Mockingjay Countdown

Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy is being released August 24, 2010!

JUST ONE MONTH AWAY!!!

We are just a little bit excited :)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I tried to pace myself - honestly I did.  But I finished this page turner at 10:00 last night.  And wouldn't you know it, the library was closed today - sad!  This being my second time through I was often frustrated when Katniss just wasn't getting it- grrrrr.  You'll be glad to know I have since forgiven her!  I absolutely love the title for this book, it captures the mood of the districts completely as well as The Hunger Games trilogy itself - if anything has caught fire this has!

First line: I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air.

Katniss Everdeen's life can never really return to normal even though she has beat the odds and returned home victor from the Capitol's Hunger Games.  It's not just the nightmares, but the strained relationships, constant recognition, lack of privacy, and threats from the capitol.  She is a prisoner in her own body, even her own agency stripped from her - something she could still find away to live with, but then - a death sentence.  She has sparked something though.  The girl on fire has given hope to the too long oppressed people of Panem and whether she intended it or not, it is catching fire.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read this one again JUST FOR YOU squeezies!  Okay, really, I have this unhealthy obsession with re-reading the books in a series just before the next book comes out.  Which in the case of The Hunger Games Trilogy is in just ONE MONTH (August 24)!!! Seriously on pins & needles over here... thank goodness for Amazon pre-order: Mockingjay!  This review may seem a little rushed only because I am FORCING myself to write it before I read Catching Fire (again).  I wanted to jump right into it.  True love shown right here peeps!  The Hunger Games is not like any other book I have ever read.  In fact it's not like any other book I have ever read two or three times.  I knew the plot, I knew the characters, I knew the ending and I could still not put the dang thing down.  Okay- I am pregnant and have a 1 & 3 year old, sleep is very, very important to me - but not as important as this book!

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

The book is set far into the future, not important how far really - but it does give scary insight on what the world could become.  It's ridiculously barbaric - but it has parallels to things gone wrong in our world now.  Katniss Everdeen is the heroine, a 16 year old girl who struggles everyday to keep herself, her younger sister, Prim, and mother alive. She is skilled with a bow and arrow - trained by her father, who died when she was just 11 - and illegally hunts in order to barter, trade and feed her family.  Her world is called Panem and it consists of a controlling central Capitol and 13 outlying districts.  As an exhibition of their control the Capitol forces 2 tributes from each district to compete in the annual hunger games.  Katniss finds herself heading to the arena as the female tribute for district 12.  I should mention that the 'games' are a fight to the DEATH of children aged 12-18, therefore "ridiculously barbaric."  Every value or belief you have ever possessed is challenged by the way Panem is ruled, and the games operate: religion, culture, government, entertainment, education, economics, fashion, trends, even life and death.  

I cannot begin describe the emotions you experience as you read.  Some novice book reviewist I am! But really, if you haven't read it, crawl out from underneath your rock and get 'er done!  You'll be glad you did!