Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Image taken from Shelf Elf.

Well, it was about time I updated this blog, now moving on to talk about the third and final installment of the Hunger Games, and once again, Suzanne Collins has not disappointed me in the slightest!

As you can probably tell from what I recounted from the second book, the uprisings have continued, and have escalated since we last hear of them. District 13 DOES exist (sorry to spoil the ending of the second book, but I figured that within the two months of my having reviewed it, you would have and should have read it by now). Katniss is dubbed as the "mascot" for the new rebellion, and it is her job star in propaganda videos and raising hope for all of Panem. But of course, being "The Mockingjay" has its setbacks. You have the Capitol hungry for your blood. You are only told what you "need" to know when prepping up to give the speeches (leaving room for more doubt as to whether the cause you're fighting for is a just one). On top of that, you have two boys fighting over you, which is undoubtedly the LAST thing you want to deal with right this very moment. Needless to say, we read of a very emotionally fragile Katniss in this book, who everyone expects to just be able to pull things together and make everything right again.

I was told by a few people who read the book before me that they did not like how the book concluded. They felt it a bit too "rushed", and they were kind of getting sick of the whole Gale/Peter love triangle thing. I personally found the Gale/Peter thing to be an important part of the storyline, and did not feel the ending to be "rushed" at all. I felt the timing was just right for Collins to conclude the book in the way she did. And, without giving too much away, there is definitely a happy ending for Katniss after all, however bitter-sweet it appears to be.

Well, that's enough of my rambling. Go out and buy the book! You won't regret it...

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Image taken from Hunger Games Wiki.

The second installment in the Hunger Games trilogy was just as interesting as the first installment. Without giving too much away for those who have not read the first book, Katniss and her friend Peeta are the two survivors of the Hunger Games, something which the Capitol sees as a form of rebellion (there can only be one winner, and the actions they took in the first book led them both to victory). Because of the stunt they pulled, the President of the Capitol is determined to make Katniss' life a living hell. And what better way to make the make life hell for the person who you see as a threat to your rule by arranging to send them BACK into the Hunger Games the following year!

Yes, Peeta and Katniss are sent back into the Games - into a new arena, with new weather conditions, and contesting against other previous victors from the other districts.

Meanwhile, there are others in the various districts who have taken inspiration in Peeta's and Katniss' defiance from the previous year's games and have started uprisings, which the Capitol is truly annoyed about. There is also talk of the mysterious District 13, who was supposedly wiped out by the Capitol for their defiance, but who could possibly still have survivors living underground. In short, the book is just as suspenseful as the first installment.

I'm afraid I might give away too much again, just suffices to say that it is indeed another good book.

Will be starting on the final installment shortly...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Image taken from The Book Brat.

So my sister told me one day that I MUST read the Hunger Games Trilogy. Admittedly I was skeptical at first (I am usually skeptical of current mainstream fads), but I was surprised to find that these books are actually quite good!

The first installment takes us on a journey through the dystopian world of Panem, otherwise known in our current geography books as North America. All humankind living in Panem are separated into districts, all of which are lorded over by the dreaded dictatorship of the Capitol. Every year the Capitol hosts a reality TV show entitled "The Hunger Games", which is one of many measures the Capitol has taken to keep the various districts under control. Two people from each district is selected to participate in the games, which is a violent strategy game designed for the contestants to hunt and kill each other. There can only be one winner.

This is the world in which Katniss Everdeen live, along with her mother and younger sister. When her younger sister is selected to participate in the Games, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. And so Katniss must try and survive and win the games, so she can return to her family when it is all over.

Fans might be upset with me leaving out so many important details in my summary, but I think it best to tell just enough information to have readers of this article want to know more, and what better way to know more about what happens in the story than searching out the book for oneself and reading it?

Loyal readers of this blog would have noticed that the majority of books I like are ones that make me think, and with the Hunger Games, this is no exception. As disturbing as the environment of Panem is, it is not too far from resembling the way our own world is becoming today. Avid fans of the trilogy would notice the commentaries the book implicitly makes on the current fads and trends that are slowly making our society become more selfish and conceited. In a world where people are caring less about others and thinking more of themselves, in a world where the love for humankind is slowly diminishing, the messages in this book is extremely relevant for our day.

For those of you like me who are skeptical of maintream trends, do NOT let this discourage you from reading this book, as it is definitely a good read!