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by Suzanne Collins

5 Stars

The dystopian, set in the future novel The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, is about the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, fighting for her family in the annual competition where members from several districts fight to the death. She volunteers in place for her little sister Primrose after her name was pulled out to fight in the games. There can only be one winner in the hunger games, and that is who remains alive at the end. We follow Katniss, a girl from the poorest district, District Twelve and Peeta Mellark, the boy who had also been selected to represent their district in the annual games. During the games, Katniss tries to stay alive and fight for her life by pretending to be in love with Peeta just for her safety. Peeta is the baker’s son, he has been giving Katniss bread many times to give to her starving family, and she feels as if she needs to owe him for his generosity. Now, they are forced to kill each other for the games to end.

It’s hard to trust anyone knowing that person might soon become your killer. 

Leaving readers flipping pages till the end, the science-fiction novel by Suzanne Collins includes a lot of shocking turns and twists along with intense action. This outstanding novel is definitely suitable for all ages.

Amina F.

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Rot and Ruin

Jonathan Maberry

In a world plagued by zombies, Benny Imura is a resident of one of the few fenced communities that offers protection from the hellish world beyond. The community insists that upon turning 15, all its citizens must find work. After months of searching for an easy sounding job, Benny begrudgingly accepts an apprenticeship with his annoyingly righteous older brother, Tom. A respected and honourable zombie hunter, Tom seems to have gained everyone’s admiration except Benny’s. In hopes of teaching him the ways of hunting, he eagerly hires Benny and starts his training. Benny does not expect much from this job or his brother for that matter, but what he discovers beyond the fence reveals things that challenge what he thought true, and teaches him valuable lessons on humanity and himself.   

 Rot and Ruin not only contained fast paced action, but was also a coming-of -age story that through the story of a boy in a post apocalyptic world, made you think about the real monsters in life — us. 
 Personally I loved this book and the way it combined brutal zombie killing action with real life lessons that can be applied out of the zombie apocalypse context. It was full of heart and taught the importance of family, friends, and love. Combined with Jonathan Maberry’s writing style and the surprises that always lurked around the corner, this novel never had a dull moment. An undoubtedly riveting read, I recommend it to any zombie fan or anybody wanting a truly heartfelt book. –Fiorella M.  

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Catching Fire

Suzanne Collins

The second installment of the popular series The Hunger Games, Catching Fire revolves around Katniss Everdeen learning that her actions in the previous novel have sparked various feuds around the district. Katniss, along with Peeta must compete again in the Hunger Games, but with past victors; with the uprising of a rebellion, Katniss is in the center of all attention. Katniss’s loved ones are punished and held hostage as a way for President Snow to control her life. New characters are introduced, some that aid Katniss and Peeta in their journey, while there are others who seem like threats. Katniss Everdeen must relive the horror of the Hunger Games but with more issues, obstacles and a larger burden on her mind.

 

For readers that enjoyed the first book in the series, Catching Fire will intrigue them equally, especially with the protagonist under fire. This allows the reader to gain the knowledge of trust as well as dealing with serious issues in their lives. For readers that have not started this series, I highly recommend reading the previous novel as events in the story will become easier to understand. I definitely recommend this novel to readers of all genres especially due to its excitement, suspense and lessons on family. -Eesa K.

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The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

The reaping of The Hunger Games, an annual competition where members of various districts fight to the death, changes the life of 16-year old Katniss Everdeen as she takes the responsibility of feeding her family. After her little sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers and takes the place of her sister in the games. Katniss, temporarily teaming up with Peeta Mellark, a teenager who is also selected to represent their district in the games, learns the values of family, perseverance and trust and gains a variety of skillsets. With the aid of her deadly crossbow, Katniss is able to survive, gather food, and fight for her life, until she is blinded by the media and the effects of the games as she must pretend to love Peeta for the sake of her own safety.

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a novel that has raised the bar of quality regarding books in the adventure and sci-fi genre. The book is action packed with lots of twists and turns and constantly leaves the reader questioning how the next scenes will unfold. The Hunger Games without a doubt is a must–read and is suitable for all ages. –Eesa K.

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Insurgent

Veronica Roth

Insurgent is the second book the action-packed Divergent series by Veronica Roth. After the events of the Divergent, Tris is struggling to cope with all that she has lost. As the aftermath of the war is cooling down, Tris is on the run from Erudite extremists, and she must hide for her life while still trying to uncover the war’s purpose. A fight this grand doesn’t happen without purpose, and Tris and Tobias are determined to find out what is hidden from the eyes of the public. They both frantically search all they can to discover what lies behind the walls which cage their city. But that won’t be easy because whatever it is, Erudite is willing to kill to protect it. In this never-ending chase, Tris must resist the urge to join her parents, and truly learn the meaning of sacrifice and how much she means, which is not easy when you have the guilt of your past mistakes haunting over you. Will Tris be able to complete her mission or will the torment of the past envelop her soul?

Veronica Roth does a fantastic job presenting this story to the reader, and she has you engaged by page one. Tris’s story is captivating and still relatable at the same time. When we see Tris faced with guilt and loneliness, it is easy to relate and cheer her on. The Divergent series is a must read, especially if you enjoy dystopian novels and strong female protagonists. While hunting for answers, you’ll discover her messed up world may be more than what there were looking for and Roth will keep you on the edge of your seat while reading this extraordinary tale. – Ananya M.

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Divergent

Veronica Roth

Beatrice Prior, a 16-year-old girl, is no different from other teenagers in her city, except that she is hiding a terrible secret. In her world, all who turn 16 must undergo the choosing ceremony to settle on one of five factions. Bravery, selflessness, honesty, kindness, and knowledge are what each value and whatever you chose you must defend before your blood and family. Beatrice’s deadly secret that she is divergent could destroy her and her family, she doesn’t fit in one faction, but multiple! Her choices are what is keeping her alive, and she must adjust to the new life she chooses. But this can be difficult when evil is being planned right behind your back. Everything has changed in this new life of hers, even her name. Tris, her new set of friends, and a mysterious instructor named Four must join together before all they know and love is lost.

When you start reading you will be swept away into this new world. Veronica Roth has done a great job captivating her readers and truly enveloping them into the text. This extraordinary YA novel has it all, from an intriguing dystopian plot, thrilling action, intense suspense, and touching love. You’ll have no trouble forming a connection with Tris as she battles for the truth of her divergence and unlocks the secrets that have caged them all. Unravel the true meaning of family, sacrifice, bravery, and love through this phenomenal dystopian novel and the mysterious world created by Veronica Roth. – Ananya M.

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Rook

Sharon Cameron

In the Sunken City, which was once Paris, things have a way of repeating themselves. The new revolution means hundreds of opposing citizens are being executed, except for the ones who disappear. Countless prison cells are left empty, and in place of prisoners is a single red-tipped rook feather. The citizens of the city love the Red Rook’s work, but those in the government see them as a traitor. On the other side in the Commonwealth, a young Sophia Bellamy is preparing for her arranged marriage to Rene Hasard, the only way in which she can save her family from complete financial ruin. When the search for the Red Rook ends up right at her house, she discovers her fiancé has hidden information, but what her fiancé doesn’t know is that she hasn’t been completely honest herself. As tension in the Sunken City grows, Sophia and Rene are enveloped in never-ending chases, but all is not lost as Miss Bellamy has quite a few secrets of her own.

 

This daring novel will have you on the edge of your seat, with a suspenseful plot line and a new twist around every corner. Gripping action, heartwarming love, darings sacrifices, and killing suspense complete this outstanding novel. It will make you question the true meaning of heroism. Criminal? Spirit? Or last hope? Who is the Red Rook really? What dark secrets are the walls of the Bellamy house hiding? Sharon Cameron will keep you thirsty for answers as the mystery unfolds along the streets which were once Paris. -Ananya M.

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