Beauty

 

Level: Explicit

Genre: Fantasy/Horror > Vampires/Urban Fantasy

Obtained: Borrowed from a friend

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Book:

Anita has never felt wanted; she is always surprised that she has such beautiful boyfriends in her life. In this outtake, Jean-Claude and Asher are pleased to show her just how desirable she is. 

Rating: 2/10

Oh, what to say about this? I mean, there is almost nothing to review. This entire thing was only two chapters (roughly 20 or so pages total) and then a preview chapter of her upcoming book. For what it was, this special was highly overpriced (a whopping $2.99). However, in Hamilton's defence, I realise the author rarely has a say in the price. If she did though, shame on you Ms. Hamilton!

As for the actual content, it was about what I expected. In Beauty, we get a sexy threesome between Jean-Claude, Asher, and Anita in a GIANT tub along with Anita feeling self-pity. In other words, you have most of the newer Anita Blake novels, only condensed. 

Now, I have heard a lot of people complain that the sex in here is not erotic at all. Personally, I didn't think it was all that bad. Hell, I think it might have been fairly sexy if I hadn't read this for what seems the hundredth time. Basically, it is the same old routine. Yawn. If you like all the sex in Anita Blake though, you will probably enjoy this scene. If not, stay away.

So overall, Beauty is what I expected: Anita whining, sex, and silly clothes (seriously, Asher's outfit was horrifying and pointless). It's mundane, and we've all read it before. Save your money.

What I'm Reading Next:

The Hunger Games trilogy

Level: Older Teen

Genre: Fantasy > Dystopian

Obtained: Borrowed from grandmother

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Trilogy:
The districts had revolted once before, but they were defeated by the Capital. Now, the Capital holds a tight reign on the districts by controlling their airwaves and economy, but the biggest terror is the Hunger Games. Every year, one boy and one girl is forced to play in the Capital's favourite reality show. In this unseemly event, twenty-four children are dropped into an arena where they are forced to kill each other until only one survives. In this trilogy, we follow Katniss as she tries to survive the Games and the Capital's control in what seem a never ending play of lies, secrets, and deceit.

Rating: 9/10
I had been hearing about The Hunger Games for what seems ages now, about how it is absolutely fantastic, and I have to agree for the most part. Yes, it still had its issues, but overall, I did not regret reading it and have even recommended it to a few people already. Even though the quality of the writing is less than top notch, I still couldn't help but get sucked into its gripping tale. The first book was fairly predictable, but Catching Fire and Mockingjay still managed to have their surprises. However, even though I felt book one was predictable, the action within kept me reading and wondering how things would play out. Hell, this could be said for the entire trilogy. 

Collins also manages to project tremendous visions and emotions within the mind's eye. Without even thinking, I can name at least one from each book. What's more is that these visions and emotions stay with you for quite a long time.

The characters is The Hunger Games trilogy also hold quite an impact. Throughout the books, I came to love (and at times hate) the characters, and at other times, I wasn't even sure. For example, I wasn't overly fond of Katniss, but I couldn't help but root for her. Throughout the book, the reader is often struck with questions regarding the characters and their situation. Is Katniss being too cold? Is Peeta too soft? Is Gale too harsh? To rash? Not only does the reader come upon  these sort of scenarios, but Collins also manages to create some heart gripping scenes as you learn more and more about these characters.

Now, there is the overdone love triangle, and I remember being suspicious when it reared its head, but I am glad to say it did not take over this story like an unwanted weed. Yes, it had a presence in each book, but it was not the main focus. Nor did we have an annoying heroine dropping everything so that she can decide what bloke she wants to be with.

The Hunger Games trilogy has a story line that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. It sparks the imagination and creates a world within your mind. It can be disturbing at times, but I love the fact that Collins is not afraid to go there, even though it is geared toward young adults. Honestly, I believe it is because of this that this trilogy is loved by a wide range of people of different ages and genders. It's a wonderful adventure in a not-so-wonderful world, and I would, personally, recommend this to nearly anyone.
 

Trilogy and Series Reviews

So I have decided to reviews on entire series/trilogies that have been completed, along with the individual book reviews from those trilogies/series. Obviously, this will only factor in if I read all the books in the trilogy/series. However, if I read a series before hand and did not do an overall review then, please be aware that I will not do one now. So there will not be a review for the Cirque du Freak series. Again, I will only be doing reviews for series that are completed so if  I am reading a series that has no end planned (like Anita Blake), that series will not reviewed as a whole either.

Mockingjay

 

Level: Older Teen

Genre: Fantasy > Dystopian

Obtained: Borrowed from grandmother

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Book:

It's the conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy. The districts are rising against the Capital more and more every day. After the rescue from the Quarter Quell, the victors are now working with District 13 to overcome the Capital.

Rating: 8/10

I found this book to be both fantastic and a bit boring at the same time. I was especially looking forward to the uprising against the Capital, and I figured I would be hooked from page one. Sadly, this was not the case. The first half of Mockingjay really seemed to drag for me, and I felt I was basically reading the same thing over and over. Now, the first half wasn't all boredom. It definitely has some gems sparkling in the mundane muck.

The characters in this book become more complex as well. We see more of Gale and Katniss' friendship go from rocky to firm. It's nice to see a friendship that still has its disagreements yet hold together. Collins also does a fabulous job at using her characters to get an emotional response out of us. Finnick's tale as he recollects the past probably had the biggest impact on me. It was heart moving and struck something deep inside. Then, there is Finnick's love story. You can see his torture play out when he knows President Snow has his love. You can see that he is barely holding on. Then, of course, there is Peeta. I don't want to give anything away, but when you see what the Capital has been doing to him, you cannot help but despise Snow and feel such distress for Peeta's situation.

Now, I may not have been a fan of the first half of Mockingjay, but the later half had me hooked. Once we had a change of scenery, the adventures kept coming. Still my favourite bits were the emotions the characters brought forth and the climax. Like the prior novels, Collins writes scenes that will stick with you for what seems an eternity. There is one scene that involves silver parachutes (those who have read this will know what I talking about). It is this scene that actually caused me to put down the book and recollect myself from the shock. It was that intense. I don't know a single person who didn't feel some sort of emotion during this scene. There has only been one other time I felt this large of a shock when reading, and that was when Snape died in the Harry Potter series. 

Anyway, to sum up the review, I found the first half to be mediocre at best, but the impact of the last half certainly made up for it. Add in all the character dynamics, and you have a pretty fantastic book.

What I'm Reading Next:   

 

Revelations

Level: Older Teen

Genre: Fantasy > Vampires/Urban Fantasy

Obtained: Purchased at Borders

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Book:
Things become more complicated in the Blue Bloods series. Schuyler is now being forced to live with the Forces, and Charles us refusing to let her see either her grandfather or Oliver so Schuyler is forced to find ways around this restricting rule. However, this isn't the only complication in Schuyler's life. Schuyler also has a secret relationship with Jack, and she comes to find out that if the bond between Mimi and Jack is broken, Jack will be executed.  Meanwhile, in her own subplot, Bliss is now seeing visions while awake. Horrible, terrifying visions. She also runs into Dylan again, who doesn't seem to be quite right in the head. Then, to make matters worse, the silver blood in their fold is still unknown.

Rating: 7/10
I still liked this book well enough, but I have to admit with all the subplots going on, it's starting to become difficult to follow, and I have a feeling it is only going to get worse. I am also starting to get tired of reading about perfect characters. I understand that this is part of their physiology, but it's getting stale. I am longing for a normal character, but I know not to expect that from this type of book.

Even with this issue, I still found the book entertaining. De la Cruz continues to write a gripping plot that left me turning the pages. I have to admit that one plot point was too simple to figure out. It was way too obvious as to who Bliss' visitor was. I mean, I figured it out as soon as he made his appearance so I wish that de la Cruz had done something more unique there. Other than that, I found Bliss' plot line quite enthralling. I also enjoyed witnessing Mimi's underhanded moves to overcome Schuyler and keep Jack at her side. The only plot I wasn't all that involved in was Schuyler's. Not all of it was bad. The bit where she was in Rio was entertaining enough, but the Jack/Schuyler subplot is getting more light than I care for. Granted, it hasn't completely taken over either. De la Cruz still gives me enough non romantic story to enjoy.

Overall, Revelations is still delectable junk food, even if it is leaning more and more toward the romance than I like. It's also starting to get a bit difficult when it comes to keeping track of all the little twists and turns (especially if you're not reading these back to back). It's not unmanageable yet however. Revelations isn't my favourite Blue Bloods book, but it remains a page turner, and I don't plan to stop reading the series any time soon.

What I'm Reading Next:  

 

Catching Fire

Level: Older Teen

Genre: Fantasy > Dystopian

Obtained: Borrowed from grandmother

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Book:
In the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy, Katniss is forced to keep up appearances for the Capital to make them believe that she and Peeta are in love. She is also told by President Snow himself to make it so convincing so that the riots in the districts will cease. However, riots and President Snow aren't the only things Katniss has to worry about. This year's Hunger Games has a twist. This year the tributes won't be new but past victors. This year Katniss will be playing the Hunger Games ... again.

Rating: 9/10
While the first book was good, this one was even better. Collins continues to work her magic. I did not want to put this book down. Catching Fire was quite the entertainment and had several surprises appear. Again, Collins managed to capture several parts within my mind, parts that burned brightly for weeks on end. I could feel the sickening clench in my stomach when she described Snow's overpowering smell of blood and roses, leaving  a sense of unease any time he came into play.

Collins also introduces new characters in this novel, and they are just as intriguing as the others. Not only that, but we get to see more deeply into the characters we have already come to know, along with how each one reacts to the Capital's tyranny.

Without giving away spoilers, all I can really think to say is that Collins has produced another fabulous read. It's entertaining and shocking, and she manages to show the coldness of President Snow's  that left me with a sense of wrongness. If you liked The Hunger Games, you're bound to like Catching Fire even more. It holds all the thrills of the first book, but with a whole other layer to enjoy.

What I'm Reading Next:

 

The Hunger Games

Level: Older Teen

Genre: Fantasy > Dystopian

Obtained: Borrowed from grandmother

Reviewed by: Nic Echo

About the Book:

In a dystopian society, the Capital controls the districts around it by forcing strict rules upon them such as no hunting, no weapons, and restrictions on what sort of jobs they can have. However, the worst thing the districts are forced into is something called the Hunger Games. In these games, a boy and a girl from each district are chosen to participate and then thrown into an arena until only one is left alive. It is in these games that Katniss finds herself, and she is doing whatever it takes to survive.

Rating: 9/10

First off, I love the fact that Suzanne Collins does not shy away from heavy issues and violence even though this is a young adult series. I love the fact that she believes that even teenagers can handle such issues (at least in text). With that being said, time to turn my thoughts to other aspects of this book.

I have to admit that this was a page turner, even though it was fairly obvious what was going to happen at the end of this book. The question was how. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see how Katniss got out of each scenario. I have to say that some of my favourite scenes took place in the Capitol. Yes, the actual Hunger Games were quite entertaining with its weapons and survival, but the Capitol is just as harsh. Just in a different sense. In the Capitol, we get to see the tributes battle the press and learn how to be a good celebrity so that they can obtain sponsors, which can help them better survive in the arena. 

Besides the entertainment value, Collins does a fabulous job at poking fun at our current society (which I thought was a nice underlayer) such as all the fashion trends that can be so outrageous as to almost be grotesque. Then, of course, there are the Hunger Games that the Capitol people watch religiously like our own American Idol.

Collins also manages to create fascinating characters. Honestly, I cannot think of a single character I dislike. I may dislike that character as a person or be aggravated by some of their traits though. For example, I could not see myself getting along with Katniss, but she made an excellent character. Then again, Katniss isn't supposed to be liked by everyone. Some love her and other times she simple rubs people the wrong way, and that is how I felt about her throughout. 

Not only does Collins create interesting characters but boy does she have a knack for getting images and emotions to stick in your head for days upon end. Don't worry. I don't plan on giving out spoilers, but I have to say one major part that is still with me is the climax of the actual Hunger Games with the mutts (genetically altered animals). There was definitely a creep factor when they came into play at the end.

To be honest, the only things I really disliked  was the present tense writing and the love triangle. I'm guessing the former is more of a personal choice, but I am sure plenty can agree with me that the love triangle is getting old. However, it was definitely a subplot and not the main focus so I did not feel like I was drowning in the trope.

So all together, I felt that this was an excellent read. It had an entertaining plot, well-rounded characters, and it did a fantastic job at integrating our current society in a heavy yet satirical way. Collins has a gift, and I would recommend this to many people. In fact, if you haven't read this, I suggest doing so (with the next two books on hand, because you will be wanting them).

What I'm Reading Next: