Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1) by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.

Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.
~~~~~~


Reading this series along with my 12 year old. Since it is by the author of 'Hunger Games' I was expecting a great read. I was not disappointed. Both my daughter and I enjoyed this first book in the series.

Keeping in mind that this is a children's book, the adventure that Greogor finds himself involved in is quite enthralling. I found that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. What a fantastical world Collins has created in Underland. With talking roaches, spiders, bats and rats. As Gregor realizes that he is the prophesied Warrior who can save the humans from war with the rats, he also has to worry about taking care of his baby sister Boots and discovering that his father who disappeared over 2 years ago is in Underland and being help as prisoner by the rats. All in all a very emotional journey that we get to join the questors on. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series as soon as I can get it from my daughter.



View all my reviews

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.


~~~~~~~~~~


What to say about this final book in the Hunger Games...... I found myself slowing down towards the end because I was so immersed in the world of Panem and the lives of the characters that I did not want to finish. The entire trilogy is heart wrenching, edge of your seat, can't stop reading but this final book takes it up a notch. The devastation that The Huger Games have inflicted on the lives of our characters is just beginning to be seen. In this final book we see what physical and emotional damage they have all endured and their struggle to overcome things that are truly unbearable. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time and when it begins to fade I believe that I will be ready to read it again as a reminder of what true horror is and what it can do to the human spirit.



View all my reviews

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.
~~~~



I was worried that the author would not be able to follow up the first book in the Hunger Game series, but was wrong! She did a wonderful job of continuing the story. I am glad that we got to see more of Katniss's life outside of the Hunger Games and what life was like in District 12 as well as get a glimpse into the other Districts. While the uprising is kind of played out behind the scenes, it still has a huge impact on the story line. I am very much looking forward to the next book just to see what will happen. How can Katniss possibly make a choice between Peeta and Gale? Will she even get the opportunity or will the choice be taken away from her. Will the uprising be a success and if it is what will the survivors do? So many questions left to be answered.



View all my reviews

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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 one 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 dead 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

~~~



I am late to read this book. I really wanted to wait until I had all 3 books in my hands to start reading and in hindsight I am glad that I waited. I would have been very upset if I had to wait to read #2. That being said there is not a lot for me to add to what others have already said. The book grabs you right from the start. I was moved to tears from the beginning when Prim's name is chosen in the drawing. The characters are developed brilliantly and the pace of the book is perfect. I did not want to put it down until I finished it, but at the same time, I did not want to finish it because I did not want it to end. Most of the story was believable even though it would be a horrific reality. I did have a little trouble with the reincarnated/genetically engineered(?) wolf creatures. I saw no purpose for them unless the author plans to follow up in a latter book. I am not sure how the author is going to be able to follow up in the next 2 books now that the Hunger Games have ended, but I am looking forward to finding out.



View all my reviews