Nyxen's Review of Mockingjay (Spoiler-Free)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
400 Pages
Scholastic Press 2010

MY NAME IS KATNISS EVERDEEN.
WHY AM I NOT DEAD?
I SHOULD BE DEAD.

Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibilty for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feeligs of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.



This might be a rather long, spoiler-free review, so please bear with me.
Even though this review is spoiler free it only contains one spoiler. Don't worry. It is hidden and must be highlighted.

Let's start with the cover.
I think the cover of Mockingjay is absolutely gorgeous. The background is awesome (and not just because I love blue) and I think the white mockingjay is stunning. I think it is the best cover of all three books. I just think it really goes with the theme/concept of the story-obviously.

I really loved the characters. Katniss, well, I just felt sorry for Katniss most of the time. After all she been through, they would not give her a break. At times, though, I thought she went a little overboard. Sometimes she went from an amazing female protagonist to a whiny one. But I still enjoyed reading about her thoughts. Gale was a character I absolutely loved! And that's saying something because I despised him in the first two novels. We got to see more of Gale and his personality and you could really see how much alike Gale and Katniss were. And so I think the reason why I loved Gale so much was because he reminded so much of the old Katniss. The one I loved. Peeta, Peeta, Peera. Oh my God, Peeta! In this book, he almost gave me a heart attack. All I have to say is don't don't read this book during your math class because you will gasp in shock and surprise causing weird looks from classmates. Peeta is one of the reasons why I almost changed to Team Gale. I could really see what the Capitol can do to you. I realy felt for Peeta and he was, well, OH MY GOSH! SPOILERS: He almost killed Katniss! How could he almost kill Katniss?! I was shocked when that happened and I knew that he ha changed. I don't think he'll ever be the same. I just did not like Peeta most of time in this book. Finnick!! I think everyone can agree that one of their most favorite characters was Finnick. I mean, what's there not to love about. He handsome and very witty. If I didn't live Peeta as much then Finnick would be my kind of guy. He's just charming and very swoon worthy. I'm going to stop talking about characters because I'm afraid I'll start posting spoilers.

I think Suzanne Collins really stepped it up with Mockingjay. There was toms for action and dramatic events that kept my eues glued to the page the whole time. The only thing is I don't think it was as good as the first two books. At times I felt that is was going way too slow and that certain scenes weren't necessary. But once you pass those scenes you were going to be on the ride of you life. Collins's pacing was really well done, besides certain scenes. And everyone was anticipating the ending. They all wanted to know who Katniss was going to end up with and how every character's future will play out.

I, for one, thought the ending was bittersweet. I wouldn't say I loved it because after turnin that page I felt sort of depressed. I didn't react the way I thought I would. I literally closed the book and sat in silence. I don't know if it was just me or other people felt that way but I guess I wasn't satisfied. One word that came to my head, though, after finishing I was WOW. I did enjoy this book and the voice and setence structure and writing in general was outstanding.

I rate this book Five Stars

Nyxen's Review of "Catching Fire"

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
400 Pages
Scholastic Press


SPARKS ARE IGNITING.
FLAMES ARE SPREADING.
AND THE CAPITOL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet noting is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Catching Fire, the epically amazing sequel to The Hunger Games, leaves us hungry for more after you turn the last page. The action was just as amazing as it was in the first novel, the drama was ten times more dramatic and the romance was just squeal-worthy. I'll be honest and say whenever I read about Peeta and Katniss I get all warm and fuzzy inside. They make me smile, erm, when they aren't fighting or arguing.

Which leads me to talk about character. The characters in this second novel are still amazing. They have developed tremendously through the course of these two novels and I have fallen in love with them even more. One of my favorite characters, besides Peeta, is Cinna. Who wouldn't love him and his gold eyeliner! He really makes Katniss who she is, the girl who was on fire, a mockingjay.

This novel delivers just as much punch as the first one did but I think it didn't out due the first. It was still just as amazing, just as awe-worthy, and just as freaking suspenseful. I want to congratulate Collins for writing such a respected novel even if it meant leaving us with a horrible cliffhanger. Maybe it was a good thing, something to make anticipate the third books, but I still don't appreciate it! I mean,c'mon, PEETA!!! D:

Overall, I rate this novel Five Stars.

Book 1 | Book 3

Nyxen's Review of "The Hunger Games"

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
274 Pages Paperback
Scholastic Press 2010

WINNING MEANS FAME AND FORTUNE.
LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.
THE HUNGER GAMES HAVE BEGUN. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katnisss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But is she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games has taken all YA fantasy novels to the next level. To me, this has been the next best thing since J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter. It might even be better.

There are amazing elements in which I just loved dearly. Action, adventure, romance. It was hard not to fall in love with Collins's writing style. I just got sucked into the world of The Hunger Games and I just wished I could be apart of it. That sounds weird, doesn't it? It's true, though. I adored this book so much that when I finished it I was sad.

I have a confession to make. I never wanted to read it. I've heard of it and I've seen everywhere but for some strange reason I never picked it up. That always seems to be the case with me. I see books everywhere, some are just waiting to be read yet I never pick them up, let alone give them a second glance. I really hate when that happens because I just miss out on something so spectacular. But ever since I got into blogging I have been open to many doors in the YA world.

The Hunger Games was just the beginning. The plot is absolutely fascinating. The story follows Katniss Everdeen as she tries to survive The Hunger Games, after taking her little sister's place. There she encounters things she would have never expected to find. Especially love. Peeta Mellark is one of the tributes apart of The Hunger Games who is in the same district as Katniss. Peeta pours his heart and soul to Katniss, who doesn't know how to react. But I know she loves him too.

I just loved this book. Everything was amazing and I am now completely obsessed with this series. I am so jealous that I couldn't think of it. Suzanne Collins, I applaud you for writing such an incredible start to a series that will be unforgettable.

I highly recommend this book for anyone!

I rate this Five Stars.