Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER ALERT!!!  DON'T READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ THE FIRST AND SECOND IN THE SERIES!!!

Oh, I cannot wait for this to come out in film!  The whole series! 

So, I've finished the third and final book in the Hunger Game series.  The synopsis for this one is as follows:  Katniss has survived 2 - TWO - Hunger Games.  She's now been adopted (captured, really) by rebel forces to be their symbol for freedom.  She's become their "Mockingjay". She has been forced, really to be the rallying figure for the other districts in their goal to bring down the capitol and President Snow.  Being the Mockingjay, however, comes at a price and Katniss isn't sure how much loss and sacrifice she can take.

This book was certainly TOUGH!  It was the most violent of the three and there were times when I just had to put it down to absorb the cruelty of the outcomes before I could move on.  The visual clarity that Suzanne Collins allows the reader to have is sometimes too clear.  That isn't to say I didn't love it, I did but I hated it at the same time.  I hated what was happening to all the rebels, mentally, physically, emotionally.  I was wiped out and mentally spent by the time I finished.  In the end, however, it was all worth it and could not have ended any other way. 

No matter what kind of books you like you must read this series!  It's hard to believe that it's considered Young Adult because the struggles are anything but!  I look forward to reading this series, over and over for my own pleasure and for those I teach.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER ALERT!!!  Don't read if you haven't read the first!!!

So, the 2nd in the Hunger Games series...here's the synopsis:

Katniss along with Peeta have won the 74th Hunger Games.  They are now living their "privileged" lives back in District 12.  Unfortunately, due to the events that took place during their Games, Peeta and Katniss have sparked rebellion throughout the other districts.  They are thus, forced by President Snow, to fight for their friends and families lives during a victory tour.  Peeta and Katniss must convince those in the other districts that their love is real and that their actions during the games were not in defiance of the Captiol and it's powers. There is SOOOOOO much more that happens as a result of their tour but really I don't want to even mention the repercussions because it will spoil it. 

I really, really, really liked this book.  I gave it only 4.5 stars because although it was superb and a fast read, it just wasn't as good as the first.  It's hard to hit a second pitch out of the park when the first was so phenomenal.  It was a great follow up, however, and I can't wait for the third - Mockingjay.  I don't know if it will be the final in the series...I guess I'll see when I read it. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Oh boy, oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!  I haven't been this excited about a book since - maybe the Twilight series?  So good!!!  I finished the first book this morning and can't wait to finish typing here so I can go start #2!!!

Picture it:  It's the future and The United States - North America - has collapsed.  A new country has been created called Panem.  It consists of the Capitol and 12 districts.  There used to be 13 districts but several years back, the districts rose up against the capitol and tried to overthrow it.  The 13th district was destroyed and the other 12 were defeated by the capitol.  As a punishment for this and reminder that the capitol is still all-powerful, every year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games - one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18.   The televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to kill their fellow competitors until only one victor is left.  When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the 12th District's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker will be pitted against bigger, stronger reps who have trained for this their whole lives.

When reading this, I had to force myself to read slowly so as to NOT miss a thing.  I already know that I'm going to read this with my kids next year!  It's so good...you MUST read this!  You may not think you like science fiction but you will LOVE this!  A must!!!  And BONUS!!!  In the movie!!!???  They've cast LENNY KRAVITZ as Cinna!!!  Oh how excited am I?!