Catching Fire

This is probably the best out of the two Hunger Games books I have read so far (I have yet to read the rest of Mockingjay). It's so exciting and sad and action packed and beautiful that I just couldn't stop reading it.

The new characters added and the unique plot twist (if you have read the book you'll know what I mean) add so much to the book and the series.......

Guys, I am actually sitting here trying to figure out what to say. I am really lost for words. Ummm.... hmmm.....

Oh! Primrose. Her character is so much more interesting than in the first book. In the first book she is seen as a small, innocent child, who wants cuddles and is stubborn in that little kid way. In this book, she changes into what seems like a young woman- not by age, but by what she has seen and learnt. She takes care of the wounded and sick when helping her mother, and in one part reassures and calms Katniss. She is now mature, and I think that is exactly how she should have been in Catching Fire. She shouldn't have stayed the little girl she was.

Gale has changed too. From being Katniss's best friend and secretly her admirer, hunting in the woods together and confiding in each other, he has become so mixed up with his feelings about the big change in his life, and about what he feels for Katnip- sorry- Katniss. He has grown wiser too, but he was also very wise and knowledgeable before, so that isn't a huge change. It's the fact we have seen a less confident. confused side of himself that I was interested to see.

Peeta has changed, but not dramatically, he is more cautious and confident, but the same Peeta, way deep down, is still there, under all the acting he has to do. Katniss, as the main character, has changed a HEAP, but I'm not going to say anything more about her, for fear I would spoil some things.

I was really engaged when reading this book. The suspense and action was great. And, even with the same characters, it was really nothing like the first book. I hope others agree with me on this one. New characters, new story, new amazing outfits for Katniss (I love those parts!) and more EVERYTHING!

I am really excited to see what Mockingjay will bring. I am going to be sad that the series will end, but I am sure the ending will please me. But Catching Fire- what a book!

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Circus of the Unseen

Well, I am back from my holiday, and it was very enjoyable and fun. I had a great time as I do every year, and I am hungry to write some more for you guys!

I did promise a recap on Catching Fire, and I will do so. But firstly, I will be discussing a book I just finished before the points escape my mind.

Circus of the Unseen by Joanne Owen is a book about magic, mystery, history and fantasy, and finding that there's 'no place like home.' It's a story that is different from quite a lot of things I have read.

Rosie recently has an accident at her grandmother's house, who recently and tragically passed away. She wakes in a world different to any other, with people who can do the impossible, and a big circus full of the maddest things. She learns that she is equal in power to Mother Matushka, the Mother of all the beings in the 'world'.Rosie's powers, in fact, make everything go silly and out of order, and while she is struggling to find out where she belongs- in the Circus of the Unseen- or on earth, she learns that the mysterious place and two people in it are strongly linked to her grandmother and her eventful and sad past.

The development of the story in this book is weak. Would you think that if you woke up somewhere you didn't know, without contact with anyone you know, and where things are freaky and weird, that you would make a decision to stay in that place forever or return to your loved ones on earth in 195 pages? It was barely enough. How could a young girl choose that quickly, based on someone distantly related to her? I still don't understand. I feel it was a bit rushed.

Speaking of it feeling a bit rushed, the pace was a teeny weeny bit too fast for me. I like books spaced out a bit more, more feelings, emotions, words, descriptions. Not that it didn't deliver these things, because it did quite well, but it was just rushed a bit and I felt like I hadn't really- now this is going to sound weird- breathed in and inhaled the story and thought about it.

However, the plot was extremely original. I never guessed things that were going to happen, particularly in the last chapter or so of the book, Rosie's grandmother knowing about a whole different world between life and death, the setting was magical, the plot was just one of a kind. I can't say anymore without spoiling it.

The characters were great too. Every single one was different. To name a few- Scarlett had a bright personality and she always wore elegant and stylish clothes. Coco and Lola were young girls who looked like little old ladies with wrinkled skin and small, black teeth. Each character was unique in their own way, and I could picture each one perfectly in my mind,

One last thing. The cover. It is so cool, I love it. There are images on the front that you have NO IDEA what they mean until you read the book, and then it all makes COMPLETE SENSE. Take a look-

See what I mean? I love it, and that is exactly what drew me to the book.

That is just about it for this discussion. You know what? I am going to call these sorts of posts discussions. Okay. Discussions.

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Catching Fire

I absolutely loved this book. I really am lost for words. This book is absolutely AMAZING!  I love every second of it.

I will write a proper recap on it later, I am still thinking about it, and what I am going to say.  You will see by how much I have written that I am really lost for words. It was brilliant. I am also saving my words for the recap or discussion or what ever you want to call it.

Also, next week I will not be posting anything because I am going on holidays. So, see you round, if I don't post anything this week I will be back in two weeks.

Bye!
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The Whole 'Current Book/s I'm Reading' Thing.

Well, guys, just to update you on some info. I put up a little thing saying 'Current Book/s I'm Reading' and I finished Catching fire, but I read two books at a time. I am what i call a 'Multi-reader', who can read two different books and still keep track of where I am up to in each book, and I alternate so I read one book in the day and the other at night.

SO wanted to put Mockingjay AND the Icicle Illuminarium both up there, but it wouldn't let me. So, I scratched the whole 'Current Book/s' thing. Just to let you know.