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!