Review: The Hunger Games #1 by Suzanne Collins

Summary

Winning will make you famous,

Losing means certain death. 

In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. 

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

Review

The Hunger Games is an amazing novel that brings us a whole new dystopian world where the future is no where as it is now. In a post-apocalyptic society the Capitol has risen since the uprising and now the Districts must pay for what had happen. How? By having the Annual Hunger Games of course! For those in the Capitol living a luxurious life with everything given to them on a golden plate see this as just a regular 'high rated' live TV show, where there is only one survivor out of the twenty-four that have been chosen. But for those living in the Districts see it as a battle for keeping courage and strength, trying their level best as parents to prevent their children to take part. But one cannot simply be given this choice, the only way to do so is to survive and never have to play again. Live a life as a winner, if you win, but live with the regret of having to kill all those kids who where just as helpless as you. So how does The Hunger Games sound to you? Brutal, reasonable, justified.

Katniss Everdeen the 'Girl on Fire' takes a stand as a courageousness, over protective elder sister, who volunteer's as tribute to take the place of her sister in 'The Reaping'. Not only does this keep her sister out of the Capitols games, it changes the whole mood and vibe when she carries on in the novel. First volunteer in District 12, that's bound to change everyone's perspective right? Well here we have a sixteen-year old volunteer who's only instinct is to survive for her sister. Throughout the novel Katniss grew on me, from the minute she volunteered and her complete demeanor towards most of the people in the Capitol really got me. But what really changed her was the way she was with other characters such as; Cinna or Rue. It was lovely, we saw another side of Katniss which we couldn't really see at the beginning.  

Peeta Mallark, the other tribute from District 12, is really reserved and we don't get to know much about him other than the fact that he's a bakers son and that he helped Katniss once. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta starts off to a rough start, but gradually it adds a whole new level of compassion between two tributes from the same district, who just happen to be in a game that requires them to kill each other to win? Crazy right. But the mysterious vibe that we get around Peeta makes us want to know him more, adds more to whats is going on. But what is really going on? What is the purpose of so many games when the families that have suffered know what true loss is like? And the million dollar question ( weird that i'm in the UK and this term fits perfectly then pounds) is what is the Capitol getting out of it? I know what you'll are going to say; prove a point that they have power over all of Panem, but don't the suffering people in each District know that? I guess not, since it't the 74th Annual hunger Game. Or is that going to change?

This novel has brought so many things to light; how a young girl who's handy with a bow and arrow can change the face of the game with what she does, how alliances can prove better and more trustworthy. Speaking of alliances, how many in the book have we read that capture the true innocence and truth? I guess that'll have to be Katniss and Rue, the one where anything is possible and the bravery of some cannot be described in words. Throughout the novel we read about a small pin that has a Mockinjay on it and how it is kept hidden from the Capitols view, why? Obviously, you can't take anything with you in the Arena right? Or does it signify something much more deeper than a simple pin? Will this change the course of The Capitols twisted joy with The Hunger Games? Read this epic novel that brings Suzanne Collins imaginative world to life with this action packed, heart-stopping book, where the Arena is the one place that will bring all your nightmares to life. 

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins 5 Stars

Review: Dead Jealous #1 by Sharon Jones

Summary

Last summer, in a boating accident, Poppy Sinclair survived a brush with death.

But the girl she finds face down in the lake wasn't so lucky.

As Poppy fights to discover the truth behind what she believes is murder, she also discovers that people are not always as they seem. Slipping into a deep web of lies, jealously and heart-stopping danger, Poppy comes to realize that the one thing that can save her has been right there, all the time. 

Review

Dead Jealous was a book that I won. This book cannot be described on how amazing the thrill and suspense is, especially when the whole mystery is being solved. As a reader we want to experience different feelings with different books, with some you will feel an excitement, sadness or an adrenaline rush but with others you just want to become a detective to solve some mysteries. (I guess you can tell how much I love Sherlock, the whole mystery part sucked me right in!!!!!)  

Moving on, this book brings us a young girl named Poppy, who recently got in a boating accident, despite having lived her entire life in the Lake, somehow that's the one thing she becomes to dislike. With her near death experience and having found a dead body in the lake at a Pagan Festival - for her moms wedding -, she becomes to think its up to her to solve the murder. Murder? Yup something the police don't want to believe!!!! But still Poppy goes around searching for clues to find out who did this. Not only does Poppy have a strong background of heartache; her parents divorce, her mom re-marrying and not being on good terms with her dad and most of all going to a Pagan festival for her moms marriage; she's living through one, having to see her best-friend/crush be with another girl, not a pretty sight, right? Guess that's what brings out the jealousy in her! Yet again Poppy embarks on a journey that could destroy everything she believes and everyone she trusts. But the question is; Who can she trust?

Michael; the charming best friend who just happens to be the whole package deal for any girl!! Like who wouldn't love a guy who goes back and forth just to apologize even when she just so happens to be in no where land and he is not so good at driving. - I see you re-evaluating your perspective on him now, no biggy I did too -. No matter what comes in the way of their friendship, they will overcome it and we see that a lot with the whole him apologizing and actually going the the festival with her dog - who is adorable - when he hears about 'A girl found in the lake' on the radio. Not only do we see their friendship we see it develop and become more respected throughout the novel. 

Dead Jealous is a pure thriller and a mystery that will get you hooked just by the first chapter, I sure as hell did. Despite some parts not being explained properly such as 'Bob or Mo'; despite being awesome characters, we didn't really get to know who they were just that they somehow become part of the book after Poppy found the body. This book brings you an amazing thriller, suspense, and an awesome conclusion to the mystery that's been left a secret, but by who? Read it to find out!!!

Dead Jealous - Sharon Jones 4 Stars

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Summary

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. 

Review

After completing The Fault In Our Stars I didn't know what to do; write a review or leave it at that and wait for the ever waited movie that I dearly hope lives up the standards set out by the book, I chose the former. John Green gave us all another book to put on our shelves, but that's before we read it. But once completing it it gave us another perspective on life and characters that have done a damn fine job of creeping in to our hearts and making a permanent resident there, something that I'm all up for if I must say so. 

This review is not of the usual, where I talk about everything in detail and pick out specific points about each character etc etc. NOPE. this review is just to say how much I appreciate the fact of being able to say that I have finally been given a book that is worth more than anything, that gives me the chance to see things differently and to really question reality and life's complexity. Not only have I met characters that have given a new definition to reading books for me, I've also seen the true meaning of life and how life for some - myself included - is always seen in the future and past tense, never in the present.

Despite Augustus fearing the oblivion, it goes to show that, that is what most of us are really afraid of, even though oblivion is inevitable we all still try our best to leave a mark, no matter how hard and time consuming it becomes. Not only do they refer to oblivion a handful of times, Augustus and Hazel develop throughout becoming independent for Hazel but for Augustus is to learn that leaving a heroic mark isn't the only one that can be left, instead he left an emotional mark on the one thing he loved the most, Hazel. Existence of life is the main question in the book, and is one that cannot be given a right answer too. Life after death is not something that one can learn about but is something everyone thinks about and that is the main thing that this book has made not only me but many people to think about. This book gives us a lot to think about, some more out of our reach but still something that will stay constantly in our mind. 

The Fault In Our Stars has given all those who have read it a different view point on the book, and I completely agree that each book had a different affect on us as readers. But one cannot read a review and expect to love a book, though it is natural to do so with other books it cannot be done with this. You will ALL be affected - or maybe not at all - differently once finishing this book. 

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green 5 Stars 

Review: Forbidden #2 by Jana Oliver

Summary

Hell has a plan for Riley Blackthorne...

Riley's beginning to think being a demon trapper isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her dad's been stolen by a necromancer, her boyfriends's gone all weird and she''s getting warm fuzzy feeling for someone who's got more secrets than the CIA. It's tempting to give it all up and try be normal, but that's not an option with Hell watching her every move.

One mistake will cost her everything - 

and that's the one she's about to make... 

Review

This is the second installment in The Demon Trappers series and just as thrilling as the first book, Forsaken. In the first book we see Riley go on a journey to become a better trapper just like her father, but things don't all go to plan when Riley is plucked out of her life and put in to a completely different world, one that doesn't include her father, and is that the worse part of what is to come in Forbidden?   

After completing Forsaken over a 100 times until Forbidden came out I was ready for whatever Jana had in store and was ecstatic when I finally had the book in my hands. I decided that with this book i'll pace it out well instead of finishing it all at once, did that happen? Hell No!! I was hooked, once again from the first page, loving the view points of Rileys and Becks. With this book it keeps intact the characters feelings for one another and most importantly makes it clear on how each character progresses with everything that happened at the end of Forsaken. With Riley we all know she is a 'Kick-ass Demon hunter' and the ONLY girl on the guild and can keep them all on their toes but we get to see that she's just a girl at the end of the day who suffers with the loss of her parents and doesn't want to lose her boyfriend Simon. Lose him? Yup, read it to find out how. 

Not only do we see Riley open up we get to know more on characters who where very mysterious in Forsaken, and by mysterious I mean, "more secrets that the CIA" mysterious; and that is Ori. Ori plays a big role in Forbidden and is there for Riley when things get heated up with everyone and everything, we get to know more of him other than the whole I'm a "Freelance Hunter" crap he gives in Forsaken, which does a whole lot more for the readers. Same goes for Simon, boy did he bring a whole new level of plot twist in the book!!! The way things ended with Riley and Simon in Forsaken, I really didn't think, hell it didn't even cross my mind that he would actually do what he did in Forbidden, guess your going to have to read it now. Muwahaha you will not be disappointment. Things go all crazy when the Vatican Hunters are knocking on her door, because of ..... (and that is the biggest spoiler one cannot give away in a review) 

Beck is still my number one blonde hunter regardless of how Ori is like. With his 'I don't give a crap' demeanor in place since Forsaken it becomes quite hard to distinguish what he really is feeling, that is until now where he true feelings come to light, but just because we know them doesn't mean with a blink of an eye he'll get them *sad face*. Nope, not that easily. More complications arise for both Beck and Riley, more than one can expect with how Forbidden ends. And all I can do is root for Beck and hope he gets what he wants, not without a fight!! Like who doesn't want Beck to kick some ass to get what he wants? I sure as hell want him to do just that. 

Forbidden brings previous characters out in the open such as Grand Master Stewart who is totally amazing at what he does, and by far the BEST Grand Master I have and ever will read about!! Not only do we get more on the Grand Master Stewart we also get a more inside look on Master Harper who is right old sod to Riley and her being in the whole Guild in Forsaken, but gradually he wins us all over as he is totally cool with what he does with Riley and how he becomes an awesome mentor for her as well. 

With that being said Forbidden is the most fast-paced, thrilling book that I have ever read, besides Forsaken obviously, Jana has done an amazing job once again putting Riley in a completely new situation with Heaven and Hell being the key players. Not only do we see more in to previous characters we get new characters who just happen to be an annoying reporter who becomes quite a nuisance for all!! This book brings you an amazing journey through hardship and ease being the key to all the players motivation to win. The cliff-hangers, oh I must say Jana has a way of ending a book and having us all waiting impatiently for the next book, I sure as hell was the most impatient of them all. What will come next for Riley and Beck? Forgiven has the answer to all of our questions. 

Forbidden - Jana Oliver 5 Stars

Review: Under The Never Sky #1 by Veronica Rossi

Summary

Since she'd been outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.

This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chance of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent energy storm will. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive. 

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must come together to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky. 

Review

Under The Never Sky is a book that I found through good-reads, it was a recommended book based on all the books I had read. This book intrigued me in many ways, just by reading the summary I wanted it fast. So I finally got it ordered and it came. Aria is the main protagonist and as readers we see through Aria and feel all her emotions. Not only do we get Aria's point of view we also get Perry the hunters - 'Savage' as Aria sees him - view, who's not like Aria and not from where she is. I really liked the idea of this dual point of view we got to see and feel two completely different characters opinions and emotions, Aria is from a futuristic pod that does not rely on natural resources to survive, more of a technological environment where anything can happen and you can go anywhere through a 'Smart-Eye' which is a virtual communication device that allows you to be in different realms. Where as Perry relies on his senses to survive and most of all his hunting skills to provide food on the table, his species are capable of surviving 'The Outside' where as Aria's cannot last a day with the Aether storm and cannibals. Or can she survive? 

This story takes us all on a crazy journey where two completely different worlds collide together, using one another to survive and most of find out the truth. The contrast between Aria and Perry is amazing, showing how two different people can be stereotyped by each other, yet can learn to overcome that to find out that what they've been brought up to believe is totally bizarre and that everyone is different in there own way, showing similarities on how reality is truly like. The alternating point of views show how Aria and Perry overcome the same obstacles in different ways, giving the readers a chance to get to know them both more. With this it gave me a chance to really know the characters and get a real look on how they are really like, not how they portray themselves to their family and friends. Through Perry we get to learn more of his tribe and their senses, getting more knowledge on the nature side of the story, same with Aria and how in the Pod they have evolved with technology using it more complexly to their advantage. 

There are other characters that also gave the book more of an interest while I was reading it, such as Roar. He is the same as Perry but has different abilities/senses, he is more open and talks more to Aria then Perry when they first meet. His character gave Perry a little push in to what he was really thinking, without Roar it would have been left unsaid, read it to find out what it was. The romance in the book takes a slow pace making the characters more aware of each other and getting to know one another more. I must say they had quite a lot of tension between them, secrets come to lights some revealing more than one can accept, yet with both of them at each others side they can conquer all, making this book more enjoyable. 

Veronica Rossi has done an amazing job of keeping us readers hooked, though it did start off with a slow pace the remainder of the book surely fills in that little problem. This book sure kept me wanting more way before it finished. Veronica has brought a new dystopian world where everything is possible and where two complete strangers can overcome conflict to unite and help one another. This book brings you a thrilling, suspenseful new dystopian world that brings to light the truth of two different worlds and most of all a battle for the truth that shows the extent anyone will go for the ones they truly love. I recommend this book to all you dystopian book lovers, you will not regret it. 

Under The Never Sky - Veronica Rossi 4 Stars