Catching Fire Review

*~CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE CRAZY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES. DOES NOT CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR CATCHING FIRE~*

Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 400 (Hardcover)


Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen 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 enjoying their freedom. After all, they won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty of food. 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, and they want revenge.

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Wow. I just finished this book moments ago, and am speechless and will most likely remain this way for some time. I know that people who have read The Hunger Games do not need me to tell them to pick this book up, but I feel like I need to contribute my thought and feelings about this book. Maybe for me, but I need to speak nonetheless. So:

To Whom It May Concern,

...Wow. When I started this book it didn't seem like it could live up to the high expectations that I had set for it after reading countless rave reviews on it. It seemed like I would be disappointed. I was wrong. DEAD WRONG. It was amazing. The ridiculously original, suspenseful, and overall fantastic plot that Suzanne Collins created did The Hunger Games more than justice. The gut-wrenching twists and turns left me gasping and hyperventilating.

Of course, Catching Fire wouldn't have been nearly the book it was without it's fantastic cast of characters. Katniss is the same tough-as-nails heroine with feelings AND extreme doses of bravery. How often do you find that in YA fiction these days? No very often, my friends. I didn't know I could love Peeta any more than after finishing The Hunger Games, but Catching Fire, again, proved me wrong. His unconditional love and care for Katniss isn't the only thing to love him for; he's also ridiculously brave and provides those few chuckles that even an action-packed dystopic book craves. Gale? Oh, that Gale. I don't care for him much. He's...whiny, almost. I'm definitely Team Peeta. Haymitch is great, too. Although hate-able, at the same time.

The writing in Catching Fire was great, as expected by Suzanne Collins. She was a little more descriptive in Catching Fire than in The Hunger Games, and for that I was grateful; it helped me imagine the characters more vividly.

The ending left me gaping at the book, expecting more words to jump out on cue. They didn't. There was a huge cliffhanger and I'm already expecting the next book to appear in a recurring dream. After I was finished, I closed the book and smelled it. I don't know why, maybe to savor every possible bit of it, but I did. Overall, in case you couldn't tell this was a wonderful sequel to The Hunger Games that leaves you begging for more. I probably would've devoured it in 1 day had it not come on the day where we had company, followed by a crazy-busy week. But, I still LOVED it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to discuss it on Shelfari since m friends are cheap and waiting for me to loan them my copy.

Oh...wow, this review is long...sorry, but I LOVED it!

Was it better than The Hunger Games? GO. AWAY.

Fade Review

SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ WAKE


Release Date: February 10, 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 248 (Hardcover)
Other Titles in the Series: Wake

Some nightmares never end. For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both. Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

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By far the best book I've read in August.

The unique plot takes many turns during the book, which keeps you additively flipping pages until you finish it and take a minute to digest it all. This book is dark and slightly disturbing, but I loved every minute of it.

The characters in this series are phenomenal. Janie kicks butt, or ass-whichever you prefer. Cabel is a great character and has his own issues that he constantly battles and I love him for it. Captain is the tough boss, but she also provides even greater tough love, making her an extremely lovable character. We see much less of Janie's friend, Carrie, in Fade, but she kinda annoyed me anyways-she was very selfish.

Janie and Cabel's romance escalates throughout Fade and it makes the story even more addictive. Cabel is constantly there for Janie, jumping over hurdles just to get her a glass of milk, and Janie definitely loves him for it. This book, along with everything else it has to offer, also offers great chemistry from two easily lovable characters.

Lisa Mcmann's writing is just as addictive as the storyline. She really has effortlessly made a writing style all her own, and I love it. She is-without a doubt in my mind-one of my favorite authors.

Overall, a gripping, disturbing, and...well, great, sequel to it's successor Wake. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading it. It had a huge shocker towards the end, but didn't leave you on a cliffhanger (luckily). But, that doesn't mean that I'm not counting down the days until Gone, the next book in the series.

Was it better than Wake? It was close. I think I probably like just Wake a little more, though.

Hush, Hush Review

Release Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 391 (Paperback)

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
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I LOVED this book. (Yes, I smell a rave review.)

The plot was highly original, creative, and very well though out. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, it changes on me completely and I'm still left guessing. It's paranormal, but it's also a mystery, which was a pleasant surprise to me.I could not put this book down. The ending was not what I expected at all (but still, pretty much, perfect).

I know that this probably isn't a good thing (and it will probably worry my mom), but I instantly fell in love with Patch. I think most people will be drawn to his mysterious, sexy, dark nature. Nora was very easy to relate to, and made an awesome protagonist. And her sex/boy-obsessed friend Vee was essential to the story, funny, and lovable. Hush, Hush has great characters that I think most people will love just as much as I did.

Patch's and Nora's romance is original and very easy to become engrossed in and believable. You can feel their connection as if you were in the room. It's got an extremely great romance.

The writing was just what the story deserved: nothing less than amazing. Becca Fitzpatrick writes as if she's been doing it for her entire life. Her descriptive, emotional writing will have you flipping pages religiously-as I did. We're sure to expect great things from her (and I'm not just saying that because she's following me).

Overall, if you don't get an ARC, it is definitely worth the wait. I cannot wait for the sequel, Crescendo. I highly recommend it to romance, mystery, and paranormal fans. And anybody else.

City of Ashes Review

SPOILERS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ CITY OF BONES

Release Date: March 25, 2008
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 453 (Hardcover)

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

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It's official, I love this series.

It's an extremely original plot, with unexpected twists constantly being thrown your way. It's definitely something that's hard to put down. I love/hate the forbidden romance with Jace and Clary. But there were, literally, times where I yelled at the book.

The characters are unpredictable, lovable, and at times extremely frustrating. Unlike some characters, their not level-headed and put together, and at times it makes them seem easier to relate to and real.

The writing is unreal. The descriptions and emotions in this book couldn't be possible without Cassandra Clare's amazing writing. It's one of the main things that makes this book great.

It was missing a little bit of City of Bone's mystery, but was still great. I can't wait until I have a chance to get started on City of Glass, and will be very sad to see the enthralling series end.