Book Blog #404: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman

 

Title: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

Author: Matt Dinniman

# of Pages: 524 (ebook)

Genre: Adult, Adventure, Dystopia

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis: Welcome to the Gun Show! The top 10 list is populated. The sponsorship program is open. The difficulty is ramping up. The first three floors were nothing compared to what Carl and Donut now face. The Iron Tangle. An impossibly complicated subway system built out of the world's subterranean railway systems, all combined and then tied together into a knot. Up is down. Down is up. Close is far. The cars are filled with monsters, the railway stations are less than safe, and the exit is always just a few stops away. But there is hope. For the first time, the crawlers are all working together. The loot is better than ever. And the secret to unraveling it all may be hidden in the pages of a seemingly useless book. Welcome, crawlers. Welcome to the fourth floor of the dungeon.

Review: This might be my favorite DCC so far in the series. 

I saw this book was actually the lowest rated in the whole series on Goodreads, with many reviews citing the train concept as being a drag. Dinniman even puts a disclaimer at the beginning of the book saying that the train system is complicated and that it's a puzzle for Carl and co to figure out, not the reader. I will say that the train system didn't affect my interest in the book (and if you go in aiming to have a surface level understanding, it should be enough to follow the plot). However, if you need to have a warning that your book is hard to understand, it might be a sign that something should be done about it (maybe add more visuals or focus only on the most important parts of the complex system). 

Trains aside, what really stood out was how the plot showcased a lot of returning characters! This felt like a turning point in the series where there's enough character and world building and now the books can focus on interpersonal relationships, teamwork, etc, which is something I really love to read about. Even though there was less crass humor and Moredecai was MIA for large parts of the book, the amount of returning characters and their interactions still elevated the book enough to be engaging.

Would recommend this one if you're already invested in the series!

Book Blog #327: Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

 

Title: Land of Milk and Honey 

Author: C Pam Zhang

# of Pages: 240 (hardback)

Genre: Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis: A smog has spread. Food crops are rapidly disappearing. A chef escapes her dying career in a dreary city to take a job at a decadent mountaintop colony seemingly free of the world’s troubles. There, the sky is clear again. Rare ingredients abound. Her enigmatic employer and his visionary daughter have built a lush new life for the global elite, one that reawakens the chef to the pleasures of taste, touch, and her own body. In this atmosphere of hidden wonders and cool, seductive violence, the chef’s boundaries undergo a thrilling erosion. Soon she is pushed to the center of a startling attempt to reshape the world far beyond the plate.

Review: What a whirlwind. This could be anywhere from a 2 star to a 4 star.

I thought this would be a quick read, but the "abstract"/"artsy" writing style really slowed me down. I had to carefully read each passage to make sure I didn't miss anything amongst the rambling comparisons with food (be prepared for sex and food references to be intertwined - was not expecting to read about cooking and lesbian sex at the same time). 

I liked how the book tackles the topic of what dystopia our world would be in with climate change + pollution. I could really feel the desperation and despair, and the ending was much more readable and not too predictable. This made me consider even giving it 4 stars. However, Zhang also addresses topics such as rich vs poor, family, and identity which cluttered the story - I would have preferred Zhang to dive into one or two of these "deep" topics rather than try to address them all.

The progression of the plot slowed a lot in the middle - this already short book could probably be even shorter.

I don't think this book is worth the read. 

Book Blog #306: Severance by Ling Ma

 

Title: Severance

Author: Ling Ma

# of Pages: 291 (hardback)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis: Candace Chen, a millennial drone self-sequestered in a Manhattan office tower, is devoted to routine. So she barely notices when a plague of biblical proportions sweeps New York. Then Shen Fever spreads. Families flee. Companies halt operations. The subways squeak to a halt. Soon entirely alone, still unfevered, she photographs the eerie, abandoned city as the anonymous blogger NY Ghost. Candace won’t be able to make it on her own forever, though. Enter a group of survivors, led by the power-hungry IT tech Bob. They’re traveling to a place called the Facility, where, Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew. But Candace is carrying a secret she knows Bob will exploit. Should she escape from her rescuers?

Review: I'm surprised thriller wasn't a top genre for this book. 

It's interesting because this book felt like a cross between the last two books I read: Migrations and Beautiful World, Where Are You. This is probably me noticing small similarities; Ma also doesn't use quotation marks around dialogue like in Beautiful World, Where Are You. Both Severance and Migrations were told in first person with time skipping (something I don't enjoy). However, where Severance and Migrations differ is that Migration's time skips helped build suspense and slowly unveiled a mystery while as Severance attempted to do a lower scale version of this with Candace's life during the Shen Fever, but it's much less exciting.

Beautiful World, Where Are You and Migrations also differ from this book in another major way; these books made me feel something - they touched my heart or evoked emotion (usually sympathy/sadness) at least once throughout their stories. For Severance, I was just scared during some parts (there's always a bit of a thrill when characters are exploring an apocalyptic world and the suspense of what would happen/show up). Candace might have been a more realistic protagonist than Franny in Migrations (and this might have been because Ma may have drawn from her experiences to develop this character since they have similarities in their backgrounds), but when it came down to who's story was more interesting, I would have to say it was Franny's.

This story actually is a little too real; it was written pre-pandemic, but there are some startling similarities between how this dystopian world was impacted by the Shen Fever and how the real world was affected by COVID-19. This is no fault on the author/book, but since everyone has lived through the pandemic, Severance didn't offer much unique perspective in terms of dystopian world building (thus making it less of an interesting story to read). Considering that she wrote this before knowing how COVID was to be handled in our past and present, I do still applaud her unintentional prediction of how the world would respond to a pandemic/epidemic. 

The final gripe I have with this book is that the ending was incredibly unsatisfying to me. It feels like this book should be part of a series, but at the same time I don't know how interested I would be in reading the rest of the series. The ending felt like Ma was tired of writing and left a lot of questions unanswered. Sometimes there's an art of leaving the reader wondering, but in this case it felt like the story barely got anywhere when it suddenly ended.

On a more positive note, I really liked the theme of change vs routine that Ma decided to explore with this book. Set in New York, one of the most upbeat and diverse cities where things seem to be full of change - everything is happening in New York. This backdrop was an interesting choice to show how the people within can still be stuck in a monotonous lifestyle. While Severance's plot an overdone apocalyptic journey, it still sends a powerful message on how a capitalistic society can negatively affect our values and in turn affect how we lead our lives. 

This book had potential, but it falls short. It's a quick read, but I would not be recommending it in a hurry; the theme is worth reading about, but I feel like there are other books out there that will have a similar message AND everything that this book was missing. 

Book Blog #299: The Emissary by Yoko Tawada

 

Title: The Emissary

Author: Yoko Tawada

# of Pages: 138 (paperback)

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Synopsis: Japan, after suffering from a massive irreparable disaster, cuts itself off from the world. Children are so weak they can barely stand or walk: the only people with any get-go are the elderly. Mumei lives with his grandfather Yoshiro, who worries about him constantly. They carry on a day-to-day routine in what could be viewed as a post-Fukushima time, with all the children born ancient—frail and gray-haired, yet incredibly compassionate and wise. Mumei may be enfeebled and feverish, but he is a beacon of hope, full of wit and free of self-pity and pessimism. Yoshiro concentrates on nourishing Mumei, a strangely wonderful boy who offers “the beauty of the time that is yet to come.”

Review: Even though this book is so short, it took me FOREVER to get through it. 

Like many dystopian science fiction, this alternate version of Japan experience environmental disaster where many food sources are contaminated, the youth are sickly, and the elderly live forever. This quirky story is told in the third person (and a couple of times switched to first person without warning) that does third POV switching quite often. To make it more confusing, there is a decent amount of time skipping as well, especially at the end. 

All the characters have some sort of stream of consciousness where they reflect on themselves and the world around them in most artful and, to me, drawn out and boring way possible. There wasn't much of a plot; it's more like a slice of life with no clear direction on where the story is going, which in term made me very disinterested in the book in general.

I was debating on whether to give this book three stars just because I feel like I am missing something here. But based on a single pass through alone (and how long it took me to finish the book), I was not entertained, and this book was overall burdensome for me to read. I would not recommend this book.

Book Blog #289: The Testament by Margaret Atwood

 

Title: The Testament

Author: Margaret Atwood

# of Pages: 13 hours and 18 minutes (audiobook)

Genre: Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Synopsis: When the van door slammed on Offred’s future at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale, readers had no way of telling what lay ahead for her – freedom, prison or death. With The Testaments, the wait is over. Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story 15 years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

Review: This is the sequel no one ACTUALLY asked for. 

The ambiguous ending of The Handmaid's Tale was GREAT. Just because it leaves readers wondering doesn't mean the author should actually "give the readers what they want." In fact, it's usually better to leave things up to interpretation. But what can you do? Giving people what they want sells (take the Star Wars movies by Disney for example). 

Honestly, I didn't listen too closely to this book. Once I realized there were three different POV, I became incredibly exasperated. There are two perspectives (Agnes and Daisy) who sound very similar (the only difference is one lives in Gilead and the other lives in Canada) at least in the audiobook. 

The plot was not interesting, the organization of the three POVs was poor. I would not recommend this book. 

Book Blog #270: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 

Author: Suzanne Collins

# of Pages: 517 (hardback)

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis: It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Review: This is the prequel no one ever asked for.

I was surprised to see that this book existed. Another book in The Hunger Games series? But like any wildly successful series, those involved in making this book come into existence probably couldn't let a good thing just end. 

When I was scrolling though the reviews, I was apprehensive to give this book a shot. The good reviews seemed to be hardcore Hunger Games fans who hadn't even read the book yet. The bad reviews were evidence of the worst case scenario: the book was unfinishable for some. However,  after finishing, I don't think it's as bad as people say. I was even tempted to rate it four stars because I was fully immersed at the end. Here's why I decided to only give it three:

1. There's a lot of fluff. A lot of eating, a lot of characters introduced with little significance. This book didn't have to be as long as it was (and it was undoubtably made longer by the repeated inclusion of mentor and tributes lists and song lyrics).

2. Snow's character development throughout the book could have been more convincing. We all know how this book is going to end (assuming the reader has read The Hunger Games series). President (Coriolanus) Snow is not exactly a likable character in the main books. What makes the premise of this story interesting it that it takes the reader back to when Coriolanus Snow was 18, a time when he was no more or less evil than any other person just entering adulthood. He's presented as our protagonist but some how has to become the antagonist that is present in The Hunger Games series. I was expecting to be able to sympathize with Snow and understand how his life events turned him into the man he eventually became, but the execution of this change (or revelation) of his character felt too sudden. 

If you are a hardcore fan of The Hunger Games series and were already excited for this book, go ahead and give it a read. I was a big fan of the main books, but didn't have much interest in reading this book other than out of curiosity on what story there was to be told in a prequel. I don't regret reading it, but I don't think I needed to read this book either. Would only recommend to those who are genuinely interested. 

Book Blog #215: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
# of Pages: 384 (ebook)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
Review: Although it took me a long time to finish this book (partially because of school), it was a very enjoyable read.

I starting reading Ready Player One after I watched the movie and realized it was based off a book. The movie was thrilling, but I had my suspicions that it deviated from the original story since many movies glamorize characters for the big screen.

These suspicions proved to be correct; the way the main characters are described in the book are much closer to what I'd expect characters like them to look like in their situation rather than the beautiful actors they used in the movie.

It's been over-said, but it's definitely applicable here: the book is better than the movie. I don't want to spoil anything, but one of the characters experiences a different series of events than they do in the movie, and what happens to them in the book has a greater impact than the character did as a whole in the movie. (I know I'm being vague, but it's the best I can do).

I would 100% recommend this book. While it took me a while to finish it, it should be a very quick read; once you start reading it, you won't want to put it down.

Book Blog #209: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Title: Monsters of Men
Author: Patrick Ness
# of Pages: 603 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Three armies march on New Prentisstown, each one intent on destroying the others. Todd and Viola are caught in the middle, with no chance of escape. As the battles commence, how can they hope to stop the fighting? How can there ever be peace when they're so hopelessly outnumbered?
Review: This is yet another book I meant to read three to four years ago but never got the chance to.

In the midst of my reading frenzy to finish the books on my to-read shelf I bought but no longer have a strong interest in, I was trying to put off this book as much as possible. It's the third book of a series I haven't read in years,  and I could remember the book that preceded it was lack-luster. To top it off, the book is relatively longer than the rest of the books on my to-read shelf. With these factors in mind, I knew this read would take around a week (it ended up only taking 5-6 days), and I wasn't sure if this book was worth my time.

But I decided to stop putting it off; the sooner I read it and got it over with the better off I would be. Grudgingly, I began reading this over 600 page book...

Which presents us with the first problem with Monsters of Men; it's unnecessarily long. Part of the book's lengthiness comes from the point-of-view switching, an aspect of the book that has carried over from the second book. Although there are some authors who can tell a story from different first person perspectives effectively, Ness makes each point of view overlap with one another which means the reader has to hear about each event at least twice.

Sure, some may say the POV switching is as important in this book as it is in Allegiant (Divergent #3). Yes, some events in the book may depend appear to rely on a POV switch to be able to be told at all. But both Monsters of Men and Allegiant could have been told from one perspective and still include all the important parts of the plot; it is up to the author to figure out how it can be done. To me, first person POV switching is a sign of sloppy writing and immediately weakens the immersion into the story.

The struggle between war and peace is central to the plot but the constant back-and-forth between the two drags on for way too long. Ness takes his time developing relationships and resolving conflicts between different characters which just drags the book on even longer. Not to mention how the book comes to an end, only for there to be an "additional side story!" that goes on for another 40 pages from yet ANOTHER perspective.

However, there are still some good themes in this book.

I almost didn’t want to read the Snowscape side story. I had finished reading Todd’s story; I don’t carry about the secondary characters. But Ness wrote this additional story to make his revenge theme even clearer. Dawson felt “the act of firing the middle” did not compensate for the loss of her husband” (p.641).

“But then, revenge never does, does it? Because everything you buy has a price that someone, somewhere has to pay” -p.642

Like in the book The Revenant, Monsters of Men reveals the negative aspects of revenge. However, while The Revenant focused on the damaging effects in the pursuit of revenge, MoM concentrated on displaying the effect during and after the revenge (not only shown during the side story but also through 1017 and his ongoing desire for revenge against Todd).

In the main part of the book, when Viola is pondering whether people’s Noise should be opened to everyone or closed within individuals, she suddenly thinks:

“Why can’t we learn to live with how we are? And whatever anybody chooses is okay by the rest of us?” -p.590

Viola’s thought applies to those beyond the New World. From his series consisting of both inner and outer species conflict and homosexual relationships such as 1017 with his one and Ben with Cillian in raising Todd, Ness’s message is clear: despite people’s differences, everyone should be able to live their lives as they truly are, not by how others believe lives should be led.

If you are okay with POV switching (which I clearly am not) and have already enjoyed the first two books, you will probably enjoy this book. However, although I cannot remember much of the first two books, Monsters of Men seems to be the weakest book in the trilogy.

Book Blog #157: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Title: Landry Park
Author: Bethany Hagen
# of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Madeline Landry is practically Gentry royalty. Her ancestor developed the nuclear energy that has replaced electricity, and her parents exemplify the glamour of the upper class. As for Madeline, she would much rather read a book than attend yet another debutante ball. But when she learns about the devastating impact the Gentry lifestyle—her lifestyle—is having on those less fortunate, her whole world is turned upside down. As Madeline begins to question everything she has been told, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty—her family and the estate she loves dearly—and desire.
Review: "I dug out an old book from my bag and held it over my head, but the rain was falling in sheets and curtains" (104).

WHAT?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

DON'T USE BOOKS AS UMBRELLAS!

~~~

When I began reading this book, my first instinct was to hate it. Everything – the dialogue, the setting, the people – seemed so fake. I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a world that had been developed two-hundred years ago. Instead, it felt as if everyone was as unfamiliar with the world as I was. 

I thought the society Hagen’s created was a bit peculiar. I love reading books with the components of the Regency era, and I love books from the science fiction/dystopian genre. But putting those two together? I’m not exactly sure if they mixed well.

The characters are hard to relate to. Madeline, (without giving too much away), makes choices that I can’t really understand. I can’t understand most of the characters’ way of thinking; I can’t relate to them and their problems (and not just because they’re freakin’ rich either). 

Nevertheless, this book was addictive, and the fact that I finished it in a matter of days showed me that (somehow) I actually liked something about this book. Perhaps Hagen’s writing style improved as the book progressed (after all, as I just noticed, this book is her debut novel). 

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, then you might enjoy reading this book. But don't overestimate it.

Book Blog #155: 1984 by George Orwell

Title: 1984
Author: George Orwell
# of Pages: 326 (paperback)
Genre: Classics, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.
Review: This book was totally different from what I expected.

I would definitely recommend reading Animal Farm before reading 1984 because together they show the progression of a totalitarian society...

The beginning was very interesting but the content slowly became stranger and stranger. Sexual intercourse is overused in this novel, and the ending contains gruesome details.

I didn't really enjoy reading 1984 and would probably have been fine never reading it in the first place. If you like Orwell's books, then I recommend reading it. If you are indifferent, look elsewhere.

Book Blog #149: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne

Title: Sky on Fire
Author: Emmy Laybourne
# of  Pages:
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Trapped in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, including a monster hailstorm and terrifying chemical weapons spill, brothers Dean and Alex learned how to survive and worked together with twelve other kids to build a refuge from the chaos. But then strangers appeared, destroying their fragile peace, and bringing both fresh disaster and a glimmer of hope.

Knowing that the chemical weapons saturating the air outside will turn him into a bloodthirsty rage monster, Dean decides to stay in the safety of the store with Astrid and some of the younger kids. But their sanctuary has already been breached once. . . .

Meanwhile, Alex, determined to find their parents, heads out into the darkness and devastation with Niko and some others in a recently repaired school bus. If they can get to Denver International Airport, they might be evacuated to safety. But the outside world is even worse than they expected. . . .
Review: I'm as surprised as you are that I actually got to reading the second book so quickly (especially since the first book wasn't exactly what I would call "stellar").

I wanted to read at least one more book this year, and I felt that this would be the best choice. I was not disappointed it. It's a short, fast-paced read (I finished it in a matter of hours). And the ending bit was suspenseful.

However, I was shocking and discouraged when I realized there was POV switching. It wasn't as bad since most of the events did not overlap in the chapters...but I still didn't like it. And, although I wasn't paying as much attention to the writing style as I should have been since I was in a rush, I did notice in the beginning (during Alex's chapter) that there was some redundancy...

Another aspect of the POV switching that bothered me was certain parts of one POV would affect the other POV. For example: How could Dean possibly suspect there was a "rubber shortage outside?" (80). The reader knows that there's some weird white substance eating away at the tires, but would Dean immediately assume something was happening to rubber specifically? It would be more likely for him to suspect that so of the tires were deflated and that people were (for some reason) unable to re-inflate them.

If you enjoyed the first book, then yes, read this one. I might read the third book, but I am still unsure since I am quite satisfied with the ending in this book.

Book Blog #148: Partials by Dan Wells

Title: Partials
Author: Dan Wells
# of Pages: 528 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to find a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask.
Review: I almost threw this book out of a window.

I wanted to quit reading this book so bad...but I was determined to finish it so I wouldn't have to pick it up ever again. Seriously...it was torture. I had to force myself to read even ONE page and then I would become preoccupied with some other task. The world was not developed enough and there is WAY too much fluff (which is probably why this book is longer than it should be!). For example:

"She bathed, brushed out her hair, and chose a bright-colored outfit from her 'flirty' section: a silk shirt with Chinese embroidery, a pair of high-heeled sandals, and a pair of jeans just short enough that she paused to worry about the weather. It was summer, but a cold one, and another rainstorm could really make her wish she'd gone with something heavier. She killed over the decision, comparing the jeans with a longer pair, and finally decided to go with the shorts. They looked better with the shirt, and better on her, and she needed the boost. She could risk cold legs to feel like a normal person again for a while." (Wells 82). 

Yes, I did just re-type that whole paragraph. It's fine if you didn't read it all; I just need you to understand how much unnecessary description is in this book. I'm SURROUNDED by preppy teenage mind in real life, and I've heard this thought processes way too many times. The reader DOES NOT need a full description of the character's outfit; it's not an important part of the plot AT ALL. No wonder why this book is so long.

Not recommended.

Book Blog #147: Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Title: Monument 14
Author: Emmy Laybourne
# of Pages: 352 (paperback)
Genre:  YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Synopsis: Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel Monument 14, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.
Review: And I had such high hopes for this book too.

I almost gave this book three stars, but I didn't think that would be fair to group Monument 14 with other books that were just that much better. Laybourne tries to make her book more interesting by throwing in every possible natural disaster she can. True, some of it was interesting, but very overdone.

The beginning was sloppy (and confusing for me; I hate it when a whole bunch of characters are thrown at me at once, and I'm expected to remember them all), and I felt a lack of a connection with Dean until the middle-end of the book. He's more of an observer than a do-er.

The romance is not interesting at all.. This might be at the fault of our "exciting" protagonist....

But, nevertheless, it could have been so much worse. I am actually considering reading the second book. Do I recommend it? Perhaps not.

Book Blog #144: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
# of Pages: 390 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.
Review: Original Review: January 16, 2013, 4 stars, reading date unknown

Yes, I do love the Hunger Games series. But this one, out of all of them, had to be my least favorite. It seemed a little rushed, though still had the overall great quality that was found in the other books.

Second Review: 3 stars

It feels like I've never read this book before.

Seriously, it's as if I had looked up a summary online; I only remember the main points. Most of the events described were new to me, and  I realized my imagination had begun to create its own parts of the book.

I'm not one for these big rebellion-endings. A lot of dystopian books tend to end this way, but it becomes extremely messy when the reader has to remember all the characters and try to recreate the scenes with their imaginations (this step can define whether the scene is comprehended,  especially if certain points of the plot depend on picturing an area correctly). This book was no exception. It was very time consuming to read and re-read descriptions to reach to full effect of the book.

Katniss isn't as strong of a protagonist in this book. She needs to learn to cope with the situation she finds herself in and to gain control of her mental state. Overall, she's not a very good role model.

One scene that I had fabricated was the epilogue. Instead of the disappointingly short, two page nothingness that was actually provided, I thought there would be at least five pages, and Gale would be there. He would stop by to visit Katniss and Peeta in an amazing car with a fancy suit and (in a way) be showing Katniss what she missed out on. Of course, Gale wouldn't be that big of a jerk about it, and Katniss would still be good friends with him...but this is no joke. I was looking forward to this scene until I realized it didn't exist!

The whole Gale-made-the-bomb-and-is-kimda-responsible-for-killing-my-sister-so-that's-why-I'm-going-to-end-up-with-Peeta is ridiculous. The whole situation/encounter was just a way too obvious plot device to enable Gale to fade away...I mean, he's not even in the epilogue!

A really confusing part for me was when Katniss agreed that there should be a final Hunger Games. Then, when I thought about it, it came to me that she might be being submissive in order to ensure she could have a shot at killing Coin. But the problem with that is she doesn't seem to be entirely sure if she is going to kill Coin until the very last moment. So, after reading a few opinions on the 'net, I also came to the conclusion that she wanted to prevent the destruction of the entire Capital population by sacrificing a smaller amount (who would die anyway if the other option was put into action). And someone also said that when Katniss says "Yes...for Prim", she is, in a way, volunteering for Prim for the last time (and, after all, Katniss never felt like she completely left the games) and to enter a new game/faces a new challenge where her goal, instead of to stay alive, is to avenge Prim's life. But this whole ordeal took way took much time post-reading.

I was left with a lot of questions. How exactly was Peeta able to regain so much of his former self? Why were the rebel medics so eager to rush in to help the Capitol children, and why did they not find it strange to be sent out to be in such an area with so many Capitol people? I felt like there was a lot left unanswered. Book/Movie Comparison

It's shocking how much of the book was rearranged for the movie. For example, some of the dialogue said by Plutarch and Fulvia (Plutarch's assistant) in the book is said by Effie in the movie. I'm pleased that the dialogue is in the movie, but the differences are surprising.

However, in regards to the dialogue given to Effie...I wonder if this is a scene they had to film after Hoffman's death. I know they filmed part 1 and part 2 of the movie together, and they didn't necessarily have to film it in order. Also, I heard from the an article that one of the few parts in the movies he had to complete was from part 1 and was later rewritten and assigned to another character.

"We decided to rewrite the scenes and give his dialogue to other [actors]," he explained. "There's a scene in 'Mockingjay Part 1' that Elizabeth Banks took over for, and there's a scene in 'Mockingjay Part 2' that Woody Harrelson took over for." -Francis Lawrence

But another notable dialogue switch is between Effie (movie) and Finnick (book) with the quote, "'They'll either want to kill you, kiss you, or be you.'" I understand that for the flow of the scene, it may have been easier to use Effie for the line, but now you can tell who has/hasn't read the book based on who they credit these words to.

In fact, Effie seems to have a bigger role in the movie than in the book! A lot of lines that belong to characters who have been cut from the movie have been given to her!

I'm think that the reason why I made up scenes and some how forgot most of the book was because I was so underwhelmed by it all. It's not the stunning conclusion I wanted; in fact, the ending was sloppy. If you've gotten to this point in the series, go ahead and read it. But lower your expectations.

Book Blog #143: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
# of Pages: 391 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
Review: Original Review: January 15, 2013, 5 stars

There's not much to say here. This book is fabulous. Read it, if you haven't. Read it again if you have.

Second Review: 4 stars

While I still enjoyed reading Catching Fire, I found that it dragged in the beginning. Half of the story isn't even related to the 75th Hunger Games (which is what I wanted to read about). And there was A LOT of characters thrown at you at once, to the point that if I didn't have the movie as my guide, I would have gotten them confused like I did the first time I read it.

Catching Fire seems to be more of a bridge to the last book...but I still recommend reading it.

Book Blog #142: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
# of Pages: 374 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Review: Original Review written January 13, 2014
 Rating: 5 stars

There's not much to say here; it's one of the most popular books of the present.

Second Review: 5 stars (November 23-25, 2014)

I decided to reread the whole Hunger Games series after realizing how much content I had forgotten when I watched Mockingjay Part 1.

It's not as perfect as I remembered it to be, probably the result of the movie (which planted a completely different interpretation of the story in my head) and time (which often is the reason for change, for better or fore worse). I can see why people would dislike it, especially after it became more mainstream (mostly when the movies start coming out and a different type of fan base formed). There's something about books/movies that people only praise that make some people - including me sometimes - want to find something to criticize. Also, it's always disappointment when a reader expects something really, really good only for the book not to meet his or her expectations.  

There's a lot of coincidental situations. While Katniss is a strong protagonist, I question her abilities in the games (is that a spoiler? I say not); is she as amazing as the reader is led to think she is? Or are outside forces that happen to act at the right time what make her seem so incredible?

I was surprised on how my image of Katniss changed since I watched the movies. Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss seems to have more emotional restraint (which I prefer) while the book Katniss is one to "throw herself on her bed sobbing" (this is almost a quote from the book...). 

Some scenes and dialogue lacked detail and left a lot to the reader's imagination. Reading this again after seeing the movie helped me understand how some vaguely described situations could be interpreted, but without the visual reference, I may have been more irritated with this book. 

I was still able to enjoy the book, although not in the same way I did the first time. I still highly recommend it!

Book Blog #137: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and the Answer
Author: Patrick Ness
# of Pages: 517 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. 

Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. 

But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? 

And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode...
Review: August 24,2014-September 5, 2014
Pages 1-213

I have temporarily stopped reading this book because I have a lack of time to do so. I plan to finish the book in the future; for now, it will remain unrated.

Reading notes:

I've been really busy lately, so I haven't had as much recreational time as I would prefer. However, I am sure I'll get through this book, no matter how long it will take me!

Up to the end of Part 1, Todd in the Tower, everything seems grand. The book starts pretty much where the first one left off, and the writing is the same. However, when I turn the page, I am met with a surprise.

This book has a POV switch.

You cannot believe me anguish in that moment. The first book was wonderful, and I've heard so many good things about this one. But then THIS happens...it seems like a horrible nightmare.
And of course after reading a few pages, it's as bad as I was suspecting. There's the overlap of Todd's and Viola's chapter, which I find really annoying. I've already been told that that event has occurred; you don't need to tell me it again through a different person.

October 31, 2014 - November 2, 2014
Pages 213- end

While I am still disappointed by the POV switching and how it disrupts the flow of the book, I was still moved by the ending. I don't want to give up too much, but Ness knows how to get the reader in the end. His back and forth writing style instills the chaotic-ness of the situation in the reader.

I'm really hoping that in the last book (which I am defiantly planning to read) Ness will not find it necessary to switch between Todd's and Violet's point of view as that would improve the series immensely.

Book Blog # 89: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Title: Through the Ever Night
Author: Veronica Rossi
# of Pages: 341 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Romance, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist? Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?
Review: PLEASE: Read this book directly after reading Under the Never Sky.

I didn't take my own advise which is why I didn't like this book as much. I spent the first hundred pages trying to remember what happened in the first book, therefore not enjoying the book at all. It got to the point where I didn't feel connected to Aria and Perry's relationship, so their time together didn't seem as wonderful as it did in Under the Never Sky (from what little I can remember).

To make it worse, I actually liked the story MORE when Perry and Aria weren't together. Their separation made their relationship complicated, and it made Perry doubt Aria's love for him. For some reason, I just loved that.

Then, when they finally got back together, I was a little disgusted. I can really relate to Soren, especially when they say those cheesy lines to each other. Yuck.

I think I can officially say that I have fallen out of love with Aria x Perry. Sorry, Rossi, but I just didn't feel that magical spark that I usually do when I read about a happy couple. One reason may be because of Perry. He seems too mushy for a guy; he wouldn't be someone I would want to be with. But I guess what I want doesn't matter much (although I AM the reader who is buying the book and supporting the author, publishing company, etc.; I'm not going to be the one dating Perry. Aria, in contrast, was portrayed wonderfully. The same goes for Roar, Liv, Soren, and most of the other characters.

If you liked Under the Never Sky, then you'll like this one too. Although Through the Ever Night is not as great as Under the Never Sky, it's good enough to convince me to read Still Blue in the future.