2013 Reading Challenge: Books 3, 4 & 5 - The Hunger Games Series

I loved this series of books and read them all one after the other in just over a week.  If you are looking to read this book, I do recommend that you have the two follow on books ready and waiting!


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It wasn't on my 'must read' list until after I had seen the film. I enjoyed the film and loved the book even more.

Telling the story of 16 year old Katniss as she takes the place of her younger sister in The Hunger Games, the story captures the audience in not just Katniss's story, but also intertwines that of her fellow contestant Peeta and her mentor Haymitch.

The whole book is captivating from beginning to end and I ended up not wanting to put it down.

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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the exciting first book, I had to start on the next book straight away and wasn't disappointed! I was unsure how they would follow on from the first book and found the second story just as captivating as the first.

It was nice to read some of the back-story of other characters in the first book, such as Haymitch. I also enjoyed the fact that the other tributes in these Games were adults and how they reacted in the situation.

Another fantastic read!

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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a bit apprehensive starting this book after reading some of the reviews here on Goodreads, however, I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slower going compared to the other two and was lacking in action, but nonetheless, still a very good story.

I did feel that the ending was a little rushed and could have been expanded on more. Other than at the very end, I also thought that it lacked some of the emotions that ran so high in the first two books. Maybe this is more to do with Katniss's situation in the book, but I do feel that it could have had more.

All in all, I thought that it was an enjoyable book, but not the best of the series.

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Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 2 - Bared to You

Bared to You by Sylvia Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, more so once I got past comparing it to 50 Shades. The first few chapters do have some strong resemblances to FSOG, but it does come into it's own after about Chapter 5.

I found myself absorbed in the world of Eva, Gideon and Cary and was rooting for a happyish outcome (lets be honest, there wouldn't be a story if it was all happy ever after!). I was a little disappointed that we don't find out Gideon's secret, but that gives us something to look forward to in the next book. I would also love to have more of Cary's background story as well. In fact, I would love a novel with Cary as the main character.

The story is well written and although I didn't find the sex scenes quite as hot as FSOG, they were still a good read and felt like they were part of the story, rather than just being in there for the sake of it like I found with FSOG.

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2013 Reading Challenge: Book 1 - The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing! Not what I would have expected from JK Rowling, but just as riveting as the Harry Potter books.
Set in the small town of Pagford, this book tells the story of the inhabitants of the town. From the towns First Citizen to the junkies daughter. The judgements you make of the characters at the beginning of the book are not the same as what you feel at the end.
I was a bit surprised to come across the 'c' word a few chapters into the book, but I do feel that the swearing does make the characters more realistic. This is most certainly a book aimed for an adult audience, however, I wouldn't be surprised if this book was put on an English Literature GCSE or A-Level reading list as the exploration into the different characters is fantastic.
I look forward to seeing what else JK Rowling comes up with in the future.

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