Book Review No. 5 - The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

By:  Suzanne Collins
Series:  The Hunger Games #1
Publisher:  Scholastic Press - Sept. 2008
Pages:  374, Hardcover (Own)  
Plot Rating:  5
Character Rating:  5
Read:  June 2010
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Action, Science Fiction

First Line:  When I wake, the other side of the bed is cold.

Zakiya LadyWings's View:

First: Why in the world is this book being challenged to be banned? Yes, the gore, etc. sometimes might not be suitable for younger kids, but it really isn't that bad!


I had heard a lot of things about this book before I started reading. It was the latest series, and I was tired of being left behind. I'm really glad I bought it!


The main character, Katniss, lives in a post-apocalyptic America, hunts illegally, and takes her sister's place in the Hunger Games. No way is she risking Prim's life when it could be saved. Katniss's world gets both better and worse from there.


The Hunger Games is definitely a gory, battle-filled event. Nobody wants to die. The plot in this book was pretty awesome. It was something I'd never heard of before. I like how Suzanne Collins had each district specializing in something different. Each was significant, which showed in the people they sent to the Games.

Just then, Haymitch staggers into the compartment. 'I miss supper?' he says in a slurred voice. Then he vomits all over the expensive carpet and falls in the mess.

The characters were unquestionably fabulous! I liked all of them. I really just can't pick one. Peeta and Katniss are definitely the first two, though. Peeta was so easy with speaking to people; everyone was always charmed by him. I'm sure he saved Katniss more than we can all realize. But that's probably more in Catching Fire...


Katniss was a really good character as well. She knew what she wanted; she was gonna get it as soon as she could, any way she could. Her constant objectiveness to the Capitol always makes me want to laugh at the things she does to show it. Like the shooting of the arrow into the apple in the pig's mouth. Although that was Catching Fire, too, lol :)


This book . . . WOW. I can't say anything other than that. You really are missing out if you haven't read this yet. Not to mention the movie coming out next year! WHY on bloody EARTH is this novel being challenged to be banned!?



I have read Catching Fire, obviously, and have Mockingjay, but still haven't read the latter. Let's all hope that I do very soon! As in before the movie comes out!

One time, my mother told me that I always eat like I'll never see food again. And I said, 'I won't unless I bring it home." That shut her up.

Zakiya LadyWings recommends this novel to everyone! Read it, love it, and go see the movie next year. Still can't believe The Hunger Games one was challenged.

Book Review No. 3 - Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures

By:  Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series:  Caster Chronicles #1
Publisher:  Little, Brown - Sept. 2010
Pages:  563, Paperback (Own)  
Plot Rating:  5
Character Rating:  4.5
Read:  Aug. 2011
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Magic

First Line:  There were only two kinds of people in our town.

Zakiya LadyWings's View:

I've finally started reading this series after feeling like I was missing out on something big for the last two years. Now I can see why everyone is so crazy about these books!


The main character, Ethan Wate, lives in a small town named Gatlin, South Carolina. The town's shut-in, Macon Ravenwood, hasn't been seen around town in years. He stays in his house and doesn't want to be bothered with the rest of Gatlin's residents.  


Macon's niece Lena moves into town at the beginning of a new school year. Lena is immediately the town's outcast. She doesn't belong there, and it seems that everyone in Gatlin is making sure she knows it very well.


The plot was absolutely bloody ahmazing! I really liked the addition of witchcraft (of some sorts). Casters just might end up being the world's next obsession! Okay, well, maybe not, but still. I wish I was a Caster; they're fantabulous.

Lena was standing on my front lawn in her pajamas. The neighbors would have a field day, and Amma would have a heart attack. . . . A heart attack, and then a stroke.

The characters in Beautiful Creatures were awesome, too. Lena, before she went into depression mode, was most assuredly my favorite character. Once her depressing mood set in, though, Ethan was "all the rage."


Kami and Margaret portrayed a lot of grief through Ethan's father. He was a shut-in of the town as well, only he was accepted by Gatlin's people, and Macon was feared.


Amma was probably my third favorite character; she cares so much for Ethan and his father. She did anything and everything she could for them. She always had one of those old souls that reminded me of my mom and great-grandmother. She's pretty humourous, too!



I just bought Beautiful Darkness Saturday, so I should be starting it really soon! So anxious to start it!

Aunt Mercy put down her tiles. . . . I-T-C-H-I-N. "That's not how you spell it. There's no T in itchin'."

Zakiya LadyWings totally recommends this novel! Whether you're a paranormal person or simply looking for a great book, Beautiful Creatures has it all!

Book Review No. 2 - Firelight

Firelight

By:  Sophie Jordan
Series:  Draki #1
Publisher:  HarperTeen - Sept. 2010
Pages:  323 Hardcover (Own)  
Rating:  5
Book Cover Rating:  5
Read:  Sept. 2011
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Dragons

Morbid Romantica Challenge 2011

By the Mad Scientist

First Line:  Gazing out at the quiet late, I know the risk is worth it. 

Black Disaster Fairy's Take:

Dragons?  Really Dragons?


WOW!  I can't smirk at the concept of dragons no longer.  Sophie Jordan had me deeply enthralled with the draki world she created.  Added bonus... The cover is beautiful!!  


Draki's are descendants of dragons, their secrets must be kept at any price.  They shapeshift into a human form, however, some of their talents are still available.  Jacinda is the first Fire Breather in centuries and she struggles to control her life.  As the soul fire breather her pride has made plans for her future for her.  A future of mating with Cassian, the next alpha, to create more little fire breathers.  Honestly, I think there is a spark between Jacinda and Cassian... Maybe I'm hoping for more in the next book.  *Fingers crossed*


Of course, this leads to the hot headed Jacinda to rebel.  Except she puts her life on the line and risks revealing the secret of the pride.    


She is takes a huge risk... one that changes her life quickly.  Jacinda's mother is pushed into drastic measures, whisking her and her twin Tamra to a town in the desert where they live among the humans.  Against her will she starts to lose her draki side, she will risk even more to keep this part of her alive. 


The chemistry between Jacinda and Will, a draki hunter, is flaming hot.  Smoldering!  LOL!  Will awakens her dying draki senses which is clearly dangerous if she cannot learn to control herself around him.  She has to keep her secret from him, at least for her family and draki everywhere.


Ah, a Forbidden Love!

A hunter in love with his prey. 

It is more then that.  Jacinda struggles to find where she fits in.  What her life is about and where she belongs?  A basic internal conflict of personal identity and purpose that young adults go through.

Sophie Jordan's world flowed wonderfully.  Her characters were diverse with many layers.  I enjoyed finding out about them throughout the book, ALL THE WAY TO THE END!!  Literally!  What an amazing way to end the book!!

Overall, Firelight has wonderful characters and a beautiful world for you to get lost in!  Jacinda will surprise you, the vivid description of the draki's will intrigue you, and a girl fight in the bathroom will draw you in while the uniqueness of the book will keep you reading.

After running for my life from hunters, a girl with too much lip gloss doesn't register on my fear radar.

BDF highly recommends this book!! It is defiantly for more then just the paranormal fan.  Dragons, hunters, and boys!  Oh, My Goodness!

*Recommend by Jen at In The Closet with a Bibliophile*

Book Review No. 1 - Once In A Full Moon

Once in A Full Moon
Full Moon #1

By:  Ellen Schreiber
Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books - 2010 
Pages:  292 Hardcover (Own)  
Rating:  3
Book Cover Rating:  4
Read:  Sept. 2011
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Werewolves

Morbid Romantica Challenge 2011

By the Mad Scientist

First Line:  It began underneath the haunting flow of a full moon.

Black Disaster Fairy's Take:
Once in a Full Moon has not received the best of reviews throughout the blog-o-sphere and GoodReads.  Nonetheless, I decided to push the concern aside and give this book a shot.  It looked like a short read and I couldn't let this signed book sit on the shelf any longer. Too bad the shortness of the book affected the overall quality.


Our cookie cutter good girl is Celeste.  She is lives on the right side of the city, hangs out with the in crowd, and dates the quarterback of the school - Nash.  Celeste's best friends date Nash's friends naturally... it is an ideal sixsome.  Her bland life is launched into a whirl wind of confusion when the mysterious bad boy Brandon shows up at school.

Brandon and his bad rep launch the students into a rumor rage based on a old town legend.  Celeste might just find out how true the werewolf legend is. 


What I didn't like...


I found Celeste to dote on Brandon too much.  All of the obsessive inner monologue bored me and was obnoxious at the same time.  They didn't even know each other!  Her friends did not care for her happiness.  Fitting in and upholding the highest popularity status was more important. 


The werewolf mythology behind this particular lore just does not work for me even if it is original.  It is more cute then scary.  The werewolf is just... hairy.  He speaks like a person and is not destructive.


Once in a Full Moon is just predictable.  


What I did like...


Brandon!  He was very likable and made the book worth reading.  I wish there was more about information about him.  I was on edge whenever he let Celeste treat him badly (it was disappointing a bit actually).


Mr. Worthington.  He was a lovable old man who made his home at the local nursing home.  His manner was great, such a grandpa.


It was a very quick read :)


Overall, Once in a Full Moon is not a book I would recommend.  Ellen Schreiber does not grab my attention or make me enjoy the characters as much as one would hope.

However, this book might make a good Tween book.