Book Bouncer Review: 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins

Everything's changing.

Katniss Everdeen has become the face of a rebellion that she hadn't known she was part of, until she happened to shoot an electrified arrow at the arena of the 75th Hunger Games.

A lot has happened after that one moment of adrenaline and desperateness.

There is no District 12, and what little is left of the population of the Seam have sought refuge at District 13. Secretly, they are awaiting for Katniss to step up to her much anticipated role as the Mockingjay. But there are much more pressing matters on Ms Everdeen's plate.

Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, along with Johanna Mason, an ally made along the way of the Hunger Games that stunned every citizen of the Capitol to the bone - especially President Snow. It doesn't help that there is a new threat at District 13, recognized as President Coin. She controls district 13, and in turn, controls Katniss as long as the Mockingjay seeks shelter from them.

Matters get out of hand when Peeta requests a ceasefire upon the growing rebellion, and is labelled a traitor. Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay in exchange for his immunity from the harsh punishment awaiting him based on his siding with the Capitol. But not everything is the same when he and Katniss reunite.

Katniss needs to fight again, and this time, she has every reason not to hesitate. She has every reason to despise President Snow. And she has every reason to be the Mockingjay.

From past experiences, every finale to a series doesn't turn out that grand because the authors usually aim for a spectacular ending to the entire plot of the series as a whole, and they forget the smaller aspects to what makes a book a great read. There are seldom times where I've come across a final memorable installment that wraps up a series.

Also, these are the 10 things that I ALWAYS notice in any last book.

1. There are fatalities - and 9 out of 10 times, it's the characters you grow to love that happen to be six-feet under in the end. (Example: Fred Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
2. The main characters tend to argue more, or their ideas mostly differ and so they keep secrets and try to better a situation. The situation just exacerbates way beyond rectification.
3. There's more internal conflict (kind of like there's your very own devil on the left shoulder, and the angel on your right shoulder... and most probably your sanity is in a trash can nearby)
4. *This might differ with every individual, but it seems like the main character gets more emotional and slightly irritating. Personally, they over think way too much.
5. If it's a romantic series, then the relationship between the protagonist and their love interest usually intensifies and becomes deeper - they're more connected.
6. Normally, if not all the information about the past shared by the antagonist and protagonist is revealed withing the books prior to the finale, then it should be mentioned in the last book to connect the dots.
7. 50% of the time the antagonist and protagonist grow emotionally closer. This happens because the protagonist tries to find similarities between themselves and the villain to try to imagine being in the antagonist's shoes and comprehend the situation and circumstances in that way. So really, it is the hero growing emotionally closer to the villain, but the feeling ain't mutual.
8. The other 50% of the time the antagonist and protagonist grow more violent. Meaning there''s more hand-to-hand combat and bombs and war and stuff like that. This happens because the villain targeted someone that the hero knows personally and not out of common knowledge, or family and loved ones are harmed in the end. Sometimes there's a misunderstanding that leads to the protagonist making the first move and running head first into trouble.
9. There's a happily ever after!... 90% of the time, unless the characters you wanted to end up together didn't hook up. Then there's definitely no happy ending.
10. The epilogue usually sets the readers' aching heart to rest after that crazy roller coaster the author calls a book. That means that the epilogue is supposed to be nice and heart-warming, not all depressing and all. (Yes, there's a tone to the entire story to make us readers understand the plot and characters better, but please spare the epilogue and keep that happy at least!)

Mockingjay was a great read and a constant page-turner. But I'll quickly point out what troubled me about this book. In the list above about the 10 things I notice in final installments of series, I pointed out that I really need a good epilogue - if there is an epilogue in the book - to wrap up a series, especially if it's dystopian fiction. And if it's a trilogy like The Hunger Games, you would expect a nice end to all the suffering, right?

Wrong!

That epilogue made me so sad, even if it pointed out a valuable life lesson. If the epilogue had given me a bit more closure than it had made out to, I think I would have given this book a grand rating of 5 stars. If possible, maybe even 5 and a half stars. But alas, this was not meant to be.

Apart from the last few pages of the book that disappointed me, I think this book was brilliant. It was one of the few books that was better than the one before it. The action was there, the romance, unrequited love, and the various emotions that were always there no matter any situation.

Katniss Everdeen's personality is remarkable throughout the entire book, and her struggle extremely evident. It's reviving to know that the protagonist doesn't get whatever he/she wanted along the timeline of plot. Of course, I do want the protagonist to be happy, but it would be incredibly unrealistic if they never had anyone close to them die or that they didn't go through a hard time in their life. In this situation, Katniss gets more than she bargained for, but it doesn't match what she envisioned they would be like.

Peeta's a mystery in the first half of the book, having being captured by the Capitol and televised several times on Caesar Flickerman's show. And with every show, he looks more unhealthy than the previous time. In the second half, the reason behind his state is revealed, and they try to help him get better. (A shout out to all the Peeta fans out there, this book WILL leave you crying an ocean.) Will he ever be healthy again?

Will he and Katniss still survive the odds and live to see a better future? Will there even be a future worth fighting for?

And Finnick... Finnick! Couldn't guys like him ever be real? That would totally be a blessing to the world...

The Hunger Games is one trilogy that has so many thoughts and ideas behind the initial and apparent meaning. It's an eye opener as well, and if you haven't read the books yet, please do. Wherever you are, leave what you are doing and go to your nearest book store or library and get your hands on a copy now! It's all worth it... Promise!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay has been split into two films. The first has already released, and Part 2 is releasing on 20 November 2015. Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne and Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair.

HAPPY READINGS (AND WATCHING), EVERYONE!

Quote Of The Week #8

"He turned to look just in time to see the rain start falling outside, as if the storm had finally decided to weep with shame for what it had done to them."

- 'The Scorch Trials' by James Dashner, pg 138

Book Bouncer Review: 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins

'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins

The 74th Hunger Games are over, and Katniss made it out alive.

There's no more needing to worry about future Reapings with her name scrawled out on pieces of paper. There's no more needing to dread being chosen to participate in the next Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen is the most recent victor, along with Peeta Mellark.

How are there two victors? In the same Games?

Well, Katniss and Peeta's love was just that believable.

But half of what was televised in the past year was for show, and now the consequences of those actions have sparked the beginnings of an uprising. Unbeknownst to Katniss, she is the face of this growing rebellion. The rebels don't believe in the love story that District 12's victors staged, and President Snow, surprising Katniss with a personal visit, has threatened her - make everyone believe that she's head over heels for Peeta. If not, everyone she loves will be killed.

Tormented by nightmares of the 74th Hunger Games, and helpless against President Snow, Katniss does everything within her power to convince everyone that she and Peeta are completely in love. When she fails, she knows nothing good can come out of all this. It's not too soon before the victors of the recent Hunger Games have to return back to the arena, and this time verse victors of the other districts.

It seems the stakes are even higher than they were before...

It seems that this book was better than its predecessor. Poo really hit the fan in this sequel, and got me thinking how awful it would be to have post-traumatic stress disorder, followed by having your loved ones being threatened, and then reliving your nightmare. Guys... It officially sucks to be Katniss Everdeen. She can't even catch a break!

It broke my heart at how she grew so desperate to save the people she loved, page by page, and then all that effort being discarded away by President Snow. But man, the guy has style. White roses and all sophisticated...

(PS: *whispering* He was talking about Katniss in that scene!)

I think Peeta was just too nice for his own good (which was exceptional given the circumstances he faced) BUT he always seemed like the damsel-in-distress, and you had Gale, who was the 'friend-zoned/inconclusive-feelings-for' guy. Then there was Katniss, who was scared and brave and confused. Oh, and she was the knight-in-shining-armor.

Overall, this book was really good, and had me captured from the first page. Suzanne Collins has this amazing way of just catching me unaware of the next thing, and then BAM! Surprise, surprise, something bad happens to Katniss... or Peeta... or some other beloved character! The sorrow and suspense just never ends, but it's extremely addictive.

So if you still haven't read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, take this review as a green card to buy or borrow this trilogy and surf through it. The Hunger Games trilogy is truly unforgettable, and some of the best books that adorn my shelf.

Quote Of The Week #7

"I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience. Can it be any wonder to anybody that such conditions make a man an outlaw of society? Can it be wondered that such a man, having been outlawed by the government, should be prepared to lead the life of an outlaw, as I have led for months, according to the evidence before this court?"

- Nelson Mandela, 'Long Walk To Freedom' by Nelson Mandela, pg 313 

RECENT RELEASE - 'The Shadow Cabinet' by Maureen Johnson: 10/02/2015

RECENT RELEASE - 'The Shadow Cabinet' by Maureen Johnson

Synopsis: 'The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series.

Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rory’s classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlotte’s in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming.

Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, they'll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.'

- Goodreads

Published: 10/02/2015

Author: Maureen Johnson

Series: Shades of London

Goodreads Rating: 4,36/5

The Name of The Star             The Madness Underneath

                                          (Shades of London #1)               (Shades of London#2)              

Goodreads Rating: 3,91/5        Goodreads Rating: 3,87/5

Book Bouncer Review: 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

May the odds be ever in your favour...

When you live in fear, there's not much living. Especially when you spend your teenage years hoping to not be called out for the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is an event that's held annually by the Capitol, the totalitarian face and voice of Panem (the ruins of a destroyed North America). After a rebellion that happened 74 years ago, and is now referred to as the Dark Days, the Hunger Games is held in reminder of the Capitol's authority, and the grave mistake of ever underestimating it. District 13 experienced the consequences first-hand.

There is no District 13 anymore.

However, 12 districts remain, and each one chooses a male and female tribute to participate in the Hunger Games. Out of the twenty four tributes, only one can come back. Alive.

Katniss Everdeen, citizen of District 12 aka the Seam, was so certain when she assured her little sister that there was little to absolutely no chance of her being chosen as the female tribute of the Seam, given that she was twelve, it was her first time and that her name was entered only once.

So it was like walking straight into an invisible wall, when ironically, Primrose Everdeen was the girl who is picked out. And then in the blur of dreadful moments, Katniss is being taken to the Capitol after she volunteered to participate in the Games instead of her sister. It's worse when she realizes that if she needs to survive, it will mean killing the Seam's male tribute, Peeta Mellark - who saved her from death a few years ago - and losing her humanity along the way. It's hard, when everything is falling apart and there are no real friends around. And trust is a major problem.

Dressed up for slaughter, Katniss is introduced to the citizens of the Capitol, and does everything possible to not let them see a single shred of weakness in her. So she's strong, brave... And on fire.

The Hunger Games was absolutely entrancing, and I'm proud to say that if I ever master archery and am thrown into an arena much like the Hunger Games, I should be able to last two days with all the survival skills I learnt from this book!

What's absolutely funny about this book (and I know it's the whole reason the plot carried out) was that Primrose was chosen, when she had her name entered once, compared to the older kids and their multiple entries. What are the odds?! Obviously, they were not in her favor. But Katniss's valiant sacrifice and honorable motives make her very lovable, even if she had serious trust issues, which was a minor downer. But if I were in her position, I'd be the same.

The citizens of the Capitol and their appearances were very distinctive, and their accents seem pretty cool, from their description. If this was all real, I'd definitely like to spend one day in the Capitol to just see all these fancy dressed, powdered faced people with stressed wording and clueless, overacting actions. I can imagine that right now...

This book was mind blowing, and if you haven't read it, do so now... IMMEDIATELY! And if I could describe this book so that it could create a pretty good image of what happens, I wouldn't really be able to.

So I'm just going to say this: Read the book and you'll initially get the image that I (and poor Tyler Oakley) can't describe perfectly.

THE MOVIE: ...I dislike book-to-move adaptations SO MUCH. They change the entire story or leave out scenes that the readers might like. So it's pretty frustrating. Here's my advice: read The Hunger Games first before watching the movie. This way you won't be confused with the details like I was (I was unfortunate enough to watch the existing movies first before actually picking up the book and giving that a try).

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. Personally, I've never seen such a great combination of actors until I saw The Hunger Games movie.

Quote Of The Week #6

"We need never be ashamed of our tears."

- Charles Dickens 

Book Bouncer Author Summary: John Green

John Green

John Green, age 37 (born 24 August 1977) is the talented author of The Fault In Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Will Grayson, will grayson, Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns and Let It Snow. His debut novel, Looking For Alaska, won the 2006 Printz Award, and The Fault In Our Stars debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller List in January 2012.

He has a wife, Sarah Urist Green, two children (Henry and Alice Green) and a brother, Hank Green, with whom he made VlogBrothers. Initially, the project had only meant to last from January 1, 2007 to 31 December of the same year, going by the name Brotherhood 2.0, but after the deadline, the project continued. The Green brothers' fanbase call themselves the Nerdfighters (which I am proudly part of).

Although his characters are memorable, he adds a certain level of maturity to the characters that make them seem ten years older than their actual age. This could only work if there was a really critical moment in the character's life that caused them to be like this. For example, Hazel Grace Lancaster - The Fault In Our Stars - had cancer, which made her how she is: cautious about everything she did, partially pessimistic and very practical. But you can't give maturity to characters who are seventeen and have a healthy future life with minor problems that can always be solved.

Aside from that trait, John Green has books which have romance and witty humor in them. So obviously, I recommend his books to those who like love stories and have a knack for romantic comedy. But, the common thing I've observed from all his books is that there are always consequences and two sides to the story.

Collaborations

Will Grayson, will grayson

David Levithan and John Green

In April 2010, Will Grayson, will grayson was published. John Green wrote all the odd chapters of Will Grayson, with everything correctly capitalized. David Levithan wrote all the even chapters of will grayson, which were completely in lower case.

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances

                                          John Green                                                       Maureen Johnson                                                       Lauren Myracle

On October 2, 2008, Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances was published. The book was split into three stories, each one written by one of the three authors. Johnson wrote the first story: The Jubilee Express, Green: A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, and Myracle: The Patron Saint of Pigs. The stories intertwine with one another to make one overall story.

Achievements

John Green was nominated for the Michael L.Printz Award for An Abundance of Katherines, while winning the same award for Looking For Alaska. He won the Edgar Allan Poe Award and Corine Literature Award for Paper Towns, and at the Children's Choice Book Awards, won Teen Book Of the Year for The Fault In Our Stars. As an author, he won the Visionary Award in 2014, the Innovator's Award in 2013, and the National Author Award in 2012.

Let's Leave A Mark Behind...

John Green is an amazing writer, always making his characters want to matter in the world. They want to do something that will leave a memory of them - a mark - behind, and this in turn reflects on the type of person John Green is and what his morals, values and beliefs are. Putting his thoughts on paper and having them shown through characters; and publishing what eventually becomes a popular, brilliant book, is how John Green left his mark.

He is included in the list of the top 100 most influential people in the world.

Quote Of The Week #5

"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction, The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again."

- Katniss Everdeen, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins