Review – Page 44 – Book Journey

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Published on April 25, 2012April 26, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

22 year-old Grace Winters never dreamed her life would turn out so well. Newly married to the rich and handsome Henry Winters, she is now on a big beautiful ocean liner crossing the Atlantic on her way to meet his family and on her way to a new and better life.

When a mysterious explosion causes the ship to sink, Grace is placed in a lifeboat secured by her husband along with 39 other people. She can only believe that Henry certainly found a way off the boat as well and they will meet again once they are safely back on dry land, wherever that may be.

For three weeks they are adrift, and a lot can happen when you are in a small boat that long with no privacy. Slowly as every once of dignity is stripped away, the little food and water they have is gone, one must look for other ways to survive.

A little over two years after the Titanic, comes The Lifeboat.

Sound a little familiar? Perhaps. I will admit, on this the 100th anniversary since the Titanic sunk I was intrigued by a book that took on a similar story line, around the same time frame as Titanic. While Titanic was in 1912, this is 1914.

The story line starts after they are rescued. In the first opening lines you learn that Grace is now in New York, she has just survived this major trauma, and she is on trial for murder.

Interesting plot line? You bet!

I listened to this on audio, and enjoyed the retelling by Grace as she looked back over what had happened the weeks before, from the time she was placed into the lifeboat alongside an assortment of men and women of various backgrounds, status, and age, including one man, Mr. Hardie, who is the only member of the ship’s crew.

What ensues over the three weeks is what I can only describe as the slow breaking down of the human mind. Three weeks is a long time to be in any kind of boat let alone a life boat designed for 40 people and as time goes on everyone involved would agree… 40 people was way too many.

So what does happen in three weeks? That I can not tell you. I can tell you that Grace’s narration is sometimes vague, sometimes left me feeling that there were more holes in her story than in the ship… this could be credited to either poor character development, or the brilliance of an author who has decided that over developing characters in this situation would have come across as false.

I will let you be the judge of that.

Would I recommend The Lifeboat? Fans (ugh.. that seems like a harsh word) of Titanic like tales I believe will walk away with something positive out of this book, but don’t expect to be blown away. While a good story, I personally was looking for something more.

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

Want to see some other thoughts on this one?

Jenn’s Bookshelves

Rhapsody In Books

Book Monkey

A Musing Reviews

I purchased The Lifeboat from audible.com

Birth Marked by Caragh M D Brien

Published on April 24, 2012April 24, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Note from Sheila: I think, unless I have a blog tour, I am going to make Tuesdays, “Tuesdays with Camryn”. I introduced her last week, Camryn is a daughter of a good friend who ♥LOVES♥ to read and has taken on a roll of coming over, reading many of my YA books and then emailing me reviews. Camryn can give you a great YA perspective on these books, where her reviews make me want to drop everything (like with this one!) and read it next.

One more note – this is not the cover of the book I have, however… I wish it was… I much prefer this cover I found on-line for the paperback.

~Sheila

Birth Marked is a story written by Caragh M. O’Brien. The main character, Gaia Stone, has lived with her parents, Jasper and Bonnie Stone for her whole life. Gaia is a midwife, and very recently started helping mothers by herself. In her society, the first three babies born (for each midwife) each month, were to be taken to the Enclave, to be sold to the residents who lived inside. This is called the baby quota. For Gaia, this is a horrible part of what she does. After her first birth, she comes home to find that her parents have been taken by the Enclave, because they thought they could be traitors, by supposedly encouraging residents of their Sector, Sector Three, to rebel against the baby quota. After almost a month of waiting, Gaia decides to go in after her parents. She starts her treacherous task of breaching the Enclave Wall, the one keeping the “outsiders” from fraternizing with those who lived inside the wall. After successfully getting inside the wall, Gaia learns that both of her parents are in prison, but she does not know where. As she heads deeper into town, near the center, or the Bastion, she sees two people, a man, and a pregnant woman, being escorted to their hanging. When the mother is hanged, Gaia is frantic, trying to save the baby, who was probably about ready to be born. Masquerading herself as family, she accompanies the woman’s corpse, where she is able to save the child. But, consequently, she is unaware that this is illegal, and lands herself a potentially permanent spot in prison. Will she see her parents? Will she make it out alive? Or will she remain in prison until she meets her end?

Birth Marked was much better than I thought it was going to be. It reminds me of the Hunger Games, i.e. the “capital” or Enclave, was elitist, and the baby quota was a big sacrifice, just like each District had to send tributes. But enough of the Hunger Games. This book was amazing. I have my fingers crossed for a sequel, but I should survive without one. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Hunger Games (here I go again) or who wants a great book that isn’t a long read but still has good detail.

Update: It has been brought to my attention that for those HUNGRY for more after Birthmarked, Barnes and Noble has a “between” book called Tortured, which falls after Birthmarked, but before book II, Prized. Even better news? This baby is free for the Nook!

Camryn is 12 years old, soon to be thirteen and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series. When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.

The Eyre Report #4

Published on April 22, 2012April 22, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Warning: In the off chance that I am not the last person on the planet earth that has not read this book, know that I am sharing fully what I have read and this post is filled with spoilers to any one who has not read Jane Eyre.

Yes Jim from the Planet Zork – this means you. Quit reading and beam up the book.

When last I left Jane Eyre it was March 9th. Yes, I have been absent from my days with Jane, and while you may think “yup, once again she has given up on the book!” you would be mistaken… instead time crunch, book commitments… I just did not get to it. 😯

Now thanks to the readathon, I have read enough to get Jane and I back on the err…. same page, and here is what I have to say about that. Shoot, why don’t we see what Jane has to say about that as well…. I’ll start… because it is my blog:

Sheila’s thoughts:

Now, in the book Jane has found out that Mrs. Reed has taken ill and she requests of Mr. Rochester to allow her leave (her words, not mine) for two weeks so she may go and see her. A back and forth bidding of sorts goes on between them, regarding her time away and the money given to Jane to go as Mr. Rochester fears that Jane will go and not return.

When Jane does go – Mrs. Reed is much the bitty she was before, even though she tries to make things sort of right between herself and Jane her loathe is too deep and she (SPOILER!) dies still feeling that Jane is this creature of awfulness.

Even though Jane had agreed to only be gone a week, a month passes before she returns to Thornfield. Now returned, she lives in fear of the time that will soon come and Rochester takes on the snooty Imgram as his wife and Jane feels at the time she will be shown the door and has no idea what will be next for her. However, Mr. Rochester seems in a joyful mood and does not mention the upcoming wedding to anyone and when questioned when this will take place he simply does not give an inkling either way.

Then, when Rochester does say he is getting married he asks Jane to spend some time with him as he admits he is fond of her and suspects as the quote says above that he will hurt upon her leave, but feels she will feel nothing… which as we all know – is not true.

And then … well, things get a bit intense between Rochester and Jane and a proposal is made where one should not have been given (my opinion) as Rochester has already played that card and has a bride waiting. And yeah, for all you romance lovers, this would probably be where you insert the “oohs and ahs” as even I have to admit liked the thought of Jane and EDWARD getting together and all things working out.

And so as I end this section of my reading with page 289, Jane has just had a series of nightmares the previous night that she shares with EDWARD (Rochester), while two are spooky and unsettling, the third is a vision of a woman who rips Jane’s wedding veil in half and in the morning, indeed the veil is torn.

Honestly… it is a little hard to stop the reading there as we are on the cusp of the wedding, and apparently there is someone against it… you may know – but remember this is my first time reading this book. My only guess in Ingram… P.O’d about Edward marrying Jane instead of her. Where Jane I feel would marry for love, Ingram I feel wants to marry well and wealthy.

Jane’s thoughts:

Whilest I do admit wholeheartedly that yay, it is thine truth that I have had my eyes on Mr. Rochester (calling him Edward still makes me blush the color the color of the blooming roses along the roadside), I must also be true in stating that his mind sometimes concerns me. At one point he calls my eyes the color of radiant hazels when it is all well-known that my eyes have always been the green of a pool filled with frogs…. and while-st my temper rises, I struggle between the respect of being his governess, and the possible brow beating he deserves once he calls me wife.

As for the vision of my night-time, I believe in my deepest core that the woman was real… not an apparition created in thy mind, nay, this was of flesh and blood… although in my honesty… the flesh was paperish and thy blood looked thin.

What shall become of me? Will my love for E-, errr… Rochester be enough for my plain heart? Will I become the ruler of all things Thornfield?

The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Bradley

Published on April 18, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

It’s the summer of 1950 and twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is tinkering away in her chemical lab inside the once great house of Buckshaw, in a sleepy English village. The lab is an inheritance from her passed on mother and eccentric uncle. And Flavia loves it, after all she has a gifted mind for mixing chemicals and the study of poisons.

One morning Flavia left the comforts of the lab for a stroll around the acreage she calls home and after finding a dead bird on the doorstep with a postage stamp stuck on its beak,, to her surprise (and delight) she discovers a body among the cucumber patch. While the police seem to be taking their own sweet time making error after error in trying to solve the crime, Flavia decided to solve the crime herself.

Welcome to Flavia de Luce’s world.
For Flavia, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”

"Flavia de Luce", "Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie", Alan Bradley" — **Flavia makes an appearance is three more books...**

Finally I find myself exploring Alan Bradleys books. I knew nothing going in. I did not know that The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie was the first in a series of Flavia De Luce novels… see…. out of loop….

I went into this one on audio and my first initial thought was I thought it sounded a bit like the Bloody Jack audio books (stories of a wild and smart tom boyish young girl), and the narration of Jayne Entwistle gave it that feel, which excited me as the Bloody Jack audio are fantastic!

The story line of our young detective Flavia, is fun. She it witty. She is smart beyond her years. She has siblings that do not play strong enough parts (at least in this book) for me to even remember their names, but she being the youngest, and seemingly the smartest, has a bit of fun with them that makes their back seat roles in this read favorable and “smile worthy”.

While I found the writing rich, the narration with the strong accent delightful, I can not say I loved it. I think for starters I could not wrap my head around Flavia being twelve and working in a chemical lab and being as smart and as able to get around the way she did …

it just didn’t mesh for me – and yeah, I know I am in the minority on this one.

So my thoughts are if you enjoy well written (and well read) books that may be a bit far-fetched but certainly fun… you will want to give the Flavia de Luce mysteries a try. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first of the books. #2 – The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag,#3- A Red Herring Without Mustard and #4, I am Half-Sick of Shadows.

See some other reviews from bloggers that I trust:

Beth Fish Reads

Rhapsody In Books

Book Lover Book Reviews

Amy Reads

I borrowed this audio from our awesome library

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Published on April 17, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

A review by Camryn

Can there truly be love after death?

Hereafter is a book written by Tara Hudson that is about a young ghost named Amelia. Amelia drowned when she fell (or jumped, she doesn’t remember) from High Bridge, right off High Bridge Road. Amelia is having another one of her disturbing nightmares, where she re-experiences her death in a state of unconsciousness. When she wakes up, she is floating in the river, looking at a pair of glowing lights in the water. Panicking, she swims down to the lights, where she sees a boy around her age, probably eighteen years old. His eyes are closed, and he is unconscious. Dead set to make sure he survives, she screams with all of her might, hoping by some miracle he would swim to the surface of the water and survive. He does just that, and makes it to shore. As paramedics arrive, he tells her his name is Joshua.

Amelia is visited by Joshua the next day, and she tells him she is dead. Though a bit frazzled and shocked, he continues to ask questions about her past. Amelia and Joshua grow even closer together, so much to the point where Amelia finds herself falling for him. Joshua helps Amelia remember her distant past. Another ghost, Eli, is doing his best to keep them apart. Joshua’s grandmother, who also happens to see Amelia, is not fond of her, and is planning on exorcising her as soon as possible. Will Joshua and Amelia’s bond continue? Or will they be ripped apart as fast as they met?

I personally loved the book.I did struggle somewhat with how a ghost and a human boy could be together, but overall it was an excellent read and I greatly enjoyed reading it.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read about supernatural/paranormal. If you enjoyed Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, you will probably enjoy Hereafter.

Camryn is 12 years old, soon to be thirteen and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series. When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Published on April 15, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

Imagine… you are a single, attractive, woman in your early 30’s, you are a Realtor and you do ok for yourself. At this time in your life your biggest concerns are selling a house, practicing patience with your quirky mother, and being on time for dinner with your boyfriend.

You are spending a gorgeous Saturday afternoon stuck at an Open House showing that is extremely slow. As you are packing up your things and calling it a day a van pulls into the driveway. A well dressed man gets out of the vehicle and you can tell he is really interested in seeing the house. Maybe this day wont be such a loss after all. As you take him through the house and start into the back yard you feel something blunt and cold press against the middle of your back.

A gun.

Suddenly you find yourself in a cabin, God only knows where. Your abductor, soon to be known as “The Freak” in your mind, certainly never said out loud, has thought of everything and you have no escape. You are put on a strict schedule of when you can eat, and when you can use the bathroom. Any changes to this resulted in being hit or having to drink out of the toilet. And honestly, this was not even the worst part. There were the scheduled baths…

Certainly someone will find you. Certainly it is only a matter of time. Yet days turn into weeks, and weeks into months. And survival is your only thought.

The book, Still Missing, is the story I described above. This is a thriller told about Annie O’Sullivan and her abduction, eventually her escape. Much of the book is Annie talking to her Therapist, reliving the past and sharing the present. Annie still lives in fear of sounds in the dark, strangers, and being alone. Of course, its hard to be with people when you have trust issues.

I have read books where the flash backs and present time chapters do not work. They are confusing. This is not one of those books. I listened to this on audio and the book flowed smoothly. I never felt lost in the story, instead I found myself right from the start thinking “this is good, this is really really good.”

I have become a little gun-shy of thrillers as I find they are either gory or over the top unbelievable. Again, author Chevy Stevens knocked that chip off my shoulder. Well told, very believable (maybe a little too believable!) and kept me listening. I wanted to know, HAD TO KNOW what was going to happen.

Extremely well done I give high marks to a very talented author who blew me away with the story line and kept me guessing all the way through.

I cant wait to read Chevy Stevens again! Make sure you do as well!

Need more convincing? Check out these great reviews:

Alison’s Book Marks

Presenting Lenore

Life With Books

Devourer Of Books

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

Purchased from audible.com and an excellent selection!

2108 Eyes Open by K.L. Glanville w/ GIVEAWAY!

Published on April 14, 2012April 15, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

It’s 2018. Jewel (or Charmskinned as fondly called by her dad) has just turned 16. 16! That means she can finally access the autopilot on her Aerokopa (think of the Jetsons cartoon and how they traveled). Life is opening new doors right and left!

But really what good is being 16 and being able to explore the countryside when you do not have a date to your BFF’s party of the century? Well, except for that one boy, Loyal who’s cute and all but he is also a HOLDOUT… and that is a can of grief Jewel is not ready to open. And of course there is the whole hush hush business of the Trollers docked at the quay , believed to be spies working with the Aliens, but Jewel’s dad is a big shot in the Government and he is on top of all of that. It’s best to avoid that area, and it would be all out treason to make friends with one of these Trollers, even if he was a really cute teenage one, who seems to be really nice and brings you gifts….

That would be the wrong thing for Jewel to do right? Right?

I am not a big sci fi “fan girl”, yet when asked if I would take a closer look at this new book by K.L. Glanville, something caught me. It might have been the fun synopsis of a young girl about to get in a heap of potential trouble. And really if I followed my own rule of things “I will not enjoy” then I never would have experienced Hunger Games, Pandemonium, The Knife Of Never Letting Go,” so seriously… what do I know?

What I liked about 2108 is that this is what I would call a great young YA read. By young YA I mean although it is written about teenagers, and there is a mention of champagne towards the end of the book, it is a clean read, almost upper MG. (I hope I am making sense)

The people of the book are categorized:

Naturals: People like Jewel and her dad. They live as nature intended, no alterations to their DNA or bodies. Most live in New Zealand which is the only area where no Bionics or Aliens live, which is a big bonus!

Aliens: Those who invaded the globe. Untrustworthy.

Bionics: People who are in cahoots with the Aliens. Some of them even have their DNA altered to mix with the Aliens DNA.

Holdouts: People who still believe in the old ways, they have two parent families and usually a number of children (how crazy is that?)

Jewel’s character was interesting and I felt well developed. I felt the futuristic feel of this book was not over the top. It was fun, and I got into the story line, wondering what would happen next.

Fair waring: This book does leave you with unanswered questions and I see on Amazon it is marketed as Volume 1, on the bright side, that means there is more to come of this interesting and fun story!

I am connecting this review to Julie at Booking Mama’s Kid Connections. A meme I wish I took part in more often!

I was just notified by the publishing company that I can give away one SIGNED copy of this book with 5 books marks to one lucky commenter! Simply leave a comment on this post between April 14 – April 18th, and on the morning of the 19th I will announce the winner. 😀

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book:

Luminations Media Group, Inc.

“2108: Eyes Open” New Young Adult Book Release!

www.KLGlanville.com

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff (A Bookies Review)

Published on April 12, 2012April 14, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)33 Comments

It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. A rich account of her family’s polygamous history is revealed, including how both she and her mother became plural wives. Yet soon after Ann Eliza’s story begins, a second exquisite narrative unfolds–a tale of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day Utah. Jordan Scott, a young man who was thrown out of his fundamentalist sect years earlier, must reenter the world that cast him aside in order to discover the truth behind his father’s death. And as Ann Eliza’s narrative intertwines with that of Jordan’s search, readers are pulled deeper into the mysteries of love, family, and faith.

1aaa — Temple Garments, referred to as "secret underwear" in the book, were work under all clothing at all times. Even when you went to bed.

Members of Joseph F. Smith's family, including his sons and daughters, as well as their spouses and children, circa 1900.

I thought I knew what Polygamy was. I knew there were those who believe in plural wives. I haven’t watched it, but know there is a tv series right now called Sister Wives, about a man and his four wives.

Really I had no idea.

There’s something I really love about Historical Fiction. I love the facts I find within the pages. The 19th Wife is a fictional story, however woven through the chapters is a true story, the story of Ann Eliza Young the all too real woman who was married to Brigham Young and made the bold move to separate herself from what everyone in her circle believed. From the very first pages I was hooked into something new, and different, and felt like I had walked into a world I knew little of.

A large part of this book is told through Jordan’s perspective. Jordan is one of the “lost boys.” As you come to find out, the lost boys are what is referred to when a boy in his early teens usually is excommunicated from the home and dumped out into the world to fend for themselves.

Why?

The crude explanation is, this leaves more women to go around. With the births being almost equally divided into boys and girls, and men are expected to have at least three wives… the numbers just do not add up.

Although Jordan’s life has not been easy (there are some horrifying early years stories of what he did to survive), he is now at peace with where he is at in life and who he has become. Or… so he thinks.

When Jordan’s mother is jailed and possibly going to be executed for a crime he does not believe she committed, Jordan sets his own judgements aside, and walks back into the life he never thought he would return to, to try to figure out what really happened.

The result is a twisting, informative, and all so close walk into the lives of those surrounded by what they believe to be God’s truth. I personally, found it fascinating, like walking on the edge of something dangerous that I did not understand, but knowing I was safe as all was locked in the pages of the book.

I personally think this makes for an incredible discussion for a book group. There are discussion group questions in the back of the book and out group made it through about 4 of them. Our conversation flowed without the guidance of questions, facts and fiction mixed in our voices, from those who were appalled and did not enjoy the book (very few), to those of us who found it interesting and fascinating (the majority).

Honestly, as we reviewed it, I felt this is what a book discussion is meant to be… we were bursting to discuss this book.

As for the food:

"book lovers never sleep alone" — Had to use these napkins!

I missed some of the food pics. There was also a delicious looking fruit salad.

In the end, out of the eighteen women who sat down and reviewed this book, the average rating (scale of 1-5), the book rated a strong 4. We felt it was very discussion worthy, informative and really… I could go on and on with this review … but yeah…. it has to end sometime. 😀

I think people who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this book.

Looking for some other thoughts on it? here are some awesome book bloggers and their thoughts on The 19th Wife:

Becky’s Book Reviews

Caribou’s Mom

Devourer Of Books

Reviews By Lola

LoVe In A Nutshell by Janet Evanovich

Published on April 11, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Kate Appleton’s life had hit the skids. Suddenly jobless, husbandless, and really feeling kind of low, she decided that the only she wants to be right now is at her parents summerhouse, The Nutshell in Keenes’ Harbor Michigan. Unfortunately, much like her life, The Nutshell has seen better days as well and Kate finds herself needing cash in supply if she is about to renovate this house into her dream, a bed and breakfast.

Enter Matt Culhane, owner of a local brewery but having some major issues with someone sabotaging his company. When Matt meets Kate, he likes her spunk and hires her to be an undercover spy on his employees. If Kate can figure out who is out to get him, he will pay her a $20,000 bonus. Kate quickly accepts this “dangled carrot” and tries to wiggle her way into the trusts of the brewery employees.

Only… there are a few problems. Kate despises beer and has an odd reaction if she drinks it. None of the employees seem to trust her. Oh, and she is falling for her boss.

Janet Evanovich and I have not crossed paths for years. Recently when I was in my local library I wandered over to a display they put up of new arrivals. I like to see what audio has come in and there this was. Evanovich writing something new after the recent release of the movie from her book One For The Money…. I admit I was curious.

While a fun listen (nice job narrator Lorelie King!) it was what I have come to expect of Janet Evanovich, cooky characters, a romance in the making, a small plot that unrolls throughout the book. Kate is nowhere near as doopy (my word) as Stephanie Plum, and I did like that. Where Plum is surrounded by family, Kate only has her potato chip addicted dog, a brief cameo of her mother and a briefer of her father, and a hostile ex husband.

It was a good listen and I think Evanovich fans will enjoy this one as much as they have enjoyed her other books.

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

I borrowed this from my local library

The GIRL WHO WAS ON FIRE by Your favorite authors

Published on April 10, 2012April 10, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Still hungry for Hunger Games? You have read the books, seen the movie, and now what? This book will give you that fulfillment! ~Sheila

Sixteen YA authors come together and take you back to the world of the Hunger Games with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, even Buttercup (the cat), reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy’s darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection’s exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, Panem, and the series, really is.

Who is Katniss?

Comparisons to the book 1984

The Peeta Factor

Could Tracker Jackers Exist

Fashion

Does The Last Book Suck (arguments both ways by the same author)

CONTRIBUTORS: Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Mary Borsellino, Sarah Rees Brennan, Terri Clark, Bree Despain, Adrienne Kress, Sarah Darer Littman, Cara Lockwood, Elizabeth M. Rees, Carrie Ryan, Ned Vizzini, Lili Wilkinson, Blythe Woolston, Diana Peterfreund (NEW), Brent Hartinger (NEW), Jackson Pearce (NEW)

Yes. I read the books. I followed up by listening to Hunger games on audio as well. Yes, I went to the movie. Twice. And yes, I was one of those people who did not love love the last book, Mockingjay.

Yet… hungry for more, much like I still am with the Harry Potter books. I want something more.

Thanks to this group of authors there is more, a lot more! The Girl Who Was On Fire is not a bashing of the books by Susanne Collins. Quite the opposite. It’s taking the books (all three of them) and breaking them down into bite size pieces. It is sometimes funny (Katniss being compared to Buttercup the cat – keeps surviving against all odds, doesn’t let people in easy), it is sometimes sad (could Katniss pick who she really loved or did she know what she had to do, who to choose to survive, and isn’t that what it is really all about?)

Each chapter, or topic, is told by a different author who gives their insight on a part of the books. I found this interesting and have to admit I loved the chapter called Did The Third Book Suck, told from the perspective of an author who lists all the ways he felt as a writer it could have been done so much better, and then turns around and explains why just the opposite could be true as well, and why Susan Collins choices in Mockingjay may have been the authors road less traveled but also shows a deeper look into Katniss and Panem by writing it the way she did. (for the record, I did lean more towards this chapters first synopsis, and while I did not think Mockingjay sucked, it was my least favorite of the three books.) My review of Mockingjay.

Who should read this? Hunger Games fans this is a fantastic addition to the three books. It will make you think, nod your head, and occasionally laugh out loud. It is brilliant and fun – all rolled into one.

Why did I read it? I loved the trilogy as a whole. I thought the idea behind Hunger Games was so incredibly detailed and unique from anything I had read before. And yes, I was left Hungry… especially after the release of the movie… I wanted more. The Girl Who Was On Fire gave me that.