{Review} The Hunger Games

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.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

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Where to start? I started reading this book because my sister saw the preview for the movie, and then saw this book sitting on my bookshelf and she decided to pick it up. She read it, then my aunt read it, and I read it on my kindle. We continued to read the rest of the series, but I have yet made it to the third book.

With that being said, I must say that this was one of the best books that I have read in a long time. This was fresh, and the characters were so easy to fall in love with. Katniss, is by far my most favorite character ever. She was everything a heroine needs to be, sarcastic, funny, brave, and willing to put others before her self. Her love for her family was truly amazing. I was able to relate to her feelings about Prim, because my sister is the same age, and I would have done the same thing if I was in her situation. Peeta, ohh Peeta, I love me some Peeta. At first I was unsure how I felt about him, but by the time I finished the second book, I was in love with him! He is kind, creative, has an undying love for Katniss, and is unbelievable with his words. Gale. Gale is another story completely. He is strong, brave, and everything that is like Katniss. If Katniss could have a male twin, it would be Gale. Even though he is everything like her, I still believe that he is not the right one for her. He is everything she is, but nothing that she needs.

I loved that this book was fresh and how the story was told. It flowed so easily, and it was page turning. I was reading it one night while taking a bubble bath, and before I knew it my feet was all wrinkley due to being in the tub so long. Honestly, if you are going to read this book {and I highly think you should, trust me it will change your thinking and outlook} make sure to be careful where you read it at, because when you enter the games there is no coming back until the anthem blares.

One more final note – The cast that was picked for the movie, was a dead hit to the characters that I pictured. There was no way that I could have picked a better cast. The only ones that I did not picture like the ones chosen, was Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna. I am just glad that they did not pick Kirsten Stewart or Miley Cyrus as Katniss.

Halo {Halo #1}

Release Date: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 496
Format: Hardback
Source: The Romance Review

Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

 

Spoiler-Free Thoughts

OK, so here is the dealio. I first got this book when it was published. I started reading and then I would stop and then I would start back, and it was a love and hate relationship for about a year. I started it back up again a few days ago and I couldn’t understand why I had put it down in the first place. I really loved the beginning and I really loved the end. However the middle was a little slow. I think the only thing that pulled me through the story was Xavier! His quirkiness and smokiness along with his undying love was enough to make any girl swoon. He seemed to know what to say at exactly the right time. Bethany was a little awkward, but I guess that was because she was not human and wasn’t sure about her surroundings. Gabriel and Ivy seemed a little distant, but I just know that Gabriel was smoking also, because of the description. I wish we could learn a little more about him and all that he has been through. But yall know me. I am the biggest book boy flirt :]

I really did enjoy Halo, but I believe that it could have been shorter and less with all the middle gooiness.

LOVE the cover! So pretty!

Other Thoughts on Halo…

“I loved, loved, loved this book!!!!!! I fell head over heels in love with this book!!! There are so many negative reviews about this series, that I put it off and put it off. I never should have done that. Once I started reading it, I couldn't find anything I didn't like. This book captured me, and I fell in love with the world the Alexandra created. All of the characters were amazing, especially Xavier and Gabriel.” – Kristina Snyder {Rated 5 stars}

“Some books snap, crackle, and pop. Some books sizzle or shimmer. Some books stroll. They refuse to rush. The would rather you slow down taste, see, and feel. They resemble lazy Sunday afternoons. They prefer to marinate, stew, and build flavor. I can't promise Halo is the book for you. I can only promise you should try it when you are ready to savor a slowly simmered tale.” – Juju @ Tales of Whimsy.com {Rated 4 stars}

“When I first stared reading Halo I couldn't put it down. I was really interested in how the angels where taking to their new lives. Then I couldn't get enough of Bethany and Xavier. Their love was cute and I just wanted to read more and more. However, after the first half of the book I was a little bored. The bad guy doesn't even show up until the last third of the book and the only action I was really into didn't happen until the last quarter. I was really hopeing for a little more.” – MissHavoc {Rated 3 stars}

So there you have it. Complete mix reviews on Halo. Some love it some hate it, either way I say try it.

Ashley Suzanne

After Obsession {Review & Trailer}

Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.
Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

My Thoughts

{My reviews are SPOILER-Free}

When I first agreed to participate in this tour with the review of After Obsession, I was a little hesitant due to the fact that it was my first demon possession book, ever. Plus I am a Christian, and because I know how real demon possession is, I was a little worried that it may unnerve my faith. However with this book that was not a problem. To me it seemed more as a paranormal romance that a complete demon possession book. Aimee and Alan are from two different places. Alan is part Navajo and Aimee is from Maine. However when they meet the chemistry is so strong that they begin to feel like they were made for each other.


I loved the characters in this book. At first I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like Aimee, because she seemed a little flat, but throughout the story that first impression was depleted. After Aimee meet Alan she immediately became a better character and was not afraid to fight for what she believed in, even if it meant losing her very sanity. She was so worried that she would end up like her mother, but was able to overcome that feel and be a hero that she was called to be. Alan on the other hand. I liked him from the very get go of the story. He started off being passionate and I could not help, but relate him to Jacob from the Twilight series. I think it was more of his macho-ness and the Indian blood in him. I also loved the way he was protected of his women-folk. The next characters that I really enjoyed were Gramps and Benji. They were so much fun and acted just like a married couple with their fussiness to each other. Or as Aimee told us their crankiness. CHEETO :] Courtney was an okay character to me, it was a little hard to get to know her with the whole demon possession going on with her.


I also couldn’t help, but to notice how this book and Alan’s beliefs and practices mimicked my own. Here are a few ways that they were a like. I will do Alan’s compared to mine. Great Spirit – My God/Heavenly Father, Mediation {to understand and hear} – Prayer, Spirit Guide – Holy Spirit/Bible, Spirit Warrior – My faith and the fact I am Christ like and a warrior in this never ending spiritual warfare that is waging now between Light and Dark, between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Darkness. Rewarded by living eternally in  Heaven or Hell. Which side will you choose to stand up and fight in, or will you be a passerby and give up your crowns of glory?

I like the cover a lot. From the pretty girl to the font of the text.

Acquire/Borrow/Trade

For those of you who like paranormal suspense and who like to keep books I would say this would be acquire. Those of you who are not sure if this is your cup of joe then I would say borrow it. For those like me who read a book once and then do not want to read it again, because you remember it clearly then I would say put this book up for trading.

Have any of you read this book? Would any of you be interested in trading a book in exchange for this one? Don’t forget to come back and check out the giveaway and interview for After Obsession coming soon!

Ashley Suzanne