THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

“May the odds be ever in your favour. Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death. In a dark vision of the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister’s place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.”

What is the book about?

In a dark vision of the near future, as a consequence of a failed revolution, twelve boys and twelve girls from ages 12-18, a boy and a girl from each district, are forced to compete in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. Only one can be crowned the winner. The contestants must either kill or be killed. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen is from District 12, where winning is seen as almost impossible and being chosen is a death sentence. Other Districts have been preparing their children for years and they are more than willing to volunteer for a chance to be crowned the victor. When Katniss steps forward and volunteers to take her little sister Prim’s place in the games, she knows that she is likely never to come home again. But Katniss has been on the verge of death before and she has hope. She has been caring for herself for years now; to her, survival is second nature.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The Hunger Games has been a book that I have been curious about for quite a few years now. It is not just a popular book series, but also a many people have watched the movies. I have never had much of a need to read the books and haven’t really wanted to. This was because I have always hated horror and gory parts of books and movies, and that was the reason I always looked at The Hunger Games from a distance. However, starting this blog made me want to try out new books and read things that I would have never thought of reading and that’s how I came across The Hunger Games. My friend always likes throwing books at me so that she can talk about them with someone, so when I asked her for books to read, she was more than happy to come with The Hunger Games. As we both have similar taste, I was intrigued and very happy that I would finally get to read the books. I was a little concerned but as soon as I started reading, all of my worries disappeared and I just couldn’t stop reading. I finished the book in a day as I could literally not let go of it, it was amazing. I was pulled into the book from the very beginning and every page kept me on edge.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Katniss because of her brave, selfless and kind qualities. Katniss really cared about her little sister Prim and wouldn’t let her sign up for any tesserae – a year’s supply of grain and oil – making sure that the chances she would get chosen were as low as possible, even though her own possibilities were getting higher and higher. Prim was the only person Katniss was sure she love and Katniss knew that she was worth saving. So she risked her life and sacrificed herself for her sister. I also liked Katniss because although she was sure that the chance she would make it back home was incredibly low, she never gave up and tried as hard as she could to make it back to her sister. She was brave and was able to go through many obstacles, persevering and making it further into the games. Even when she thought everything was over and she was close to death, she tried her best to not show her suffering to the audience, knowing Prim would be watching and trying to make things as easy as possible for her. Katniss was brave enough to overcome pain and always look to the future and imagine the happiness it would bring to her sister if she arrived home as the victor. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was probably in the middle of the book when Katniss makes an alliance with Rue, a twelve-year-old tribute. This is the moment when Katniss stops feeling as though she is alone and starts to really believe that there a chance she might make it back to District 12. I really liked this part because at that moment Katniss finally felt truly confident that she was strong enough to win and that with teaming up with Rue they would both have a higher chance of beating the Career Tributes. Throughout the games, Katniss had felt lonely, especially without Peeta, and with Rue she felt she could overpower the worst tributes and she didn’t feel as alone anymore. Despite knowing that only one of them could survive, Rue and Katniss made a great team and this is the moment where I think the games really begin and start to get interesting.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book was outstanding and was one of the best I have read. I loved every little thing about it and I believe that it as close to perfection as possible and definitely the most perfect adventure novel I have read so far. The chapters were always keeping me on the edge of my seat and I was constantly holding my breath waiting for the next death defying event. As I got further towards the end of the book I started to feel as though something huge was about to happen and I felt strong emotions that are very rare for me when reading a book. It felt like every chapter got more interesting and intense as the book went on and every single part pulled me further into the book. Even though the book ended on a cliff-hanger – something that always gets on my nerves – I was actually glad because I knew that there was no possible way to conclude the book properly without another book to continue the story, so I was happy that there would be more to read about Katniss and Peeta.

Would you recommend this book?  

This book is one that every reader should love 100%. It is full of action, adventure, romance and is perfect for all sorts of readers. I would recommend it particularly for readers over 14 but I think that if you have read books similar to it, it is definitely a book to try even if you are a few years younger than my recommended age.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A near death action-packed adventure full of suspense. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

I CAN TRICK A TIGER

What is the book about?

The book is about Floppy’s dream in the jungle.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

 My favourite character was the bunny because she was cute, and I also liked Floppy.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

 My favourite part was when the bunny came because it scared Floppy and it was funny.

What did you think of the book and why?

I liked it and it was good but it was a bit boring. 

Reviewed by Fabiola Gutierrez Reviriego

FOUR – A DIVERGENT COLLECTION – by Veronica Roth

“Two years before Beatrice Prior makes her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader does the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is his chance to begin again. Newly renamed ‘Four’ he discovers that initiation is only the beginning… Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. And his decision will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future – and the future of the entire faction system. Two years later, Four is poised to act but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her it might become possible to be Tobias once again.”

What is the book about?

Two years before Beatrice Prior makes her choice, sixteen-year-old Tobias Eaton does the same. Tobias transfers to Dauntless in order to escape the father who he has always feared and to be able to start a new, better life. With a new name, new faction and new life, he realises that initiation is only the beginning. Four must claim his place with the Dauntless and prove he belongs. His choice has the power to not only threaten his own future, but to affect the lived of future initiates as well. Four has the ability to make things better for everyone, or sit back and watch as the future of the entire faction system change. Two years late, Four is ready to act but the way to go is still unclear and he is not yet sure what to do to fix it. Then the first new initiate jumps…and everything changes. With her the way to changing the world to become a better place might become possible. With her it might be possible for Four to become Tobias once again.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first saw the book, I was very confused. I was unsure whether it was another book or a short story, I wasn’t even sure if it was on the past, present or future, then only thing that I was confident about was that it had something to do with Four but I didn’t know what. When I found out what it was after reading the blurb I was very curious to learn about Four’s life before he even met Tris and even before he got his nickname and was just Tobias. I learnt a bit about him from reading Allegiant but there was still a lot I wanted to know. At the beginning of the book there was a short introduction that I found very interesting. In it, Veronica Roth explained that she had actually started writing Divergent from Tobias’s perspective and it compelled me to read the book as I wanted to discover why she had been so interested in his life and why he was the character she had primarily chosen to narrate the story.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Four because of the new perspective I got on his life. I liked learning about his past and how everything in his life was before he met Tris. I got to see how everything affected him and what made him feel the need to leave the faction he was destined for. It really showed me how brave he was even before joining Dauntless. The book showed me a lot about his life and I learnt how even though he suffered, everything that happened during his childhood made him stronger and contributed to the person he was in the end of the series. Despite the book not being written from her point of view, I also to see Tris in a new light which is why she was also a favourite character of mine. I got to see Tris through someone else's eyes and this helped me really see how brave and selfless she is and how other people see her. Four and Tris are both really brave, selfless and wonderful people and I really enjoyed reading about them.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

It was very hard for me to choose a favourite part of the book as it is more of a combination of short stories, so instead of picking a part I have decided to choose a favourite story. My favourite story in the book was the Traitor. This was because it happens when Four has already met Tris and overlaps with the events in Divergent. I really liked it because it showed how things happened from Four's point of view and what it was like for him to feel like a faction traitor. It was weird at first to go back to the start of the whole adventure and to me it felt a bit like time travel, going back to a place where everything is so much better and not everything is full of suffering, loss and betrayal – though the whole definition of a traitor is betraying something, or someone. I liked being there with Four when he chose to show Tris who he really was and seeing how tough it was for him. This story also told me that he knew a huge secret that had the potential to save, or destroy, everything and it showed me how much Four was really hiding and how it was for him to have the ability to save everyone. This story helped me learn a lot about Four and his relationship with Tris and the reason he reached out to her and shared his secrets with her. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book was amazing – I loved everything about it. One thing that I really liked was learning about the past and seeing how Four was before he became Dauntless and the only name he went by was Tobias. It was very interesting to know how his initiation was different to Tris's and why things changed. I also liked the book as I got to learn why Four needed up as an instructor instead of as the leader, even though he was ranked first in his group of initiates. I was also explained – in more detail – how his nickname was chosen. It had always confused me as I knew that Tris only got to learn her fears until the end, so it was strange for Four to wait so long to get his name, but it was all explained very well. The book answered a lot of questions I had on Four and I really liked finally knowing more about him. Another thing I liked about the book was seeing some parts from Divergent from Four's point of view. I always love getting a fresh perspective and knowing what it is like for someone else because there are always different sides of a story and I am always curious to see how different people react in different situations. Everyone has a different reaction and people see things that make them have an opinion that might explain something that the narrator doesn't understand, or sometimes that small opinion might change the whole plot. I also liked seeing how Tris and Four's lives overlapped and what it was like for Four to meet someone that he would spend a lot of his life protecting. I really loved the book and reading all those parts of Four's life that led to Divergent and seeing how it all began.

Would you recommend this book?  

I think that this book is perfect for readers who enjoyed Divergent and want to learn more about Tobias. I also recommend it for anyone who had not read yet read Divergent (particularly over the age of 14) as it is a great book to read, however I recommend reading the Divergent trilogy beforehand as Four will be more understandable if you have read the three books.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A short informing book full of action and mystery from the past.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

ALLEGIANT by Veronica Roth

“The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered – fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties and painful memories.  But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature – and of herself – while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.”

What is the book about?

The factionless have taken over and the factions that Tris Prior believed in have been shattered. Her home has been destroyed by violence, power, loss and betrayal – suffering is everywhere. When Tris is welcomed by a group that offer her a chance to leave it all behind and start a new adventure exploring the world past the city and limits se has known, she is ready. She believes that beyond the fence she can start a new life with Tobias and be free from all the complications, suffering and painful guilt and memories. But Tris’s dream seems just as impossible as fixing the shattered society she called home. The new world seems even more distraught than the one she left behind and everything she thought was true was all just lies. The new truths and discoveries change the hearts of those she loved and once again Tris is at war. Tris must face impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love in order to finally save everyone she ever cared about and bring hope to the world.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Insurgent, the book before Allegiant, had left me shocked and curious so obviously I had to read the last book. My friend (who recommended the books) told me that she always go stuck on Allegiant and found it hard to finish because of the lack of action and the change from having such an action-packed book like Divergent or Insurgent was a big shift and made the book harder to read. However, I was not that worried because she also told me that it wasn’t that difficult to read the first time because you don’t know anything and it’s much more interesting as it is filled with information that a first time reader will be desperate to read. And also, the book was also a lot more well read than the others so I could tell there was something she wasn't telling me. I was very intrigued to begin reading and as soon as I started it felt like I had never stopped. I was anxious to find out more and wanted to know everything. I was also anxiously waiting for the book to end as I was hoping for a perfect ending…only now I wish the book hadn’t ended and I could forget everything I had read.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Once again, my favourite character is Tris. She makes me think of the sort of person that I always dream that I could be – brave and selfless enough to make decisions to protect the people I care about, without thinking about the effects and consequences the actions might have on my own life. I admire Tris for how she is able to notice the truth and when somebody is hiding something, and share her opinions even if it risks her relationship with someone. She is always willing to do what is right and puts herself before others. She lets the Abnegation in her show just as much as her Dauntless qualities. Her selflessness is the main reason why I like her, but it is also one of her flaws. She is so selfless and kind that she doesn’t always seem to value her life as she should and although it is an amazing quality to be brave enough to sacrifice yourself for someone, it is also important to live. However Tris is a really likable character and I loved living through her life with her.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Although in most books my favourite part is always the end, this time it wasn’t – it is probably my least favourite part of the book. This made my decision even harder than usual as I didn’t have a wonderful ending to describe. However, I managed to choose the part where I was full of hope and curious at how it would end. This part is just before the end when all the characters are ready to finally bring happiness for everyone, including the people they didn’t even know existed. I liked this part because it is when all the wars and deaths in Divergent, Insurgent and even some in Allegiant, finally seem to have meaning and be worthwhile. Of course it still doesn’t seem right for so many people to die but at that moment it was clear that the life those people died for would happen and the survivors would be able to find happiness and forget all the suffering they had gone though. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Allegiant was an amazing book and I loved reading it, it was similar to Divergent in the way that I couldn’t put it down and I don’t think there is much I wish had been different (except a very important part of the book that I feel very passionate about changing which I shall not mention for the sake of readers who will not enjoy the spoiler). Allegiant was the first, and only, book that was written from two perspectives. I didn’t find out the true reason for the author’s decision to include Tobias’s perspective as well as Tris’s but I still thought it was a really good idea. I liked to see what was going through a different persons mind and know how someone else felt for a change. I also thought that it was important as many things happened when Tobias and Tris were separate so it would have been confusing to not know what was happening at both places. However, reading from two perspectives, especially after reading two books from Tris’s perspective was incredibly confusing, mainly at first. I kept getting puzzled at who was the ‘I’ in the book at that time and sometimes I even forgot that Tobias had his point of view in the story and got even more confused when I thought what he was feeling or saying was Tris. I also really liked the information I got from reading the book. I always enjoy learning about the characters, their past and knowing the whole truth and Allegiant gave me exactly that. I understand that now after reading it for the first time that it won’t be as good when I read it again because I already know everything but it is full of a lot of special parts that tell the reader a lot about the city and the characters ancestors which is really intriguing. I really liked the book and I really wish it hadn’t ended.

Which is your favourite book in the Divergent series? (1, 2, or 3)

Despite how amazing Allegiant was, I think that Divergent is still my favourite book. All three books were extraordinary and absolutely outstanding but I liked Divergent the most. This is probably because it is the first book and the one where I started the amazing adventure that I went through. It is when I first met Tris, Tobias and all the other characters that were in some way an important addition to the book series. Divergent is when I started the journey that I will never forget and that is most likely why Allegiant isn’t my favourite, as it is when the thrilling adventure came to an end. Divergent is also the book where less people die. In know that if you think logically, that part isn’t necessarily true as many innocent Abnegation did die, however less of the important main or side characters die which is more significant as those people have names and have connected to the reader. I loved all three books and I am really sad to see the series finish – though I read the whole series within a week so really I should have read slower.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book to readers over 14 who have read Divergent and Insurgent and liked them. It is an amazing read that I am sure action lovers will enjoy. I really loved the book and I will never be able to forget it. I have become obsessed and I am sure that others will too. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A remarkable and emotional read that will destroy you.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego