Want free Mockingjay bookmarks to go with your Mockingjay movie tie-in book?

If, like me, you're a huge fan of The Hunger Games trilogy, then I have something for you! I know, I know. I've yet to watch the movie, but I've read the book, which gave me such a massive hangover for days.

Now if you're the type to collect all versions of THG, even the movie tie-in ones, then this is your chance! Scholastic Philippines, together with National Book Store and Powerbooks has a very interesting promo for all Hunger Games fans. If you grab a copy of Mockingjay (Movie Tie-in Edition), you can get a free limited edition Mockingjay Part 1 bookmark for every purchase at any participating NBS and Powerbooks branch in Metro Manila!

Check the poster below for more details!

Now, fellow bookworms, the promo is only until December 22, 2014 so get your copies now while the odds are still in your favor.

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I don't think I will go into much detail in this review. Actually, I don't think I'll be able to since my thoughts are all jumbled up into one big stew of disbelief, astonishment, relief and exhilaration. I wrote stew. Beef stew? Wait, I'm mumbling like Peeta now.

Disclaimer: This review IS NOT SPOILER FREE. But I will try to keep it to a minimum. You've been warned.

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 398

Summary:

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead."

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

I've read mixed reviews about this book but I was and still determined to have my own view and opinion about this. I might not like everything that I've read, but one of the measures (for me) of a good book is its ability to move a person while reading. Just by reading the book, you cry, you feel scared, you feel sad. I felt all of that in this book, and then some.

If you think you've seen it all in Catching Fire, then you're wrong. Suzanne Collins had a few more fantastic tricks up her sleeve here in Mockingjay, and it'll leave you stunned into silence afterwards.

I think this is a stunning conclusion to the Hunger Games series. I wasn't disappointed at all. Although I didn't really feel good after reading this. (Yes, I didn't think that it was possible, but even though I'm satisfied with how everything played in the end, the heavy feeling stayed) But! I didn't say I don't have questions about this book.

Can anyone tell me what Katniss' real motive is? After all that she had done, for herself, for her family and for the citizens of Panem, I felt that Katniss' has somehow lost her way. Why did she agree for another round of Hunger Games? What was the point of everything she had done so far if she did? Was it for of revenge? I think that part was what made me question Katniss' character. Risking "some" lives for the sake of the rest? Wasn't that what she wanted to get rid of, The Hunger Games? The capitol's cruelty? And yet she agreed...

Maybe it should be blamed on everything she had gone through. Maybe Katniss just want everything to be over? But really, she kind of got me lost there.

Like in all books I read, especially those who were part of a series, reading about character death was not easy especially when you grew attached to them. Yes, I cried once again. It's something you know was coming, but when it was finally there, you just couldn't believe it happened. It's painful to read about them, especially because I didn't know who will die. The lives of the characters may depend on the decisions they make in the book, but still, reading about their deaths and how it played out wasn't easy.

I loved the story, but I think I liked everyone's character less in this book. Maybe its just me, I know that war changes people. Like what was said in the book, "there is no going back". Maybe they didn't change, maybe they just showed their true characters in the face of the war. That they could be cruel, cold and heartless. Like Gale. I am sorry, but I didn't like Gale much in this book. I pitied Peeta so much, but I felt bad for Katniss. Very much. The damage on her persona, on her as a whole was irreversible, and it was evident. Bit by bit you see Katniss being consumed by everything. The Games. The war. She was being destroyed, and it was painful to see what would happen to that seventeen year old girl...

Katniss might have escaped the Capitol, but in District 13, it felt like she came across a different version of it.

One thing to say though: I think Katniss made the right choice. Between Peeta and Gale, I think she did. I will not spoil you guys anymore, but the love triangle, though still heavy and very much depressing like the rest of the book, is what made me feel better. There was still something to it that would make you feel warm at times, amidst the helplessness you'll feel throughout.

The ending is very much open to different interpretations. It was neat, though it felt a bit rushed. In a sense, I think it was fitting. If this had a very happy ending it would've ruined everything the series presented, and I'm glad it didn't.

It's a heart-wrenching end to a fantastic book series, that is very evident. I guess expecting a happy ending wasn't really going to happen, because Mockingjay stayed true to its genre. Dystopian. The feeling of hopelessness sticks with you until the end. But don't let that stop you from reading this book, because this is fantastic!

So excuse me for now, I think the terrible case of withdrawal is starting to kick in...

Rating: ★★★★★ : AWESOMENESS! MORE! MORE! - I can't believe such a book exists!

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Woah, finally! Here's my review of the second book in The Hunger Games series, Catching Fire.

Forgive me if this doesn't sound much of a review since my mind is still reeling (I just finished reading like a few minutes ago) but I'll do my best to express in words what I really want to say. And I will try not to include spoilers in the review.

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 391

Summary:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I have to say that Suzanne Collins raised the bar higher in this book. It's more action packed, and a lot of things seem to be happening all at once. It was larger, more complicated and deeper. And more surprises and twists and turns as well! See in the first book, I have to say, compared to this one, the action there is nothing compared to Catching Fire. Here you really see Katniss give her all, and most of it happened in just one day!

You also see more of the background stories behind the characters, I think that's one of the things I love in this book. You'll have a deeper understanding, if not complete, of the characters involved. I think Katniss' character developed more in this book, and seeing her life after the games is quite refreshing. It was a very fun read seeing her cope with life so unfamiliar to her, and yet familiar in some ways. She was rich, but things in their lives weren't still that easy.

This is probably one of the things I was intrigued with while reading both THG and CF. How old is Haimitch again...?

If he's been around since the second Quarter Quell, and that was 25 years ago... so that makes him... around 40? It was like he was written as a young man who's got a very serious drinking problem. Or maybe that's just my understanding. Imagine how long he's been fighting off the monsters in his nightmares? Suddenly, his drinking habits made sense to me. If Peeta uses painting to exorcise the demons created by the games, Haimitch copes with his drinking.

Also, if the games have been around for 75 years, why wasn't there an uprising? Not even once? No one had ever tried? It's unbelievable how much power the Capitol has over the people in the Districts, if they were able to keep the uprisings (if there ever were attempts before) under the radar.

I know I'm only reading the book, but I actually cried when I was reading Chapter 4 (while waiting for my bus to appear, looking like an idiot). I haven't read anything more cruel. After that point, I had a pretty good idea to how much The Capitol was willing to do to keep the citizens under control. It's pretty safe to assume that this book made me very emotional, so I guess while reading through the killings (especially Mags' and the Morphling), it had more effect on me.

I also loved how the author was able to integrate new characters into the book smoothly. I have mixed reactions over Finnick, but I think overall he's a good guy, with a bit more character depth. Finnick has his own reasons, and he may look like it, but the golden boy is far from perfect.

Any theories on what happened to Cinna? (Please, if you're going to answer, no spoilers for Mockingjay, pretty please?) I was so afraid for him, but I guess that's just now things are in The Capitol. A cruel government who'd go great lengths to keep the people in line. Why does that seem so familiar? :)

I still think Peeta doesn't deserve Katniss. It's not because I want him for myself (okay that might be a part of the reason why), its just that, and I think that, Katniss will never be able to reciprocate Peeta's love with the same intensity or fervor. Sure she would die for him, but I think, the greatest sacrifice he gives for the sake of his love were the little ones he does for Katniss every single day they were together. He was there when Katniss' nightmares attack, he lost his limb protecting her, and all the while she was there confused with her feelings, torn between him and Gale.

Haimitch thinks so too:

"You could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him, you know," Haimitch says.

I loved Haimitch. He might be a drunkard, but not without a reason, and he can say the harshest things to someone (especially to Katniss), but his words get through people. What he says is the truth. Underneath all that drunken facade is a cunning guy. Ah well, I should've known. He wouldn't survive one Hunger Games if he wasn't the type of guy that he is.

And you know I'm really biased on Peeta, I think I really have to say that now, but I don't want to sound unfair, so here's my thoughts on Gale:

I guess when you create a love triangle, its always a must that one guy is always different from the other one. From appearances, Gale is dark-haired, green eyed, for one. He comes off as an aggressive type of guy, someone you know who can protect you, someone strong enough to do so. He's got a very manly aura. If Peeta grew up baking, Gale knew the harsher side of life at The Seam. He had to risk being caught hunting in the woods just so his family can survive. He had to work at the mines, and even at a young age he signed up for tesserae and earned more entries for the reaping (its either he's just really lucky he doesn't get picked. I mean come on, he's got A LOT of entries, and Prim only has one, how come he wasn't chosen?)

I'll put it this way. If Peeta and Gale would play major roles in a war, most likely, Peeta would resort to negotiations and think of strategies to get through it very carefully, and Gale, he's someone who's perfect to lead the uprising. Gale seemed more passionate, more agressive where Peeta would be calm and cool, and think things through.

I take back what I thought (I did say he's stupid, at some point) about him, and I'm wrong. Peeta's the type of guy who acts quietly, mostly behind the scenes. He's actually very clever when you look past all of his weaknesses, and you'll see glimpses of that towards the end of the book.

I think I've resigned myself with the love triangle going on (I don't want to analyze anymore), and I have to agree that Gale finally had more exposure in this book than in The Hunger Games, but for me that still wasn't enough for me to like him. Let's just see what happens in Mockingjay!

The ending was very much a cliff-hanger! If I've read this book the very same month this was released, I'll probably go crazy waiting for Mockingjay. That was definitely a good build-up for the last book, the type that would leave you curious and just asking for more.

And finally, the wheels have been set in motion. I can't wait to see what happens.

I have a feeling that this would be my favorite book in the series. I hope Mockingjay doesn't disappoint me because I have really high hopes for it. I try not to read reviews for the last book, and so far its got mixed ratings/receptions from readers, and I really want to be pleasantly surprised.

Rating: Do I really need to write it? 5 stars of course!
★★★★★ : AWESOMENESS! MORE! MORE! - I can't believe such a book exists!

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I know so much has been said about this book, and frankly speaking, at first I only want to read The Hunger Games because almost every blogger I know has read this book. It was also the first dystopian book I've read, so it took me a while to get through it, but I have to say, I am so proud I've read this book.

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 374

Summary:

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, 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.

I can only think of one word to describe this book: Brilliant. As I've said, its a first in the dystopian fiction genre I've read and I'm glad that this is the book I've read.

One of the reasons why I was taking my time reading this is that it has taken me a while to imagine how Panem, the setting, looks like. Or the capitol, since they have trains, elevators and modern technology. While everything was modern and new in The Capitol, the rest of the Districts are in the state of hunger and chaos, living a somewhat primitive life (Katniss was trading/bartering, hunting). The different was so great! Once I got past that though, I was plunged into an amazing world!

Suzanne Collins was able to create a book with a complicated premise, yet you can imagine everything coming to life. Her descriptions are so vivid it felt painfully real and familiar. The stark contrast between the lives of those in the Capitol and in the district was so obvious, the rich and the poor, like the state of the society in my country.

It's scary to think of what might happen to the world if we have the same type of government as what is in the book. Every year they organize The Hunger Games to remind the people that they control their lives, that they own them, and that they can destroy them in a snap if they disobey.

When I first read the summary, I thought of Battle Royale. I'm sure some of you did too if you are familiar with the movie/novel. Yes, they are similar in the sense that kids are pitted against each other, killing themselves and win. But other than that, its amazing how Suzanne Collins was able to set apart her book and make it feel completely different from Battle Royale (I still think that book was too violent for me). This has more heart, and the deaths made more sense to me (which, in turn, made it a bit difficult for me to accept. I get emotional every time someone dies in the book). There's a reason why they're there, why they're competing, why they want to win.

Katniss may not be the perfect protagonist, but I love her. I love that she's flawed, that the author didn't attempt to make her look perfect because she's not. She mostly keeps to herself and her family, but she's very kind. Her determination and strength to go on and participate in the game was very admirable and even at the face of certain death, she pushed through, even when she was doubting herself at times. I wonder how she was able to do it? To take in all of that horror and violence, Katniss sure is one tough girl.

And yes, I've come to the point where I'm choosing teams.

I am proud to say I'm Team Peeta! One part of the reason might be because Gale has less exposure in this book, but I just love his character. I love how he was written. His selflessness is one point that I admire. Like I told my friend, Jana, Peeta is my golden boy, so the thought of him killing shocked me, but it was something he had to do. I love it how he doesn't come across as a knight in shining armor, though he saves Katniss at times. He knows his weaknesses and doesn't attempt to hide them, and instead tries to make the most out of what he has. So yes, I am rooting for him!

This book has joined my list of the best novels I've read this year! If you haven't read it yet, please do! You'll be pleasantly surprised, trust me. ;)

Rating: ★★★★★ : AWESOMENESS! MORE! MORE! - I can't believe such a book exists!