Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Super pumped for Mockingjay tomorrow! *squeals in excitement*

The Story:  Katniss Everdeen has beat the odds and has won the 74th annual Hunger Games- a televised fight-to-the-death competition.  But, she won by defying the Capitol- challenging the rule of only letting one victor survive by having her and her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, commit suicide.  Now, the Capitol is mad.  This spark of rebellion may lead all the 12 districts in Panem to rebel against the Capitol.  Now, Katniss' victory tour throughout Panem is the only way to turn things around.  She has to prove without a shadow of a doubt, that she was driven crazy in love with Peeta, and couldn't live without him.  Any sign of rebellion was coincidental.  With not only that on her shoulders, soon, she has to be a mentor for the 75th Hunger Games, also a Quarter Quell.  But what happens when Katniss is sent back into the arena?  Will the districts ban together and start a revolution against the Capitol?

Chloe's Critique:  After the Hunger Games, I was desperate to find out the continuation of Katniss' story.  Luckily enough, I read the Hunger Games just when Catching Fire was due to come out.  Catching Fire, to me, was still a great book, but it couldn't capture the magic as in the first book.  It's set at a much slower pace, with the action happening in the second half of the book.  It provides a view of all the districts in Panem from the Victory Tour, and starts to hint at what is coming in the third book, Mockingjay.  Needless to say, another great book from Suzanne Collins that will leave fans desperate to know what will happen in the final book, Mockingjay.


Rating:  5/5 Stars

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Since Mockingjay's coming out tomorrow *squeals in excitement*, I better pay tribute to this ground breaking trilogy!  All hail Suzanne Collins!  :)


The Story:  Katniss Everdeen lives in a future world called Panem, controlled by the Capitol.  Every year, the 12 districts of Panem are forced to submit 2 tributes( boy and girl) to play in the Hunger Games- a televised fight-to-the-death game.  The winner will receive fame, fortune, and glory.  But what happens when Katniss' little sister Prim's name is drawn to be a tribute?  Since she knows Prim can't survive, Katniss volunteers to take her place as the tribute.  Now, can Katniss survive the Hunger Games and possibly become the second victor District 12 hosts?  And what happens when her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, declares his love for Katniss in front of all of Panem?  Is he telling the truth or just playing a game?  It's the game within the Games.  Will Katniss buy into Peeta's speech?  Only one can win the Hunger Games.

Chloe's Critique:  OH MY GOODNESS.   What an amazing book!  I was a fan of the Gregor the Overlander series already, but this book has made it official- Suzanne Collins is my favorite author ever!  The Hunger Games has a little bit of everything: action, violence, and even some romance too!  This is easily one of the best books of the year and the trilogy is the gold-standard for sci-fi writers.  Warning: very addictive.  You won't be able to put it down or stop thinking about it. 

Rating:   5/5 Stars   Can I say like 500 Stars??? :)

Suzanne Collins reads from the first chapter of MOCKINGJAY!!!

Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton

The Story:  Rusty-James is a pretty tough teen, but he wants to be tougher, just like his older brother, Motorcycle Boy.  He wants to be the strongest streetfighter and the most respected guy on this side of the river.   He doesn't want to use his head- he just relies on his fists instead.  Whenever he's gotten into trouble, Motorcycle Boy has always bailed him out.  But one day, his world comes flying apart in an explosive chain of events and Motorcycle Boy isn't here to pick up the pieces.

Chloe's Critique:  Personally, I hated this book.  Seriously.  The ideas aren't really well developed and there seems to be no plot.   The climax wasn't built up to at all, and when it happened, the book abruptly ended.  There wasn't no resolution, falling action, nothing.  Nada.  I'm sorry if anyone likes the book, but I really dislike it.  Sorry.  I would like my time back from reading this.

Rating:  1/5 stars  0/5 stars  -1/5 stars

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

The Story:  Eddie has spent his whole life at Ruby Pier- all the way from his childhood watching his dad work there, his adulthood working as a repairman there, and to his death, trying to save a little girl from a falling rollercoaster car.  Yet when he dies, it seems like he can't escape Ruby Pier- he ends up there too in heaven.  While in heaven, he meets five people whose lives have affected his.  There, his earthly life is explained to him by these five people- either strangers or loved ones.  One by one, they each give him insight about all the things he didn't see in his time on earth.  As Eddie meets each new person, his fatal question still isn't answered- did he save the little girl?  Was it a heroic success or was it a failure?  Can the same be said about his life?

Chloe's Critique: This book is practically on every reading list out there!  I loved Tuesdays With Morrie, so why not give this a shot?  This book isn't meant for those who enjoy reading action books- heck no!  It's one of those books you read when you feel philosophical and just need to relax.  It proposes an interesting view of the afterlife and talks about old man's life.  While it uncovers part of Eddie's life, it makes you question yours too!  It's filled with lessons of regret, sacrifice, and hope, too.  While I still favor Tuesdays With Morrie, this book is still very good.

Rating:   4.5/5 Stars

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Story:  It's 1939.  Nazi Germany.  Death has never been busier, but still takes time to watch Liesel Meminger's story unfold.
     Liesel's life is forever changed when she finds The Grave Digger's Handbook,  partially obscured by the snow, at her brother's funeral.  It sparks her love of words ,  and when she arrives at the Hubermann's,  her accordion-playing foster father teaches her how to read.  Soon, she starts stealing books everywhere- from Nazi book burnings to the mayor's wife's library,  some with the help of her best friend, Rudy Steiner.
    But Liesel's world is about to be turned upside down.  When her loving father, Hans Hubermann, decides to hide a Jew in their basement,  her life becomes much more dangerous.  As she learns more about the man in the basement, Liesel and Max start to become great friends.  Yet, with the constant air raids, and meager supply of food, will Max survive?  After all, hiding a dead Jew is just as dangerous as a live one. 
  Who will Death carry away in Liesel's life? Max?  Her papa- who soon goes to war?  Even Rudy?  In Nazi Germany, Death is always busy.

Chloe's Critique:  This has to be one of my favorite books I've ever read.  There is a certain depth to each character that makes it seem like you've known them forever.  My favorite character has to be Rudy.  Oh... that saukerl  Rudy.  The crazy kid who painted himself to be Jesse Owens, the fearless best friend, always longing for the Book Thief's kiss.  The story is told from a very interesting, yet fitting narrator- Death.  He is not a cruel, sadistic soul; just a tired soul , exhausted by his immortality and job.  He's afraid of humans because they have a way of growing on him, but when they die, he feels the emptiness inside of him.  This is probably one of the best books in the century.  If you haven't read it, go to your bookstore, or library and read it!  You won't be disappointed.

Rating:  5/5 Stars

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

The Story:  Alton Richards' summer isn't going anywhere.  He's 17, without a job, heartbroken about his breakup, and his family's finances aren't exactly in check.  Then, to make matters worse, his mother volunteers him to drive his blind, diabetic, grumpy, old, great-uncle to bridge club every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in hopes of getting on Uncle Lester Trapp's "good side".  It seems as though everybody knows that he has only a couple of months left, so they are trying to weasle their way into his heart, and more importantly, his will.  So,  Alton has no choice to drive Trapp to bridge club and be his cardturner, meaning telling Trapp what cards he has.  Soon, he meets Toni Castaneda,  Trapp's previous cardturner, and it seems like his family isn't the only one that Trapp's close to.  Trapp is something of a bridge genius and is intent on winning nationals,  after a heartbreaking experience there 40 years ago.    Will Trapp win nationals or will he even live to play it?

Chloe's Critique:  This was actually a surprisingly good book!  When I first read the summary, I was skeptical.  Who wants to read a story about a card game- especially bridge!  Yet, when you get into the story, it doesn't talk about bridge- it talks about the effect that a simple card game can have on a group of people.    Sure, there's a bunch of bridge gibberish like, "One banana, pass, pass, two-no-trump."  There's also lengthy explanations about certain moves, but Alton has got us covered.  When you see Moby Dick, you can skip to this box that gives you a basic cliff notes version .  Full of quirks, philosophical questions, and humor, you'll feel yourself start to root for Trapp and Alton.

Rating:  4/5  Stars

Booklists

Chloe's Favorite Books

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Colins
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
• The Help by Kathrynn Stockett
• Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
• Daniel X Series by James Patterson
• Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz
• Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
• The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
• A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

       * I'll add more lists and links soon, as I review more books.  Thanks for your patience! *

Book Reviews

Here's a list of books I've reviewed so far!  Enjoy!

-Numbers-

 -A-

• Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

-B-

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

-C-

• The Cardturner  by Louis Sachar 
• Catching Fire  by Suzanne Collins

-D-


-E-




-F-

• The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

-G-

• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

-H-

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

-I-

• I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

-J-




-K-




-L-


-M-

• Mockingjay  by Suzanne Collins
  

-N-




-O-




-P-




-Q-




-R-

• Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton

-S-




-T-


-U-




-V-




-W-




-X-




-Y-




-Z-