Catching Fire (book review)

Review of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever."
— Suzanne Collins (Catching Fire)

This quote is great, however Suzanne Collins is a master at cliffhangers, and she does it again in Catching Fire!

After reading The Hunger Games, waiting to read Catching fire was impossible! Full of fun twists and socking moments, it was hard to put this book down. The red eyes and tired body the next morning after a long night of reading was truly worth it.

Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

Review:

Part 2 of The Hunger Games Trilogy is far from a let down. The first book leaves us in a cliffhanger that leaves our brain thirsty for more and Catching Fire flows right along from where the first book left off. This book is definitely a page-turner. It will be hard to put the book down once you start. It is the sci-fi version of David vs. Goliath where a young girl from District 12 has to go up against the mighty Capital who is the true enemy of the people.

Character development:

Many of the main characters of are once again in this book. Those characters develop in the first book (The Hunger Games) so it is important to read it before reading this book. This will help the reader understand why many of the characters act the way that they do. However, Suzanne Collins does a great job at maturing those that have grown; especially, after all their experiences in the first book (I.e. Katness and Prim). This is great because it changes the way we look at these characters. You grow along with them.

Catching Fire also introduces us to many new characters that are well developed. Each new character contributes well to the overall story. It was excited to read how each character plays a major part of the ending of this book.

Plot:

The plot of this book is amazing. Catching Fire had some big shoes (or book covers) to fill since the first book The Hunger Games. However, Suzanne Collins will not let you down.

The plot if full of never ending turns. The best part about them is that they are unpredictable. The best you can do is making a good guess at what might happen next. There are many surprises in this book not just for the reader but also for the characters.

The book also ends in a major cliffhanger, so make sure you go out and get Mockingjay now, your going to need it after reading this one.

Book Flow:

The book starts of slow for the first couple of chapters. The beginning chapters will lay the foundation to the rest of the book; it will soon pick up speed very quickly so sit back, read, and enjoy the ride.

5 out of 5 SHOTS! Amazing Book!

Jason (Book Sniper)

Theories of Relativity: A novel (Book Review)

Theories of Relativity: A novel Barbra Haworth-Attard.

A young man (Dylan) struggles to make it while living in the streets when his mother kicks him out. He meets a group of other young people who either help him get by or fall deeper into the black hole of the street life.

This book was a book chosen in a local book club. I was eager to read this book because I work with at risk youth in a major city and it kills me when I see youth living in the streets.

This book in focused towards young adult readers, however, anyone reading this book can learn something very important. We see kids in the streets everyday, and we see homeless people trying to make it. However, we rarely think about their past. What got them into that situation?

Barbra does a great job to at least open up the doors for us to look into this life. She does a great job in character development. Each character has his/her unique style. She also does a great job keeping readers guessing if the character is good or bad. After reading a couple of chapters you find it hard not to care for each character.

The plot has a very realistic feel to it. The author does a great job to pull you right in from the start. It is extremely hard to guess what is going to happen next. Every turn seems to get worse for Dylan. The readers will not help but wonder when it will it ever end and finally get better for this kid. Nevertheless, that is what makes this book so good. It does not always get better in the streets. Therefore, Barbra does a great job to have a realistic look on things and life in the streets.

I had a hard time getting past the end of the first half of the book. It seems like it started to loose some steam, but was very satisfied the second half of the book. Not only does it pick up steam but also I found myself not able to put the book down.

This is a great read for everyone. Not just youth.

4 out of 5 Shots

The Hunger Games (Book Review)

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

I tried to get away from reading this book for a long time, but then I realized that there is no escaping it!

Everywhere I went I saw one of the three hunger games books around. You cannot step into a local Barnes and Noble without seeing on of these books. What is all the hype about anyway? Can these books really be that good? KNA no WAY! Well, at least that is what I thought. I tried to get away from it but eventually I fell in and started to read the first book of the trilogy “The Hunger Games.”

From reading the cover, you can tell that this book is targeting Young Adults, however; after reading a couple of chapters Suzanne does a great pulling people of all ages into the story.

Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel 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.

Review:
This book captures the true essence of survival and emotions. What is love? What are we willing to do to survive? What is real? The book will have you on the edge of your personal emotions, with non-stop thinking of how you would react to certain situations. I had to stop reading a couple of times just to catch my breath. Suzanne Collins sure has a way to astound you in her artistic talent of writing.

Character development:
Suzanne Collins does a great job with developing her characters. It does not take long to know all the major characters in her novel. It is even amazing how she only gives you enough of each to keep you guessing. You know just enough to know the person. However, not enough to know what they are thinking or what they are planning to do next. WOW!

Plot:
I have read many books on survival and post apocalyptic adventures. This is I guess what caused me to stay away from this book for so long. Most books in this genre usually are similar. At least of all the books that I read. However, this book took me totally by surprise.
We read about survival, a civilization trying to make it, a common enemy who no one dares to fight, and sacrifices being made at all levels of humanity.

The story is full with so many turns that it is hard to put the book down.

The hunger Games takes you away into a different land and different mental zone. A book that causes you to drink extra coffee the next morning because you stood up all night reading wondering what is going to happen next. I love these types of books.

Please do not take so long as I did to read this book. I wish I had read it long ago. Cannot wait to read the other two in the trilogy, especially since I know I cannot escape them.

5 out of 5 Shots

AMAZING!!!

The Rain Maker (Book Review)

I loved this book. I kept reading about how funny it was, so I decided to give it a shot. I didnt think that the book was "that" funny :) If it was it would have gotten my full 5 star review... I only gave it 4. A five from me is very hard to get.

The book started out really slow for my liking. But I'm used to it because I'm a big fan of John Grisham and he usually starts his book pretty slow to paint the picture in your mind of what he wants you to see. JG does a great job in this book. He takes his time describing the characters. After a couple of chapters you feel as if you know these guys personally or "you are that person".

A new law student hitting the road of life hard! A story that could happen to anyone of us if were willing to work hard :)

I dont want to give away too much of the story here but this book was really entertaining and I enjoyed it very much. I liked the story so much that I ordered the Ebook version to add to my ebook reader so I can take this story on the road and away from home.

So, go out and take some time and read this book. It recommended :)

4 out of 5 Shots

Misery (Book Review)

O.k.. so I finished "Misery" Took me 6 days of slow reading. I’m not the fastest reader.

What can I say about this book without giving nothing away to those who haven’t read it.. ummm

Well, I give the book 3 (like it) out of 5 stars (Loved it). It was not one of my favorite Stephen King books. Don’t get me wrong, its not a bad book, its just not one of my favorites.

S.K. did a great job in Character development. By the end of the story you tend to really know the characters well enough to try to guess what there going to do next.

The plot and story line is real interesting. Its not everyday you get to read a novel in a novel... the story kind of dragged on towards the second half and the ending was crazy... but good overall.

I kind of felt bad for Annie and her bipolerism lol... parts of the book make me crack up while I read it. She had some issues!!!!
I sometimes wondered what I would have done if I was in Paul’s shoes… or … ummm shoe :P

Overall, a great book to read on the weekend, but if you want to read a good SK book, read "The Stand"

3 out of 5 Shots

"I Liked It"

The Art of Racing in the Rain (Book Review)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein


How can a dog lover do a fair review of this book?

This is hard to do with this book. I believe the ratings of this book will be based on whether or not the rater is an animal lover or not. That being said I will try to give a fair review.

Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the racetrack, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.


Review:

I really enjoyed this book. The dog as a narrator took some getting used too; however, the author does a great job to remind the reader that it is a dog narrating and not a human.

The book will tug at your emotions. This book is full of trouble and heartache. So if you are a very sentimental person, be prepared to shed some tears. The book is not all sad, there are parts of this book that will laughing out loud.

 It seems that nothing goes right for “Denny.” There are times in the book where you will find yourself yelling at the book to warn Denny not to put himself in some situations. When a book could do that to you, you know it is a good book.

The chapters are small and the books flow is fast so reading through this book is a snap. It is a short read so you can actually read this book in a couple of hours. It is a great weekend book.
I recommend this book to not just dog lovers but readers alike.

Character development :

The author does a great job in character development.  Each character has his or her own unique style and personality, including the dog Enzo. You cannot help but to empathize with Denny. You will get angry with the antagonists in the book however, you will understand why they do what they do.

Plot:

The books plot takes many turns (no pun intended). The books plot is predictable. Nevertheless, you will continue reading to see what happens next. Its interesting to see how Denny reacts to the situations at hand.

The story has a unique was to compare life to racing. I enjoyed that because it sometimes takes you away from the story to think about what was just written.

My favorite quote:
"The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles - preferably of his own making - in order to triumph."
It is a very well written story.

4 out of 5 Shots

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