Book Review

Hunger Games- Catching Fire

Catching fire is the second book in the Hunger Games Series. After surviving the games Katniss and Peeta return home to a whole new way of life. Unknown to them though their antics in the arena have started a wave of rebellions across the districts, and although they are no longer being hunted to death for sport they are in even more danger then ever before.

After finishing the first book of the series I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! Suzanne Collins done a great job of portraying the confusion and emotion of returning home after such a life altering ordeal and it was interesting to see how there lives changed but still not being any better for it. This story was just as packed full of tension, heart stopping and nail biting moments as the first book. What I loved about this book was it went into the history of the districts more and you started to get more details about each individual district and the people within them. I really enjoy the way Suzanne Collins portrays the wealthy people of the Capitol and shows up their self indulgent shallow world, I think there are some definite parallels to modern society!

This story is a MUST read with so many twists and turn you will be left exhausted! Definitely a book that will appeal to both adults and teenagers.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

Book Review

The Hunger Games - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

After waiting impatiently for the last month for my copy of The Mockingjay to finally arrive at the library (Yes I could have brought it from the book store, but that would be going against all principles of supporting my local library!) I finally got it and found myself doing a little crazy dance and letting out an ecstatic cheer. That was on Friday, and for the next few days I was consumed by my book, neglecting everyone and everything while I was immersed in the world of Panem. I can't say a bad word about this book and although it wasn't the ending I expected this wasn't a bad thing, actually it was quite refreshing that the book didn't have a predictable end and that it kept the plot twists going right into the last chapters never allowing you to guess what was going to happen next.
In this book you are introduced to the lost district, 13. Here the true rebellion and war against the Capitol begins. What I loved about the way Suzanne Collins has written her books is there is nothing cliche or stereotypical about her villains and heroes. Here is district 13 you are left questioning if these people are truly the goods guys, or if there are any good guys in world at all? Also, that dislike and hate you hold against the people of the Capitol melts slightly into pity as you start to see how naive and affected by the Capitol they are. Again like the last two books this story didn't disappoint and kept your heart racing and your mind guessing.
Having finished the series now I'm a little sad, but hey they say you should always leave your audience wanting more, and I defiantly want more of these books!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

Top 10 of 2010

So it is the new year which means... lots of new books! But before I get ahead of myself how about we take the opportunity to look back at last years best best fiction for 11- 16 years.

What was your favourite book of the last year? Perhaps you tried a new Author and know can't get enough of their books? Who do you think was the freshest and most brilliant emerging writer of the past year?

In our reading group for January we looked at what our favourite books of 2010 were. Here are a few of the titles that we agreed upon that ranked high in our favour...

• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
• Twilight: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
• H.I.V.E by Mark Walden
• Cherub: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore
• Shapeshifters: Finding the Fox by Ali Sparkes

It would be great if you want to post a comment on what fiction had you firmly fixed to the page and locked into the thickening plot. Just post a comment letting us know your fave reads and I will collate them all and put your choices into a neatly ranked table.

Young Crime writers' Competition

                                      
          CWA Young Crime Writers' Competition
                      

                                     

                                                                  

Can you write a first rate crime story?

That’s the challenge issued to you by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA).

You can pick up your entry form and competition requirements at your local library.  Entries will be accepted at your local library from 10 January to 18 February.

You have up to 1000 words to get the readers hooked, although you don’t have to write as much as that – perhaps you can create such a brilliant story that even 100 words will be enough to knock the judges dead…

Crime novels include a very wide variety of material – detective stories, creepy psychological thrillers, historical whodunits, spies, terrorist plots… from cops and robbers to vigilantes and robots, the choice is yours and if you’re short of inspiration, why not borrow some crime novels from the library and see how the professionals do it?

Book Review

This is a great first book of the shapeshifter series, Ali Sparkes does a great job or correctly portraying the emotions of a teenage boy, which makes her characters real and believable. The story is a great adventure that has a little bit of everything - drama, action and comedy. These books really capture your imagination  as you dive into the world of shapeshifting and telekinetic. Can't wait for the next instalment!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

www.alisparkes.com/Ali Sparkes is a local author to Southampton and was the winner of the blue Peter book of the year.

• What shapeshifter animal would you like to be?
• Do you think Ali Sparkes does a good job of explaining the emotions of a 12 year old boy?
• Do you think the 'evil step-mother' character was too cliche?
• Do you think Ali Sparkes portrays Dax's confusion well?
• What is it about "Finding the Fox" that is so gripping?
• Who was your favourite character?
• How would you feel being hauled off to boarding school?

Book of the Month

December - The Immortals - by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

 This review is from:  G. LAWE
The Immortals is the final instalment in the Edge Chronicles, but it can be read as a stand alone book too. It's epic, packed with adventure, I love the creatures and monsters in it. Some bits are really tense and dark, and then there are moments are real humour to keep the reader guessing. The illustrations match the text perfectly and bring the world of the Edge to life. I love the way nothing is black and white in the story, there are real moral dilemmas which the characters must face and it gets you thinking about what you would do as the reader. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!!!

Read more review here 

Book Review

                         The Twilight Saga

I love reading and will go from one book to the next, a never ending chain of reading.

When I finally succumb to the teen phenomenon that is Twilight and decided to read Stephanie Meyers books to see what all the fuss was about ,  I think I can safely say I have never read a book which has gripped me so much!

I read Twilight In a couple of days, and when I had finished it I needed my next fix! What is it about the books that leave you wanting more? I can't put my finger on what it is that makes them so uniquely great. Is it the romance between Bella and Edward, the love triangle or the whole vampire thing? Personally I think Meyer produces a complicated love story that is believable and the audience can emotionally relate to. She doesn't produce a sugared coated love story that is all happy endings but shows that love comes with choices and consequences.

Stephanie Meyer may not be the next literacy genius but she knows how to write a compelling story that leaves you wanting more.

I love the characters, plots and clever story line, and can't wait to read anything else Meyer will write!

I give these books 5 out of 5 stars!