I had a hard time getting into the book. Figuring out what their world was like and trying to get a grasp on the situation. All I can say is... I'm really glad I don't live in this world.

A boy and girl from each district are chosen every year to fight to the death in a televised event. All contestants range from ages 12 to 18. And only one can survive. Katniss volunteered to go to The Hunger Games, in the place of her little sister, Prim. And Peeta was chosen to go along as well to represent District 12. There is an interesting dynamic between these two characters. It's written from Katniss' point of view, so you don't always know what Peeta's thinking. But then, you don't always know exactly what Katniss is thinking, either.

They are given the royal treatment as they prepare for the games, and their mentor, a previous winner from District 12, is a drunk. (Although I did really enjoy Haymitch). Their team tries to prepare them. They get tossed into an arena and are expected to kill every other teen there. How can anyone be prepared for that?

So, yeah... this book definitely didn't seem like something I'd enjoy reading. But the writing was fantastic. I enjoyed many of the characters and look forward to getting to know them better, especially Gale. A few scenes made me weepy, and once made me actually cry. While I liked the book, I didn't love it as many of my friends did. But I'm definitely glad I took the time to read it, and I already pulled CATCHING FIRE from my shelf. I definitely recommend it.

I loved the names in this book, especially Katniss Everdeen.

There are three "teams" fans of this series has chosen: Team Peeta, Team Gale, and Team Katniss. I see a lot of people on Peeta's team, but I don't feel Gale was given a good enough shot. So I'm reserving my right to choose a team affiliation until later. Temporarily though, I'm Team Katniss.

Down with the Capitol!


Synopsis:

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. 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." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

I looked for the official book trailer, but could not find one. There might not be one, but this video is great, so if you haven't read it, you'll get a sense of the excitement and action included.