Theories of Relativity: A novelBarbra Haworth-Attard. A young man (Dylan) struggles to make it while living in the streets when his mother kicks him...moreTheories of Relativity: A novelBarbra Haworth-Attard. A young man (Dylan) struggles to make it while living in the streets when his mother kicks him out. He meets a group of other young people who either help him get by or fall deeper into the black hole of the street life.
This book was a book chosen in a local book club. I was eager to read this book because I work with at risk youth in a major city and it kills me when I see youth living in the streets.
This book in focused towards young adult readers, however, anyone reading this book can learn something very important. We see kids in the streets everyday, and we see homeless people trying to make it. However, we rarely think about their past. What got them into that situation?
Barbra does a great job to at least open up the doors for us to look into this life. She does a great job in character development. Each character has his/her unique style. She also does a great job keeping readers guessing if the character is good or bad. After reading a couple of chapters you find it hard not to care for each character.
The plot has a very realistic feel to it. The author does a great job to pull you right in from the start. It is extremely hard to guess what is going to happen next. Every turn seems to get worse for Dylan. The readers will not help but wonder when it will it ever end and finally get better for this kid. Nevertheless, that is what makes this book so good. It does not always get better in the streets. Therefore, Barbra does a great job to have a realistic look on things and life in the streets.
I had a hard time getting past the end of the first half of the book. It seems like it started to loose some steam, but was very satisfied the second half of the book. Not only does it pick up steam but also I found myself not able to put the book down.
This is a great read for everyone. Not just youth. The book receives four stars. (less)
I tried to get away from reading this book for a long time, but then I realized that there is no escaping it!
Everywhere I went I saw one of the three hunger games books around. You cannot step into a local Barnes and Noble without seeing on of these books. What is all the hype about anyway? Can these books really be that good? KNA no WAY! Well, at least that is what I thought. I tried to get away from it but eventually I fell in and started to read the first book of the trilogy “The Hunger Games.”
From reading the cover, you can tell that this book is targeting Young Adults, however; after reading a couple of chapters Suzanne does a great pulling people of all ages into the story.
Quick Synopsis from GoodReads: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Review: This book captures the true essence of survival and emotions. What is love? What are we willing to do to survive? What is real? The book will have you on the edge of your personal emotions, with non-stop thinking of how you would react to certain situations. I had to stop reading a couple of times just to catch my breath. Suzanne Collins sure has a way to astound you in her artistic talent of writing.
Character development: Suzanne Collins does a great job with developing her characters. It does not take long to know all the major characters in her novel. It is even amazing how she only gives you enough of each to keep you guessing. You know just enough to know the person. However, not enough to know what they are thinking or what they are planning to do next. WOW!
Plot: I have read many books on survival and post apocalyptic adventures. This is I guess what caused me to stay away from this book for so long. Most books in this genre usually are similar. At least of all the books that I read. However, this book took me totally by surprise. We read about survival, a civilization trying to make it, a common enemy who no one dares to fight, and sacrifices being made at all levels of humanity.
The story is full with so many turns that it is hard to put the book down.
The hunger Games takes you away into a different land and different mental zone. A book that causes you to drink extra coffee the next morning because you stood up all night reading wondering what is going to happen next. I love these types of books.
This definitely gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Please do not take so long as I did to read this book. I wish I had read it long ago. Cannot wait to read the other two in the trilogy, especially since I know I cannot escape them.
"The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared." —...more Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry
"The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared." — Lois Lowry (The Giver)
Review:
I am surprised that I did not like this book, especially after all the 4 and 5 star reviews. This being the first dystopian type of book read I tried to keep an open mind and see the bigger picture. However, the more I read the more I wanted to put the book down. Do not get me wrong, I understand the point of the book; however, I believe it was poorly written and the plot was just boring. I am sure others feel different.
The interesting part of The Giver was the way that the people lived. I wont get too deep into that, I'll let you discover that yourself if you decide to read the book. While reading, many questions passed my mind. I expected that at least some of them would be answered by the end of the book. Unfortunately, not many questions were answered and it left me with a feeling that I wasted my time. That is the worst feeling when reading a book.
Some of biggest problems with this book are that human nature seems to be taken away. We as humans have certain characteristics that make us who we are. Included in these characteristics are thinking, acting, and feeling emotions. These characteristics seem to be taken away from the characters in The Giver. How? That is never made clear.
Character development:
The characters in this book are somewhat well developed. Each character has a unique style and personality, even in their situation. Some characters seem too robotic and mechanical. However, the author might have purposely created his characters that way to add to the overall story.
Plot:
The plot tells a good story about a society in a completely controlled state for the so-called better of the overall civilization. However, the book is full with so many holes and questions that the book feels incomplete.
Setting:
The setting of the book is tolerable, especially for a book like this. Things do not seem to be what they really are, which keeps the reader entertained enough to continue reading to see what is real and what is not.
Book Flow:
The book is short enough to read in one weekend. It flows pretty well, however the ending seemed to drag, pulling the reader along.
What can I say about a book that has over 8,000 reviews? I guess Ill just try my best and be as fair and honest as I can.
The author has an interesting way of pulling you into the story from the beginning. I wont say too much about it because I want others to read this book without any spoilers on my part, however, I must say that first couple of chapters are very well developed and will draw readers from all ages. That being said… I must give a warning...
After reading a couple of chapters I noticed that the author has many references of nude(naked) children… (I’m sure you read this in other reviews, so I wont get too deep into this, if not try googling it for more info). This really concerned me so I stopped reading the book for a couple of days and decided to read more reviews and do some research on Orson Scott Card. I am not here to trash any author, so I will not say what I read about him, I will leave that up to you, but I will say that there are many who hate him and many more who love his writing.
After this experience, it took a couple of days to pick this book up again. To do so I had to put all my concerns aside and decided to continue and finish the book. The more I read the more I understood why people really love this book.
Again, I do not want to give away too much information about this book. I am also going to keep my review short since the internet is full of reviews concerning this book (Some good and some bad). My best advice is to at least finish the book with an open mind and do not be too stuck on certain issues. I cannot say I understand why the author wrote the book the way that he did, but I must honestly say that I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all adults, but for younger readers, get the PG version, I hear it is available.
Character Development:
The author did a good job developing the characters. The first couple of chapters lay out the foundation for the main characters involved in the book. However, the histories of the characters are a little unclear. This wont effect the overall story but I did bug me a little.
Plot:
The plot is very interesting. It is full of action and many David vs. Goliath moments. The author definitely used the word “naked” a little too much in this book. However, this does not make the book any worse. On the other hand, I do not think it made the book any better either.
Setting:
The setting was a little boring and dull. Most of the story occurs in the “Battle School” and even this place seemed color less.
Book Flow:
I am glad with the book flow of Ender’s Game. The book is an average size of about 300 pages and an easy read.
"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever." — Suzanne Collins (Catchi...moreReview of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever." — Suzanne Collins (Catching Fire)
This quote is great, however Suzanne Collins is a master at cliffhangers, and she does it again in Catching Fire!
After reading The Hunger Games, waiting to read Catching fire was impossible! Full of fun twists and socking moments, it was hard to put this book down. The red eyes and tired body the next morning after a long night of reading was truly worth it.
Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.
Review:
Part 2 of The Hunger Games Trilogy is far from a let down. The first book leaves us in a cliffhanger that leaves our brain thirsty for more and Catching Fire flows right along from where the first book left off. This book is definitely a page-turner. It will be hard to put the book down once you start. It is the sci-fi version of David vs. Goliath where a young girl from District 12 has to go up against the mighty Capital who is the true enemy of the people.
Character development:
Many of the main characters of are once again in this book. Those characters develop in the first book (The Hunger Games) so it is important to read it before reading this book. This will help the reader understand why many of the characters act the way that they do. However, Suzanne Collins does a great job at maturing those that have grown; especially, after all their experiences in the first book (I.e. Katness and Prim). This is great because it changes the way we look at these characters. You grow along with them.
Catching Fire also introduces us to many new characters that are well developed. Each new character contributes well to the overall story. It was excited to read how each character plays a major part of the ending of this book.
Plot:
The plot of this book is amazing. Catching Fire had some big shoes (or book covers) to fill since the first book The Hunger Games. However, Suzanne Collins will not let you down.
The plot if full of never ending turns. The best part about them is that they are unpredictable. The best you can do is making a good guess at what might happen next. There are many surprises in this book not just for the reader but also for the characters.
The book also ends in a major cliffhanger, so make sure you go out and get Mockingjay now, your going to need it after reading this one.
Book Flow:
The book starts of slow for the first couple of chapters. The beginning chapters will lay the foundation to the rest of the book; it will soon pick up speed very quickly so sit back, read, and enjoy the ride.
5 out of 5 stars! Amazing Book! Jason (Book Sniper) (less)
Jason "Book Sniper"
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