"The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins."
Katniss has been keeping her family safe for years, hunting for food and selling the meat for money. Her mother and little sister Prim need to be protected since her fathers death years ago. When Prim's name is read out as the girl tribute for district twelve, Katniss doesn't hesitate, she volunteers to take her place.
Suzanne Collins has crafted a bleak world, in The Hunger Games. With little hope for the people of the districts, who are forced to play this game for the amusement of the Capitol, forced to watch the unfolding events as child after child is killed in the arena; the districts are at the Capitol's mercy.
The characters are engaging. Katniss is fiery and innocent all at once. Her temper, both quick and unforgiving, makes her fun to inhabit as a reader. But her compassion and innocence make her so compelling.
This book took me on a ride. I was so enthralled by the story, in the outcome and the lives of the characters, that I felt drained when I was done. My desire to inhabit this world created by Collins was strong, and I look forward to reading more about the Hunger Games.
Monday 21 September 2009
Thursday 28 February 2008
A door across the world
literally.
Magic or Madness / Justine Larbalestier, this book is great.
Reason has been brought up to fear magic, and her magical grandmother Esmerelda. Reason's mother, Sarafina has always taught her grandmother practices horrifying rituals and never to trust her. When Sarafina is hospitalised after a mental breakdown, Reason is sent to live in Sydney with her grandmother.
Reason has been taught well by her mother, and she plots her escape from her grandmother's house, going out the back door, Reason walks into the New York night. From here she descovers that magic is real, and that Reason is magic.
Larbalestier is an Australian author who lives in both Sydney and in New York. She obviously loves both locations, and uses the strength of both in her writing. I enjoyed this book a lot, although found myself encouraging Reason to do better, and to be more accepting than she was. There is something quite compelling with flawed characters that I enjoy though. Somewhere between fantasy and reality, the world of Magic or Madness is worth a trip.
Magic or Madness / Justine Larbalestier, this book is great.
Reason has been brought up to fear magic, and her magical grandmother Esmerelda. Reason's mother, Sarafina has always taught her grandmother practices horrifying rituals and never to trust her. When Sarafina is hospitalised after a mental breakdown, Reason is sent to live in Sydney with her grandmother.
Reason has been taught well by her mother, and she plots her escape from her grandmother's house, going out the back door, Reason walks into the New York night. From here she descovers that magic is real, and that Reason is magic.
Larbalestier is an Australian author who lives in both Sydney and in New York. She obviously loves both locations, and uses the strength of both in her writing. I enjoyed this book a lot, although found myself encouraging Reason to do better, and to be more accepting than she was. There is something quite compelling with flawed characters that I enjoy though. Somewhere between fantasy and reality, the world of Magic or Madness is worth a trip.
Thursday 24 January 2008
Funerals
The Gatecrasher / Madeleine Wickham.
Fleur is looking for the perfect hat to wear to a funeral. One can never have too many black hats for funerals, especially when you're looking to snare the right sort of man: recently widowed, woebegone, and wealthy. Fleur meets Richard, he fits all these criteria, and she instantly becomes a fixture in his life.
Essentially a romantic comedy book, The Gatecrasher covers the usual ground. The characters are mostly endearing, aside from the necessary bad guy, who is more of an adjunct to the story. Everyone has faults that help the reader relate, be it Richard's obliviousness or Fleur's scheming.
Madeleine Wickham now writes under the pen name Sophie Kinsella; with the hugely popular (although I didn't like them) Shopaholic books. It is interesting to read her earlier outings, and I find it fascinating that she now publishes under a pseudonym, and frankly I want to know why?
The Gatecrasher is easy to read, there is nothing particularly taxing for the reader. With likeable characters and a swift moving plot, even the least confident reader would not be intimidated by this book. If you want something like a Hugh Grant movie in book form you can't go past Wickham/Kinsella. Heartily endorsed.
Fleur is looking for the perfect hat to wear to a funeral. One can never have too many black hats for funerals, especially when you're looking to snare the right sort of man: recently widowed, woebegone, and wealthy. Fleur meets Richard, he fits all these criteria, and she instantly becomes a fixture in his life.
Essentially a romantic comedy book, The Gatecrasher covers the usual ground. The characters are mostly endearing, aside from the necessary bad guy, who is more of an adjunct to the story. Everyone has faults that help the reader relate, be it Richard's obliviousness or Fleur's scheming.
Madeleine Wickham now writes under the pen name Sophie Kinsella; with the hugely popular (although I didn't like them) Shopaholic books. It is interesting to read her earlier outings, and I find it fascinating that she now publishes under a pseudonym, and frankly I want to know why?
The Gatecrasher is easy to read, there is nothing particularly taxing for the reader. With likeable characters and a swift moving plot, even the least confident reader would not be intimidated by this book. If you want something like a Hugh Grant movie in book form you can't go past Wickham/Kinsella. Heartily endorsed.
Friday 18 January 2008
coffee anyone?
Hoona Dog fine foods coffee and tasty stuff.
This is my current favourite coffee place. A little out of the way for me to get to, but I leave home twenty minutes earlier to stop by on my way to work anyway.
Located in the Centrepark arcade, on Currie street in Nambour, Hoona Dog doesn't look like much. Furniture that would not be out of place in a Melbourne lane cafe, that is somewhat mismatching but practical, and a single cold cabinet filled with different offerings, one would be tempted to walk past without paying much attention. However, for those in the know it is the unassuming nature of Hoona Dog and the owners that holds the appeal.
Food is fresh, with a standard daily menu. The choices are well thought out and there is something to suit everyone. I particularly like that they will customise some things to suit the individual (particularly pesky vegetarian eaters).
They use Montville coffee, the Woodford blend a suits most tastes coffee. My usual cup is a three shot latte. This caffeine hit will last all day without being over filling. I am slightly addicted to the ritual of having coffee from here in the mornings, the owners are very infectious in their manner, remembering customers and identifying what coffee they have (I don't have to order, my arrival at the store announcement enough of my order). Plus Darren really knows how to make good coffee, and there is something to be said when someone actually knows their way around an espresso machine.
If you're in Nambour and looking for somewhere to eat, I cannot recommend Hoona Dog enough. Well worth the extra twenty minutes for me each morning.
This is my current favourite coffee place. A little out of the way for me to get to, but I leave home twenty minutes earlier to stop by on my way to work anyway.
Located in the Centrepark arcade, on Currie street in Nambour, Hoona Dog doesn't look like much. Furniture that would not be out of place in a Melbourne lane cafe, that is somewhat mismatching but practical, and a single cold cabinet filled with different offerings, one would be tempted to walk past without paying much attention. However, for those in the know it is the unassuming nature of Hoona Dog and the owners that holds the appeal.
Food is fresh, with a standard daily menu. The choices are well thought out and there is something to suit everyone. I particularly like that they will customise some things to suit the individual (particularly pesky vegetarian eaters).
They use Montville coffee, the Woodford blend a suits most tastes coffee. My usual cup is a three shot latte. This caffeine hit will last all day without being over filling. I am slightly addicted to the ritual of having coffee from here in the mornings, the owners are very infectious in their manner, remembering customers and identifying what coffee they have (I don't have to order, my arrival at the store announcement enough of my order). Plus Darren really knows how to make good coffee, and there is something to be said when someone actually knows their way around an espresso machine.
If you're in Nambour and looking for somewhere to eat, I cannot recommend Hoona Dog enough. Well worth the extra twenty minutes for me each morning.
Monday 14 January 2008
Faeries
Wicked Lovely / Melissa Marr
Rule 3: Don't stare at invisible faeries, Rule 2: Don't speak to invisible faeries, Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.
Asilinn has always been able to see faeries, growing up abiding by the three rules until she is stalked by two of them and everything changes. Ash isn't sure what to do, and tells her friend Seth everything, about being able to see faeries about them following her, everything. Seth helps her by researching, finding out as much as he can about these faeries.
Keenan is at the Summer King, held in a state of reduced power by his mother the Winter Queen (Beira) until he finds the Summer Queen. For the last nine centuries he has tried and failed to find her, turning the women who he thinks might be the Queen into either Summer Girl or the Winter Girl (Donia), who carries Beira's winter chill. He thinks Aislinn is his Summer Queen, and will do what he has to, to get her to see it too.
I really like this book. I found the characters interesting and was instantly enthralled in the world of Wicked Lovely. Marr has created a world that is rich in lore, with much known and unknown to her characters. There is so much to explore that having read the book twice now, I discovered so much more the second time around, the nuances in the story that fill out the narrative that I missed the first time.
Wicked Lovely isn't overly descriptive, instead Marr leaves it up to the reader to fill-in the blanks, making the story more personal. The combination of real and fantasy is so well done, allowing for readers who don't usually enjoy fantasy fiction to still delight in this story.
This book is great, and I look forward to Marr's future excursions into Huntsdale and the Wicked Lovely universe.
Rule 3: Don't stare at invisible faeries, Rule 2: Don't speak to invisible faeries, Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.
Asilinn has always been able to see faeries, growing up abiding by the three rules until she is stalked by two of them and everything changes. Ash isn't sure what to do, and tells her friend Seth everything, about being able to see faeries about them following her, everything. Seth helps her by researching, finding out as much as he can about these faeries.
Keenan is at the Summer King, held in a state of reduced power by his mother the Winter Queen (Beira) until he finds the Summer Queen. For the last nine centuries he has tried and failed to find her, turning the women who he thinks might be the Queen into either Summer Girl or the Winter Girl (Donia), who carries Beira's winter chill. He thinks Aislinn is his Summer Queen, and will do what he has to, to get her to see it too.
I really like this book. I found the characters interesting and was instantly enthralled in the world of Wicked Lovely. Marr has created a world that is rich in lore, with much known and unknown to her characters. There is so much to explore that having read the book twice now, I discovered so much more the second time around, the nuances in the story that fill out the narrative that I missed the first time.
Wicked Lovely isn't overly descriptive, instead Marr leaves it up to the reader to fill-in the blanks, making the story more personal. The combination of real and fantasy is so well done, allowing for readers who don't usually enjoy fantasy fiction to still delight in this story.
This book is great, and I look forward to Marr's future excursions into Huntsdale and the Wicked Lovely universe.
Thursday 10 January 2008
Vampires and stuff
Twilight / Stephenie Meyer (caution, spoilers at this link) is about vampires and stuff.
Bella moves to Folks to live with her father, and starts a new school where she is instantly the new hit thing. Except for Edward, who seems to instantly dislike her (without even speaking to her). From here, things turn interesting for Bella, naturally clumsy she is continually needing rescuing, and it is Edward who comes to her rescue.
From here they fall madly in love, as one expects from their first meeting, and the reader soon find out that Edward is actually a Vampire da, da, dum!
For a first book Twilight is okay, I found the characters strangely compelling, however Meyer's writing style is quite flowery and the amount of description is often over zealous. The time spent inside Bella's head as she continues to admire Edward can become quite frustrating, and you just want her to shut-up. I also find Bella a bit insipid and not very emotionally strong in this book, it would be great if she could grow up.
Having said all that, I really like this book. If you want a love story that has a bit of a twist it is right up there. It is a book for girls essentially, and I don't know any boys that have read it. However, all the teenage girls I know that have read it love it with as much passion as I have. There are two published sequels - and a fourth book in the series is due for release later this year. Well worth a read!
Bella moves to Folks to live with her father, and starts a new school where she is instantly the new hit thing. Except for Edward, who seems to instantly dislike her (without even speaking to her). From here, things turn interesting for Bella, naturally clumsy she is continually needing rescuing, and it is Edward who comes to her rescue.
From here they fall madly in love, as one expects from their first meeting, and the reader soon find out that Edward is actually a Vampire da, da, dum!
For a first book Twilight is okay, I found the characters strangely compelling, however Meyer's writing style is quite flowery and the amount of description is often over zealous. The time spent inside Bella's head as she continues to admire Edward can become quite frustrating, and you just want her to shut-up. I also find Bella a bit insipid and not very emotionally strong in this book, it would be great if she could grow up.
Having said all that, I really like this book. If you want a love story that has a bit of a twist it is right up there. It is a book for girls essentially, and I don't know any boys that have read it. However, all the teenage girls I know that have read it love it with as much passion as I have. There are two published sequels - and a fourth book in the series is due for release later this year. Well worth a read!
Tuesday 8 January 2008
Reaching
Speaking of Die Hard; Bad Luck and Trouble / Lee Child is like Die Hard in print (yes, I know that Die Hard is based on an actual book Nothing Lasts Forever / Roderick Throp but that is not the point!)
Reacher is one of my favourite fictional characters, an ex-US Army MP going through the remainder of his life without permanent address or employ. Plus, like all good action heroes, he is constantly encountering bad guys and trouble - otherwise I guess, there wouldn't be the books.
In Bad Luck and Trouble Reacher is sought by an old friend using a military code for trouble, via a bank deposit. Given my love of logic and mathematics, this idea appeals to me. The trouble in question relates to other old friends, and Reacher meets up with his former colleague to set things right, and avenge the wrong that has been done. Not awesome enough for you? There is a an obligatory shoot-out, and some death by being dropped out of a helicopter in there as well.
There is something so very likable about Reacher, you want him to win, you're rooting for him to do well. If I were in some sort of pickle, I would want him on my side. These books are not difficult to read, have an intriguing story and best of all, are perfect escapism for when you're procrastinating. There is high action, some quality suspense, and best of all the good guys win.
Reacher is one of my favourite fictional characters, an ex-US Army MP going through the remainder of his life without permanent address or employ. Plus, like all good action heroes, he is constantly encountering bad guys and trouble - otherwise I guess, there wouldn't be the books.
In Bad Luck and Trouble Reacher is sought by an old friend using a military code for trouble, via a bank deposit. Given my love of logic and mathematics, this idea appeals to me. The trouble in question relates to other old friends, and Reacher meets up with his former colleague to set things right, and avenge the wrong that has been done. Not awesome enough for you? There is a an obligatory shoot-out, and some death by being dropped out of a helicopter in there as well.
There is something so very likable about Reacher, you want him to win, you're rooting for him to do well. If I were in some sort of pickle, I would want him on my side. These books are not difficult to read, have an intriguing story and best of all, are perfect escapism for when you're procrastinating. There is high action, some quality suspense, and best of all the good guys win.
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