THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 14, 2008)
Hardcover: 384 pages
Book Description (taken from front flap):

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send on boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

LIGHT TO DARK RATING: 25% Light <----------> 75% Dark

REVIEW/COMMENTS: If you're into YA, without a doubt you've heard of THE HUNGER GAMES. Everyone (Stephenie Meyer included) has raved about this book. To be honest, I wasn't really pulled in during the first few chapters, but decided to read the entire story anyway.

My first thought after learning the plot was: "Battle Royale!" For those who don't know, BATTLE ROYALE is a Japanese film about a group of teenagers who are forced to fight to the death (with one winner remaining) by--you guessed it--the government. But I don't believe authors copy ideas. There are only so many stories to tell, there's always room to find some kind of similarity. What I think is important is for authors to put their own spin on the story, which Collins definitely does well.

I really enjoyed the games section of the book. Those chapters had me staying up all night! Perhaps the games could have started just a little earlier, but I know the author was probably trying to give us the background. I did wish the reason for the games was a little more convincing, although Collins paints a very realistic future North America.

I know there are more books in the series (I believe a trilogy?) and though this book is great as a stand alone, I think the reader would need to read the complete series to get a full picture of the characters. We don't really learn much about Gale, but I'm sure he will appear in the later novels. By the end, I definitely felt like I knew Katniss, but perhaps not the other characters as well. But I didn't even care (usually I do) because the action was so good. Although, I wish the climax was just a little bit more climactic. It definitely satisfied, but I think if we just got a little bit more... :)

~FINAL RATING~

The Fallen - Borrow it

Angels of Light - Borrow it

WINGS by Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: HarperTeen (May 5, 2009)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Book Description (taken from front flap):
Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
Synopsis (my version):
Laurel is a regular sophomore in high school, except for the fact she's been home-schooled her whole life and doesn't have a heart beat. When wing-like petals begin to grow from her back, she discovers she's a fairy, but according to her friends David and Tamani, they aren't anything like what she thought. And if that wasn't enough, fairies have enemies too--ones who will stop at nothing to get what they want from Laurel and her family.

LIGHT TO DARK RATING: 90% Light <---------->10% Dark

REVIEW/COMMENTS: The novel was a light, easy read. Although I appreciated the simple, straight-forward style, the writing didn't pull me in as much as I hoped. I felt, at times, there was nothing really pulling the story forward. I knew from the book jacket that she was a fairy. So without any other chapter cliffhangers, I didn't have an urge to find out what happens next.

I also wish the characters came more alive for me, but I think that is just my personal liking for complex characters. All the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional to me since "nice" and "sweet" could be used to describe anyone. Perhaps the most notable character with a distinct personality was Chelsea, a side character. But I guess not all novels have to have self-loathing characters, right? :)

I do commend her for creating her own fairy mythology. I know from personal experience that it isn't always an easy thing to do since all the pieces of the puzzle have to fit together. However, I do wish the fairy/troll feud was explained a bit better. A reason was given, but it didn't make the feud believable for me. Perhaps it will be explained further in the three remaining novels in the series.

I, personally, will probably not read the remaining ones unless something changes my mind. But I do believe there are people who will enjoy this book. In a market filled with edgy YA, I think it is refreshing to read something light and cheerful.

~FINAL RATING~

The Fallen - Skip it

Angels of Light - Borrow it