Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

     Mockingjay, the action-packed conclusion to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy, brings us into the final weeks of the rebellion against the Capitol. Things have already been started, caught fire and now are ready to explode. It's hard to tell at times if Nuclear weapons will be the fate of humanity or if careful steps can preserve enough of a population to carry on.

     Katniss Everdeen, our protagonist through the trilogy, is still unsure where her heart beats in regards to Gale or Peeta. They're different but she loves them in a similar way. She continues to go back and forth with pros and cons of each but is undecided.

     Katniss agrees to be the rebel's Mockingjay figure, a face of the rebellion, but often strays from command to get into the heart of the action in dangerous situations risking it all for justice. She refuses to just stand by while people are dying which, in the end, leads her and some fellow rebels into the heart of the Capitol for the final mission to get to President Snow.

     It would seem the Hunger Games never ended. Throughout the streets of the Capitol, the Peacemakers have constructed various pods that release mutts and traps upon a close enough proximity to invaders. Capitol residents have, of course, fled their homes that lie within the booby-trapped blocks to seek safe shelter away from the danger of rebel invasions. Though the force field is gone and not just one can survive this game, the danger is as real as ever and not all that start the mission will be seeing the end. It would seem President Snow is pulling out all stops to protect himself.

Author Suzanne Collins

     As the action heats up to a blistering level, Katniss begins to question everyone around her. She's beginning to wonder if the rebels are using her as a piece in their own game against the Capitol just as the Capitol used her in a piece against the districts...but she doesn't let her doubts and worries distract her from getting to Snow.

     In a shocking, emotional conclusion, The Hunger Games trilogy ends with us in a rocked sense of hope for Panem.

     Don't miss this riveting conclusion to what is sure to be one of the best dystopian stories of our time. You can check it out from your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as a hardcover, paperback or audiobook. If you already know you'll love it, check out the entire trilogy.

Book 1: The Hunger Games
Book 2: Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

     In the second book of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, Katniss finds herself disliking life as one of the two victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games. In addition to having to parade around Panem in a Victory Tour while maintaining the story that Peeta and herself are lovers, her home life has become very difficult.

     President Snow is unhappy with the rebellion that seemed to spark when Katniss held out the poisonous berries. Districts seem to have found hope and promise in Katniss and are beginning to risk their lives to defy the Capitol. The fire is out of control, but President Snow holds Katniss responsible for the repair which cannot be done at this point.

Author Suzanne Collins

     In a disgusting turn of events, Katniss finds herself back in the arena with Peeta for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, a quarter quell. Every 25 years the Capitol does something even more sadistic than usual in the games and the District 12 victors are no longer as safe as they had previously thought.

Catching Fire Movie (11/22/13)

     With a personal feud between Katniss and President Snow, districts uprising and the Capitol residents experiencing shortage of supplies previously taken for granted, it's obvious that Catching Fire was appropriately titled for what is taking place in Panem. Can Katniss and Peeta survive another round in the arena?

     Check out Catching Fire from your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your kindle, as a paperback, hardcover or audiobook. If you already know you'll love it, check out the entire trilogy or the first book or movie based on it, The Hunger Games. The second movie, Catching Fire, will be released in theatres November 22, 2013.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

     The Hunger Games is the first novel of Suzanne Collins' futuristic, dystopian trilogy. America has fallen apart and taken new form as Panem under leadership of the Capitol. President Snow resides over twelve impoverished districts that are being punished for a previous uprising. The main punishment, the annual Hunger Games, is a last-child-standing fight to the death for 24 youth (a boy and a girl from each district) selected at random. The games are a reminder to each district that the Capitol is in control and is not to be questioned. The event is widely popular (in the Capitol) and televised all across Panem.

     Each district excels in different economical areas such as agriculture or coal mining and owes their various products to the Capitol. Those who try to take the product of their work are punishable by death. Peacemakers monitor each district to ensure cooperation and respect for the rules set up by the Capitol.

     This particular story centers on a character named Katniss Everdeen, an adventurous, strong young woman. She provides for her community and family by illegally leaving the "supposed-to-be-electrified" border of their district to hunt wild game in the woods. People survive in District 12 by trading primarily, but many die of starvation or illness because of limited access to money and adequate care while those residing in the Capitol are wealthy and well-versed in the luxuries of life.

      When the reaping (or the random selection of two Tributes from each district for The Hunger Games) takes place in District 12, Katniss' sister is called, but Katniss volunteers instead and is joined on stage by the baker's son, Peeta Mellark. From the reaping, the two District 12 tributes are taken to the Capitol to begin preparations for entering the Arena. Katniss and Peeta meet the only victor from District 12 in the previous 73 years of the Hunger Games, Haymitch, who is to guide them in preparing for their fast-approaching peril but his faith is lacking and his liquor is plentiful. It seems the only help the two will get will be from each other.

Author Suzanne Collins

     Things change in their team when Peeta and Katniss show themselves competitive and full of potential. A new fire is lit in the District 12 prep team...and possibly between Peeta and Katniss. This could-be romantic flame becomes the focus of the team in preparing the couple for the Hunger Games. This is the angle they can sell to the public to get sponsors (who can send vital life-sustaining supplies via air-drop throughout the games).

      Competing in this sadistic, less-than-human event but having to put up a cooperative, appreciative front to the Capitol just to get sponsors and keep the peace makes it difficult for Katniss to find motivation especially with her odds so low against Districts who raise their children specifically for the Hunger Games. If it weren't for her family back home, it might seem she'd given up before even making it to the Capitol.

     Once in the arena, numerous challenges present themselves to Katniss and Peeta. Gamemaker-produced forks are thrown in the road to make things "more exciting" and life becomes incredibly fragile what with surviving the elements as well as facing 23 other tributes set on winning the games for their own survival and District's benefit.

The Hunger Games Movie

Catching Fire Movie (11/22/13)

     Check out The Hunger Games to see what awaits Katniss in the arena and see what the Capitol (and rest of Panem) find of her behavior and decisions in the Games. The 74th Annual Hunger Games are unlike any other in history and are not to be missed. Check out a copy from your local library, buy it from Amazon for your kindle, as paperback, hardcover or audiobook. If you already know you'll love it, check out the entire trilogy or movie for the first book, The Hunger Games. The second movie, Catching Fire, will be released in theatres November 22, 2013.