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.

2014.....2015

Happy New Year... well,almost, it isn't midnight yet. 2014 has been a wild ride, and has been a very exciting year. I have achieved so many things, like getting School Captain and DUX of the school. I have earned and experienced many things, and I feel like this has been a successful year for me.

I hope your year was amazing as well. I hope that 2015 will bring many new and exciting opportunities.

I just want to thank all the people who viewed my blog and read it. I made this blog early February, and I have enjoyed sharing about what books I have been reading.

It's been a really great time for me, writing for the public and for people who have similar interests. Hopefully I will have enough time next year to write things still, for as I enter high school, I am sure it will be a very busy year.

I am, honestly, a bit sad for this year to end. I might even say this has been the best year of my life. So many things have happened, it's like I just want it to go on forever. 2015 will come, and I can't stop time, but 2014 has been a fantastic year for me.

I am not going to make a list of best 2014 books as you may expect me. One, because I can't view my bookshelf right now because I am in a different room typing this, and two, I couldn't possibly choose. I have been pretty lucky reading great books this year.

Happy New Year. and good luck for the future as we enter 2015!

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Books and Book Series That Will Change Your Life.

I felt like writing this because I feel as we are in the holidays , you may want to add these books to your list to either buy or borrow. Okay, some are for children, but the ones aimed at children adults most likely read when they were younger. So, without further ado, let's look at what books and book series will change your life.

Children's/Tween Book Series:

Little House on The Prairie series- Laura Ingalls Wilder: These books are true stories about Laura herself and are just so cute and beautiful that I think every child- no person- once in their lives should read this series. Honestly, try and find this series anywhere you can, some people are bound to have it stashed somewhere.

The Famous Five series- Enid Blyton: I enjoy these books as much as my parents did when they were kids. They are classic detective stories and feature the same lovable, curious, intelligent children and dog in each book, and each story is original. The great things about this series is that there are loads of books and once you read one, you gradually forget about the story line, then you pick it up two years later and you can read it again.

Once series- Morris Gleitzman: This series of four books simply titled Once, Then, Now, and After are sure to engage any reader, whether they don't like reading or do. They are WWII books and the story line is so compelling and unique that it just makes the series special. It also uses humour and portrays the innocence of children during those terrible times. The two main characters throughout two of the books are just excellent. Read it, please. Or give it to someone who just isn't fond of reading. I bet that this series will turn them into avid readers.

Harry Potter- J.K Rowling. Everybody has heard of this. I can guarantee nearly every kid over the age of 6 will say they know what Harry Potter is. And if you haven't read the books, then I am sorry, but you have some serious things to think about. They are so good. Too good. And now that Rowling is releasing a new set of stories on Pottermore, it is just going to get better. Start. Reading. Now. If you have, then congratulations. Your life has been changed.

Children's/Tween Books:

Bridge to Terabithia- Katherine Paterson. I honestly can't say in words how this story will change your life. I think I did a Book Look on this and it is just so well written. A story of friendships, loss and passion. Take a look at the Book Look for more info.

The Secret Garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett. You may not think the story of a garden and a sour girl will change a life. But it will. It makes us look at the world differently. Makes us think. And, it's a classic. What classics have you read that haven't left a lasting impression on you, positive or negative? Although it took a while to read, it made me wonder. And dream, about what life was like back then.

I don't really have any more to add to the single books for children and tweens. I either haven't read very many life changing ones or I forget as the years go on what books I have read.

Tween/Teen Books:

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas- John Boyne. This story warms your heart, makes it burst, then floods your eyes. I read this when I was younger, Year Four, I think. I was, and I'm not bragging, but very mature in my tastes, and I still am. So I was able to handle this book. It's perfect for a rainy day. It haunts your mind for days after reading it. I think I even did a review for it, one of my earlier ones. Check that out if you want to know more.

The Fault In Our Stars- John Green. Just read it. You know what it's about, and if you loosely don't know what it is about, WHERE ARE YOU FROM WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING ARE YOU AN ALIEN LIFE FORM? Sorry, had to say that. Inspirational. I did a post on it earlier. Look at that to see how I felt reading it. This book is more for teens.

Harry Potter- J.K Rowling. I'm sorry, teens can absolutely, positively, read this too. Along with adults.

YA/Adult Books:

I have only ever read one book that adults read in my life-

The Book Thief- Markus Zusak. This book has influenced my life so much. I think differently about WWII than I ever did before. It's a beautiful story. Originally, it was planned to be an 100 page novella. It turned out to be a 584 paged novel. Cool.

Tomorrow, When The War Began- John Marsden. I can't say that I would die for this book. But, never the less, it leaves an impact. A sensational story of survival, trust, danger, war. I tried reading the second book, but I was tired with it and needed a break. I will get back to it sometime. I know I will. It's quite enjoyable, and grips you.

That's it, I think. If I add anymore, I will update the post.

Farewell, for now.

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A Huge Disappointment

A little while ago, I posted a, well, post, about a book I had read, the first in a Victorian detective trilogy, called 'A Spy in the House', by Y.S Lee. I really loved that book, and was very excited to read the next one, 'The Body at the Tower.'

So I borrowed this second book from the library. I read three quarters of it. And barely five minutes ago, I got to chapter Twenty One, took out the bookmark, closed the book, and put it away.

I hardly am the type of person to do this. Number one, probably all books I read I like. Number two, I don't like giving up on reading a book when I have a few chapters to go (and when I saw a few, I mean, like, ten.) So, I am going to share with you why I kind of disliked this book.

First of all, beautiful, cunning Mary Quinn, has to cut her hair. Not a bob, not in an attractive style like Hazel from the Fault In Our Stars, not shoulder length. No, it's cut  so its nearly bald in some parts, furry in others, so it looks like someone shaved her head blindfolded. Now, I don't know about you, but that just ruined her image. Okay, she had to pretend to be a poor boy on a construction site, it would have blown her cover if she had long hair. So it was logical. Just... I don't know how to explain it. You may think I'm being a little over the top and sounding like a girl who screams "OMG MY NAILS! THEY'RE RUINED!" But really, I just didn't like that.

Also, the plot was boring. I was really engaged when I heard about a man who fell from a clock tower to his death, but then it just dragged on and on and on about all this stuff that I just didn't want or need to know. The story could have been way better. I was expecting it to be way better. But it was just too  complex. Lee could have simplified it and then made it more engaging. Maybe its just me, because I don't understand some of that stuff yet. The words explaining boring things I would just read and not factor them into my mind or understand them. I would just read what is on the page and my mind would be elsewhere.

It wasn't all bad, though. James Easton came back. It's a bit funny seeing Mary adapting in a young boy's life. I just found it went on and on, droning, almost. And, what is worth reading if you don't like it?
Looking on Amazon reviews for this book, everyone who reviewed loved it. I liked it. Okay, I actually did like it. But it just wasn't the same as the first book for me. And that is what made me disappointed. The overall topic, character development, settting, language was really great. Just some parts didn't click.

If I were to rate it, I would rate it....3 stars.


Sorry, I had to get this out of my system. Catch up later.

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