I enjoyed this final installment more than a lot of people did, I think. But all I really expected out of it was to know what was going to happen, and it delivered on that. I was pretty satisfied with the way it ended. I liked the twists of the solution to the horrible Capitol not being an ideal solution. I liked what Katniss chose as far as her relationships go... but it was pretty set up for the way it went. I think I could have been happy with the other options there, too.
Overall, a pretty exciting series. I know it won't stick with me the way Narnia or Harry Potter did. These books just aren't nearly as good. But very entertaining, and I'd recommend them.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins
I haven't read a book in two days in... well, I did it earlier this week, and I did it again. Catching Fire captivated me just as much as The Hunger Games. I was initially a little disappointed with the repetition (both with the relationships, and the plot), but the author ultimately did a fine job keeping it fresh for me. I do wish that the author would be a little more bold with taking risks with some of the characters, but overall, I'm loving this saga.
The end of this book confirmed a prediction I had made pretty early on in the first book. Normally, I criticize predictability, but, really, there are only so many roads a book in this genre can take (so, also for that reason, I'm not taking too much credit for my prediction). I'm excited to read the third and see how this all ends!
The end of this book confirmed a prediction I had made pretty early on in the first book. Normally, I criticize predictability, but, really, there are only so many roads a book in this genre can take (so, also for that reason, I'm not taking too much credit for my prediction). I'm excited to read the third and see how this all ends!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
It's been a long time since I've read a book in two days, probably since the great Harry Potter feast of 2007 when I devoured seven books in two weeks. This book had me hooked from about page four, and I was resenting anything that took me away from it.
It is an Orwell/Bradbury-esque tale in a postapocolyptic United States where the government is firmly in control. There was definitely a lot of commentary on pop culture, especially television. It was also surprisingly gruesome for a young adults novel. But they kept it very clean with the romance. I always find that very interesting - that brutal, bloody gore is more acceptable than romance.
The characters in this book have a lot of depth. The main character, Katniss, is cool, hard and calculating... yet very likeable. You really get a feel in very short order for what makes the other contestants in the Games tick. The drunken mentor is a GREAT character. Peeta's character unfolds at a perfect pace.
I'm just not going to say any more about this book. I think you should read it. Best to read it on a plane or on vacation where you won't be forced to constantly set it down. If you do choose to read it while going about your normal day, please look ahead of you every now and then so you don't walk into any streetlights.
It is an Orwell/Bradbury-esque tale in a postapocolyptic United States where the government is firmly in control. There was definitely a lot of commentary on pop culture, especially television. It was also surprisingly gruesome for a young adults novel. But they kept it very clean with the romance. I always find that very interesting - that brutal, bloody gore is more acceptable than romance.
The characters in this book have a lot of depth. The main character, Katniss, is cool, hard and calculating... yet very likeable. You really get a feel in very short order for what makes the other contestants in the Games tick. The drunken mentor is a GREAT character. Peeta's character unfolds at a perfect pace.
I'm just not going to say any more about this book. I think you should read it. Best to read it on a plane or on vacation where you won't be forced to constantly set it down. If you do choose to read it while going about your normal day, please look ahead of you every now and then so you don't walk into any streetlights.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski
I loved this book... until I didn't. And the didn't happened about 2/3 of the way through. This book might have the WORST ending of any book I've ever read.
The book takes place on a farm with a dog kennel in rural Wisconsin in the 1970s. The interactions with the family and the dogs as they are breeding and training them are wonderful. The relationships are sweet and believable. The writing and description of every scene is beautiful. This author is quite the wordsmith. The author sets up all kinds of interesting mysteries and character traits that leave you wanting to learn more.
But you never get more. You know what they say about there being a gun on the wall in the first act? There were about a dozen guns on the wall in this book that never get spoken of again, let alone fired. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I'm going to point out a few: what's the truth behind the original Forte story? Edgar is certain that what he's told isn't true, but then the story never returns. Where does the new Forte ever go? He keeps popping up, and you think he has a purpose, but, then..... nothing. Why was Claude in prison? What's the backstory of the brothers? We're told that someday Edgar will learn the story of his parents - what a lie that is! What about the voluminous number of pages dealing with the history of the breeding and the ancestors' debates? Were those just little stories that didn't actually have ANYTHING to do with the book? I guess so.
I don't require a particular type of ending to love a book. Happy, sad, ambiguous... all are fine with me if it is the right ending for that book. This was not. This talented author butchered an otherwise lovely book. What a shame.
P.s. I'm told that this book is modeled after Shakespeare. I wouldn't know, being an avid Shakespeare hater. But, if this author was being Shakespearean, it reinforces my hatred of said author.
The book takes place on a farm with a dog kennel in rural Wisconsin in the 1970s. The interactions with the family and the dogs as they are breeding and training them are wonderful. The relationships are sweet and believable. The writing and description of every scene is beautiful. This author is quite the wordsmith. The author sets up all kinds of interesting mysteries and character traits that leave you wanting to learn more.
But you never get more. You know what they say about there being a gun on the wall in the first act? There were about a dozen guns on the wall in this book that never get spoken of again, let alone fired. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I'm going to point out a few: what's the truth behind the original Forte story? Edgar is certain that what he's told isn't true, but then the story never returns. Where does the new Forte ever go? He keeps popping up, and you think he has a purpose, but, then..... nothing. Why was Claude in prison? What's the backstory of the brothers? We're told that someday Edgar will learn the story of his parents - what a lie that is! What about the voluminous number of pages dealing with the history of the breeding and the ancestors' debates? Were those just little stories that didn't actually have ANYTHING to do with the book? I guess so.
I don't require a particular type of ending to love a book. Happy, sad, ambiguous... all are fine with me if it is the right ending for that book. This was not. This talented author butchered an otherwise lovely book. What a shame.
P.s. I'm told that this book is modeled after Shakespeare. I wouldn't know, being an avid Shakespeare hater. But, if this author was being Shakespearean, it reinforces my hatred of said author.
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