While I enjoyed Hunger Games, the first of the Suzanne Collins trilogy, Catching Fire increased in intensity. The story of Katniss Everdeen's never-en...moreWhile I enjoyed Hunger Games, the first of the Suzanne Collins trilogy, Catching Fire increased in intensity. The story of Katniss Everdeen's never-ending struggle to find freedom from the fate the Capitol has set for her continues with a lot of what seems to be teen angst coupled with a real threat of widespread revolt from abroad. The narrative starts slowly, painstakingly as we listen in on Katniss' fears for the safety of those she loves. The pace picks up quickly when the Quarterly Quell begins, with a cruel twist! More ensues than even she can imagine in her worst dreams, and she ends up caught up in a much larger movement that will conclude in the final episode.(less)
This is my favorite Kenzie/Genarro story for Patrick Kenzie's romanticist narrative and Angie's ballsy tenacity. The duo are forced into a job for Tre...moreThis is my favorite Kenzie/Genarro story for Patrick Kenzie's romanticist narrative and Angie's ballsy tenacity. The duo are forced into a job for Trevor Stone, a powerful evil billionaire who wants them to find his missing daughter. The supposed shared grief that Angela sees in the dying Trevor convinces them to take the job. Nothing is what it seems in every aspect of the novel except the sacred bond between the two detectives. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-crafted thriller, the crisp dialog, the precise detail, and of course the protagonists who find what matters in stark contrast to the false promises and appearances of the powerful and corrupted.(less)
I enjoyed reading this young adult novel that speaks about bullying and family conflicts. The narrator is a likable young man who spends a lot of his ...moreI enjoyed reading this young adult novel that speaks about bullying and family conflicts. The narrator is a likable young man who spends a lot of his time searching for his Granpa Harry who went to fight in Vietnam but never returned. This event and the fear of a bully named Nader motivate Lucky Linderman to seek a way out. He is also hounded for his involvement in a survey asking how people would like to die, which results in him being identified as emotionally disturbed and possibly suicidal. You will like the character, as well as the small supporting cast in this book.(less)
An unforgettable narrative that is suspense thriller and an exploration of how fragile our identities are, how dependent they are on the choices we ma...moreAn unforgettable narrative that is suspense thriller and an exploration of how fragile our identities are, how dependent they are on the choices we make, and the ephemeral nature of memory. In other words, WOW!(less)
Imaginative and poetic narrative that attempts to go deep in showing multiple perspectives in the history of the Philippine diaspora and literary trad...moreImaginative and poetic narrative that attempts to go deep in showing multiple perspectives in the history of the Philippine diaspora and literary tradition. I am amazed how Syjuco manages the layers of real and imagined history in the book through the eyes of an apparently reliable narrator. Towards the end of the book, you start to realize the narrator, who is also named Miguel, is falling apart as a character and reliable guide through this fiction. The conclusion should have been obvious with the many clues peppered throughout.(less)
I couldn't put the book down especially in the last 100 pages. If you thought Memento was a trip, this will set your head spinning faster than a right...moreI couldn't put the book down especially in the last 100 pages. If you thought Memento was a trip, this will set your head spinning faster than a right hook and keep you up all night. In the form of journal entries by a woman who wakes up each day not remembering anything about her life, the novel is a suspenseful exploration of the fragile relationship between dreams, memories and desires. It leaves you asking yourself, how do you know what you know is real?(less)
I saw the movie before reading the book, and have to say the book is better, but only because there are details in the narrative that cannot be fully ...moreI saw the movie before reading the book, and have to say the book is better, but only because there are details in the narrative that cannot be fully realized in a film. The plot seems secondary to the characters, places and underlying mythology of the people.(less)
This is one of my favorite books in a long while. Halfway through reading, I hovered on every word and phrase to make sure I didn't miss anything. ...moreThis is one of my favorite books in a long while. Halfway through reading, I hovered on every word and phrase to make sure I didn't miss anything. Ms. Heiligman starts the book from the point in Charles Darwin's life when he debates whether he should marry or not. He makes a list comparing the reasons for and against. He meets Emma who will become his companion for life, and knows right then that he wants to spend his whole life with her. Right from the beginning, there is a problem. Mr. Darwin is working on his theory of evolution of species, which leads him to question the existence and role of God; and Emma has always been a devoted Christian especially from losing her closest sister in her youth. The issue of whether one believes in the after-life and where we all go looms large over the love between these two and the family and circle of friends who enter their lives. The writing charmingly lets us into the private lives of these two, often quoting personal letters between Emma and Charles. This is a beautifully written book.(less)
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