Book Review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date:
Publisher: Scholastic
Price (English Pounds): RRP £6.99
Genre: YA
Series: 1st book in the Hunger Games Trilogy
No. Pages: 454

In the near future, a reality television show basically rules peoples lives: 'The Hunger Games.'
Every year 12 boys and 12 girls (1 of each chose from each a different district) are chosen to take part in the show. There is no rules to the game, its basically a kill or be killed situation, only one player can make it out alive.

But when Prim Everdeen is chosen to take part, her oilder sister Katniss takes her place, being a hunter Katniss's second nature is survival.

I didnt know what to expect from this, I was never really intrigued by the blurb, but come on this is basically everyones favourite book, so there had to be something good about it, so I was given it for a my birthday, and put it after the majority of books i recieved, but kinda regretting it.
It was infact amazing.
Throughout the whole book I was completely hooked, and dispised myself for putting it down.

The plot line was unique and fantastic, keeping me gripped on every word. The characters were obviously well-thought out and all different in their own ways, with the majority of the characters being from different districts they all have something about them which gives away their districts.

I cant really place a down side of the story, because i dont think i have ever came across one or there is one. This book and series could possibly class as one of the most popular of our time, how could anything possibly be bad about it.

I give this book a

In My Mailbox 2- Birthday Edition

Gifts and bought:

Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Darkside by Beth Fantaskey

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit in to Jessica Packwood's senior-year 'get a life' plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire Princess by birth and he's her long lost fiance. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health and Emotions, Jessica makes a drmatic transition from average Americain teenager to glam European vampire princess. But Jessica has never even been kissed- how can she possibly commit herself to a long-term relationship? Or an eternal relationship for that matter?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Book 1 in the Wolves of MercyFalls

The pack circled around me, tounges and teeth and growls.

When a local boy is killed by wolves, Grace's small town becomes a place of fear and suspicion. But Grace can't help being fascinated by the pack, and by one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. There's something about him- something almost human.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Book 2 in the Wolves of MercyFalls

 I feel the weight of the packs gaze....

Grace and Sam must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping the dangerous secrets. For Sam, it means grappling with this werewolf past... and figuring out a way to survive the future. But just when they manage to find happiness, Grace realizes she's changing in ways she never have expected... 

Sister's Red by Jackson Pearce

Countless teenage girls have been brutally murdered... and Scarlett and Rosie March know how they died: torn apart by werewolves. For Scarlett, the memories of a similar attack have left not just emotional scars, but physical ones. The sisters fight side by side to save others from the same fate.

When the mysterious and brooding Silas arrives he inadvertently causes a series of events that could endanger them all. As passion grows between Rosie and Silias, Scarlett uncovers some shocking secrets about Silia’s family history that could tear the sisters apart- one way or another…

Bitten and Smitten by Michelle Rowen

Book 1 in the Immortality Bites Series

Dear mum,

I might be a wee bit late for cousin Missy’s wedding. Iy’s been a rough week. Turns out my blind date from hell was literally from hell. Guy bit me. Next thing I know I’m being chased all over the city by vampire hunters. And did I mention I got fired too?

Bightside- I met a man. Thierry de Bennicoeur. How great is that name? Anyway he’s sexy, six hundred years old, and a tad bit suicidal, but no one’s perfect right? And we have a deal: he’s going to show me the roped of the vampire world, and im supposed to help him end his existence. Or maybe I’ll just try to convince him life is worth living- no small challenge with the mostly immortal, let me tell you I’ll admit it’s a complicated relationship. But with any luck, I might just have a date to the wedding after all.

Hugs and kissies,

Sarah

The Hunger Game by Suzanne Collins

Book 1 in the Hunger Game Series

Winning will make you famous.

Losing means certain death.

In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen year old Kitniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister’s place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her survival is a second nature.

Envy By Anna Godbersen

Book 3 in the Luxe Novels

New York City, 1900

In high society nothing is more dangerous that a scandal. Two months have passed since the esteemed Holland Family’s shocking fall from grace and those watching impetuous Miss Diana Holland are beginning to whisper again.

Further uptown, notorious cad Henry Schoomaker and his new bride are the city’s most celebrated couple. But the glittering diamond she wears hasn’t yet bought her all she desires.

Manhattan’s most envied residents appear to have everything: wealth, beauty, happiness.

But in a city ruled by reputation sometimes the most practised smiles hide the most scandalous secrets.

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

Book 4 in the Luxe Novels

New York City, 1900

While once revered Holland family recovers from the scandal, the spirited Miss Diana Holland is seeking adventured abroad. But then a surprising clue about her father’s death is revealed and everything is thrown into question.

Meanwhile, the delectable Henry Schoonaker has left the city and bravely gone to war, while his wif relished her role as Manhattan royalty- until a real prince pays a visit and turned her fickle head.

As New york’s most dazzling stars chase dreams, cling to promised and tempt fate, society wonders: at exactly what price does a life of splendour come?

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

If you loved WICKED…

We all known the story of the beautiful girl, Cinderella, made to work among the ashed, but what if the fairy tale told only half the story? What fate befell her ugly stepsisters…and what curses accompanied Cinderella’s looks?

…you’ll love CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER…

Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: 20th July 2010
Publisher: Scholastic
Price (English Pounds): £7.99
Genre: YA
Series: 2nd Book in the Wolves Of Mercyfalls Series
No. Pages: 416
 
Sam and Grace's story continues, in the second book in the Wolves of MercyFalls. Now Grace is disobeying her parents and becoming dreadfully ill, as the wolf gene is coming back to haunt her. And Sam discovers that Beck  may of changed someone into a werewolf who could possibly blow the werewolves secret.
 
As soon as I picked up the book I was immediatly hocked, I didnt particually find it exciting for a beginning but I felt like I was back into the world of Sam and Grace, a world I had grown to love in the 1st book in the series Shiver.
The Prologue has been used to quickly sum up the first book, and also introduce this book, in a way, then it goes straight into the story, unlike a few sequals which will spend the first few chapters telling the story and also talking about the book before, which always annoys me because after the first page of the book I almost automatically know escatly what happened in the book before.
 
In some ways I saw the book as a two-in-one book, as it follows the story of Sam and Grace, but also Isabel and Cole (Isabel being Grace's friend and Cole being a newly turned wolf). I will admit this slightly annoyed be a bit, but after a while I got used to it, as the story ocassionally tied in with each other and there became a purpose for the two stories in one.
 
What I loved about this book is the flash-backs, which is used to help the develop the characters more, especially new character Cole, who is portrayed as the bad-ass in this book, and is one of the only wolves who was willingly changed, and the flash-backs are used as an easier way to explain his reasons why.
 
All in all I definatly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance, but other things at the same time. It is also definatly an all year round read, a good read for sitting outside in the sun in Summer and also for sitting cuddled up in bed in the Winter.
 
I give this book a rating of:

 
 

Book Review: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Title: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Author: Gregory Maguire
Release Date: 1st November 1999
Publisher: William Morrow
Price (English Pounds): £7.99
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Series: None
No. Pages:398
 
This is the second adult book written by author Gregory Maguire, who is well known for his different take on well known stories and fairytales.
 
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is based on the fairytale Cinderella which is very well known, and Maguire take on the story has many similaties but also difference, almost making it a completely different story.
 
The story follows Iris, the plain younger daughter of Margarethe Fisher, as she takes care of her mentally-challenged older sister Ruth and her stepsister Clara. After the death of Iris's father and her mother being accused of being a witch, her family fled from England to Holland.While caring for her sisters and keeping the peace between Clara and Margarethe, Iris develops a painter's eye and spends time apprenticing with a local painter known as The Master, and his apprentice, Caspar.



On the verge of losing everything after a sudden drop in their stock market, Margarethe devises a plan for Iris and Ruth to attend the ball being held in honor of the Dowager Queen of France and her godson, the Prince of Marsillac. She leaves out Clara because she knows full well that if the girl wed the prince, she would abandon her family and they'd end up in the poorhouse. While at the ball, Ruth does the unthinkable for jealousy and love of Clara and Master. That night the fairy tale of Cinderella and her pumpkin carriage is spun, and the next morning her prince comes to collect her.

Gregory Maguire seems to have this ability to change your opnion of people such as the ugly stepsisters in the classic story, who everyone has grown to hate, and make you feel sympathetic for them. Especially Iris who is slightly at odds agianst the world due to her plainess, in a world who only properly accepts beauty into the higher society.

What i do like most about this story is how it does give us a different outlook on the ugly stepsister, yes this novel and classic story are not the same, so the sisters past will obviously be different, but it makes you think what really did bring the sisters and there mother to meet Cinderella's father, why are they so mean and cruel, and I guess it's hard when you have a strict and hateful mother like they do.

I only had one dissapointment about the book, but I see that as a fault to myself. I thought the end of the book wasnt as developed as it could be, but maybe seeing as I was almost asleep when I finished the book, i didnt fully understand the ending.

But all in all the book was very good and I recommend this book to anyone who is particually intrested in fairytales and think like this.

I give this book

In My Mailbox (1)

This week I bought:

Interview with the Vampire By Anne Rice

In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life... the story of a vampire gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood.

Magic Study by Maria V.Snyder
Book 2 in the Yelena Zaltana Novels

Confronting the past

Controlling the future

With an execution order on her head, Yelena has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of her birth. With only a year to master her magic- or face death- Yelena must begin her apprenticeship and travel to the Four Towers of the Magician's Keep.

But nothing in Sitis is familiar. No the family to whom she is a stranger. Not the unsettling new faces of her magic. Not the brother who resents her return. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her rare powers, a rogue magician emerges- and Yelena catches his eye.

Suddenly she is embroiled in battle against good and evil. And once again it will be her magical abilites that will either save her life or be her downfall.

Fire Study by Maria V.Snyder

Book 3 in the Yelena Zaltana Novel

The apprenticeship is over

Now the real test has begun

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder- able to capture and release souls- spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilties and past have set her apart. As the council debates Yelena's fare, she recieves distrubing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.

Honour sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies and enemies. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself- and save the land she golds dear.

.

Storm Glass by Maria V.Snyder

Book 1 in the Opal Cowan Series

Untrained

Untested

Unleashed

With her unique magical abilties, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice- until the mission goes awry.

Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, aswell as a traitor in their midst.

With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilties destroy her- or save them all?

Sea Glass by Maria V.Snyder

Book 2 in the Opal Cowan Series

Her abilties remain hidden- Unyil challeneged by enemy forces.

Student glass magician Opal Cowan's newfound skills to steal a magician;s strength make her too powerful.

Kept under house arrest, Opal dares defy her imprisionment to search for Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because she is sure another man- now her prisoner- has switched souls with Ulrick.

In hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn't sure whom to trust. And now everyone is after Opal's special powers for their own deadly gain.

Book Review: Noughts And Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Title: Noughts And Crosses + An Eye For An Eye

Author: Malorie Blackman

Release Date:

Publisher:Corgi

Price (English Pounds): £6.99

Genre:

Series: Noughts and Crosses book 1

No. Pages:478

This thought provoking book will linger in your mind long after being read.

Nought and Crosses, is the first book in the Noughts and Crosses trilogy, which also includes the novella book An Eye for an Eye, which Malorie Blackman wrote for World Book Day a few years back.

Noughts and Crosses is a book mainly focused on politices and racism.
Sephy and Callum, the two protaganists of the story are both from different races, who fall in love. Sephy is black, also known as a cross, also she is daughter to one of the countries most powerful men, Callum is white, also known as a nought. And they are both living in a world where Crosses rule, bascially kind of the oppisite of what was happening a few decades back.

They were first introduced, when Callum's mother worked for Sephy's family as a nanny. Sephy and Callum spent a lot of time together back then, but their mothers had a fall out, and Callum's mum was sacked. But to the distaste of their parents wishes Sephy and Callum still carry on being friends in secret.
But Callum's family slowly fall apart due to the Liberation Militia, a groups of freedomfighters, fighting for equal rights between Crosses and Noughts. And Sephy moves away to a boarding school.

A few years later, they meet again and all trouble breaks out.

The main reason I enjoy this book is because it gives people the awareness of racism, and what it can cause, and how people are effected by it, still today people are racist, even after all races have been given equal rights. Even after readin this book a while ago, the story line lingers in my mind, making me think before i will do soemthing, which may be classed as discrimination.

The story is well written and planned out, i enjoy that you can follow both Sepht and Callum throughout a few years in the story, and i dont feel likt it has been rushed like in some books. Also the characters are well developed and you can tell they are bestfriends who basically depend on each other to keep their world spinning.

This is a great book, which everyone should read, even if you don't find yourself into this kind of thing, you will be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy it.

I give this book

Book Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Release Date: September 2007
Publisher: MIRA
Price: (English Pounds): £6.99
Genre: YA, historical fantasy
No. Pages:409

Poison Study is an intriguing fantasy story, which could possibly be one of the best books I have ever came across. With a unique storyline and characters Maria V. Snyder sure reaches full potential with this novel, the first in the Yelena Zaltana trilogy.



Yelena lives in Ixia, a nation ruled by it's zero tolerance, Code of Behaviour, which massively effects Yelena, after killing one of the nations most powerful generals sons, Yelena is sent to be executed. But the day after before Yelena faces her execution she is given the choice, to be expected or to become the Commander's (the ruler of all of Ixia) food taster, where she could slowly die from poison at almost anytime.



She is put in the care of Valek, who knows that she is likely to try and escape, so he laces her food with a poison called Butterfly Dust, which is known for the torture it creates on the victim before dying, of course the only way for Yelena to avoid the painful death is to report to Valek every moening for the antidote. But as time goes by Yelena and Valek gain a deep and meaningful relationship.



General Brazell is furious that his sons death has not be avenged, and begin to take matters into his own hands, and constantly attempts to capture and kill Yelena.



I wasn't so sure about this book once I came across it, but I decided to give it a chance and am so glas I did. I had never expected myself to be in anyway intrested in a book based around the adventures of a food taster, but I just can't get over how amazing and brilliant it is, without a doubt this book is my second favourite book all time.


I would definately recommend this book to anyone, especially if you enjoy historical and fantasy type books.

I give this book