You know an author has done a good job of building their world when you just don’t want to leave it. I have to confess, the first time I heard the premise of The Hunger Games, It didn’t leave a positive impression. The more praise it received and the more people talked it up…the less I wanted to read it.
My sister finally talked me into it, she’s good at that, and I was immediately sucked in.
Suzanne Collins built the world of Panem from the ground up, with so many details I felt like I was present in each new scene. She not only got you invested in the world, it was also the characters. She got you to care and love and cry about fictitious characters for years after reading the books.
I was so invested in that world that I bought The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes the moment it came out.
I was again impressed with Suzanne’s writing. If someone told me I would come to care what happened to President Snow I would have laughed in your face. That’s how good she is. I became so wrapped up in the story she told and the characters she portrayed that I would forget that I already knew how the story ended. Not only that, but I was rooting for a man I had come to absolutely loathe.
Hunger Games fans will love seeing how The Games came to be what they were. Once again she builds a completely unique world, different from what you know from The Hunger Games. Then she slowly leads you along a fascinating trail of how the world you’re in came to be the world you’ve known.
I must admit, I felt the book lagged a little about two-thirds of the way through. I found myself wondering a few times, how much longer is this?!
I’m still not sure how I felt about the ending, but then again I knew going in that this wasn’t a happily ever after kind of book. I am incredibly impressed that Suzanne had be believing it was for a good portion of the book. I would definitely recommend for fans of The Hunger Games or those who love a good Origin story. –NC
**** Low Language, Moderate Romance (nothing other than kissing, happens on page, but there is mention of girls selling themselves for food), High Violence, Low Religion
Another world that seemed to pull a lot of people in was Twilight. I never got into that world, however, two out of the three of us did.
Aimee…
I was at the perfect age to be a twi-hard and was firmly team Edward. Therefore, I was really excited to learn Stephenie Meyer‘s was writing Midnight Sun. Getting a look at Edward’s point of view, and missing out on a lot of Bella’s internal monologue was a definite plus.
I really enjoyed reading this book. You can see how Stephanie’s writing has improved since her first novel. Edward’s perspective was both a little darker and I felt, a little deeper. I also felt like James went from being a stereotypical bad guy in Twilight, to something a little more sinister which gave the story a little bit more depth as well.
If you’re a fan of Twilight, this is a fun read.
****Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion