Series: The Hunger Games (Page 1 of 2)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)
by Suzanne Collins
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

Review:

I’ve never felt more lost wandering through my thoughts upon closure of a book.  If you were to ask me if I loved it?  Of course, yes!  And if you were to ask me if I was devastated and struggling because of that?  Again, of course, yes!  That’s because Mockingjay was everything I was hoping it would be and at the same time it was so many things I was hoping it wouldn’t be.  But if I throw my emotional side away for one moment, I see the genius in how this story unfolded.  Because it was thrilling, addicting and I loved that the plot wasn’t always something I could guess.  But if I bring my emotional side back into it, I have to say that it melted my heart and also shattered it into oblivion.  But since I am a little bit of a masochistic in certain scenarios, I can faithfully say that I’d go through the angst and suffering all over again.  Because that ending?  It was worth it!  But as a heads up, I’m ok with everything I was hoping it would not be because I don’t mind realistic outcomes in a fictional world.  But I do wish that some of the events would have had a few more lines or even paragraphs in future parts of the book.  But back to those realistic outcomes in fictional worlds, what I mean is:

1.  In war, not everyone is going to get their happily ever after.  It’s not going to be pretty at times, and it can be beyond devastating and heartbreaking.  So when you step into war, take those thoughts of hoping that everyone is going to be safe and make sure to throw them as far away from you as you can.  And don’t ever look back.  Because they are stepping into the midst of a war, so it’s safe to say that what can happen in our world can easily happen in theirs.
2. In real life, life isn’t always fair. So unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how hard one works, or how much they deserve a good future.  Because that can easily become irrelevant in war and life.  While I felt gutted over how some things played out, I get it because fictional worlds don’t have to be any less harsh than the ones we live in.

“President Snow says he’s sending us a message? Well, I have one for him. You can torture us and bomb us and burn our districts to the ground, but do you see that?” One of the cameras follows as I point to the planes burning on the roof of the warehouse across from us. The Capitol seal on a wing glows clearly through the flames. “Fire is catching!” I am shouting now, determined that he will not miss a word. “And if we burn, you burn with us!”

Now that I’ve gotten those thoughts out of my head, here’s the reasons why I fell in love this story so much, besides my reasons listed in my reviews of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire:

1.  Friendships that warmed my heart.
2.  Family that offered true love and understanding.
3.  Watching alliances form between people who weren’t each other’s biggest fans.  When that happened, oh man, I was grinning like a loon.
4.  And the biggest reason of all?  The hope that true love can conquer all.  When the world is beyond recognition and you have this teeny, tiny sliver of hope for true love, well that tiny little flame can lighten the darkest of places.

“You’re still trying to protect me. Real or not real,” he whispers.
“Real,” I answer.

While I never wanted this series to end, I have good feeling that I will be revisiting Katniss’ world many times again in the future. Hope you enjoyed or will enjoy this final book and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Hunger Games #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Catching Fire #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Mockingjay #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)
by Suzanne Collins
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants reveng

Review:

I was nervous to step into this world.  But now that I am more than fully immersed, I find myself obsessed.  Whether it is the side characters that I care deeply care about.  The politics that become all consuming.  Villains that I want to murder myself.  Or the peril that fills the pages that somehow tops the insane intense moments from the The Hunger Games.  It all makes me look back at myself and laugh.  THIS is what I love.  Why did I ever let the notion of kids killing kids affect my want to read this series? Welllllll I still struggle with that aspect, BUT as I’ve said before – it’s worth it!  Even after that last page.  And that last page left me wanting to lay on my side and curl into a tiny ball.  But instead of doing that, which if I’m being truthful I’m still contemplating, I am stuck awake thinking back over every part of Catching Fire.  And these are by far my favorite aspects:

1.  A boy worthy of being swoon worthy.
   

   “I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you,” Peeta replies.

   Peeta won my heart over in The Hunger Games.  He was selfless and tried his hardest to protect Katniss.  Even when death was knocking on his door, he could be overheard whispering her name.  And even after being given a somewhat cold shoulder at times, nothing could erase his love for Katniss.  In Catching Fire, he pulls out all of the stops to protect the woman he loves.  He weaves lies to protect her.  He pours his heart out to her again.  And he puts himself on the line to save her again.  Peeta was butterfly inducing and most definitely swoon worthy.  He is my definition of what a book boyfriend should be.

    

2.  Intense and action packed.
   

   “Convince me,” he says.  He drops the napkin and retrieves his book.  I don’t watch him as he heads for the door, so I flinch when he whispers in my ear.  “By the way, I know about the kiss.”  Then the door clicks shut behind him.

   I learned the hard way about never expecting any breaks in the action.  Because just when I thought they were getting a tiny reprieve, I was gravely mistaken.  Catching Fire seemed to move at a more intense speed than The Hunger Games, at times, and I loved it!  I constantly found myself in a death grip, clutching on for dear life.

    

3.  A heroine whose choices and decisions are respectful.
   

   Life in District 12 isn’t really so different from life in the arena.  At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead.  The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.

   Katniss proved herself in The Hunger Games by taking her sister’s place and saving Peeta’s life.  But in Catching Fire, she ups her game.  She puts herself in an even more selfless position.  It made me so conflicted because I love the way she thought yet at the same time it terrified me for what would happen to her.  She is a heroine that continues to surprise me!
   

I love this book! Hopefully my love for the series will continue till the final page in Mockingjay!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Hunger Games #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Catching Fire #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Mockingjay #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

✬✬✬ EPIC BUDDY READ/REREAD ✬✬✬

★ As The useless chick who wouldn’t survive a round: Anna (2nd!)
★ As The absolute fanatic: Chelsea (4th!)
★ As The determined movie-whore: Harriet (1st!)
★ As The enthusiastic newbie: Jenny (1st!)
★ As The foxface unknown: Kat (2nd!)
★ As The die-hard fan: Laura (3rd!)

AND ME!! ★ As The deadly shot new recruit : Jen (1st!)

Review:

This review is for all of you out there that have held out, like I did, because you weren’t sure whether you wanted to read this book.  Whether it was the hype or you didn’t want to step into a world where kids brutally murdered other kids (I’m the latter). Where there could only be one winner out of twenty four contestants.  Where you’re afraid it’s filled with viciousness and that the pages will haunt you or make you cry.  Because that’s where I was.  But my lovely blog buddy, Chelsea, pushed me out of my comfort zone.  She bought me this trilogy and then after I still hadn’t read it, she organized a buddy read with five other of our friends.  There was no backing out after that.  While I was always morbidly curious what all the hype was about, I decided to plunge head first and hope that I’d make it out while clinging onto my sanity.  While I was an emotional mess through much of the story, it won me over.  And I hope you’ll step out of your comfort zone and read it too!   

“Katniss, it’s just hunting. You’re the best hunter I know,” says Gale.
“It’s not just hunting. They’re armed. They think,” I say.
“So do you. And you’ve had more practice. Real practice,” he says. “You know how to kill.”
“Not people,” I say.

So what won me over?

1.  A heroine I can respect.  First and foremost Katniss is one of the main reasons I fell in love with this book. She’s a survivor who stepped up and is the sole reason her family is alive and didn’t starve to death after her father died.  I respected how much responsibility she took on at a young age and how it morphed her into a determined, tough woman.  But she isn’t just a hunter and provider.  She’s a good friend to her best friend and fellow hunter, Gale.  And she is like a second mom to her little sister, Prim.  It was easy to like Katniss and to sympathize with her.  Especially when she stepped up and volunteered to take her sister’s place in The Hunger Games.
2.  The simplistic aspect of the storytelling.  The way the story is delivered makes it easy to fall into their world.  The details are enough to get a good grasp on everything, but never to the point where it is overwhelming or will bore you.  It honestly reads as though I was having a movie play in my head.
3.  A fast paced story that you’ll constantly be thinking about. It was impossible to put this book down.  There was so much going on that I had to know what would happen next.  And when I did have to put this book down due to life, boo, the scenes kept replaying in my head.  I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next, and it became all consuming!
4.  A boy you will want to put your faith in, I think?   Peeta, her fellow district competitor, constantly had my attention and I struggled with how to view him.  At times he could appear so selfless and heartfelt and other times he would appear cold, calculating and a true opponent.  He will keep you intrigued and make you want to learn more about him.  Because in one moment he’ll be melting your heart and other times he will turn it to ice!  I loved Peeta because I’m twisted like that ha!
5.  Peril that will leave you breathless.  This is what made me the most nervous to start the story.  I was terrified that my palms would never stop being sweaty or that my stomach would constantly be twisted in horror.  And I’m not going to lie, I was an emotional wreck.  I sobbed quiet a few times and it was hard to catch my breath at other times.  I never knew if there was ever going to be a break in the insanity that is their lives.  But when I read that final page, it was worth all of the emotional pain.  Because the story that unfolded, is one that will stick with me.  Even in the darkest moments of The Hunger Games, I was struck by the sincerity of some of their interactions.  Even when they were at their worst, people kept surprising me and gave me faith in humankind.

So to all my friends out there that haven’t read this, I beg you to take a chance.  You’ll meet characters you love and find a story that will stay with you in your heart. And I’m already counting the seconds until I can pick up the second book.  Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Hunger Games #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Catching Fire #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Mockingjay #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

The Mockingjay used to make Anna’s picture can be found here.

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Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)
by Suzanne Collins
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, 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 responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

 

 

“It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”

 

You know that moment when you’ve been staring at your iPad and bawling without even realizing how long you’ve been doing so?? You just zone out, disappear, fall from the face of the earth and cease to exist in that moment? Yeah. That is me for this book. The end. You know…And me. Crying fat, hot crocodile tears.
All those months of taking it for granted that Peeta thought I was wonderful are over. Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly. And I hate him for it.

Amazing how quickly time passes without you even realizing it. Tick, tock.
“Stay with me?”
“Always.”

Maybe it’s my deep emotional connection to the characters now that I’ve read the book so many times and have watched the movies on repeat. Maybe I’m just fucking biased because this is my favorite series IN LIFE. But I refuse to believe that.
“Ally.” Peeta says the words slowly, tasting it. “Friend. Lover. Victor. Enemy. Fiancee. Target. Mutt. Neighbor. Hunter. Tribute. Ally. I’ll add it to the list of words I use to try to figure you out. The problem is, I can’t tell what’s real anymore, and what’s made up.”

 

“You’re a painter. You’re a baker. You like to sleep with the windows open. You never take sugar in your tea. And you always double-knot your shoelaces.”

 

“I think….you still have no idea. The effect you can have.”

It’s the writing. It’s the characters. It’s the movies. It’s the
connection. I will never feel this way again…now I’m sure of it. I’ve read and loved many books since 2012. And probably prior to it, as well. I’m a reader. And I’ve even had my bouts of, ‘Is this really still my favorite series? Am I just holding it on a pedestal?’ Because I’ll tell you-I’ve found a lot of new favorites. But passing this one isn’t so. I can rest assured. No one will ever beat the boy with the bread and the girl on fire. NO. ONE.

I’ll miss it so much. Until next time, books. Hopefully it will be just as all-consuming as this time. Yeah-I’m as shocked as you are.
“You love me. Real or not real?”
I tell him, “Real.”

 

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Hunger Games #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Catching Fire #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Mockingjay #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)
by Suzanne Collins
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

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 nothing 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 a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

 

 

Re-Reeeeeaddd with my group of lovable Hunger Games cannibals…..cuz as if we wouldn’t eat this shit up.

 

 

Again I will push my wonderful love of this series onto you…but I think I will do it with a few GIFs I have found (because….movie) and some of my favorite quotes. But like with my first review, I am letting the book itself do the talking-the simplistic and alluring nature of these stories shouldn’t be tarnished….but my obsession love for the series won’t let me do nothing. So, again, simple quotes so as to not ruin the story, but a little ‘telling’ of what you will find in this one. (And I added to the theme my lovely Anna setup…)

 

 

“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.”

 

 

“You know, you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him.”

 

 

 

 

“My nightmares are usually about losing you. I’m okay once I realize you’re here.”

 

 

 

“I don’t want you forgetting how different our circumstaces are. If you die, and I live, there’s no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You’re my whole life.” Peeta says. “I would never be happy again. It’s different for you. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be hard. But there are other people who’d make your life worth living.”

“No one really needs me,” he says, and there’s no selfpity in his voice. It’s true his family doesn’t need him. They will mourn him, as will a handful of friends. But they will get on…. I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.

“I do,” I say. “I need you.”

 

 

 

“So what should we do with our last few days?”

“I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you,” Peeta replies.”

 

 

 

 

“Not like this. He wanted it to be real.”

 

 

 

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

 

If you’ve seen the movie-GREAT. You’ll get it. If you’ve read the book….EVEN BETTER. You actually get it. So. You know. Make of this what you will. I’m going to finish my all time favorite series again…for the fourth time lol.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Hunger Games #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Catching Fire #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Mockingjay #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea