Mockingjay

…by Suzanne Collins.

This is the third and final book of the Hunger Games trilogy. {Read the first and second book reviews}. Following the destruction of District 12 and the loss of many lives, Katniss wakes up to find herself in District 13. Along with Gale, her mother, her sister Prim and a few other survivors. Unfortunately for Katniss, Peeta has been captured by President Snow as has Johanna. And they now face Snow’s wrath. In the mean time, the rebels along with Coin, the leader of District 13, now want to unite the rest of the districts to usurp the Capitol. And for that, they need Katniss. She is the Mockingjay. The symbol of the rebellion. As Katniss proceeds to fight, she also has to deal with a Peeta who has been brainwashed against her as well as not knowing whom to trust. The rebels are united in their cause but how many lives are Coin and the others willing to sacrifice?

The final book is about the final fight. The fight for freedom and overthrowing a dictatorship. Katniss’ character grows a bit but Prim’s character develops more to the point where you wish you could read a lot more about her. The ending is pretty gut-wrenching and Katniss finally makes her decision with the whole Peeta-versus-Gale issue. Several lives are lost but except for two lives, none of the others affected me too much. There were some parts in the book where I admit I skim-read. Because the fights and the lack of trust were just getting a bit too much for me. It’s not a bad book in that it completes the story for you {especially if you want to know what happens on starting the trilogy!} But it’s nothing spectacular. I find it hard not to compare it to Harry Potter where the final fight scene is so brilliantly penned. I know it’s not justified but based on that, it doesn’t live up to my expectations. I give it a rating of 3.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Note: This review was originally posted on my personal blog.

Catching Fire

…by Suzanne Collins.

This is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Please read my review of the first book if you wish prior to this one. In ‘Catching Fire’, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have emerged as victors but Katniss has done something no one ever did before. And for this, she faces the wrath of President Snow. Some of the districts have begun to rebel against the Capitol thanks to Katniss’ stance during the Hunger Games. This also happens to be the 75th year of the Hunger Games. And this time around, there is a twist. The only people eligible for this year’s games are the previous winners. Which in District 12 leaves Katniss as the only girl tribute and Haymitch and Peeta to be chosen as the male tribute. Katniss is back in the arena with past winners and Peeta and this time, is fighting to keep Peeta alive. In the arena, Katniss doesn’t know who an ally is and who isn’t. But at the same time, she tries to trust Finnick and Mags from District 4. Amidst all this, she also tries to sort out her feelings for Gale and Peeta.

The second book, while thrilling in its own way, didn’t have the suspense and the feel of the first one. Having said that, it was still interesting in its own way. I got a bit frustrated with the whole Gale-versus-Peeta issue. Especially as it reminded me of another book that I couldn’t get past 7 chapters. {Twilight} Thankfully though, Katniss has more brains and brawn than Bella of Twilight. I doubt I could have read this book otherwise. I must admit, I like Katniss and Peeta but they don’t do as much for me as the characters from Harry Potter. It’s still an interesting book to read for the thrill of it and of course, to read as part of the trilogy.

My rating for the second book in the trilogy is 3.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Note: This review was originally posted on my personal blog.

The Hunger Games

…by Suzanne Collins.

16 year old Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 with her mother and younger sister Prim, aged 12. Katniss’ father died in a mining accident and since his death, she has been the provider for her little family. Along with her best friend Gale, she hunts for food. Katniss and others who live in the Seam area of District 12 are always struggling for food. Thanks to the Capitol that governs all the districts around it.

Yet another initiative by the Capitol is the Hunger Games. Every child from 12 to 18 from each of the districts has to put in their name to participate. And who gets chosen is purely by chance: picking a name out of the hat. 12 boys and 12 girls are then put in an arena and have to fight it out till there is only one remaining. In other words, 23 other children must be killed for one to be declared a victor. And the victor’s district then gets food for a year. When Katniss volunteers herself in place of her sister, she knows it is a matter of life and death. She also knows in order to win, she will not only have to kill children from other districts but also the boy from her own, Peeta. Peeta who was once so kind to Katniss that she still owes him.

I must admit that I was very sceptical about reading The Hunger Games when I heard about it several months ago. The concept of kids needing to kill other kids in order to survive was something I didn’t morally agree with. Eventually though, I caved and got the book after being recommended to read it by someone at my book club. I finished this book in 2 days. Yes, it was that fast paced! I must say I enjoyed most of it and was glad that the killings were not elaborated in a morbid manner and that the violence was not completely gratuitous. Yes, it was disturbing but I think the author handled the concept of the children seemingly having no choice thanks to their government quite well. It’s like a reality TV show that is grotesque. There were occasions when I found myself musing that in real life, this is probably what reality shows could honestly stoop to.

I quite liked Katniss’ character. The fact that the protagonist is a girl and a strong one at that made me feel quite pleased. {Especially when you think about Twilight’s female lead being one I wanted to smack on the head}. The actual games had a feel of the Triwizard Tournament for me initially. Of course, they didn’t have to kill anyone there to win! In the end though, I think the fact that Katniss and a few other children were not killing each other without having doubts of doing it probably saved it as well for me. If it had all been cold-blooded killing, I think I would have been put off it completely. All in all, it’s a good fantasy read and quick-paced. Just don’t compare it to Harry Potter though.

My rating for this book is 4.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Note: This review was originally posted on my personal blog.

Book Review: The Hog Murders

Title: The Hog Murders
Author: William L. DeAndrea
ASIN: B00AEGIGEC
Source: Advance copy from publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis: World-renowned criminologist Professor Nicolo Benedetti is called to the small, unassuming town of Sparta, New York, to solve a series of brutal murders. The only lead is a succession of notes delivered to the local newspaper, taunting the police, and enigmatically signed “HOG.” Originally published in 1979, The HOG Murders received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

My Review:

The Hog Murders, the first in the Niccolo Benedetti series, was first published in 1979 and won an Edgar. It featres the brilliant and eccentric Italian professor, Benedetti and his protegee Ron who is a private detective. Thanks to Mysterious Press for publishing digital copies of many of the old books, I could get my hands on this one through Netgalley.

Professor Benedetti is called into the small town of Sparta, New York to solve a series of brutal murders that take place in a span of three weeks. The only clues are the notes that taunt the police and are delivered to a local newspaper reporter and signed ‘HOG’.

This is a classic whodunit filled with twists and turns and interesting plot. The mystery is satisffying enough but I expected to be blown away by it but ended up with an ‘Oh’. I liked the characters of the detectives, though they are completely different from Poirot and Marple, they are charming in their own way and I woud definitely like to read more of their adventures.

The Florentine Emerald

Title: The Florentine Emerald
Author: Agustín Bernaldo Palatchi
ISBN: 9781453264126
Source: Advance copy from publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis: Cardona Castle, 1478. A condemned man reveals the secret of his concealed Jewish ancestry to his son, and tells him of a priceless ring that has been in the family’s possession for centuries. After his father’s execution, Mauricio is forced to flee Barcelona and travel to Florence in the hope of selling the ring. In the city of the arts he meets some extraordinary characters—including Lorenzo de Medici, Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, and Leonardo de Vinci—but nobody will make affect him as strongly as Lorena Ginori, a young woman who has been condemned to marry a man who disgusts her. Clouded in danger, conspiracies, plagues, and invasions, when the city comes under the wing of a visionary monk, everything seems poised to go up in smoke. And just as Florence must look to the past to find the key to the future, Mauricio and Lorena must journey through the hidden roots of their family trees to discover the truth about themselves in this enthralling journey through time.

My Review:

I wanted to read this book for its setting – the Renaissance era Florence, its landscape, beauty, and the life of the common man. We go along with Mauricio and Lorena on their journey through life as they face tragedies and triumphs – their life in Florence and their interaction with the Medicis.

Maybe it is the translation or the writing itself but I couldn’t feel any emotion in the story. The protagonists couldn’t make themselves endearing to me and I couldn’t rejoice or feel sad with their experiences. It is a slow brewing plot and though it could have been a great book, I felt it was rather flat for my taste.  The content and context are rather exciting but not really my cup of tea. Even though I knew it is fiction, I couldn’t really come to accept the interaction of the protagonist with legendary characters like Da Vinci and Columbus.

The Happiest Refugee

…by Anh Do.

Australian comedian Anh Do nearly didn’t make it to Australia. Born in Vietnam, Anh left with his family as a toddler on a boat. To some place. Met by pirates on the way and a treacherous journey altogether, they eventually got accepted as refugees to Australia. Anh talks about the initial good times the whole family had despite struggling with finances. His parents went on to get divorced. After their father walked out on them, Anh and his siblings Khoa and Tram lived with their mother who sewed to try and make ends meet. Anh and his brother had a part-scholarship to study at St. Aloysius College at Milson’s Point but the financial pressures were at the back of his mind. He also describes his post-school years and his journey through university and TAFE and meeting the love of his life Suzie at uni. And of course, how he became a comedian and his journey till now.

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while. And I’m so glad I did. I like Anh Do as a comedian. And it was interesting to read his journey from a toddler till today. It was a heart warming read about the struggles he and his family went through as refugees and how they saw the silver lining in most things and made the best that they could with what they had. Most importantly, given the brouhaha we have been having here lately about ‘boat-people’, Anh’s story is a great reminder of how the stupid right-wing people are so black-and-white about their views of refugees. Or ‘boat-people’ as they like to call them. It also gives somewhat of an insight as to why someone would want to make the dangerous journey on a boat to another country. It is also lovely to see how the family embraced Australia and love the country. I identified with the love for Australia being an immigrant myself {albeit, not a refugee}.

I found myself laughing out loud in several places and crying silent tears in some others. Both of happiness and sorrow. I’ll leave you with some excerpts from the book before rating it:

Talking about his girlfriend Amanda:

Amanda also had one other problem that wasn’t technically a relationship breaker, but definitely something that was a little bit odd. She couldn’t say ‘Vietnamese’. She would say Viet-man-nese, over and over again.

‘It’s not that hard’, I told her. ‘Sound it out: Viet-na-mese.’

‘VIET-MAN-NESE.’

‘Viet-man-nese? What the hell is that? Like some refugee superhero or something? I am Viet-Man! I will fly over to your house and save your dinner with the softest hot bread rolls.’

On the journey by boat:

There was nothing but flat, blue water in every direction. The heat of the tropical afternoon sun clung to our skin and shoulders, and people tried to shield their eyes from the glare as the boat skidded along the frothy wave.

All in all, Anh shows us how fortunate he is to be where his life is at currently. And that resonated deeply with me. We forget all the things we have in this lovely country. We whinge and complain about everything without realising all the benefits we have. Like Anh Do, I know how lucky I am to be here.

And that’s what I loved about this book. I give it a rating of 4.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Note: This post originally appeared on my personal blog, Over Cups of Coffee.

We don’t live here anymore

…by Matt Nable.

Charlie Hudson is on holidays with his parents Leon and Glenda, and his younger brother Aaron at the beach. A socially awkward teenager, his life sets on an unusual path as he is smitten by Tess Bailey who rescues him from being beaten up by another teenager, Derek. The book follows Charlie’s life from his teenage years to adulthood. It also follows the lives of his neighbours and friends and those who have touched his life. There are his neighbours Neddy, Carol and their son Lachlan and his aunt Bernadette. And of course, his immediate family. It looks at how their lives intertwine, how things don’t always go according to plan and how life itself can unravel but then straighten up. In short, it’s a journey about life.

While I found the story interesting to begin with, it seemed to leave me disappointed. For one thing, I had to keep checking back as to who the particular character being talked about was. I enjoyed the journeys of Leon who fights hard against his true sexuality and Carol to be most intriguing. I wasn’t a big fan of Neddy or Glenda. As for Charlie, I had a feeling he probably had Asperger’s syndrome even though it doesn’t explicitly say so in the book. The other characters didn’t evoke much emotion from me. The one thing that annoyed me the most was the changing times. I couldn’t figure out what was in the present and what was in the past. It seemed to intermingle without any clear indication. It would have been helpful for the author to not only have the character’s name as the chapter title but the year as well. The concept and the story were good but the manner in which it was eventually presented probably let it down the most.

My rating: 2.

Note: This post originally appeared on my personal blog, Over Cups of Coffee