On Catching Fire and Mockingjay (some spoilers)

I was warned to brace myself for the events in Catching Fire and Mockingjay! I’ll give my spoiler alert here. I don’t think it is possible for me to discuss the last two books in the trilogy without giving something away. There have been so many reviews about this trilogy that I’ve decided to touch on just a few of the things I appreciated:

Suzanne Collins certainly tortures her characters! But, this makes their victories sweeter. I learned something about myself as a writer by reading this trilogy. I have been too soft on my characters. I grow attached to them, and I don’t want to hurt them.  I’m going to try to overcome this sentimentality.

Back to the Hunger Games trilogy—I loved these books for so many reasons.  Katniss is a strong female character, though flawed. I thought that her confusion concerning Peeta and Gale was entirely natural. In a world so frightening, she feels unable to love freely, to separate fear from her other emotions.  She focuses on survival instead of envisioning a quaint “happily ever after.”

Collins’ portrayal of the media’s influence on the war is quite clever.  Both the Capitol and the rebels stage and edit events to sway the public. The war as seen on TV is different than the war that is actually happening.  Both sides expend great efforts on propaganda.  Of course, this happens in our world as well, and this trilogy could remind teens to question instead of believing everything they see.

In Mockingjay, Peeta warns both sides that the population needs to set down its weapons to avoid extinction.  In our world, rapidly becoming over-populated, this might not seem like a present danger. However, I fear that unchecked rage and violence could lead to a reality that resembles the dystopia in the Hunger Games trilogy. Of course, I’ve always been a little paranoid.

I am glad that people like Suzanne Collins are writing books like this for the next generation.

On The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is the story of Katniss, a teen who lives in District 12 in a dystopian world. Each year the Capitol selects two tributes, a male and a female between the ages of 12 and 18, from each district to fight to the death in the Hunger Games, a televised event that serves to remind citizens how little control they have over their fates. When Katniss’ little sister is chosen, Katniss takes her place and her fight for survival begins.

There are many great reviews of this novel, so I guess I’ll focus on what I personally loved about it:

• Sisterhood: I’m the oldest sibling in my family, and I have a younger sister. I can relate to Katniss’ love and protectiveness of her younger sister Prim.
• The Nice Guy: I thought Peeta broke the mold for the lead male in a YA novel. Lately, many YA novels feature dangerous, tormented guys that tempt the protagonists to ignore their common sense. By contrast, Peeta’s kindness and selflessness are so attractive.
• This romantic line: “Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” (pg. 263)

I’ve just started the sequel, Catching Fire.

On Bewitching Season

If Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling coauthored a book, they would write something like Bewitching Season . In this novel, seventeen-year-old twins Persephone (Persy) and Penelope (Pen) Leland are about to begin their first London season when their beloved and magical governess, Miss Allardyce, is kidnapped. The Lelands receive a note from Miss Allardyce explaining that she must tend to a family illness. The twins sense that the note is a cover story and start investigating her mysterious disappearance while in the midst of a whirlwind of balls, teas, and suitors.

The novel focuses on Persy, the twin who is more studious and less outgoing. Persy struggles with society’s expectations, self doubt and her feelings for Lochinvar–childhood tormentor turned perfect mate. A lot of the conflict in this novel is Austenesque: misunderstandings arise from lack of communication and the constraints of propriety. These conflicts are alternately frustrating and hilarious.

This novel was a light, fun read, combining two of my favorite genres: fantasy and historical fiction. One of the highlights is that author Marissa Doyle includes a young Queen Victoria as a likable and memorable character.

My best friend gave me this book on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be reading the sequel when she finishes it.

Finished: January 16, 2011

On Donnelly’s Revolution

A withered heart in a jar. Red ribbons circling powdered necks. Spun sugar and sculptures made of bones.

I am jealous of Jennifer Donnelly’s writing. Her prose is intelligent without being convoluted, and she skillfully entwines historical and contemporary narratives. Most of all, I envy her descriptions that bring both modern and eighteenth century Paris to life: the teeming cafes, the Victim’s Balls, the twisted catacombs and decadent Versailles.

Initially, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to sympathize with the protagonist Andi, a rich genius, disillusioned with prep school life. Andi abuses prescription pills and regularly contemplates suicide. At first glance, her outlook on life seems pretty emo; however, her actions become understandable as Donnelly reveals the tragedy that haunts Andi–the death of her younger brother Truman. Andi suffers from crippling depression and guilt over the death she believes she caused.

In Paris, Andi discovers the eighteenth century diary of Alexandrine, an actress who fought to save the little Prince Louis-Charles, cruelly imprisoned in The Tower by those claiming to fight for liberty and equality. I found the diary entries to be the most fascinating sections of the novel. Donnelly retells the French Revolution in a fresh manner, highlighting details that emphasize human experience instead of political strategy. The overarching message of the novel is timeless: Revolution begins with the individual, with the choice to change oneself even if the rest of the world seems mad and cruel.

An aside: I learned that Donnelly listens to a lot of the same music as I do!

Finished: December 12, 2010

Currently Reading

What am I reading right now? Find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4076631-amanda-jones. I’d love to compare favorite books and discover new authors.