Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Trilogy (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Pages: 390

Publisher: Scholastic Press Inc. 

Year Published: 2010

Format: Paperback (Own it)

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. 

Why am I not dead?

I should be dead.

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 Rating: 3.75/5

I always have an issue with the end of the story. I'm rarely satisfied with how books end, and I find them hard to get through if I've enjoyed the story at all. This is no different. I enjoyed rereading it and finding new things that were mentioned in the two prequels. It does make you wonder if there will be a third prequel, and if so, what will it be about?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 374

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2008

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun...

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is me revisiting the original Hunger Games series after reading the two prequels. It's incredible the world that Suzanne Collins has created. The overlay after reading Sunrise on the Reaping is wild to think about. How the Game Masters do certain things not only to affect current tributes, but to punish past tributes who have angered the Capitol. The characters felt a little more bland than the ones in Sunrise on the Reaping, but seeing Haymitch appear so many years later gave me a jolt for sure. I'm curious to see what else I'll notice as I continue the original trilogy.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Prequel)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages: 541

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes."

My Rating: 4.5/5

It's been so long since I engaged with the Hunger Games universe and this book brought me right back in. Of course, I was curious how this whole concept began, why it kept going and how people could get to this point. I will say if you want a likeable main character or you are hoping that the author gives Snow a redemption arc, I wouldn't say this is what that is. This book answered a lot of these questions but also felt a bit abrupt at the end for me. I would recommend the audiobook, but I'm sure the physical read may go by just as fast. If you want to go back to the first time you read The Hunger Games and revisit the things it made you think, I'd recommend it. I may end up going to watch the movie because I am reinvested.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Sinner

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #3.5)

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 357

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"found.

Cole St. Clair has come to California for one reason: to get Isabel Culpeper back. She fled from his damaged, drained life, and damaged and drained it even more. he doesn't just want her. He needs her. 

lost.

Isabel is trying to build herself a life in Los Angeles. It's not really working. She can play the game as well as all the other fakes... but what's the point? What is there to win?

sinner.

Cole and Isabel share a past that never seemed to have a future. They have the power to save each other and the power to tear each other apart. The only thing for certain is that they cannot let go."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I've finished the series and it was such a fun reading experience. Perfect for a throwback to that 2010 early paranormal romance. Exactly what I needed during these crazy times. While it isn't a ton of substance, and these characters aren't my favorite from the series this book was fun, it was enjoyable but nothing incredible. It was just ok for me overall. I would recommend the series for anyone looking for a fun paranormal teen romance.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 390

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2011

Format: Audiobook

"then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually, he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from the curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment-- a moment of death or life, farewell or forever."

My Rating: 2.75/5

This book was so different from the first two in the series in the way it followed many main characters. It was interesting to see things from their perspectives and better understand their feelings towards the crises in this book, but there were moments where things seemed to be too easy to fix. I did enjoy listening to it on audio and it was a fun throwback to early 2010s paranormal romance. I do plan to finish the series by reading Sinner on audio as well. What guilty pleasure fun reads to listen to. Would recommend if you are looking for a throwback.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

 Title: Linger

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 362

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2010

Format: Audiobook

"the longing.

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

the loss.

Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being a human.

the linger.

For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life a constant struggle between two forces- wolf and human- with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

This just wasn't as entertaining as the first one. I found that the added characters didn't really do anything for me. If anything they lessened the enjoyment of this second instalment. I was curious after finishing the first book I was curious about how this was going to be a series. I was impressed by the ideas presented, but my intrigue wasn't all there. It was a fun easy listen, but not as enjoyable as the first one. I do plan to continue the series, because of the twist ending. I would recommend the audiobooks if you're looking for a 2010 throwback to paranormal romance.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 392

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2009

Format: Audiobook

"For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her world- is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two livers: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her world. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human- or risk losing himself, and Grace forever."

My Rating: 4/5

This was exactly the nostalgic throwback to the 2010s I needed this past little while. It had all the tropes to my old reading style that really reminded me of why I love reading. As much as this is very stereotypical of the time period. I did really enjoy the writing and have had many other books by Maggie Stiefvater on my TBR, but was glad to start with this one as I've heard so much about it. The characters were typical of the time period, the atmosphere was well written and the plot was fun to follow. I look forward to continuing the series and reliving the fun paranormal romance that was so popular in my high school years.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

Title: Heartstopper: Volume One

Author: Alice Oseman

Series/Standalone: Heartstopper Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary

Pages: 278

Publisher: Scholastic

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Tuham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie- the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months- but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner..."

My Rating: 5/5

This graphic novel was exactly what I needed right now. It has the sweetness of a high school self-discovery, two boys finding themselves, and romance. The best way to describe this story was cute and heart-warming. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a quick sweet read, there is a change of pace near the end, but I liked that it kept the intrigue of the story. I look forward to reading the next installment as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny