UEL English PEN Society Book Reviews

By the third part of the famous Hunger Games trilogy, the story really starts dragging on. With this book, I had extremely hard time imagining all that was happening and the places the characters were in. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, seemed like she wasn't really present in the story, even though it was written in first person.

I have to say I do feel like Collins wrote this book extremely quickly and could have definitely made it longer. This book made me so angry and I'll try not to include spoilers. I didn't like how the whole love triangle ended. I didn't like the lack of emotion in Katniss, although again, that's what probably happens to Hunger Games victors. I didn't like how Katniss didn't show any of the traits she was originally presented with in the books - she was quite monotone and emotionless. Before, she was presented as strong and witty, but by the third book she definitely didn't seem like a strong heroine. She is quite reckless throughout the book and I was expecting a lot more.

What I did like were the new characters that were introduced. Including more appearances of the grumpy cat, who managed to entertain everyone when they were kept in a safe place during the bombings.

I can see the movie being a lot better than the book in this case, as there were so many things happening I wasn't quite sure what's taking place.

That is all for now and may the odds be ever in your favor,
Mandy xoxo

Catching Fire is the second book of The Hunger Games trilogy, starring Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. From reading this book I had a feeling Collins wanted to focus on a wider audience range and this book presented some pretty relevant issues revolving censorship (apart from the whole love triangle thing which I've hated with passion).
In my opinion, Catching Fire was a repetition of the first book, except for Katniss' weird emotionless behaviour (although that's what probably happens to every winner of The Hunger Games). Katniss is seen as a threat to The Capitol as she was the most rebellious person The Hunger Games has ever encountered, from volunteering to take place in the games instead of her sister, to her and Peeta almost taking poisonous berries, which would result in The Hunger Games having no victor at all. The Capitol is afraid that people from other districts will see her as a rebel and join her.
This book is all about Capitol's struggles to control the rebellion, which is why they force victors from ALL the Hunger Games into the arena, to fight until once again only one victor is crowned.There are some twists in the plot of course, which I won't discuss as I wouldn't want to spoil it, but this book was pretty much a repetition of the first one.

Saying that, I do want to see how they'll turn this book into a movie, as the new Hunger Games arena was pretty cleverly designed and is definitely going to be a challenge to recreate.

Until next time and may the odds be ever in your favor,

xoxo Mandy

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

I've finally jumped on the bandwagon and read all three Hunger Games books, so join me on this review saga.
In my humble opinion, the first book of the trilogy was the best one. It had the best dialogue,  best quirky lines and wasn't revolved so much around the silly love triangle that every  teenage book seems to have.
What I love about The Hunger Games is that it presents tough political views in a way that teenagers could understand it.
It's set up in the USA future, in a nation called Panem. Panem is split into 12 districts, district 1 being the richest and district 12 being the poorest. Each district holds a special 'talent', such as mining, fishing, hunting etc. and they are the providers for the ultimate evil, the Capitol, which is presented as a more diverse version of New York.
The Capitol controls the districts, and makes sure no one rebels, by running annual Hunger Games, where two kids (one male and one female) from each district fight against other districts and each other and only one can be crowned a winner.

Katinss Everdeen volunteers to take place in the Hunger Games for her sister Prim, and therefore saves her life. Through her eyes, we truly see the evil that happens in Hunger Games  - most of the contestants show no mercy and don't mind slitting throats of 10 year olds. Allies are formed in order for the contestants to be stronger and lovers are created in order to appeal to the public (the entire games are filmed and shown in every district). Appealing to the public means that  you get potential help from sponsors, who might or might not save your life and help you win the games.

There is a lot more to the story, but as it is full of details it is best if you just trust me on this one and read the book.
There is lots of crying and holding your breath in the first book, so if you are looking for a thrill that is read by adults and teenagers (and is not 50 Shades of Grey), go read Hunger Games!
Stay tuned for part 2 and part 3 review!

xoxo Mandy