Been lost in the country Panem . . .

So I know I have been MIA for several days but I do have a very good reason, I swear!  I finally decided to read the Hunger Games trilogy, and boy what the heck was I waiting for?!



Synposis from Goodreads: "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."

My Thoughts & Review:
When I originally finished the book, I couldn't even put any decent thoughts together so I through a quick comment up on goodreads so I would remember the moment: "I can't say a lot not because my heart is still racing and Hunger Games literally left me breathless! I had to take several deep breaths after finishing it to try to settle my nerves and heart! Why oh Why did I wait so long to read this book?! Unfortunately now I have a wedding to go to and don't think it would be proper for me to sneek my nook in with me hahaha!"

As I said above when I first finished this book I was out of breath literally, my heart was racing and my hands were shaking. It was amazing that an author could get a reader so involved that the body actually reacts to the events taking place. I loved the characters Suzanne created and the world they live in could easily be imagined,unfortunately. The action in the book is fantastic, its a constant adrenaline rush and it kept me involved throughout the whole book.

My Rating: I have definitely added Hunger Games to my favorite books list. I definitely give this one Four Paws and Stump Wag! I had too much of a reaction to the book not to give it a top rating.



Synopsis from Goodreads: "Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol."

My Review: I read through this book really quickly, it really almost seemed like a transition book to me. Maybe it was the addition of allies that made the drama not as intense to me, but I wasn't left breathless or shaking like with the Hunger Games. Catching Fire definitely seemed to be moving more into the political battle as opposed to the main characters just trying to survive and get their digs in every once in a while. By the end though I did want to know what happened next and was eager to read the next book.

My Rating: Due to the fact that the first book left me so shaken, Catching Fire left me a little disappointed. So I give it a rating of Three Paws. It was a good book, one I kept reading but it didn't catch me the way I expected it too.

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding."

My Review: This final installment was a must read, you couldn't leave this trilogy without concluding it. Unfortunately for me, Katniss lost nearly all her appeal. I almost wish that Suzanne Collins had changed the protagonist for this third book. I was much more interested what was happening with the other characters involved. Again it was another mainly political conflict book, showing the deceit, head games, and power plays people are willing to do for gain in power. It seems that there is a trend lately with trilogies I have read that the ending seems kind of abrupt to me. It left me kind of puzzled as to how after all the conflict, that things just end. The resolution seems very thrown together and not carefully thought out as the rest of the trilogy.

My Rating: Unfortunately, Mockingjay just did not live up to my expectations but it was still an interesting read and needed to complete the trilogy. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.