Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I probably should have savored this and made it last a few days, instead of reading the entire thing the day it came out. But I am not good at moderation.  I would not want to give anything away so I’ll just say that I really liked it, found it exciting and very satisfying. What a fantastic trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire.)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

One of the most hotly anticipated YA novels of the fall, this is the sequel to last summer’s Hunger Games (actually it is the second in a projected trilogy.) It lived up to the high standard of dystopian shock and thrilling supsense that the author set in the first novel. There is definitely some unpleasant violence, as in the first one, too.

I really don’t want to say too much about the content of it because I was lucky enough to read it without knowing anything except that it was the next book and thus I was delightfully surprised and shocked by everything.  So I’ll just say that it is well paced for a trilogy (and don’t you dare do one more after that because then it will just drag on and not wrap up well), lots of the same characters return, and it was very exciting. I read this very quickly because it was hard to put down. I sort of liken it to The Empire Strikes Back in that the first one the rebels have success, the second one is dark but meaty and really intensifies the story. So let’s hope the third book, out next year I believe, wraps things up with the good guys winning. But no Ewoks, please.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I picked this up at ALA and there was already a buzz about this book.  Let tell you the briefest bit about it and see how intrigued you are….

In a future world in the area we know now as Appalachia, two children from each of twelve districts are chosen to participate in the “Hunger Games”.  These 24 are sent to an outdoor arena.  Only one can be the winner.  Everyone else must die.