Okay. I'm about to offer up an unpopular opinion here.
I don't like these books nearly as much as I did the first time I rea"Courage, dear heart."
Okay. I'm about to offer up an unpopular opinion here.
I don't like these books nearly as much as I did the first time I read them. I mean, the first time around, this book had me in tears. For this re-read, I felt like I was just trying to get through it.
I was a teenager when I read these books the first time, so it's not like I was a child and am seeing them for the first time as someone older. Maybe they're just not for me anymore, or not for me as much as they once were, and I'm okay with that....more
This is a good book, I just don't think it's the best book. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but this might be my least favorite in the series. I jusThis is a good book, I just don't think it's the best book. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but this might be my least favorite in the series. I just feel like not very much happens, you know?...more
"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."
What is there to say, really? C.S. Lewis crafted a masterpiece with this seri"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."
What is there to say, really? C.S. Lewis crafted a masterpiece with this series, and with this book in particular. It is nothing short of magical while also offering loads of inspiration. I love these books and am so glad to be reading them again. My only regret is that I did not read them when I was even younger. Now that would have been a fairy tale....more
The beginning of my Chronicles of Narnia re-read! I'm so excited to be reading these books again and re-entering this truly maLaugh, and fear not.
The beginning of my Chronicles of Narnia re-read! I'm so excited to be reading these books again and re-entering this truly magical world. C.S. Lewis was so talented and insightful. I can't wait to continue! <3...more
I did enjoy this more the second time around. Still not as amazing as the original trilogy, but it's good, and I love reading from CarRe-read Review:
I did enjoy this more the second time around. Still not as amazing as the original trilogy, but it's good, and I love reading from Cardan's POV. Really, I just love Cardan.
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I was very excited about this because we all know I love the Folk of the Air trilogy. It was a complete surprise but those books have become very special to me. Unfortunately, this didn't quite live up to my expectations. I don't know how to explain it. It just felt so hopelessly "okay" to me. It's definitely a nice companion to the series and I would recommend reading it if you enjoyed the original books, but it didn't blow me away.
Jude and Cardan remain my favorites forever though. <3...more
I love this book so very much. It is the first real YA book I ever read years ago. I had just finished reading Harry Potter
"Faction before blood."
I love this book so very much. It is the first real YA book I ever read years ago. I had just finished reading Harry Potter for the first time and I was looking for something new, so I tried Divergent, which was wildly popular at the time. I read it so fast that I think my mom was actually worried. (Yes, I was the kid who worried their parents by reading too much.)
I love Tris so much. I love her strength and her growth. I love Four. I am a FourTris shipper for life. I love the points this book makes about the importance of individuality and being able to think and act for yourself. Veronica Roth is a fantastic writer, and that showed from her very first novel....more
"One way or another, their fates were irrevocably linked."
My very first reaction off the bat is that I did not enjoy this as much the second time "One way or another, their fates were irrevocably linked."
My very first reaction off the bat is that I did not enjoy this as much the second time around. It was still really good, but it lost that shock value, which was a huge reason why I enjoyed it so much the first time. Also, the beginning of this book is incredibly hard to get into. I almost gave up on it.
But, I'm glad I didn't, because that ending!!! It will always get me. This book has to have one of my favorite endings ever and I can't wait to see it on the big screen.
This book is also for the girlies who like morally grey characters and always fall in love with the villain (except not Snow because ew).
"Coriolanus felt sure he'd spotted his first mockingjay, and he disliked the thing on sight."
Wow wow wow. Okay. I have a lot of thoughts, and most of them will be in a spoiler tag at the end.
This is going to sound strange, but I have to give you some context. I did not read The Hunger Games when it was originally published. I finally read it last year to see what the hype was all about, and I was a bit unimpressed. I had to read the first book in the trilogy for a class I took earlier this year, so I thought I might as well read the other two again. I really enjoyed the trilogy this time around. But I felt very apprehensive reading this. I wasn't sure what to expect from a prequel about young President Snow.
Frankly, I adored this book. I couldn't read it fast enough. The beginning was a bit slow, but once the story picked up, it was crazy. If you've felt unsure about picking this up, please do! I think you'll like it. It's a wild ride and full of surprises from the very first page.
(view spoiler)[ Actually organizing my thoughts into coherent sentences seems impossible, so here are a few bullet points with things I have to mention: - I loved making connections to the original trilogy while reading this. I particularly liked finding out why Snow hated Katniss so much. It wasn't just because she was a rebel - it's because she reminded him of someone. - Tigris is Snow's cousin?! WHAT? I need to know what happened after this story and how the full falling out occurred! - I never would have thought Coriolanus Snow struggled or wanted for anything in his life. But I guess that's why he wanted power so badly and was willing to do anything to keep it. It was stability, and it was what he thought he deserved. - The songs! "The Hanging Tree" origin was incredible. - What. Actually. Happened. To. Lucy. Gray? Did she die? Did she survive? If she did, how did she deal with what had happened? - The fact that President Snow actually spent time in District 12...wow. = So that's how he started poisoning all of his enemies. -When Dr. Gaul was like, "Oh, no, this was just a test. I wasn't going to make you be a peacekeeper forever." Excuse me ma'am, what? - We found out later that Snow had grandchildren so...do ya'll think he really married Livia Cardrew? - Suzanne Collins developed this plot masterfully. There were times when I genuinely felt bad for Snow and thought he was making pretty decent choices. Then she hit us with that ending! I couldn't believe his betrayal of Sejanus and Lucy Gray! (hide spoiler)]
I would love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to comment so we can discuss. :)...more
How interesting that I read this book again just one year later for a different class and have a completely different perspective.
I enjRe-Read Review:
How interesting that I read this book again just one year later for a different class and have a completely different perspective.
I enjoyed The Great Gatsby even more with this re-read. I feel like I really took in so much more this time from a literary perspective. This book is deceiving because it's so short and simply written. But within less than two hundred pages, Fitzgerald created a story that can occupy your mind for hours. There are so many different themes and messages to ponder. I understand why this is known as the "great American novel" now. It's a completely deserved title.
This book is good in a quiet sort of way. It's not one that you can't put down, or one that leaves your heart racing at the end, but it's still good.
This wasn't perfect, and I did feel it dragging at times, but I really did love it. It was a good read, that really makes you think about life. I absolutely adore Fitzgerald's writing. Some people are just really good at using words, you know?
I'm glad I had to read this for American Lit, because I honestly don't know when I would have gotten around to it otherwise, and I don't know that I would have spent so much time really thinking about the story and the message if I had picked it up on my own.
{I do just want to say, for those of you who are concerned about this kind of thing - like me - I did not really appreciate the subject matter of this novel. It is on the inappropriate side, in my opinion. And there is some language.}...more
Something to add to the list of strange things that have happened in 2020: I became a Hunger Games stan.
The first time I reaRe-Read Review:
"Real."
Something to add to the list of strange things that have happened in 2020: I became a Hunger Games stan.
The first time I read the trilogy, I thought it was fine, but I wasn't blown away by any means. This time was completely different. I loved these books. I loved these characters. I felt so invested in the story. For some reason, knowing what happened next made me even more excited to continue reading. Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch will remain some of my favorite literary characters. <3
(view spoiler)[I do want to say that I think Suzanne Collins could have spared the lives of some characters. And by "some characters" I think we all know I mean Finnick Odair. And Prim. I know it was a war, but those hurt. (hide spoiler)]
"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!"
I really debated whether I wanted to give this 3 or 4 stars. I liked this book, but the ending kind of ruined everything for me.
I understand that not all endings can be the fairytale definition of happy, and that's fine. I wouldn't expect a series like this one to end that way. I feel like the true problem came from the abruptness. Several decisions and actions, specifically ones involving Katniss, were not explained fully. I already didn't relate to her very well, and this made that even more difficult. It was frustrating. On the other hand, I really have come to love Peeta. It was heartbreaking to see some of the things he went through in this book, but I'm happy with how things resolved for him. (And, ultimately Katniss as well.)
Honestly, my two favorite characters in this entire series are Haymitch and Finnick, who deserve much more love and credit. (view spoiler)[(I will NEVER recover from Finnick's death. That was devastating, and, in my opinion, not necessary.) (hide spoiler)]
So, yes, things completely fell apart at the end. But I still decided to go with 4 stars. The rest of the book was that good. I loved seeing Katniss as the Mockingjay. I loved watching her grow. I loved the action. And, most of all, I loved some of those twists. But that ending. Ugh....more
When I read The Hunger Games trilogy for the first time last yeaRe-Read Review:
"No matter what I do, I'm hurting someone."
I have so many thoughts!
When I read The Hunger Games trilogy for the first time last year, I enjoyed it but it wasn't earth-shattering for me. I certainly had no plans of reading it again, especially so soon. But after having to read the first book for school, it only felt right to finish the series again. I am so glad I did that. I did not plan on becoming a Hunger Games stan, but I absolutely have.
I LOVE this book. It is my favorite in the trilogy for sure. Suzanne Collins crafted this story really well and ensured readers would never be bored. So much plot was packed into one book, and I really appreciate that. It never felt like something was unnecessary or used as filler. Everything mattered.
I absolutely adore Peeta Mellark. I completely understand what everyone is saying about him being such a great YA dystopian love interest because he is so sensitive and compassionate, unlike other YA guys who are ready to beat someone up at the drop of a hat. I also found myself relating to Katniss this time around. Although we aren't very similar in obvious ways, there were still small pieces of her struggle that I could see myself in. Finnick Odair remains my most favorite character ever! Thinking about the growth he undergoes in the next book too...ugh, I love him. And you guys know Haymitch is my #1 guy forever!
I remember how suspenseful the last part of this book was the first time I read it. The readers were kept in the dark along with Katniss and Peeta, and it was insane! Knowing what was happening now was interesting (I kept thinking, "Katniss, just use your brain for a second!") but it didn't make it any less enjoyable.
“I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol's plans. The symbol of the rebellion.�
What a whirlwind. This was so much better than the first book. I much preferred the setting of the Victory Tour and the beginning of the rebellion to the events of the Hunger Games. Although this may not have been as unique, it was so good that it didn’t matter. This was action-packed, quite literally from the very first page to the very last sentence.
I felt that the characters were much more developed in this book. I wasn’t a huge fan of Katniss and Peeta in the first book, but I liked them more this time, and I understood them better. I’m looking forward to learning more about some of the minor characters and their motives.
The ending was mind-blowing. I still can’t believe it. This will be no ordinary rebellion, and I can’t wait to see where it goes....more
Please ignore everything I ever previously said about this book. (Except for the good t"I knew little else, but I always knew you."
Re-read review:
Please ignore everything I ever previously said about this book. (Except for the good things. You can remember those.) I don't know what happened to make me think this book was less than a five star read or not as good as the others in the trilogy. I was insane.
This book is so special. Obviously, it's all about Jude and Cardan and the absolute heart eyes they induce. I love the two of them so much, together and as individual characters. Holly Black really invented enemies to lovers with this series.
This is super action-packed. Like, I can't believe so much happens in only 300 pages! Everyone undergoes such amazing character growth. The ending is perfect. This is how conclusions should be done.
I just know I am going to have the most intense book hangover now. ...more
Re-read Review: Ugh. This book! I will forever be obsessed with it.
I adore Jude. Her constant battle with herself is fascinating to me. There is a momRe-read Review: Ugh. This book! I will forever be obsessed with it.
I adore Jude. Her constant battle with herself is fascinating to me. There is a moment when she practices sword maneuvers in the mirror and comments that she can never beat the girl in the mirror no matter how hard she tries. That is pure poetry, don't try to argue with me.
I love the vibes Cardan brings because he is such a cinnamon roll, but at the same time he's also really growing into the role of High King and bossing people around (in a regal way, not a mean way).
Taryn and Locke are neither here nor there for me and I prefer to pretend they don't exist. I kind of like Madoc though??? Like he's insane, but I understand him.
Anyways, this re-read is one of the best decisions I've ever made. That is all.
Ok, confession time, I actually tried to read this book earlier this year and I...didn't...love it...? So I didn't finish it. Please feel free to attack me now because even I know I must have been insane. Because this book is so good! Holly Black managed to tell a completely different and unique story from The Cruel Prince while still keeping the quality just as amazing. I am truly starting to understand why there is so much hype around her as an author. She deserves it.
I have to talk about the characters because I love them (except for the ones I love to hate). I feel like I didn't like Jude quite as much in this book. She was just more ruthless, and I didn't really connect with that, but I still think she's fantastic and really breaking the mold of a typical female MC. As for Cardan, I love him. I love him with all of my heart. He deserves the world. Then we have Locke and Taryn....you know what, let's not even talk about them.
Of course, this book was all about that ending. I truly don't know what to think. What was the reason? Will everyone end up happy? Will I get the conclusion I want? I DON'T KNOW, GUYS....more
Well. I just did that - just went up a full star in my rating.
I did not read The Hunger Games during its original period oRe-read Review:
4.5 / 5 stars
Well. I just did that - just went up a full star in my rating.
I did not read The Hunger Games during its original period of popularity. The first time I read it was actually last year. So, when I found out that I would need to read it again for my summer class, I felt a bit annoyed. I had kind of just read it, and I didn't really want to read it again. However, I'm glad I had to, because I loved the story so much more this time. I went in with no expectations and really enjoyed myself. Also, the fact that I actually get to study this for an actual class? Yes, please.
Haymitch is still mu #1 favorite forever, but - please try to not be too shocked here - I found myself really loving Peeta this time. I know - I specifically said he was "annoying" in my previous review, but now he might be my favorite character. Katniss should watch out because she's not the only one with her eye on the boy with the bread.
Maybe knowing what to expect worked in my favor this time. Although the rest of the trilogy is not required reading, I have a feeling the other two books will make excellent audiobook options in the coming months.
I am an anomaly. Because I did not love this book. I will pause now and give you time to gasp and stare at this review in confusion.
I don't know. Part of me thinks that if I had read this several years ago, before I had read so many dystopian and fantasy and sci-fi books, I might have enjoyed it more. I might have felt it was more interesting and original. Of course, it is original, because it came before all of those other books I have read that may have gotten in the way.
Something about this story felt somewhat simplistic to me. I was expecting it to be more complex, and I'm sure things are headed in that direction, but it just felt too straightforward to me. It's such a fascinating concept, and I felt like more could have been done with it.
I liked the characters, overall. I did find Peeta a bit annoying at times, but by the end I even liked him (and felt a lot of sympathy for him). I found myself liking the minor characters a lot, actually, particularly Haymitch and Cinna.
I definitely will continue with this trilogy, because I think it has amazing potential, and I do think it's going places. This book just wasn't my favorite....more
I realized I never reviewed this for my recent re-read because I had COVID when I finished it. Fun times.
I simply cannot describe the sRe-read review:
I realized I never reviewed this for my recent re-read because I had COVID when I finished it. Fun times.
I simply cannot describe the spell this duology has me under (or, as the kids say, the chokehold it has on me). I simply adore it, so much so that I feel it is only right to bump my rating up to 4.5 stars and just move it on up to 5 for rounding purposes.
Brienna and Cartier feel like two dear friends. I am amazed by Brienna and all that she went through. She is truly one of the strongest MCs I've had the pleasure of reading about. And she and Cartier are perfect together.
If you have yet to try Rebecca Ross' books, I cannot recommend her writing enough. And may I suggest you start here, all the way back at the beginning? It's worth it. <3
"I thought of the days before us, days we would carve with our hands and our minds and our words, days that would no doubt be uncertain and difficult and yet beautiful in the same breath."
The Queen's Rising has become one of my all-time favorite books, so I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that the sequel didn't quite live up to it. I found the first half to be a bit slow, and the plot went in a somewhat surprising direction. However, by the end, I had really come to love it.
These characters are still some of my favorites, especially Brienna and Cartier. Seeing Brienna's character growth and her strength was incredible. I really liked seeing more of Isolde as well. I also loved some of the new characters, like Neeve and Grainne.
The ending of this book was absolutely lovely. It was exactly what I wanted to happen going in to this book. I have to admit, I may have shed a few tears. Rebecca Ross really created a beautiful, well-thought out world with fantastic characters and an amazing story. It's one of those series that I feel very grateful for. <3
Now, can somebody please help me find my Cartier?
{I did just want to mention that this book does have an increase in violence from the first. Some scenes feel a bit brutal and disturbing. Just something to keep in mind.}...more
The first time I read this book, I was in fifth grade, and I didn't like it. I had never read anything science fiction or fantasy before (I was obsessThe first time I read this book, I was in fifth grade, and I didn't like it. I had never read anything science fiction or fantasy before (I was obsessed with Nancy Drew, actually), and I was hopelessly confused. I think at some point I gave up on trying to understand it and just waited for it to be over.
Poor, young, naive Mary-Faith.
Now that I have a little more experience reading sci-fi and fantasy (AKA it's all I read), I was able to appreciate this book more. And by "appreciate" I mean see the magic of. Because that's what this book is: pure magic. It's such a beautiful adventure with important themes. I loved the Christian symbolism. I really liked the characters too. They were all so unique and special. Meg was especially fantastic, and her evolution of bravery was so beautiful to see.
The only problem I had (and it's a small one) is that the ending felt very rushed. All of a sudden everything was fixed and peachy keen in the space of about ten pages. Like I said, it wasn't a huge issue, but it did bother me a little.
Honestly, this is one of those books that everyone needs to read. It's just that special. Madeleine L'Engle's writing is magnificent, and the story is unlike anything else I've read. What a joy this book is....more
"Perhaps we really can meet like other people do, on some street one balmy evening, where we catch each other's eye and stop to intr
Re-Read Review:
"Perhaps we really can meet like other people do, on some street one balmy evening, where we catch each other's eye and stop to introduce ourselves."
I feel like there is very little that I can say about Champion that I did not say in my original review. This book will forever be special to me, and so much of that has to do with the emotions I felt the first time I read it. While I wasn't exactly sobbing this time around, there were definitely some tears. Marie Lu truly ended this trilogy on a beautiful note. And, while I'm ready to read Rebel now, I feel like I'm able to better understand why the series ended this way initially now.
I will always love June and Day. They really are two of my favorite literary characters (especially my girl June, what a queen). I love this story - their story. And I love Marie's writing.
I was going to write this review tomorrow, but I have to do it now. I have to sort out these emotions, because I’m pretty sure that between the last few chapters and my recovery time afterwards, I’ve been crying for at least a solid half hour over this book.
This is how YA dystopian should be done.
This is the kind of book that reminds me of why I love reading so much. I liked the first two books in this trilogy, but they weren’t earth-shattering for me. This one was. Marie Lu crafted the most incredible, intricate world, free of cliches and tropes. Everything just made sense - the war, how the country split, what was happening within the Republic. As a reader, I never questioned it. I never thought it felt familiar or fake. It was exciting and fun and the ride of a lifetime.
What really won me over in these books was the characters. June and Day were amazing. I came to care for them so much. The minor characters were fantastic as well (I have even made peace with Tess and Anden). This trilogy was character-driven from the first chapter, and that never changed.
Of course, I have to address that ending. I feel like what June did mirrored what Day did at the end of Prodigy so perfectly. They loved each other so much that they protected each other at all costs, whatever that meant. (view spoiler)[Am I heartbroken for those ten years that they lost? Absolutely. Am I hopeful for their future? More than anything. As Marie Lu said in her acknowledgements, wherever they are now, there’s a pretty good chance that they’re doing just fine. (hide spoiler)]
I don’t know if a book has elicited such an emotional reaction from me for quite some time now. (Honestly, if you saw me, you probably would’ve thought that I just finished the Harry Potter series.) Thank you, Marie Lu, for giving us this beautiful story. Thank you for giving me June and Day to hold on to in some small corner of my heart forever....more
"You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just...met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you
Re-read Review:
"You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just...met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you on some street one sunny morning and thought you were cute, stopped, shook your hand, and said, 'Hi, I'm Daniel.'"
Oh, this book. It's funny because I didn't remember the exact details of the plot, but I did remember that it destroyed me. So, I was ready. But as I read more, pieces came back to me and I knew what was coming. It didn't make it any easier. I think it's funny to look back on my original review now and see that I thought I would find solace in Champion...but that's a review for another book.
I love these books so much. I love these characters. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite series. And, to my (pleasant) surprise, I enjoyed this book much more this time. More than Legend I think, during my little re-read. Isn't it weird how our feelings can change like that?
This book was not fair, okay? My emotions are not stable right now.
To be honest, I didn’t like this quite as much as Legend, but it was more because of the storyline. It just felt a little slow at times. But the character development and conflict between the characters was amazing. Also, I was not sure about June and Day as a couple before, but I am totally here for it now.
Now I need to go fix my broken heart by starting Champion. Bye....more
Mary-Faith
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