The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins [Updated Book Review]

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: September 8, 2008

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. 

** This is for the second reading of The Hunger Games which took place over five years after the first. I was shocked to see how differently my emotions were after this second reading, and because of this it warrants its own review.

I really enjoyed The Hunger Games the first time around, I finished it and I was prepared to continue the series and stick with Katniss and Peeta through the very end.

However, that never happened.

I never went onto the second book, I never wondered about the world after what I'd read and slowly but surely the world of Panem began to matter so little that I was pretty sure all of the hype was going to miss me forever.

My senior year of college as a English/Communications major obsessed with media theory, I started a research study on the popularity of YA books -- because of this subject I knew I would need to revisit The Hunger Games due to its popularity. Little did I know that I would become completely entranced in the world Collins created a second time, this time though because of the media's affect on Panem and the people themselves.

Media theory is one of my loves, but this aspect of the book would have completely missed me as a high school sophomore when this book first came into my life.

During this second reading I completely fell in love, continued, and finished the series. In the Hunger Games, Collins builds a world that is both different, but extremely similar to our own. The role the media plays on the people's reality seems extreme within the pages, but in reality it isn't all that different than our own world.

While we watch violence in the form of film, movies, sports, etc... these people's reality is a reality show where death is the only constant.

I love the growth of Katniss, and the slow development of this world's existence and its consequences for those around them.

The vivid descriptions of Capitol life compared to life in the Districts felt to me like a comparison to our own reality in a world where class standing is real.

I loved the role Katniss played towards altering her own state and using the Capitol's rules against them, because what better power is there than to use their own games against them.

The Hunger Games has become one of my favorite series (if not my favorite) and I have spent the past few weeks obsessed.

The moral of the story here is that you can't judge a book ever. Even after you've read it. Books sometimes surprise you and take on hidden and deeper meanings depending on the stage of life you're in. It only took six years, but I understand the hype!

Let's Talk: Graduation and The Hunger Games

You know how I said that I wouldn't be around for the latter half of my senior year final semester?

Well, that time has passed. College is over.

AND I AM FREE! 

I am so excited to be a (mostly) free woman! Think about all the books I can read when homework isn't a thing?

I mean, I'm going to be working full time and all of that jazz, but I read for a straight three hours the other night. I don't remember the last time I was able to do that! 

Now, for the more pressing matter, I did a final senior project/research paper on a media theory look at certain Young Adult novels. 

I chose The Hunger Games as a focus and was greatly shocked to discover that my itty bitty like I had for the book upon first read has grown into an obsession. 

I read The Hunger Games years ago, and I liked it. I actually liked it a lot, but I never felt the need to continue which for me says a lot. Upon this second read I was so much more drawn into it and now I am eagerly continuing on with the series. 

After my first read I wanted to continue, as I had really enjoyed book one, but Catching Fire ended up being a DNF for me.

This goes to show that you can't judge a book completely even when you read it. I know this sounds odd, but at the point in my life when I first picked up The Hunger Games I didn't get it... but now I SO GET IT. 

I just wasn't ready then. Now I'm over here like... 

So, next time you think you aren't feeling something just give it five years.

 It will come eventually.

Have you ever read a book later on and felt completely different? 

Let me know in the comments! 

Sophmore Novels I'm Looking Forward To!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! 

I loved these author's debut titles, and their sophomore titles look just as fantastic! 

I LOVED Snow Like Ashes and it is the book that I am constantly recommending. I'm reading the sequel now and loving it. 

Though not as wonderful as I hoped, this was another sophomore title that I have been looking forward to for months. 

I really loved The Sin Eater's Daughter, and I can't wait to see where the author takes it in the sequel. 

I loved Cammie McGovern's first title, and I'm hoping this one is another tear jerker that changes my view on life. 

What sophomore titles am I missing? 

What else should I be excited for?

The White Rose by Amy Ewing [Book Review]

Title: The White Rose
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Jewel #2
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: October 6, 2015

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

I'll begin by saying it took me two weeks to finish this book. It was a struggle, but I had to finish it because I really, really liked The Jewel and I refuse to give that up.

Ultimately, this sequel had major second book syndrome and the majority of the story just drug on and on and on and on...

The story begins immediately where we let off from the first book, and the cliffhanger ending that was experienced in book one was really underwhelming once it came to fruition. I found this to be really disappointing, and I just kind of meandered on reading while never really becoming indebted again.

Much of what was told to us in this second book could have been summarized or shortened because it takes so long for us to get anywhere.

The like I had for Violet in book one kind of dissipated due to some of her choices. We got so much of Violet's feelings that I really stopped caring to a degree, but yet I couldn't get my self to DNF it because a part of me still cared.

There are new-ish characters that are suddenly important, and twists and turns that explain some choices, but my emotional pull just wasn't there. 

There is far less explanation of what is happening at The Jewel in this novel, and I did enjoy the traveling aspect and the time we were able to spend in the different districts such as the Farm. 

I still enjoy the world building and I do want to know what does happen to Violet and her merry gang, though I hope the third installment has more action and less whining.

Ash in this book didn't impress me which I found to be very depressing as I loved him last book. The romance is not as prevalent, but the illusions to it that we do experience didn't feel as genuine or sweet to me. I don't feel that Ash and Violet grow as a couple this book, which left me feeling indifferent about their relationship as a whole. 

Raven and Violet's friendship in this one was much different in this one, and I found parts of it odd. I don't see the friendship vibe as much as I felt like Violet was Raven's mother, which I doubt is completely intentional. 

If you're going to read The White Rose I definitely recommend at least skimming The Jewel if not rereading it entirely. They point back to things often in detail that i found myself being unable to place. There is very little reminding or explaining being done in this one, so the more information ou know, the more indebted you are sure to be. 

I will be reading the next installment, but I will be hoping that we get more story, more relationship building, more self building for Violet, and just more awesome in general. 

I am not giving up hope yet. 

Go ahead and be like me, give The White Rose a chance - if only so we can finish the trilogy together! 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! 

Release Date: March 1, 2016

An intoxicating debut fantasy about a girl who's forced to sense other people's feelings to guard the emperor against assassins. Can she protect the empire and her heart? 

In Riaznin, it's considered an honor for Auraseers like Sonya to serve as the emperor's personal protector—constantly using her gift to scan for feelings of malice and bloodlust in the court. But Sonya would rather be free.

After the queen's murder and a tragic accident, Sonya is hauled off to the palace to guard a charming yet volatile new ruler. But Sonya's power is reckless and unwieldy. She's often carried away by the intense passion of others. And when a growing rebellion forces Sonya to side with either the emperor who trusts her or his mysterious brother, the crown prince, Sonya realizes she may be the key to saving the empire—or its greatest threat.

Steeped in intrigue and betrayal, this sweeping new fantasy trilogy captivates with heartrending romance, dangerous magic, and one girl's quest for redemption. 

A Fantasy? About a girl who guards an emperor against assassins?! I am IN! 

10 Wishes The Book Genie Should Grant Me

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

1.) Please go through my shelves and clean them out for me. 

I wish I had a book genie that could go through all of the stacks and stacks that I have and clean them up for me. Seriously, I need someone to decide what I'm going to let lay there forever and what I'll actually read. Who better to do that than a book genie who can see my future? (Because they so would see into the future, too) 

2.) Give me the power of speed reading! 

Or at least, allow me to read more than a few pages without dozing off. It isn't the book's fault. It's my exhausting life's fault. If I had the power of speed reading I would be able to read everything I needed to in those few minutes. 

Life would be grand. 

3.) I want a sequel to Gone With the Wind. 

I wish Margaret Mitchell wasn't hit by that carriage/car, as I am sure she would have written something else. Anything else. It doesn't even have to be a sequel. I just want some more Mitchell. 

4.) I wish I could visit the worlds that I love. 

The book genie would definitely be able to transport me into bookish worlds that I love. Each book I have would also have a portal for boring nights and endless adventures. 

5.) I want all the beautiful leather books. 

I want them to line my shelves and make me look super sophisticated. 

6.) I want books that are water proof. 

I want to read in the shower. And in the ocean. And in the pool. And the rain. I also want the paper pages not to puff out if they get a wee bit damp. 

7.) I want endless and rotating book shelves. 

I want neverending book shelves that rotate to allow me what I want, when I want it. Think the Clueless closet but with BOOKS! 

8.) I want to be able to write something great. 

The book genie can help me create books, right? 

9.) I want the Book genie to give me endless wishes. 

This is probably obvious, but I want to keep the book genie forever. 

10.) Paper cuts are a thing of the past. 

I love my Kindle, but even paper books should be free of danger filled finger slice action. 

What would your genie grant you? 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard [Book Review]

Title: Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen #1
Release Date: February 15, 2015
ISBN: 1409151174
Buy it on Amazon here. 

This is a world divided by blood - red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart... 

I finally read this one, ya'll! I was expecting it to be good, and I was very pleased to discover that i was not wrong in my assumption. This one got a lot of hype back in the spring, and I do think it was well deserved.

Ultimately, this book had all of the classic elements that lead to a best seller. There is royalty, uprising, romance, twists, and a cliff hanger ending. What more can you want? the plot was easy to follow and you are rooting for Mare, our heroine the whole way.

Mare is introduced to us as a "peasant" girl. One of the lower class Reds who lives her life under the thumb of the Silver upper class. Mare has faced hardships and heartache - so when she runs into a stranger she feels overcome and tells him of her troubles. Only to have her life change as a consequence.

This book was so good, but there is a quite a bit of suspension of disbelief that occurs for some of the main plot points. Mare's identity is easily questionable, and her very "status" in society can be found by what color she bleeds. This is something that is very easily discoverable and I found myself questioning the likelihood of her story playing out as it is depicted. When your whole life can be destroyed by getting a paper cut, there are questions that need to be asked.

I loved Cal, but who wouldn't love Cal? I wish there had been more development with their friendship. I wanted more scenes with them together! I felt that Maven was a more difficult character to feel for, so I was always rooting for Cal to be in her life as Maven scenes just felt a little bit awkward.

I wanted more royal backstory as well, just what exactly really happened with Cal's mom? What's the Queen's backstory? We get glimpses of these things but I really would like to know more and have them more fleshed out.

Overall: Red Queen is great. The hype is mostly worth it and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I will be eagerly awaiting Glass Sword!