The Hunger Games

Summary: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keep 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 the death on live TV.

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, 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 become a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Review: Okay so by my own little policy, I try not to read two books at once because it gets confusing. However, this time I made an exception... I started Princess Ben but the Hunger Games was taunting me. I’d bought it months ago simply on the basis that I’d heard it was amazing. It’d been sitting up on my bookshelf for what seemed like months—and Princess Ben was confusing me---so I caved and took it down. I started it Thursday and was done by Sunday night. I took it out to my cottage and literally it came down to my father pulling it out of my hands as the boat got going telling me if I didn't put the damn book away it would be waterlogged. Every time I put it down my fingers itched to get back into the story, constantly wondering what was going to happen. Basically all I’d heard about the book was beyond true.

Panem reminded me of a twisted Rome—after Caesar takes over. The Hunger Games are much like gladiator fights, only much more cruel. Let me tell you Panem is not a pleasant place to be. The Capitol literally takes young children from their parents and for 23 of those children (ranging from 12 to 18) it’s a death sentence for out of the 24 tributes taken only one will return alive. The Hunger Games are a way of reminding the districts that the Capitol could kill them all at a minutes notice. It’s a terrible frightening world to even think about.

Unless you live in the Capitol life in Panem basically, to put it bluntly, sucks. People of the districts scavenge for food to even live. Katniss Everdeen, from district 12, only survives by breaking the law and hunting in the woods. She lives for her sister, so when Prim's (her sister) name is pulled out of the bowl to compete in the Hunger Games Katniss doesn’t even think when she volunteers herself in her place.

It's hard for me to say what makes this book so amazing, because its so many things! It could be the characters. Katniss is a well-written heroine with a temper and awesome aim who you will be rooting for the entire time. Peeta is a lovable sweet boy who you can’t help but love. It could be the writing. It's funny and witty, but at the same time has this sense of urgency to it. It makes the world seem so real. (By the way this book just screams movie! So I hope that’s in the works...)
Basically it was fantastic. You need to go read it, like, now.

Rating: 5/5 Simply a fantastic addictive book.

Reviews from the Pros:

"What happens if we choose entertainment over humanity? In Collins's world, we'll be obsessed with grooming, we'll talk funny, and all our sentences will end with the same rise as questions. When Katniss is sent to stylists to be made more telegenic before she competes, she stands naked in front of them, strangely unembarrassed. "They're so unlike people that I'm no more self-conscious than if a trio of oddly colored birds were pecking around my feet," she thinks. In order not to hate these creatures who are sending her to her death, she imagines them as pets. It isn't just the contestants who risk the loss of their humanity. It is all who watch."
--Publishers Weekly, Megan Whalen Turner, STARRED REVIEW


"...brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced...a futuristic novel every bit as good and as allegorically rich as Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies' books."
--The New York Times, John Green


“...enthralling, imaginative and creepy...”
--Los Angeles Times


"Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator."
--School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW


"[A] plot-driven blend of suspense, science fiction, and romance."
--USA Today,

"The plot is front and center here—the twists and turns are addictive, particularly when the romantic subplot ups the ante—yet the Capitol’s oppression and exploitation of the districts always simmers just below the surface, waiting to be more fully explored in future volumes. Collins has written a compulsively readable blend of science fiction, survival story, unlikely romance, and social commentary."
--Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW


"Populated by three dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance."
--Booklist, STARRED REVIEW


"Themes of government control, "big brother," and personal independence are explored amidst a thrilling adventure that will appeal to science fiction, survival, and adventure readers. The suspense of this powerful novel will keep the reader glued to the page long after bedtime."
--VOYA, Deborah L. Dubois


"Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting."
--Kirkus

Nobody's Prize (Finally!)

Summary [From Book]: Destined to become a beauty, raised to be a queen, young Helen of Sparta refuses to be left behind when her older brothers enlist in the quest for the Golden Fleece—why should boys get to have all the fun? Accompanied by her friend, the ex-slave Milo, and disguised as a boy herself, Helen sets out to join the crew of heroes abroad the fabled ship the Argo.

Helen soon faces all sorts of dangers and intrigue. She must use her wits to avoid her brothers’ detection, even as a devastatingly handsome boy catches her eye and brash, boisterous Hercules falls in love with her boy-self. In pursuit of the Fleece, Helen faces warrior women, deadly prophecies, and a terrifying, murderous princess. Not to mention the start of her period...

With her beauty blossoming, Helen’s journey takes her beyond the mythology of the Golden Fleece, across the seas of the ancient world to Athens, where her very future as Queen of Sparta is threatened.

Review: Ha I actually finished this book! It took forever (I’m not sure why, but it did). All right on to the review. First off, I would like to say how much I love Helen as a character. She is a strong, determined, outgoing girl who will not take no for an answer. She’s the kind of girl who would not allow a man to hold the door open for her. Helen refuses to sit by and let the boys have all the fun! She’s a greek version of the feminist.

Another reason I am so fond of this series is because I am a history-nerd, and greek mythology has always fascinated me. I thought the idea of the different Gods and the different stories on how they came to be. I knew the story behind Helen of Troy and for some reason had always pictured this gorgeous blonde Spartan girl who was just looks, no brains. It much more suits my liking to think of Helen of Troy as the Helen in Friesner’s novels. Anyways…on to the actual book.

The book was fast-paced (much like the first) and filled with moments of adventure and disaster at a moment’s notice. One character’s death threw me so much for a loop that I literally had to read the page over again to understand what had happened. It was compelling and fun, but I did put it down and was able to forget about it for a while. So it’s nothing completely unforgettable, but it’s a good adventure book. Friesner’s characters are entertaining and different. Basically a great adventure book for anyone looking for a fun fast-paced read with awesome characters, but nothing life changing.

Rating: 4/5 Lots of fun, kick-ass characters, awesome story, but not amazing.

Reviews from the Pros:

"Helen is the original ‘girl power’ heroine! She hungers for adventure like some people hunger for a new pair of cute shoes...if you are a fan of the romance, adventure, and intrigue in mythology, but would like to look a little deeper to humanize the characters from your favorite stories, this is the book for you!"–Justine Magazine

"Friesner is an accomplished writer who is able to interweave a contemporary feel for these ancient characters with piece of history and mythology. She can also be funny, as readers can virtually feel Helen rolling her eyes during the course of her narration."-voice of Youth Advocates

"The fresh take on a familiar woman...will intrigue both mythology fans and those readers who can’t get enough of tough girl heroines, regardless of setting or genre."-The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s books.

"Readers may be familiar with the legends and myths of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Medea, Hercules, and Helen of Troy, but Esther Friesner weaves these characters together in a teen novel that lifts them off those dusty pages and into a re-imagined tale of adventure and intrigue…It is a thrilling coming-of-age story that will undoubtedly please fans of Nobody’s Princess and garner new fans." –Historical Novels Review

Looking for Alaska

Summary: Miles Halter, or “Pudge”, (a boy obsessed with last words) wants to leave his boring minor life in Florida in search of the "Great Perhaps", and he decides that the great perhaps is in the private school Culver Creek in Alabama. He arrives at Culver Creek to meet Chip, or “the Colonel”, his genius roommate who enjoys drinking, smoking, hating the Weekday Warriors, playing video games, and pranking. The Colonel then introduces Miles to the amazing, mysterious (albeit strange), but beautiful Alaska Young. There is an immediate attraction between the two and Miles’s feelings towards her grow through the first half of the book. Miles quickly settles into Culver Creek life with the Colonel, Alaska, and Takumi as he partakes in a more outgoing lifestyle than his back in Florida. Then one night, when everything is finally looking up for Miles, his whole world is turned upside down. Alaska dies. She dies after he and the Colonel allow her to leave campus completely drunk (.24 BAC) and she goes straight and fast into a cop car. Miles can hardly live with the grief and guilt, so in an attempt to make sense of Alaska’s final hours, Miles and the Colonel decide to try to figure out what happened to Alaska. Was it suicide? Or truly an accident?

Review: Well I actually read this book for my summer reading homework. This was my choice book, the other one I had to read was 1984 by George Orwell. Anywho...I’ve been meaning to pick up a John Green novel forever (since I discovered him on youtube in the famous vlogbrothers), and I’m so happy I did. Green is a superior writer. He knows how to draw in readers without even trying to. His characters are fun, compelling, and real. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny at some points, but at others filled with depth and intellect. Everyone’s character growth is believable and watching as Miles grew was quite amazing. This book is just filled with real issues for many real teenagers. Looking for Alaska has such a real authentic voice and it is such an amazing debut novel for John Green. All Young Adults should read it.

Basically it was awesome, and when I went back to read Nobody’s Prize which I put on hiatus for summer reading...Nobody’s Prize looked and sounded extremely lacking. Everyone should read Looking for Alaska and make sure to savor Green’s unique
writing.

Rating: 5/5 there is a reason it won the Printz award.

Reviews from the Pros:

"Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor...like Phineas in John Knowles's A Separate Peace, Green draws Alaska...lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light." –SLJ, starred review

"Miles is a witty narrator...he’s also an articulate spokesperson for the legions of teens searching for life meaning."-BCCB, starred review

"Compelling...What sets this novel apart is the brilliant, insightful, suffering but enduring voice of Miles Halter."-Chicago Tribune

Winner of the Michael L. Printz award
Los Angeles times book prize finalist
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults top 10
An ALA quick pick
A Booklist editors’ choice
A Kirkus best book of the year
An SLJ Best Book of the Year

Extras

Summary [From book]: It’s a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it’s all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn’t suck enough, Aya Fuse’s rank of 451, 369 is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance to escape extra-land is to find a big story to kick—something wild and unexpected.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. But the sly girls are hiding something bigger--an explosive discovery that may change the face of the brave new world forever. If Aya kicks this story, she’ll be propelled into the world of fame, celebrity…and extreme danger. A world she’s not prepared for.

Review: I have mixed feelings about Westerfeld fourth installment in the Uglies series. It did not bug me that it wasn’t about Tally Youngblood, in fact that made it more exciting. It was interesting to see the “mind-rain” through someone who experienced it. I had some problems with Aya’s personality, but that’s simply because of the way her character was. She was so obsessed with fame that she didn’t seem to care about anything else, and that bugged me. The idea of reputation economy is...interesting but also, in Tally’s words, so brain-missing!

I also got a kick out of Radical Honesty, mostly because I watch Lie To Me and it strikes me as familiar. Loker’s version of Radical Honesty didn’t work out, and in the end…Frizz’s didn’t either. Perhaps that is some world truth about honesty. The idea of this whole society, of kickers, tech-heads, and surge monkeys was really cool. The plot of Extras kept me hooked but at times I found myself bored with it.

Basically: It was good, not as good as the previous books though, I don’t think. Still think Westerfeld is a genius, but wasn’t the biggest fan of Extras.

Rating: 4/5 not amazing, but good.

Reviews from the pros:

Honestly...I couldn’t find any, I scoured the web and didn’t see anything. Unfortunately, I own the hardcover book of Extras so no reviews on there.

Now I’m off to finally read Nobody’s Prize!

~She Who Reads A Lot

The Last Knight

Summary: Need a Hero?

You've got one in Sir Michael Sevenson.

Although there hasn't been a knight errant in over two hundred years, this young noble has decided to revive the trade. He's found himself a reluctant partner in Fisk, a clever rogue who has been given the choice of serving as Michael's squire or going to jail for a very long time. Now Michael and Fisk are on a quest to right wrongs, protect the innocent, and make the world a happier place.
It's not going to be easy. On their first attempt at rescuing a damsel in distress, they break a lady out of a tower, only to discover she was there for good reason: awaiting trial for poisoning her husband. Now the would-be heroes must find Lady Ceciel and return her to justice or be condemned themselves. (summary taken from Harperteens.com)

Review: Hilari Bell is one of my favorite authors, probably my favorite author. She is the one author I can say I’ve read most of her books and enjoyed them enough to read a second time through or more. Thus when I found The Last Knight in my school library I was very enthusiastic to pick it up and read it.

I did enjoy this book. It wasn’t great, though. The book was enjoyable and interesting enough to keep me reading—but not interesting enough that I couldn’t put it down. It was a good, fun, light read. I loved the characters, as I always do in Bell’s books, Fisk made me laugh and Michael was so sweet and naïve. They were the perfect pair. The book was fun and there is nothing I can really critique on it. Well except for a few times when I was left a bit confused about the characters and plot innuendos (though it is only the first in the series...).

So an enjoyable read, not amazing.

Rating: 4.5/5 I do recommend it highly to anyone of all ages, I can’t give it a five out of five because it doesn’t jump out at me really.

Reviews from the Pros:

“This well-created fantasy is a great read.”-School Library Journal

“The humorous dialogue and the friendship that develops will make this magical medieval mystery a fun read.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A remarkable writer.”-Orson Scott Card

City of Glass

Summary: To save her mother’s life. Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters—never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, there only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City—whatever the cost?

Review: I loved loved loved loved loved this book! Did I mention I loved it? This book was the perfect ending for the series, and though there were times I wanted to kill Clary I could quickly overlook it with the plot. The amazing plot that suddenly fills in all the questions that City of Bones and City of Glass leave for you. I suppose if you want to be nit-picky not all little comments are answered, but as Clary said really aren’t some secrets best left unknown? Either way Clare does a magnificent job with this book—with this series—I love reading them all. The way she writes…I feel as if I am looking through an artist’s eye when I read this book. The vivid descriptions just take you into Idris, a place I would very much like to see. Clare just keeps improving with each book she writes. Within this amazingly written book are unforgettable scenes and characters. I loved watching these characters grow, because they certainly did tremendously, and I think that Clare left them at a good spot in their lives, there life wasn’t perfect but they were happy, and that just makes the ending all the better. This is a book I would read over and over again. Basically it’s amazing. Go read it. Now. =P

Rating: 5/5 duh.

Reviews:

"The Mortal Instruments series is a story world that I love to live in. I hate to see the story end, but if it has to end, then City of Glass is the most perfect way for that to happen. Beautiful!”- Stephenie Meyer

"This book has terror, unexpected twists, sorrow—it is tragedy edged by lightning, driven by power and love. Clare keeps getting better!"-Tamora Pierce

"The time has come for the Clave to oppose Valentine, but he has no intentions of submitting, putting both the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders on edge. Clare's concluding volume of The Mortal Instruments trilogy is complex and striking. Not to be missed."-Spring 2009 Indie Next List

"Cassandra Clare works magic with this novel. The excitement begins on the first page and doesn't stop until the final sentence. She brings everything full circle for a completely satisfying ending—even though fans would be more than happy to read about these beloved characters forever."-Karin’s Book Nook

"City of Glass is beautifully written and interwoven with amazingly unforgettable characters and moments; everything is brought full circle and I have to say that I want to get back on the ride and do it all over again and again."-The Ravenous Reader

Specials

Summary {again from the back because I do like this summary}: Tally thought they were a rumor, but now she’s one of them. A Special. A super-amped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid. But maybe being perfectly programmed with strength and focus isn’t better than anything she’d ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.
But it’s easy for her to tune that out—until she’s offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heart-beat, or carry you the mission she’s programmed to complete. Either way, Tally’s world will never be the same.

Review: This is my review before I go to Italy with a brain that has officially quit before APs.

Scott Westerfeld=100% Brilliant/Awesome

Uglies Series=<3

Specials=Made of awesomeness and kick-ass. Tally is a bit annoying at some points, but I’m assuming that a lot of her Special brain. Every scene just plays in my head when I read this book which means basically Westerfeld brings the book to life. It’s cool how people are cured and the noticeable difference in their looks like Tally says ‘Champagne without bubbles’

Zane and Tally factor=I didn’t really believe that Tally loved Zane, I don’t know but I couldn’t feel it. Westerfeld is great at bring out emotions and vivid images but I didn’t believe that Tally loved Zane. She was just holding on to the past, it seemed (maybe that’s on purpose?).

David and Tally=obviously meant to be. The relationship was so much better and real with them. The fact that she saw Zane as just some random and David not as an ugly but just as David proves that so easily. Tally just needs to see it a bit more, I think she still believes she loves Zane.

Rating of Book: 5/5 I liked it better than Pretties.

Reviews from the Pros:

“An exciting, well written, thought-provoking and engrossing futuristic trilogy.” –YOVA

Basically: read it! Well I’m off to Italy tomorrow for my spring break so hopefully I will be able to make some progress on my new book (City of Glass *squee!*)See ya in a week!
-She Who Reads A Lot