Tag Archives: suzanne collins

Book Review and Summary: Gregor the Overlander

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A couple of weeks ago, one of my youth group leaders talked about the book Gregor the Overlander. Since it is summer, I’ve been trying to find new books (and book series) to read. So, I decided to embark on Suzanne Collins’ series, The Underland Chronicles. This series starts with Gregor the Overlander.

Spoilers Ahead!

The book begins by introducing the main character, Gregor, an 11-year-old boy who lives in New York City with his mother and two sisters (Lizzie and Boots). Two years ago, Gregor’s father mysteriously disappeared without any word or trace. Most people believe that his father is an absentee; however, Gregor knows that his father will never leave his family. Because Gregor’s father is gone, he takes on many other roles, such as caring for his two-year-old sister, Margaret (fondly called Boots).

One day, Gregor evades his nosey neighbor by going to the laundry room to clean some clothes. He takes Boots with him so she can get out of the apartment. After dumping the clothes into the washer, Gregor discovers Boots has disappeared. He panics but then sees an open grate where Boots has fallen into. Gregor quickly climbs into the grate and falls. Little does he know that the open grate is a portal to the Underland, a mystical world.

After falling down the grate, Gregor is immediately abducted by life-sized centipedes. It is at this moment that he realizes this land is magical. Luckily, the centipedes (aka crawlers) are not evil and bring him to Regalia, the city where Underland humans live.

Gregor first meets Luxa, the 11-year-old who is to be crowned Queen. Her grandfather, Vikus, guides Gregor and his sister to the palace, where they will be kept. Later in the day, Gregor attempts to escape Regalia and go home. However, he is almost killed by the giant rats guarding the exit (the rats and humans are rivals). Fortunately, some humans (including Luxa, Vikus, and her cousin Henry) save Gregor and his sister from the rodents.

When the siblings return to the palace, Gregor finds he is entwined to a prophecy called “The Prophecy of Gray.” Through this prophecy, Gregor is supposed to save the humans of Regalia, who are endangered by their enemies, the rats. At first, Gregor refuses to go on the quest to fulfill the prophecy. But he learns that his father was captured by the evil rats. So, he decides to undertake the perilous prophecy.

The book continues with Gregor, Boots, Luxa, Henry, two crawlers, two spiders, and a peaceful rat going on the quest and eventually fulfilling the prophecy. Ultimately, Gregor and Boots reunite with their father and return home.

My Rating: 8.9/10

At first, I had doubts about this book since it was written for a younger audience. However, after reading this book, I can say it was worth the read. Suzanne Collins made the plot entertaining to read. Each page was full of fun twists and turns and made me anticipate each outcome of the prophecy. I didn’t expect the book’s ending, which pleasantly surprised me. Overall, this book was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to all age groups.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a dystopian novel about a teenage girl, Katniss Everdeen, living in a society where the Hunger Games are held every year. A boy and a girl, known as Tributes, are chosen by Panem, the capital of what was formerly North America, to participate in the infamous Hunger Games. As a result, all twelve of the Capitol’s districts are completely under its control. Every citizen is required to see the youth fight to the death until just one remains. Katniss Everdeen’s sister is chosen as a tribute but Katniss volunteers to take her place as the girl tribute from District 12. When it comes to making decisions between love and survival, Katniss Everdeen only has her hunting skills and keen senses to help her.

I LOVE the Hunger Games Trilogy SO MUCH! I was addicted to reading this book to the point where I had to force myself to put the book down and go to bed. While reading, Collins leaves you on a cliffhanger after each chapter. Also, I enjoyed how Collins described Katniss’ emotions, as I could relate to them. 

I didn’t dislike anything about this book. I highly recommend it to people who like action and a good dystopian novel! I have seen the movies at least 5 times and there is nothing negative I could say about this trilogy! 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

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Best Dystopian Novels

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In this trilogy, the Capitol of Panem forces each of the twelve districts to send two tributes, one boy and one girl, to face off in the Hunger Games where only one will survive. During the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, the female tribute from District 12, is faced with the daunting quest of surviving the arena and making it out alive, creating a thrilling series for dystopian and action lovers.

In this world, those with silver blood have supernatural powers, making them part of the elite class. On the other hand, those with normal, red blood are part of the lower class, having no powers and being forced to serve the Silvers. However, Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers that she has electrokinesis powers one day, causing turmoil among the upper class and Silvers. Forced to hide as the long lost daughter of a Silver general and his wife, Mare struggles to survive palace life, trying to figure out her love life and an approaching rebellion.

Lena Haloway lives in a world where falling in love is illegal. When she turns eighteen, she’ll have to undergo a medical procedure to rid her of the ability to feel or exhibit love, allowing the government to match her with what they believe to be a suitable spouse and job. However, once she meets Alex, a boy from the Wilds who managed to escape the procedure, she begins to wonder if falling in love is all that bad and that maybe it’s time to choose her own path in life.

In this dystopian future, a young boy named Jonas is declared the Receiver of Memory, the only person allowed to access the knowledge and memories of the past. In this world, the government chooses everyone’s jobs, parents, spouses, families, and more, giving them no free choice. However, those who are too old to contribute to society or those who were born flawed, are “released” or injected with a lethal serum, ending their lives. Realizing this, Jonas plans to escape the community after becoming attached to a “flawed” infant named Gabriel, seeking to save the baby’s life and evade the Committee of Elders.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Giver by Lois Lowry is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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**this review will contain spoilers**

OH MY GOSH. I can’t believe I kept pushing back reading this book and mainly doing so because of the popularity that has surrounded the new movie that released. I have always been a fan of the Hunger Games and I have previously read the trilogy on various accounts, so I have a good understanding on the concept of what it is but also the people involved.

This book revolved around younger President Snow and following his journey of Capitol success which started with him being a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games for Lucy Gray Baird. It was interesting to follow such a distinguished character and how he got to the point he is in the trilogies.

It begins with his family life, living with Tigris and Grandma’am with both his parents killed early on in life. Snow has dealt with financial struggles despite being a Capitol boy which is interesting since most people within the Capitol are financially stable. However, he begins his success being a mentor for the worst district but ends up obtaining Lucy Gray who is a performer. They begin to grow a strong mentor-candidate relationship with love and trust involved.

As the games begin, Snow does his best to help out Lucy Gray and even snuck in items for her to use, or to give her a significant advantage over her fellow competitors. With all this help, they end up actually winning the Hunger Games, but Snow is caught helping Lucy Gray cheat the games. Because of his actions he was sent to become a Peacekeeper where he was stationed in District 12 and got to rekindle his relationship with Lucy Gray who a singer that frequently entertained within District 12.

Snow and Lucy Gray continually get close but at this point in the book, Snow experiences a mental change in his attitude of how he proceeds with life. He begins to understand the doings on the Capitol and not sympathizing with Rebels even though he essentially was one during the Games. He ends up getting one of his good pals, Sejanus Plinth, killed and after this point Lucy Gray notices the distinct change and closes herself off. The book ends with readers not knowing whether Lucy Gray was killed or if she escaped and Snow returning back to the Capitol living life with the Plinths.

I find is interesting how the book ends because readers are left not knowing what happened to Lucy Gray after she disappeared from her hanging out with Snow and realizing he was the one who got Sejanus killed. Another thing that interests me is how the Plinths took him in knowing his financial struggles not knowing that he was the reason their son got killed. Also, the ending with Snow talking with Dr. Gaul and how she sent him to become a Peacekeeper for like an experience??? The Capitol is corrupt and has always been.

Honestly, if you read this book before reading the trilogy it makes sense but I would totally read the trilogy to get a full idea of how the characters interconnect. There are so many hidden things that make sense when reading all the books. Although I hate Snow for all the heinous activities he has done, nothing will beat….SNOW LANDS ON TOP.

-Madison C.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book vs. Movie: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

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Taking place 64 years before Suzanne Collins’ infamous Hunger Games series, a Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes features a young President Snow as he struggles to maintain his status within the Capitol after the Dark Days. With the goal to secure his future and the Plinth Prize, Coriolanus Snow becomes the mentor for Lucy Gray, a District 12 tribute in the 10th Annual Hunger Games, who he eventually develops feelings for. However, as time goes on, Coriolanus gradually rises to the top, becoming the president of Panem seen in the Hunger Games series.

  1. Crassus Snow’s Death
    • Book: The Snow family receives news at the train station that Crassus Snow was killed by a rebel sniper.
    • Movie: At the Snow’s apartment, Peacekeepers reveal how Crassus Snow was killed by a District 12 rebel.
  2. Jessup’s Rabies Infection
    • Book: Jessup is bitten by a raccoon at the zoo, giving him rabies.
    • Movie: During the train ride, Jessup becomes infected with rabies after being bitten by a bat.
  3. Arachne Crane’s Death
    • Book: Arachne’s throat is slit by her tribute, Brady, and she is given a funeral alongside Diana and Apollo Ring, two other mentors who were killed later on.
    • Movie: Brady stabs Arachne’s throat with a bottle, but she is never given a funeral.
  4. Clemensia’s Fate
    • Book: After being bitten by Dr. Gaul’s snakes, Clemensia develops neurological damage, yellow eyes, a tongue that juts out periodically, twitching, peeling skin, and rainbow scales.
    • Movie: Clemensia is dragged away and never seen again.
  5. The Rat Poison
    • Book: Lucy Gray finds rat poison in the zoo’s monkey enclosure and stores it in a compact mirror that she received from Coriolanus.
    • Movie: Coriolanus supplies both the compact mirror and rat poison.
  6. Lucky Flickerman
    • Book: Lucky, accompanied by his parrot Jubilee, mainly interviews the tributes while Lepidus Malmsey covers the live recordings.
    • Movie: Lucky handles both the interviews and live recordings (without the company of Jubilee).
  7. The Tributes’ Deaths
    • Book: Wovey and Reaper are both killed after drinking poisoned water while Treech is killed by one of Lucy Gray’s snakes. Dill also dies because of tuberculosis.
    • Movie: Dill drinks the poisoned water while Treech inhales rat poison, killing both of them. On the other hand, Reaper and Wovey are killed by Dr. Gaul’s snakes.
  8. Spruce’s Death
    • Book: Spruce is beaten to death by Peacekeepers.
    • Movie: Spruce is hanged alongside Sejanus and Lil.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Character Talk: Characters to Look Out For

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There are so many books in this world. So many endless possibilities. However, there are also endless possibilities for characters. Because every good book needs strong characters that readers can get behind, right? Here are some of these characters–characters to look out for.

Some characters just resonate with you. There are ones that I remember years after finishing their book. One of which being Edilio Escobar from the Gone series by Michael Grant. In my opinion, he’s the best character that’s ever been created. I get the question “what do you look for in a friend?” a lot. My answer to that question lies in this character. He’s brave, kindhearted, and selfless. He is the guy who is always there to back you up, even when everyone else has deserted you. He will always be by your side, no matter what.

Another character I love is Finnick Odair from the Hunger Games trilogy. I am no longer a huge Hunger Games fan, but Finnick is one character that has stuck with me. He is not someone that attracts fans in the beginning, but what is so remarkable about him is how much he is able to change throughout the course of the series. He starts as this arrogant, obnoxious puppet, but later evolves into a sweet, kind, approachable human being. I love characters that experience great changes–look out for Finnick Odair.

Julian the Shadow Man of the Forbidden Game. Another character that will stay with you long after finishing the book he comes from. He is not by any means a protagonist, but he is a character with a wonderful backstory and compelling motive. He seems evil and controlling in the beginning of the book, but it turns out that, in the end, all he wanted was love. He is another character that grows and changes over the course of the book, which is one of the many things I love about him.

Are long stories better than short ones? That is what I used to think, prior to reading “Kiss the Boy,” a short story by Adib Khorram from Eternally Yours. It is only thirty pages long, but in those pages, I fell in love with all the characters involved in the story. Most notable, Samir Borhani, a young, sweet Iranian boy who is the love interest of the main character. He is very trusting and kind, and is definitely someone I would like to have on my side. He is loving and equally lovable–yet another character to look out for.

Those are just a few of the many notable characters out there. If you would like to see them for yourselves, check out their books! Please tell me in the comments who your favorite book characters are!

Gone by Michael Grant is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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Genre: Young-Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

In the not so distant future, in a place once called “North America” lies a not so distant country named Panem. Divided into 13 districts, with an uber rich Capitol, much of Panem lives in poverty and is there to serve only the uber rich. Every year the Capitol, where the country’s most rich and powerful people live, hosts a large, televised event called the Hunger Games: where 2 people from each district are chosen to fight to the death.

In District 12, Primrose Everdeen is chosen, until her sister, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her spot, along with a boy named Peeta. Once Katniss makes it to the Capitol, her eyes are opened to how the other side lives as everyone is well fed and healthy, showing her the unjust reality of life in the districts.

Once in the Hunger Games, Katniss must try and survive the harsh conditions of the environment while also trying to survive against her competitors who all also want to survive. From the twisting terrors that Katniss goes through, to the emotional challenges she faces, The Hunger Games is a truly enjoyable page turner.

Review:

I would give this book a 9/10 because it was a very interesting read that any teen or adult could enjoy. Here are some of my notes that though when I read this book:

  1. I really enjoyed this book because while it was interesting and mainly serious and dark, I liked how it was lightened with friendships and relationships that grew in the competition and throughout the book.
  1. I thought that the concept of this book was a very interesting one because, it sort of relates the past with the future as I thought that the games were similar to gladiator battles in Ancient Rome
  1. I thought that this book was a very captivating book that will make you never want to put it down until you finish it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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I’m sure a lot of people out there have read Suzanne Collins’ bestselling dystopian trilogy, which includes the novels The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. But what many don’t realize is that the story told in this trilogy is preceded by its spinoff, a prequel to the series.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years prior to The Hunger Games in a nation known as Panem and tells the story of the 10th hunger games and the events that surrounded it. Something that makes this novel especially intriguing is that it is not told by an ancestor of a protagonist in The Hunger Games, as one might expect. On the contrary, the story is narrated by young Coriolanus Snow, known as the cruel and calculating dictator President Snow in The Hunger Games.

Throughout the story, the history of Panem and the Hunger Games is unfolded, and connections can be drawn between this sequel and the narrative that follows it. I found The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes very interesting, because the reader is able to see into society in the Capitol, where life is perceived as perfect and easy. Light is shed on the history of the Hunger Games and earlier versions of the event, which explains a lot about how developed the event had become by the 74th Games (during which The Hunger Games took place).

Further, this novel shows how a dictator so brutal and merciless as President Snow came to be. Throughout the events of the novel, readers watch as young Snow, innocent and kind, grew into a power-hungry monster hated by all of Panem.

All in all, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is an amazing dystopian novel and a very well-written prequel/spin-off that gives much interesting background on the story of The Hunger Games, particularly a character perceived as a villain. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games, I would absolutely recommend this book!

-Lam T.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: a Review

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Being 517 pages, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a pretty long book. Despite this, it’s become one of my all-time favorites to pick up off the bookshelf.

Let’s talk about why. (No spoilers!)

SUMMARY –

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy. If you haven’t already read that, it’s amazing, go do it. It will help make the prequel make far more sense, as well.

The book features Coriolanus Snow as the protagonist, reliving the events of his life after the Dark Days war.

Part One- Positives

The book draws from a lot of the philosophical questions in the original trilogy. Good and bad, black and white.,

The characters are phenomenal, with believable development throughout. It was hard to imagine how Suzanne Collins was going to be able to write such a downright coldhearted individual to be a believable protagonist, but it totally worked.

The book makes it clear that Snow isn’t in the right by any means – but it still makes sense why he does it.

Part Two: Negatives

Admittedly, this book features a bit of repetition, especially in the beginning. Snow goes through the same routine, over and over. Additionally, the plot can get a bit twisty and confusing, and can give you a bit of whiplash.

Part 3: Conclusion

Let’s sum up.

• Fast-paced/Action-packed

•Builds on the original trilogy

• Confusing at times

I’d say that’s a net positive!

This book is beautiful for those who have already read the original trilogy. If you have, definitely check this out!

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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*this review may contain spoilers*

This is actually my second time rereading this series but I felt inspired out of the blue to transfer myself into this dystopian world. The concept Collins portrays in this series is absolutely UNREAL.

Typically I don’t even like protagonists and usually root for the antagonist but in this case I enjoyed both Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. The chemistry between the two was executed perfectly within the plot of the story of the “Hunger Games”.

Essentially, the dystopian world, Panem is divided into 12 districts with a capitol which acts as their government. Annually there are these “Hunger Games” where 12-18 year olds are entered into and 1 girl and 1 boy are chosen from each district. Amongst the chosen, they battle out til there is only one survivor.

For the most part dystopian novels aren’t my liking but as of lately I’ve been seeking interest in reading dystopian novels. I also just think that Collins makes an effort to establish each of her characters with enough description and background that I feel connected to them. Books where you feel more bonded with the characters always sparks interest and that’s exactly what Collins did by creating Katniss and Peeta.

I honestly don’t understand how people come up with concepts like this, so reading the Hunger Games makes me giddy. I would recommend this book to anyone even if Dystopian/Fiction is not your preferred choice of genre.

-Madison C.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.