mockingjay by suzanne collins

Summary: Katniss accepts her new position as the rebel in District 13. Her and a few others were taken from the Quarter Quell. The Quarter Quell is from Catching Fire. However, Peeta was not one of these who were extracted. He is still missing and in close watch under the Capitol’s eyes. Each day, Katniss still feels as if President Snow haunts her. After much torment, she chooses to accept the role as Mockingjay for the rebel side. By accepting this role, she is granted immunity for her friends and authorization to personally end President Snow’s life. Beetee, another Game victor, works with Katniss closely. She trains Katniss to become a special weapon. As the role of Mockingjay, Katniss is featured in commercials representing the rebel side. These clips are called propos. In a propo, she teams up with her dear friend Gale. They are sent to District two. During their time in District two, they visit a hospital that ends up getting destroyed. By speaking with the injured, and then seeing the hospital being demolished, encourages Katniss to fight for justice. The rebels begin to gain strength after her decision. This is also stimulated by the coded message Peeta sent out to warn the rebels. After Peeta sent out this message, the Capitol releases footage of Peeta being tortured.

Why I picked it up: I watched the movie, “The Hunger Games,” and I loved it, so I decided to read the sequel for it.

Why I kept reading it: Once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down.

Who would I give it to next: Anybody who watched or read The Hunger Games will love this book.

Reviewed by: Nihal S.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Summary:  A 16-year-old girl from the poorest area of Panem volunteers herself to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are where 24 contestants, 12 boys and 12 girls from the 12 districts of Panem fight to the death on television for the entertainment of the rest of the world. The Hunger Games happen over a period of weeks, and the contestants turn from humans to animals in their fight to survive, all to serve the two purposes of quelling uprising from the Districts and as entertainment.

Why I picked it up:  I picked up The Hunger Games because I had heard fabulous reviews about the book, and decided it was about time to pick it up and see for myself whether or not the stories were true.

Why I kept reading: The novel is rather compelling. Personally, I don’t believe that it was too deserving of the rave reviews it got, but nonetheless it was good reading. The first half of the book is well-paced in that it keeps you anticipating the Games, and the second is compelling because it keeps you guessing, all the time. The story tugs on a good number of heartstrings, as Collins attaches you to certain characters and pits you against others, leaving you crying or cheering with the advent of their fates. Some parts were bland, but that is most likely because I am not one for romantic subplots- otherwise, this is a solid piece of literature that will linger in the hearts of young and old alike, paralleling the success of the Harry Potter and Twilight series.

Who I would give it to next:  Definitely not my parents. Perhaps somebody who enjoys romance and the promise of loves and losses and doubting oneself, but enjoys some truly hyperventilation-worthy action scenes. Or graphic depictions of violence. There are a lot of those.

Reviewed by Sheila K.