Double Reviews: Catching Fire & Mockingjay

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games #2
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Pages: 391 pages (Hardback)
Source: Library

“Really, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can't help enjoying his distress.
"Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?" I say.
"It must be. The sensation's completely new. How have you managed it all these years?" he asks.
"Just avoid mirrors. You'll forget about it," I say.
"Not if I keep looking at you," he says.”

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games #3

Genre: Dytopian, YA

Pages: 398 (Hardback)

Source: Won in a Giveaway!

“You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers.

"Real," I answer. "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”

My Rating:

 My Review: Catching Fire

How to you review something that has been reviewed by the world?  Catching Fire was actually my favorite out of the series.  I loved the witty interplay between the characters and I found myself touched time and time again by their stories.  The build up to the games was fantastic and I was a bit scared to enter the arena again.  What can I say, I'm sensitive.  I thought I was going to get more of the same once entering the arena, but the whole book threw me for a loop.  I just didn't see the end coming.  I thought Ms. Collins did an excellent job leading into the third book without leaving the reader (me) frustrated.  I liked Katniss more in this book, but Haymitch and Peeta have my heart.

My Review: Mockingjay

I'm scarred for life.   I was very afraid to read this book because so many people seemed upset after reading it.  I never knew why because I didn't read the reviews.  I was afraid of spoilers.  I loved this book.  It is impossible to review this book without having spoilers of some kind so if you haven't read this, steer clear of this review.  I enjoyed this book from the beginning but I didn't get excited until Peeta came into the picture.  In my opinion, Peeta is the star in this series, not Katniss.  I also think that the 1st person point of view is genius for making him the star.  I LOVE Peeta. I really don't know how this is a YA book because  this is the kind of book that robs people of their innocence and  could cause a few nightmares.    Finnick...broke my heart.  I wish I saw more Haymitch because he was a favorite of mine and his sense of humor would have relieved some of the...darkness.  Prim...I wasn't too devastated.  Prim was important to Katniss.  Katniss wouldn't have entered nor survived the games without her.  The bigger story, the capitol, was always important to the other characters.  It was the important story so I didn't think the ending made everything that Katniss did all for nothing.  It was sad but Finnick made me feel worse.

On the series: 

I loved this series for many reasons.  I like how everything ended in a very real way.  No bow tieing here.  No cop outs.  It is what it is.  At the same time, I might have gotten more than I asked for.  I'm glad I read this series but I'm seriously disturbed.  I didn't love Katniss but this was awesome because she wasn't supposed to be THAT character.  Peeta was the loveable one.  I hope the movie doesn't mess this up.  Katniss is not sociable.  She is not friendly.  If anything, she is an awkward girl who is great under pressure.  I really hope they don't glamorize her.  I'm very worried about this.  Peeta.  Oh my Peeta.

On the point of view: Many people don't like first person point of views, but this one is brilliant and the point of view is necessary for how the story unfolds.  

On the hype: this is a series that lives up to the hype, in my opinion.  But I'm not going to say that you'll like everything that happens.  I will say that it is consistently a well-told, well-written story that keeps the reader invested.  Will it break your heart?  Well that's the thing.  That's a chance you have to take.