Question: How was the cover?

I had been hearing good things about Wither before I even received this book. The cover is really pretty (though am I the only one who thinks the cover model looks like Mandy Moore?) and draws you into the story. I totally got sucked in while reading. The characters are what really makes this book stand out. While the overall plot is fascinating, if the characters didn't come alive to me then the book would have been meh to me. As it stands however, DeStefano makes Rhine, Gabriel, Jenna, Cecily and Linden all become real to me.Rhine's character is very conflicted throughout the book yet she is a likable character. I don't know what I would have done in her situation. I can't even fathom knowing that I would be dead in a few years. What makes her different from the other wives is that she knows what the real world is like and she knows what having a real family is like. Therefore unlike everyone else, she has hope and she is doing all she can to live for that hope.Jenna's character is devastatingly tragic for me. I really wish we could have known more about her. When we're introduced to her, it's almost like she's already doomed from the start. She's quietest of the three wives and the one that keeps to herself the most. She loves reading which made me relate to her the most. Since she pretty much knows her fate already, she just takes each day one at a time. Also as the oldest, she seems to be the wisest of the group. This is drastically different from Cecily, who at the youngest, seems to be the most flighty and immature. Yet it is her who has the biggest influence on Linden's father due to her circumstances. It's quite sad to read about what she has to go through afterward and how she is kept from what she loves most. The thing that got me is that Linden is not a bad guy. I was so ready for him to be like his father and for me to hate him, but he wasn't and I didn't. I felt immensely sorry for him throughout most of the book. His father on the other hand, oooh it's almost like reading about Umbridge all over again. Still when you know WHY he's doing it, it makes sense though his obsession with finding a cure makes his character seem unloving towards his current son.Overall, Wither is an absolutely fascinating read. The world that DeStefano has created seems to be a bleak and hopeless world for the young. However for characters such as Rhine and Gabriel, there is resistance and a fighting chance for survival. I cannot wait for the next book in the series though since this is a trilogy, I bet the 2nd book will have an even worse cliffhanger. Even if you don't like other dystopia book, I really think you should try this one. It's an engrossing read and will keep you glued to your seat as you frantically turn pages. HIGHLY recommended.

Answer: The cover is really pretty (though am I the only one who thinks the cover model looks like Mandy Moore?) and draws you into the story

I had been hearing good things about Wither before I even received this book. <hl> The cover is really pretty (though am I the only one who thinks the cover model looks like Mandy Moore?) and draws you into the story . <hl> I totally got sucked in while reading. The characters are what really makes this book stand out. While the overall plot is fascinating, if the characters didn't come alive to me then the book would have been meh to me. As it stands however, DeStefano makes Rhine, Gabriel, Jenna, Cecily and Linden all become real to me. Rhine's character is very conflicted throughout the book yet she is a likable character. I don't know what I would have done in her situation. I can't even fathom knowing that I would be dead in a few years. What makes her different from the other wives is that she knows what the real world is like and she knows what having a real family is like. Therefore unlike everyone else, she has hope and she is doing all she can to live for that hope. Jenna's character is devastatingly tragic for me. I really wish we could have known more about her. When we're introduced to her, it's almost like she's already doomed from the start. She's quietest of the three wives and the one that keeps to herself the most. She loves reading which made me relate to her the most. Since she pretty much knows her fate already, she just takes each day one at a time. Also as the oldest, she seems to be the wisest of the group. This is drastically different from Cecily, who at the youngest, seems to be the most flighty and immature. Yet it is her who has the biggest influence on Linden's father due to her circumstances. It's quite sad to read about what she has to go through afterward and how she is kept from what she loves most. The thing that got me is that Linden is not a bad guy. I was so ready for him to be like his father and for me to hate him, but he wasn't and I didn't. I felt immensely sorry for him throughout most of the book. His father on the other hand, oooh it's almost like reading about Umbridge all over again. Still when you know WHY he's doing it, it makes sense though his obsession with finding a cure makes his character seem unloving towards his current son. Overall, Wither is an absolutely fascinating read. The world that DeStefano has created seems to be a bleak and hopeless world for the young. However for characters such as Rhine and Gabriel, there is resistance and a fighting chance for survival. I cannot wait for the next book in the series though since this is a trilogy, I bet the 2nd book will have an even worse cliffhanger. Even if you don't like other dystopia book, I really think you should try this one. It's an engrossing read and will keep you glued to your seat as you frantically turn pages. HIGHLY recommended.

I had been hearing good things about Wither before I even received this book. <hl> The cover is really pretty (though am I the only one who thinks the cover model looks like Mandy Moore?) and draws you into the story <hl>. I totally got sucked in while reading. The characters are what really makes this book stand out. While the overall plot is fascinating, if the characters didn't come alive to me then the book would have been meh to me. As it stands however, DeStefano makes Rhine, Gabriel, Jenna, Cecily and Linden all become real to me.Rhine's character is very conflicted throughout the book yet she is a likable character. I don't know what I would have done in her situation. I can't even fathom knowing that I would be dead in a few years. What makes her different from the other wives is that she knows what the real world is like and she knows what having a real family is like. Therefore unlike everyone else, she has hope and she is doing all she can to live for that hope.Jenna's character is devastatingly tragic for me. I really wish we could have known more about her. When we're introduced to her, it's almost like she's already doomed from the start. She's quietest of the three wives and the one that keeps to herself the most. She loves reading which made me relate to her the most. Since she pretty much knows her fate already, she just takes each day one at a time. Also as the oldest, she seems to be the wisest of the group. This is drastically different from Cecily, who at the youngest, seems to be the most flighty and immature. Yet it is her who has the biggest influence on Linden's father due to her circumstances. It's quite sad to read about what she has to go through afterward and how she is kept from what she loves most. The thing that got me is that Linden is not a bad guy. I was so ready for him to be like his father and for me to hate him, but he wasn't and I didn't. I felt immensely sorry for him throughout most of the book. His father on the other hand, oooh it's almost like reading about Umbridge all over again. Still when you know WHY he's doing it, it makes sense though his obsession with finding a cure makes his character seem unloving towards his current son.Overall, Wither is an absolutely fascinating read. The world that DeStefano has created seems to be a bleak and hopeless world for the young. However for characters such as Rhine and Gabriel, there is resistance and a fighting chance for survival. I cannot wait for the next book in the series though since this is a trilogy, I bet the 2nd book will have an even worse cliffhanger. Even if you don't like other dystopia book, I really think you should try this one. It's an engrossing read and will keep you glued to your seat as you frantically turn pages. HIGHLY recommended.

<hl> The cover is really pretty (though am I the only one who thinks the cover model looks like Mandy Moore?) and draws you into the story <hl> .


Question: How is the romance?

Incarnate by Jodi MeadowsPrint Length: 400 pagesPublisher: Katherine Tegen Books (January 31, 2012)Sold by: HarperCollins PublishersASIN: B005GG0K80My Review~The cover is stunning!! I love love love the cover! The colors, the movement, and the feel of it had me dying to delve in the depths of the pages so that I may figure out what the cover represents. This is a new book and feel about things that we read alot about like dragons, souls, reincarnation and etc.. The author has done an amazing job with the unique world that she has created. I'm tickled pink to say that I stayed up all night read this book because I couldn't put it down and didn't want to stop. I wanted to figure out who was after Ana and Sam and also who was following them. I simply can't wait to read the next book in this series and I hope that it is better than the first, because I'm reeling about the ending....Okay if you haven't figured it out yet I LOVE LOVE LOVE this read! The author has done a great job on the characters with the descriptions, personalities, and love the dialogue. The unique world was so wonderful that I could just imagine myself right there with Ana while she struggles to become something better than a no soul. The romance of Ana and Same even made it the story even better with the tension filled talks between them and the hormonal issues that every young adult faces. This book is as unique as the cover and as beautiful and breathtaking as a butterfly.Amazon Book Description~New soulAna is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.No soulEven Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?HeartSam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Answer: The cover is stunning

<hl> Incarnate by Jodi MeadowsPrint Length: 400 pagesPublisher: Katherine Tegen Books (January 31, 2012)Sold by: HarperCollins PublishersASIN: B005GG0K80My Review~ The cover is stunning !! <hl> I love love love the cover! The colors, the movement, and the feel of it had me dying to delve in the depths of the pages so that I may figure out what the cover represents. This is a new book and feel about things that we read alot about like dragons, souls, reincarnation and etc.. The author has done an amazing job with the unique world that she has created. I'm tickled pink to say that I stayed up all night read this book because I couldn't put it down and didn't want to stop. I wanted to figure out who was after Ana and Sam and also who was following them. I simply can't wait to read the next book in this series and I hope that it is better than the first, because I'm reeling about the ending.... Okay if you haven't figured it out yet I LOVE LOVE LOVE this read! The author has done a great job on the characters with the descriptions, personalities, and love the dialogue. The unique world was so wonderful that I could just imagine myself right there with Ana while she struggles to become something better than a no soul. The romance of Ana and Same even made it the story even better with the tension filled talks between them and the hormonal issues that every young adult faces. This book is as unique as the cover and as beautiful and breathtaking as a butterfly. Amazon Book Description~New soulAna is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. No soulEven Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?HeartSam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Incarnate by Jodi MeadowsPrint Length: 400 pagesPublisher: Katherine Tegen Books (January 31, 2012)Sold by: HarperCollins PublishersASIN: B005GG0K80My Review~<hl> The cover is stunning <hl>!! I love love love the cover! The colors, the movement, and the feel of it had me dying to delve in the depths of the pages so that I may figure out what the cover represents. This is a new book and feel about things that we read alot about like dragons, souls, reincarnation and etc.. The author has done an amazing job with the unique world that she has created. I'm tickled pink to say that I stayed up all night read this book because I couldn't put it down and didn't want to stop. I wanted to figure out who was after Ana and Sam and also who was following them. I simply can't wait to read the next book in this series and I hope that it is better than the first, because I'm reeling about the ending....Okay if you haven't figured it out yet I LOVE LOVE LOVE this read! The author has done a great job on the characters with the descriptions, personalities, and love the dialogue. The unique world was so wonderful that I could just imagine myself right there with Ana while she struggles to become something better than a no soul. The romance of Ana and Same even made it the story even better with the tension filled talks between them and the hormonal issues that every young adult faces. This book is as unique as the cover and as beautiful and breathtaking as a butterfly.Amazon Book Description~New soulAna is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.No soulEven Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?HeartSam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Incarnate by Jodi MeadowsPrint Length: 400 pagesPublisher: Katherine Tegen Books (January 31, 2012)Sold by: HarperCollins PublishersASIN: B005GG0K80My Review~ <hl> The cover is stunning <hl> !!


Question: How is the character?

I do not think I will finish this book, its so "out there" and feels  like it was written by teens with over active imaginations.  The two main characters, Anna and Christian are not believable and to me, annoying. Chris is on some kind of sadist ego trip and Anna comes across as a very immature and awkward girl.  I was on a long waiting list for this book and I am very disappointed, Im glad I got it at the  library and didnt buy it. This is just my opinion, you might like it, but I was very excited to read it and that excitement crashed very early on in the book.

Answer: characters, Anna and Christian are not believable

I do not think I will finish this book, its so "out there" and feels like it was written by teens with over active imaginations. <hl> The two main characters, Anna and Christian are not believable and to me, annoying. <hl> Chris is on some kind of sadist ego trip and Anna comes across as a very immature and awkward girl. I was on a long waiting list for this book and I am very disappointed, Im glad I got it at the library and didnt buy it. This is just my opinion, you might like it, but I was very excited to read it and that excitement crashed very early on in the book.

I do not think I will finish this book, its so "out there" and feels like it was written by teens with over active imaginations. The two main <hl> characters, Anna and Christian are not believable <hl> and to me, annoying. Chris is on some kind of sadist ego trip and Anna comes across as a very immature and awkward girl. I was on a long waiting list for this book and I am very disappointed, Im glad I got it at the library and didnt buy it. This is just my opinion, you might like it, but I was very excited to read it and that excitement crashed very early on in the book.


Question: How did you like the length?

What a funny, funny read. It’s very rare a book makes me laugh out loud but this book certainly did!! The flirty, sexually charged banter, the texting and Caroline’s hilarious internal dialogue had me rolling around in stitches from beginning to end.The story is about an interior designer named Caroline Reynolds who after an unfortunate experience with an ex has lost her O and she doesn’t seem to be making an appearance any time soon. To add insult to injury she is quickly discovering her new neighbour, that shares her bedroom wall, enjoys nocturnal activities of the loud variety and with a “harem” of different women. Women that Caroline refers to as Spanx, Purina and Giggler (take from that what you will!!).I have to be honest, I think I fell in love with Caroline when she fell in love with her new Kitchen Aid Mixer, a housewarming gift from her two best friends Mimi and Sophia. She just came across as so normal and relatable. She loves her job, loves her friends, loves to cook and loves her cat Clive. She does’t however love Wallbanger and after one too many nights of listening to him deliver the goods she decides to confront him. When Simon Parker, aka Wallbanger, opens the door she is confronted by a stunningly sexy man wrapped in a towel riding too low on his hips and this is where the fun begins. From here the pair bicker and banter with each other and through a series of events the exasperated neighbours call a truce, which eventually turns into friendship (nooking and tonnes of sexual innuendo included) and then dating before O finally decides to make her stunning reappearance.Simon turns out not to be the manwhore that you initially think he’ll be. Yes, he can make the bed bang and the woman scream his name but everyone involved is on the same page. He doesn’t do the relationship thing because of his work and he makes that known from the get go, that is until the night Caroline shows up, banging at his door in her sexy pink nightie. Simon is a photographer who loves to travel (and does a lot), loves to cook, loves good music and adores Caroline's goodies (the baked ones of course!!). As their relationship progresses and they have their fair share of ups and downs Caroline realises Simon has a deeper more sensitive side and even though he tells here he doesn’t know how to do the relationship thing she thinks he’s doing a damn good job:“He was wooing me. And I was letting him woo. I wanted the woo. I deserved the woo. I needed the wow that would surely follow the woo, but for now, the woo? It was whoa.”The support characters stories were fun to read too. I really liked Mimi, Sophia, Neil and Ryan and Jillian and Benjamin and I hope we get to see lots more of them in the future. I am waiting with bated breath for the sequel, Rusty Nailed, to be released Jun 24 2014.If your looking for a funny read filled with flirty banter, sexual innuendo and great, loveable characters…..look no further. This is for you.

Answer: What a funny, funny read

What a funny, funny read .

<hl> What a funny, funny read . <hl> It’s very rare a book makes me laugh out loud but this book certainly did!! The flirty, sexually charged banter, the texting and Caroline’s hilarious internal dialogue had me rolling around in stitches from beginning to end. The story is about an interior designer named Caroline Reynolds who after an unfortunate experience with an ex has lost her O and she doesn’t seem to be making an appearance any time soon. To add insult to injury she is quickly discovering her new neighbour, that shares her bedroom wall, enjoys nocturnal activities of the loud variety and with a “harem” of different women. Women that Caroline refers to as Spanx, Purina and Giggler (take from that what you will!!).I have to be honest, I think I fell in love with Caroline when she fell in love with her new Kitchen Aid Mixer, a housewarming gift from her two best friends Mimi and Sophia. She just came across as so normal and relatable. She loves her job, loves her friends, loves to cook and loves her cat Clive. She does’t however love Wallbanger and after one too many nights of listening to him deliver the goods she decides to confront him. When Simon Parker, aka Wallbanger, opens the door she is confronted by a stunningly sexy man wrapped in a towel riding too low on his hips and this is where the fun begins. From here the pair bicker and banter with each other and through a series of events the exasperated neighbours call a truce, which eventually turns into friendship (nooking and tonnes of sexual innuendo included) and then dating before O finally decides to make her stunning reappearance. Simon turns out not to be the manwhore that you initially think he’ll be. Yes, he can make the bed bang and the woman scream his name but everyone involved is on the same page. He doesn’t do the relationship thing because of his work and he makes that known from the get go, that is until the night Caroline shows up, banging at his door in her sexy pink nightie. Simon is a photographer who loves to travel (and does a lot), loves to cook, loves good music and adores Caroline's goodies (the baked ones of course!!). As their relationship progresses and they have their fair share of ups and downs Caroline realises Simon has a deeper more sensitive side and even though he tells here he doesn’t know how to do the relationship thing she thinks he’s doing a damn good job:“He was wooing me. And I was letting him woo. I wanted the woo. I deserved the woo. I needed the wow that would surely follow the woo, but for now, the woo? It was whoa.”The support characters stories were fun to read too. I really liked Mimi, Sophia, Neil and Ryan and Jillian and Benjamin and I hope we get to see lots more of them in the future. I am waiting with bated breath for the sequel, Rusty Nailed, to be released Jun 24 2014.If your looking for a funny read filled with flirty banter, sexual innuendo and great, loveable characters…..look no further. This is for you.

<hl> What a funny, funny read <hl>. It’s very rare a book makes me laugh out loud but this book certainly did!! The flirty, sexually charged banter, the texting and Caroline’s hilarious internal dialogue had me rolling around in stitches from beginning to end.The story is about an interior designer named Caroline Reynolds who after an unfortunate experience with an ex has lost her O and she doesn’t seem to be making an appearance any time soon. To add insult to injury she is quickly discovering her new neighbour, that shares her bedroom wall, enjoys nocturnal activities of the loud variety and with a “harem” of different women. Women that Caroline refers to as Spanx, Purina and Giggler (take from that what you will!!).I have to be honest, I think I fell in love with Caroline when she fell in love with her new Kitchen Aid Mixer, a housewarming gift from her two best friends Mimi and Sophia. She just came across as so normal and relatable. She loves her job, loves her friends, loves to cook and loves her cat Clive. She does’t however love Wallbanger and after one too many nights of listening to him deliver the goods she decides to confront him. When Simon Parker, aka Wallbanger, opens the door she is confronted by a stunningly sexy man wrapped in a towel riding too low on his hips and this is where the fun begins. From here the pair bicker and banter with each other and through a series of events the exasperated neighbours call a truce, which eventually turns into friendship (nooking and tonnes of sexual innuendo included) and then dating before O finally decides to make her stunning reappearance.Simon turns out not to be the manwhore that you initially think he’ll be. Yes, he can make the bed bang and the woman scream his name but everyone involved is on the same page. He doesn’t do the relationship thing because of his work and he makes that known from the get go, that is until the night Caroline shows up, banging at his door in her sexy pink nightie. Simon is a photographer who loves to travel (and does a lot), loves to cook, loves good music and adores Caroline's goodies (the baked ones of course!!). As their relationship progresses and they have their fair share of ups and downs Caroline realises Simon has a deeper more sensitive side and even though he tells here he doesn’t know how to do the relationship thing she thinks he’s doing a damn good job:“He was wooing me. And I was letting him woo. I wanted the woo. I deserved the woo. I needed the wow that would surely follow the woo, but for now, the woo? It was whoa.”The support characters stories were fun to read too. I really liked Mimi, Sophia, Neil and Ryan and Jillian and Benjamin and I hope we get to see lots more of them in the future. I am waiting with bated breath for the sequel, Rusty Nailed, to be released Jun 24 2014.If your looking for a funny read filled with flirty banter, sexual innuendo and great, loveable characters…..look no further. This is for you.


Question: What is the plot of this novel?

Perhaps one of the most powerful ideas in this book is the idea of defiance, of standing up to those who mean you harm. That is the spirit that Katniss Everdeen embodies. She is the big sister that puts her own life on the line so that her sister, Primrose, does not need to fight in the dreaded Hunger Games.There are many out there who lambaste Collins for seemingly copy-and-pasting "Battle Royale" word for word, but there are enough differences between the two for this book not to be blatant copy, perhaps merely another author's rendition of a similar source work. Of course, the purpose of this review is not to compare two books side-by-side, but to review Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" as a standalone novel.The premise is simple. Every year twelve districts all around the totalitarian country of Panem must send one boy and one girl as "Tributes" into the Hunger Games, a contest between the districts that awards the winning district with fame and glory and lots and lots of resources from the government. What an excellent concept this is, from a political standpoint. It keeps the upper class citizens of Panem, who reside at the capital, happy and entertained, while the bottom of the pyramid, the Districts, fight against each other, making a full-blown rebellion all but impossible. Of course, this year's Games is not like any of the other games. There can be only one victor, but it is Katniss's defiant spirit that causes the greatest upset to the games Panem has ever seen.As a first-person limited novel, much of the history of Collins's world is left to conjecture. Katniss is a strong observer, but not an omniscient one, not by a long shot. She can only provide her own guesses, which we adopt and add to, as to what is happening outside of the Games that she is currently participating in. However, the strength of this perspective lies in giving us, the readers, unlimited access to the deepest recesses of Katniss's mind. We effectively become Katniss Everdeen, the defiant girl who started a spark of revolution throughout the nation.The character development is good. We get to know not only Katniss, but also the characters she comes across. But perhaps it is Haymitch's character that steals the show. His attitude toward life, teetering between sarcastic scorn and PTSD, reflects the attitudes of some soldiers who return from combat. According to Collins, such is actually her source material for the characters and plot, the exploration of combat and its effects on young soldiers. As this is the first novel in the series, we still have yet to see any significant development of Gale and Peeta, both of whom remain rather static throughout the novel. Peeta starts off weak, he ends off weak, getting wounded and hiding in the mud as opposed to Katniss, who becomes a huntress of people.The plot and pacing are good, though it's a little slow for the first third of the book. Collins uses this first part to develop the main backstory of Panem, dedicating the latter half to the actual Games itself. Once we step into the arena, however, it's no holds barred and everything you've ever known just flies out the window.This is by no means a thorough review of the novel. I have only read it once and that was over a year ago, so I'm going on very shallow memory right now. Overall, it is an enjoyable novel, the start of something that could have been, but failed to launch with Mockingjay.

Answer: as a standalone novel

Perhaps one of the most powerful ideas in this book is the idea of defiance, of standing up to those who mean you harm. That is the spirit that Katniss Everdeen embodies. She is the big sister that puts her own life on the line so that her sister, Primrose, does not need to fight in the dreaded Hunger Games. There are many out there who lambaste Collins for seemingly copy-and-pasting "Battle Royale" word for word, but there are enough differences between the two for this book not to be blatant copy, perhaps merely another author's rendition of a similar source work. <hl> Of course, the purpose of this review is not to compare two books side-by-side, but to review Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" as a standalone novel .The premise is simple. <hl> Every year twelve districts all around the totalitarian country of Panem must send one boy and one girl as "Tributes" into the Hunger Games, a contest between the districts that awards the winning district with fame and glory and lots and lots of resources from the government. What an excellent concept this is, from a political standpoint. It keeps the upper class citizens of Panem, who reside at the capital, happy and entertained, while the bottom of the pyramid, the Districts, fight against each other, making a full-blown rebellion all but impossible. Of course, this year's Games is not like any of the other games. There can be only one victor, but it is Katniss's defiant spirit that causes the greatest upset to the games Panem has ever seen. As a first-person limited novel, much of the history of Collins's world is left to conjecture. Katniss is a strong observer, but not an omniscient one, not by a long shot. She can only provide her own guesses, which we adopt and add to, as to what is happening outside of the Games that she is currently participating in. However, the strength of this perspective lies in giving us, the readers, unlimited access to the deepest recesses of Katniss's mind. We effectively become Katniss Everdeen, the defiant girl who started a spark of revolution throughout the nation. The character development is good. We get to know not only Katniss, but also the characters she comes across. But perhaps it is Haymitch's character that steals the show. His attitude toward life, teetering between sarcastic scorn and PTSD, reflects the attitudes of some soldiers who return from combat. According to Collins, such is actually her source material for the characters and plot, the exploration of combat and its effects on young soldiers. As this is the first novel in the series, we still have yet to see any significant development of Gale and Peeta, both of whom remain rather static throughout the novel. Peeta starts off weak, he ends off weak, getting wounded and hiding in the mud as opposed to Katniss, who becomes a huntress of people. The plot and pacing are good, though it's a little slow for the first third of the book. Collins uses this first part to develop the main backstory of Panem, dedicating the latter half to the actual Games itself. Once we step into the arena, however, it's no holds barred and everything you've ever known just flies out the window. This is by no means a thorough review of the novel. I have only read it once and that was over a year ago, so I'm going on very shallow memory right now. Overall, it is an enjoyable novel, the start of something that could have been, but failed to launch with Mockingjay.

Perhaps one of the most powerful ideas in this book is the idea of defiance, of standing up to those who mean you harm. That is the spirit that Katniss Everdeen embodies. She is the big sister that puts her own life on the line so that her sister, Primrose, does not need to fight in the dreaded Hunger Games.There are many out there who lambaste Collins for seemingly copy-and-pasting "Battle Royale" word for word, but there are enough differences between the two for this book not to be blatant copy, perhaps merely another author's rendition of a similar source work. Of course, the purpose of this review is not to compare two books side-by-side, but to review Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" <hl> as a standalone novel <hl>.The premise is simple. Every year twelve districts all around the totalitarian country of Panem must send one boy and one girl as "Tributes" into the Hunger Games, a contest between the districts that awards the winning district with fame and glory and lots and lots of resources from the government. What an excellent concept this is, from a political standpoint. It keeps the upper class citizens of Panem, who reside at the capital, happy and entertained, while the bottom of the pyramid, the Districts, fight against each other, making a full-blown rebellion all but impossible. Of course, this year's Games is not like any of the other games. There can be only one victor, but it is Katniss's defiant spirit that causes the greatest upset to the games Panem has ever seen.As a first-person limited novel, much of the history of Collins's world is left to conjecture. Katniss is a strong observer, but not an omniscient one, not by a long shot. She can only provide her own guesses, which we adopt and add to, as to what is happening outside of the Games that she is currently participating in. However, the strength of this perspective lies in giving us, the readers, unlimited access to the deepest recesses of Katniss's mind. We effectively become Katniss Everdeen, the defiant girl who started a spark of revolution throughout the nation.The character development is good. We get to know not only Katniss, but also the characters she comes across. But perhaps it is Haymitch's character that steals the show. His attitude toward life, teetering between sarcastic scorn and PTSD, reflects the attitudes of some soldiers who return from combat. According to Collins, such is actually her source material for the characters and plot, the exploration of combat and its effects on young soldiers. As this is the first novel in the series, we still have yet to see any significant development of Gale and Peeta, both of whom remain rather static throughout the novel. Peeta starts off weak, he ends off weak, getting wounded and hiding in the mud as opposed to Katniss, who becomes a huntress of people.The plot and pacing are good, though it's a little slow for the first third of the book. Collins uses this first part to develop the main backstory of Panem, dedicating the latter half to the actual Games itself. Once we step into the arena, however, it's no holds barred and everything you've ever known just flies out the window.This is by no means a thorough review of the novel. I have only read it once and that was over a year ago, so I'm going on very shallow memory right now. Overall, it is an enjoyable novel, the start of something that could have been, but failed to launch with Mockingjay.

Of course, the purpose of this review is not to compare two books side-by-side, but to review Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" <hl> as a standalone novel <hl> .The premise is simple.


Question: How are the characters personality developed in the book?

Finally finished this mammoth book, and I think it's better than the television show. The characters have more depth, and the jumping from place to place makes more sense. It does have its slow parts, but in the end, it's a very rewarding read. I'll be reading the next book after a short break with another novel.

Answer: The characters have more depth, and the jumping from place to place makes more sense

Finally finished this mammoth book, and I think it's better than the television show. <hl> The characters have more depth, and the jumping from place to place makes more sense . <hl> It does have its slow parts, but in the end, it's a very rewarding read. I'll be reading the next book after a short break with another novel.

Finally finished this mammoth book, and I think it's better than the television show. <hl> The characters have more depth, and the jumping from place to place makes more sense <hl>. It does have its slow parts, but in the end, it's a very rewarding read. I'll be reading the next book after a short break with another novel.

<hl> The characters have more depth, and the jumping from place to place makes more sense <hl> .


Question: How much character do the characters have?

I could not rest until I finished this book! I read in some reviews that William Landay's characters in Defending Jacob are underdeveloped, and I disagree. They are fleshed out more than well enough, as the plot of necessity relies -- Landay intended it to rely -- more on the swift action provided by any excellent legal thriller. If I have any criticism, it's minor; he could have tightened up the editing by skipping quite a bit of the routine procedural courtroom exchanges and I'd not have missed a thing. But then, Stephen King could use a stricter editorial hand and I doubt he's lost many readers for it. Bottom line: It's clear this author cares deeply about producing quality work. That the story concluded after such a pitch-perfect, unpredictable crescendo I particularly appreciated. Glad to have stumbled upon Landay's book. Now onto his first two novels!

Answer: the swift action provided by any excellent legal thriller

I could not rest until I finished this book! I read in some reviews that William Landay's characters in Defending Jacob are underdeveloped, and I disagree. <hl> They are fleshed out more than well enough, as the plot of necessity relies -- Landay intended it to rely -- more on the swift action provided by any excellent legal thriller . <hl> If I have any criticism, it's minor; he could have tightened up the editing by skipping quite a bit of the routine procedural courtroom exchanges and I'd not have missed a thing. But then, Stephen King could use a stricter editorial hand and I doubt he's lost many readers for it. Bottom line: It's clear this author cares deeply about producing quality work. That the story concluded after such a pitch-perfect, unpredictable crescendo I particularly appreciated. Glad to have stumbled upon Landay's book. Now onto his first two novels!

I could not rest until I finished this book! I read in some reviews that William Landay's characters in Defending Jacob are underdeveloped, and I disagree. They are fleshed out more than well enough, as the plot of necessity relies -- Landay intended it to rely -- more on <hl> the swift action provided by any excellent legal thriller <hl>. If I have any criticism, it's minor; he could have tightened up the editing by skipping quite a bit of the routine procedural courtroom exchanges and I'd not have missed a thing. But then, Stephen King could use a stricter editorial hand and I doubt he's lost many readers for it. Bottom line: It's clear this author cares deeply about producing quality work. That the story concluded after such a pitch-perfect, unpredictable crescendo I particularly appreciated. Glad to have stumbled upon Landay's book. Now onto his first two novels!

They are fleshed out more than well enough, as the plot of necessity relies -- Landay intended it to rely -- more on <hl> the swift action provided by any excellent legal thriller <hl> .


Question: How is the way?

I'm a total history lover, so anytime I can read something that is not only true, but interesting, I'm all over it. Erik Larson has a unique ability to write about historical events in a truly intriguing way. He writes non-fiction that flows and seems less real than some novels I read.In the Garden of Beasts is about William E. Dodd, an American ambassador in Germany circa 1933. Dodd moves his family to Berlin at a pivotal point in history when Hitler is rising in power. You can only imagine the chaos that surrounds this family as they try to assimilate in a very difficult time and place in the world.If you love history, or just need a non-fiction book to read, I highly recommend this one.

Answer: Erik Larson has a unique ability to write about historical events in a truly intriguing way

I'm a total history lover, so anytime I can read something that is not only true, but interesting, I'm all over it. <hl> Erik Larson has a unique ability to write about historical events in a truly intriguing way . <hl> He writes non-fiction that flows and seems less real than some novels I read. In the Garden of Beasts is about William E. Dodd, an American ambassador in Germany circa 1933. Dodd moves his family to Berlin at a pivotal point in history when Hitler is rising in power. You can only imagine the chaos that surrounds this family as they try to assimilate in a very difficult time and place in the world. If you love history, or just need a non-fiction book to read, I highly recommend this one.

I'm a total history lover, so anytime I can read something that is not only true, but interesting, I'm all over it. <hl> Erik Larson has a unique ability to write about historical events in a truly intriguing way <hl>. He writes non-fiction that flows and seems less real than some novels I read.In the Garden of Beasts is about William E. Dodd, an American ambassador in Germany circa 1933. Dodd moves his family to Berlin at a pivotal point in history when Hitler is rising in power. You can only imagine the chaos that surrounds this family as they try to assimilate in a very difficult time and place in the world.If you love history, or just need a non-fiction book to read, I highly recommend this one.

<hl> Erik Larson has a unique ability to write about historical events in a truly intriguing way <hl> .


Question: How is the character?

I hated the constant drug scenes but the writing language and character development was exceptional and kept me going. She is a writer in charge of her craft.

Answer: She is a writer in charge of her craft

I hated the constant drug scenes but the writing language and character development was exceptional and kept me going. <hl> She is a writer in charge of her craft . <hl>

I hated the constant drug scenes but the writing language and character development was exceptional and kept me going. <hl> She is a writer in charge of her craft <hl>.

<hl> She is a writer in charge of her craft <hl> .


Question: Do you want a long or short plot?

I read the entire book in one night.Brutal in so many ways, yet without causing damage to the reader, and certainly no dwelling on pain, suffering, or violence just for the sake of it.Compelling, cool story, solid character development, and well-constructed plot. Not the most original concept for a story, but certainly has enough angles, twists, and depth in and of itself to make for a very worthwhile read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and enjoyed the pure escapism it offered.

Answer: well-constructed plot

I read the entire book in one night. Brutal in so many ways, yet without causing damage to the reader, and certainly no dwelling on pain, suffering, or violence just for the sake of it. <hl> Compelling, cool story, solid character development, and well-constructed plot . <hl> Not the most original concept for a story, but certainly has enough angles, twists, and depth in and of itself to make for a very worthwhile read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and enjoyed the pure escapism it offered.

I read the entire book in one night.Brutal in so many ways, yet without causing damage to the reader, and certainly no dwelling on pain, suffering, or violence just for the sake of it.Compelling, cool story, solid character development, and <hl> well-constructed plot <hl>. Not the most original concept for a story, but certainly has enough angles, twists, and depth in and of itself to make for a very worthwhile read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and enjoyed the pure escapism it offered.

Compelling, cool story, solid character development, and <hl> well-constructed plot <hl> .


Question: How is the plot on the story?

This book is one of those rare novels that creates a level of intimacy with its characters that remains in tact long after the story is finished. The characters are complex and unpredictable, extremely human and occasionally divine. The storyline is fascinating and compelling. While I was reading, I didn't feel manipulated by the plot construction or falsely enticed by cliffhangers or manufactured suspense. The characters pulled me forward, not with a shallow lust for more, but with the fluid movement of art and masterful character development. This book will never be one that I see a few years later and can't remember what it was about. Like all masterful art, its impression on me is here to stay. I'm not sure when it happened, but its characters feel like intimate friends rather than casual acquaintances.

Answer: The storyline is fascinating and compelling

This book is one of those rare novels that creates a level of intimacy with its characters that remains in tact long after the story is finished. The characters are complex and unpredictable, extremely human and occasionally divine. <hl> The storyline is fascinating and compelling . <hl> While I was reading, I didn't feel manipulated by the plot construction or falsely enticed by cliffhangers or manufactured suspense. The characters pulled me forward, not with a shallow lust for more, but with the fluid movement of art and masterful character development. This book will never be one that I see a few years later and can't remember what it was about. Like all masterful art, its impression on me is here to stay. I'm not sure when it happened, but its characters feel like intimate friends rather than casual acquaintances.

This book is one of those rare novels that creates a level of intimacy with its characters that remains in tact long after the story is finished. The characters are complex and unpredictable, extremely human and occasionally divine. <hl> The storyline is fascinating and compelling <hl>. While I was reading, I didn't feel manipulated by the plot construction or falsely enticed by cliffhangers or manufactured suspense. The characters pulled me forward, not with a shallow lust for more, but with the fluid movement of art and masterful character development. This book will never be one that I see a few years later and can't remember what it was about. Like all masterful art, its impression on me is here to stay. I'm not sure when it happened, but its characters feel like intimate friends rather than casual acquaintances.

<hl> The storyline is fascinating and compelling <hl> .


Question: Is the plot fresh?

One of the things that continue to amaze me about the quality of the books by Roth is her age and the fact that these are her first two books.  It took a bit to remember what was going on when I picked up Insurgent, since I'd read the first book several months ago.  That said, once things got going I finished the book in a few hours.The pacing is excellent, and the mystery in the book keeps feeding you enough clues to keep you interested.  Additionally, I loved the struggle that the main character faced in choosing between what she believed what right, even though it would hurt those she loved most.Can't wait for the next book.

Answer: The pacing is excellent, and the mystery

One of the things that continue to amaze me about the quality of the books by Roth is her age and the fact that these are her first two books. It took a bit to remember what was going on when I picked up Insurgent, since I'd read the first book several months ago. That said, once things got going I finished the book in a few hours. <hl> The pacing is excellent, and the mystery in the book keeps feeding you enough clues to keep you interested. <hl> Additionally, I loved the struggle that the main character faced in choosing between what she believed what right, even though it would hurt those she loved most. Can't wait for the next book.

One of the things that continue to amaze me about the quality of the books by Roth is her age and the fact that these are her first two books. It took a bit to remember what was going on when I picked up Insurgent, since I'd read the first book several months ago. That said, once things got going I finished the book in a few hours.<hl> The pacing is excellent, and the mystery <hl> in the book keeps feeding you enough clues to keep you interested. Additionally, I loved the struggle that the main character faced in choosing between what she believed what right, even though it would hurt those she loved most.Can't wait for the next book.


Question: What romance so little good?

I have to admit, I had reservations about this book.  The cover and the title made it seem a bit cheesy and the synopsis didn't really grab my attention.  I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance anyway so initially I decided to pass this one up.  Then I saw some super early reactions from bloggers whose opinions I generally tend to agree with and I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.  For being a book I wasn't even interested in trying at first I was really blown away.  The story was not cheesy in the least, the characters were dynamic and interesting and the drama sucked me right in.  I fell in love with Echo and Noah and found myself devouring this story.  Best of all, the book had real depth and the romance was not the least bit one dimensional.  I loved this book!LIKES:Story is told from both Noah's and Echo's perspectives:  I really love it when stories are told from multiple perspectives.  It really adds to the reader's understanding of a story and makes it feel more dynamic.  Echo and Noah each had their own unique voice and their own story to tell and it was really great to be able to understand Noah's view on the evolution of their relationship and not just Echo's.  I think this writing style makes you more attached to the secondary characters as well and therefore more invested in the story as a whole.McGarry shows the humanity of all characters, even the "villains":  I was a little worried when I first started this book that the author would focus on the short-comings of Echo's parents and ignore the fact that their life experiences and concern for their children influenced their parenting decisions (this is a common pitfall in a good portion of YA literature).  McGarry left me pleasantly surprised when she really delved into why Echo's dad (along with other secondary characters) acted the way he did and why he made the, sometimes wrong, decisions that he made.Realistic romance, not star-crossed lovers: Echo and Noah are from different worlds and they certainly don't seem like they are meant for each other at the beginning of the book.  Their relationship is tumultuous and they have completely different personalities.  I was very happy that instead of a perfect, simplistic "bad boy falls in love with good girl" romance they had a real connection and realistic arguments about their relationship.  I didn't feel like their love story was over-idealized.  Their issues and fights were all the more heart-wrenching because of this realism and it allowed for an even bigger pay-off.DISLIKES:An abundance of f-bombs:  If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times:  don't overuse the f-bomb. Whenever you use a word over and over it takes away its meaning and impact.  This is especially true with "shocking language".  After awhile it just gets old reading "eff this, eff that" constantly.  For me, it isn't a matter of offensiveness, it's a matter of creativity.Not enough closure:  I felt like there wasn't quite enough resolution with Echo's mother.  I would have liked to see that explored and settled more.  Then again, I suppose that was on purpose.I am so happy I gave this one a shot.  There is enough suspense and drama to keep everyone interested but the romance is realistic and sweet.  Even if you don't love contemporary romance I would definitely pick this book up.  You won't regret it.

Answer: had real depth and the romance was not the least bit one dimensional

I have to admit, I had reservations about this book. The cover and the title made it seem a bit cheesy and the synopsis didn't really grab my attention. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance anyway so initially I decided to pass this one up. Then I saw some super early reactions from bloggers whose opinions I generally tend to agree with and I decided to go ahead and give it a shot. For being a book I wasn't even interested in trying at first I was really blown away. The story was not cheesy in the least, the characters were dynamic and interesting and the drama sucked me right in. I fell in love with Echo and Noah and found myself devouring this story. <hl> Best of all, the book had real depth and the romance was not the least bit one dimensional . <hl> I loved this book!LIKES:Story is told from both Noah's and Echo's perspectives: I really love it when stories are told from multiple perspectives. It really adds to the reader's understanding of a story and makes it feel more dynamic. Echo and Noah each had their own unique voice and their own story to tell and it was really great to be able to understand Noah's view on the evolution of their relationship and not just Echo's. I think this writing style makes you more attached to the secondary characters as well and therefore more invested in the story as a whole. McGarry shows the humanity of all characters, even the "villains": I was a little worried when I first started this book that the author would focus on the short-comings of Echo's parents and ignore the fact that their life experiences and concern for their children influenced their parenting decisions (this is a common pitfall in a good portion of YA literature). McGarry left me pleasantly surprised when she really delved into why Echo's dad (along with other secondary characters) acted the way he did and why he made the, sometimes wrong, decisions that he made. Realistic romance, not star-crossed lovers: Echo and Noah are from different worlds and they certainly don't seem like they are meant for each other at the beginning of the book. Their relationship is tumultuous and they have completely different personalities. I was very happy that instead of a perfect, simplistic "bad boy falls in love with good girl" romance they had a real connection and realistic arguments about their relationship. I didn't feel like their love story was over-idealized. Their issues and fights were all the more heart-wrenching because of this realism and it allowed for an even bigger pay-off. DISLIKES:An abundance of f-bombs: If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: don't overuse the f-bomb. Whenever you use a word over and over it takes away its meaning and impact. This is especially true with "shocking language". After awhile it just gets old reading "eff this, eff that" constantly. For me, it isn't a matter of offensiveness, it's a matter of creativity. Not enough closure: I felt like there wasn't quite enough resolution with Echo's mother. I would have liked to see that explored and settled more. Then again, I suppose that was on purpose. I am so happy I gave this one a shot. There is enough suspense and drama to keep everyone interested but the romance is realistic and sweet. Even if you don't love contemporary romance I would definitely pick this book up. You won't regret it.

I have to admit, I had reservations about this book. The cover and the title made it seem a bit cheesy and the synopsis didn't really grab my attention. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance anyway so initially I decided to pass this one up. Then I saw some super early reactions from bloggers whose opinions I generally tend to agree with and I decided to go ahead and give it a shot. For being a book I wasn't even interested in trying at first I was really blown away. The story was not cheesy in the least, the characters were dynamic and interesting and the drama sucked me right in. I fell in love with Echo and Noah and found myself devouring this story. Best of all, the book <hl> had real depth and the romance was not the least bit one dimensional <hl>. I loved this book!LIKES:Story is told from both Noah's and Echo's perspectives: I really love it when stories are told from multiple perspectives. It really adds to the reader's understanding of a story and makes it feel more dynamic. Echo and Noah each had their own unique voice and their own story to tell and it was really great to be able to understand Noah's view on the evolution of their relationship and not just Echo's. I think this writing style makes you more attached to the secondary characters as well and therefore more invested in the story as a whole.McGarry shows the humanity of all characters, even the "villains": I was a little worried when I first started this book that the author would focus on the short-comings of Echo's parents and ignore the fact that their life experiences and concern for their children influenced their parenting decisions (this is a common pitfall in a good portion of YA literature). McGarry left me pleasantly surprised when she really delved into why Echo's dad (along with other secondary characters) acted the way he did and why he made the, sometimes wrong, decisions that he made.Realistic romance, not star-crossed lovers: Echo and Noah are from different worlds and they certainly don't seem like they are meant for each other at the beginning of the book. Their relationship is tumultuous and they have completely different personalities. I was very happy that instead of a perfect, simplistic "bad boy falls in love with good girl" romance they had a real connection and realistic arguments about their relationship. I didn't feel like their love story was over-idealized. Their issues and fights were all the more heart-wrenching because of this realism and it allowed for an even bigger pay-off.DISLIKES:An abundance of f-bombs: If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: don't overuse the f-bomb. Whenever you use a word over and over it takes away its meaning and impact. This is especially true with "shocking language". After awhile it just gets old reading "eff this, eff that" constantly. For me, it isn't a matter of offensiveness, it's a matter of creativity.Not enough closure: I felt like there wasn't quite enough resolution with Echo's mother. I would have liked to see that explored and settled more. Then again, I suppose that was on purpose.I am so happy I gave this one a shot. There is enough suspense and drama to keep everyone interested but the romance is realistic and sweet. Even if you don't love contemporary romance I would definitely pick this book up. You won't regret it.

Best of all, the book <hl> had real depth and the romance was not the least bit one dimensional <hl> .


Question: How would you describe the main character?

I  was excited to read these books due to all the hype. But to be honest after reading the whole trilogy I have got to ask where they hype came from. I did not find the first book interesting at all but decided to really give it a shot and read all three. It was like reading the same awful book three times in a row.1) Characters:The characters are uninteresting and boring. They are taken directly from twilight but made worse. It was almost laughable how much the characters were like their twilight counterparts. But on top of that the hero is abusive. I am not sure why anyone would find him a heart throb. The heroine is a wimp.2) PlotThere is none. Simple as that. I will admit in the second and third books there is a bit more plot but in the first book there is absolutely no plot at all.3) SexWhile I admit the first couple of sex scenes were kind of fun by the end of the first book I was so tired of reading them they just got plain boring. It was the same sex scene over and over again with just a small twist. But they became predictable. The reader knew exactly what would happen, what would he say, what would she say etc... and this does not change for three books. Not to mention the characters have sex like 5 times a day every day. I was begging for them to stop having sex and have a plot but this does not happen. (If I ever hear the phrase inner goddess again...)I honestly could not recommend this book or book series to anyone. There was nothing interesting. Please save your time and $ if you plan on buying these. At least I got mine from the library but that doesn't help the fact that I wasted so much time reading these books.

Answer: Characters:The characters are uninteresting and boring

I was excited to read these books due to all the hype. But to be honest after reading the whole trilogy I have got to ask where they hype came from. I did not find the first book interesting at all but decided to really give it a shot and read all three. <hl> It was like reading the same awful book three times in a row.1) Characters:The characters are uninteresting and boring . <hl> They are taken directly from twilight but made worse. It was almost laughable how much the characters were like their twilight counterparts. But on top of that the hero is abusive. I am not sure why anyone would find him a heart throb. The heroine is a wimp.2) PlotThere is none. Simple as that. I will admit in the second and third books there is a bit more plot but in the first book there is absolutely no plot at all.3) SexWhile I admit the first couple of sex scenes were kind of fun by the end of the first book I was so tired of reading them they just got plain boring. It was the same sex scene over and over again with just a small twist. But they became predictable. The reader knew exactly what would happen, what would he say, what would she say etc... and this does not change for three books. Not to mention the characters have sex like 5 times a day every day. I was begging for them to stop having sex and have a plot but this does not happen. (If I ever hear the phrase inner goddess again...)I honestly could not recommend this book or book series to anyone. There was nothing interesting. Please save your time and $ if you plan on buying these. At least I got mine from the library but that doesn't help the fact that I wasted so much time reading these books.

I was excited to read these books due to all the hype. But to be honest after reading the whole trilogy I have got to ask where they hype came from. I did not find the first book interesting at all but decided to really give it a shot and read all three. It was like reading the same awful book three times in a row.1) <hl> Characters:The characters are uninteresting and boring <hl>. They are taken directly from twilight but made worse. It was almost laughable how much the characters were like their twilight counterparts. But on top of that the hero is abusive. I am not sure why anyone would find him a heart throb. The heroine is a wimp.2) PlotThere is none. Simple as that. I will admit in the second and third books there is a bit more plot but in the first book there is absolutely no plot at all.3) SexWhile I admit the first couple of sex scenes were kind of fun by the end of the first book I was so tired of reading them they just got plain boring. It was the same sex scene over and over again with just a small twist. But they became predictable. The reader knew exactly what would happen, what would he say, what would she say etc... and this does not change for three books. Not to mention the characters have sex like 5 times a day every day. I was begging for them to stop having sex and have a plot but this does not happen. (If I ever hear the phrase inner goddess again...)I honestly could not recommend this book or book series to anyone. There was nothing interesting. Please save your time and $ if you plan on buying these. At least I got mine from the library but that doesn't help the fact that I wasted so much time reading these books.

It was like reading the same awful book three times in a row.1) <hl> Characters:The characters are uninteresting and boring <hl> .


Question: Dose this character nice?

I first learned about this book through the National Novel Writer's Month website -- this book was listed as being written by a NaNoWriMo participant, and the author stated that this book was a product of said event.  Being a NaNoWriMo writer myself, I was heartened to learn that someone had not only published a book produced during the event, but said book had been successful enough to warrant bestseller status and a movie deal.  So I decided to check it out for myself, and see what a fellow NaNoWriMo writer had turned out.In the end, I found myself torn over the book -- I love it to pieces, but at the same time it frustrates me, though not enough to make me want to give it a negative review.The titular "Night Circus" is actually called Cirque de Reves (Circus of Dreams), a uniquely built circus open only at night and with attractions and acts that straddle the line between fantasy and reality, between the fantastic and the outright impossible.  Behind said circus are two magicians -- Marco, assistant to the circus' proprietor and the secret power behind maintaining and organizing said circus, and Celia, daughter of a famous stage magician and serving as the circus' illusionist.  Both are bound to the circus and are pitted against one another in a mysterious contest by their enigmatic instructors... but both end up falling in love, and seek to defy the rules of the game with potentially disastrous consequences for the rest of the circus.  Meanwhile, a farm boy named Bailey becomes entranced with the circus in general -- and with Poppet, the clairvoyant daughter of the big cat trainers, in particular -- and finds his own fate becoming entwined with that of the circus.Let me begin with the one thing about this book that frustrates me -- the main characters, Marco and Celia.  They are some of the flattest, blandest, most cardboard characters I have ever come across in a work of fiction, second only to Bella from the "Twilight" series.  They aren't annoying or pathetic characters, but they are so devoid of personality that it becomes difficult to care about them.  Most of the other characters, even the minor ones, have at least some personality to them, and I found myself more concerned with their fates than with the lovers/competitors who were the story's spotlight.  In particular, I loved Bailey, Poppet, and Poppet's twin brother Widget, and dearly wish they had been the focus of the story instead of Marco and Celia.  I was always heartened to see another Bailey chapter in the book as I read, while the Celia and Marco chapters didn't hold my interest as well, as the characters were too lifeless for me to be emotionally invested in them.That's my only quibble with this book, however -- the rest is one of the most enthralling and beautiful fictional worlds I have ever come across in a work of fiction.The circus is so grandly described, so beautifully built through Morgenstern's wordcraft, that I find myself wishing it existed in real life so I could pay a visit.  She describes not only the sights of the circus, but the evocative smells -- as one character in the book states, the sense of smell is an under-utilized but powerful sense.  And she makes it all seem entirely plausible and real, to the point where I find myself wanting to visit the Paper Menagerie, attend a Midnight Dinner, purchase a chocolate bat and a cocoa and go watch the illusionist or the contortionist at work, or even simply light a candle on the Wishing Tree.Of all the characters in the book, I think my favorite, besides Bailey and the twins, would be Friedrick, a clockmaker who becomes enamored with the circus to the point that he builds what can only be called a fandom around it (much like Trekkies are to Star Trek).  The collective friendship and brotherhood among these reveurs, as they call themselves, reminds me of the same friendship and brotherhood that exists among fellow fans of some of my own geeky interests, and so helped me identify even more with the titular circus.All in all, I love this book so much that I can't give it a negative review -- it's marvelously written and builds a beautiful world that sucks the reader in and makes them never want to leave.  But sadly, the main characters are so flatly written, so bland and uninteresting, that I can't give this five stars.  I do not regret reading this book, though, and despite the unengaging leads I will happily recommend it to those who like light fantasy and marvelous worldbuilding.

Answer: the characters were too lifeless for me to be emotionally invested in them

I first learned about this book through the National Novel Writer's Month website -- this book was listed as being written by a NaNoWriMo participant, and the author stated that this book was a product of said event. Being a NaNoWriMo writer myself, I was heartened to learn that someone had not only published a book produced during the event, but said book had been successful enough to warrant bestseller status and a movie deal. So I decided to check it out for myself, and see what a fellow NaNoWriMo writer had turned out. In the end, I found myself torn over the book -- I love it to pieces, but at the same time it frustrates me, though not enough to make me want to give it a negative review. The titular "Night Circus" is actually called Cirque de Reves (Circus of Dreams), a uniquely built circus open only at night and with attractions and acts that straddle the line between fantasy and reality, between the fantastic and the outright impossible. Behind said circus are two magicians -- Marco, assistant to the circus' proprietor and the secret power behind maintaining and organizing said circus, and Celia, daughter of a famous stage magician and serving as the circus' illusionist. Both are bound to the circus and are pitted against one another in a mysterious contest by their enigmatic instructors... but both end up falling in love, and seek to defy the rules of the game with potentially disastrous consequences for the rest of the circus. Meanwhile, a farm boy named Bailey becomes entranced with the circus in general -- and with Poppet, the clairvoyant daughter of the big cat trainers, in particular -- and finds his own fate becoming entwined with that of the circus. Let me begin with the one thing about this book that frustrates me -- the main characters, Marco and Celia. They are some of the flattest, blandest, most cardboard characters I have ever come across in a work of fiction, second only to Bella from the "Twilight" series. They aren't annoying or pathetic characters, but they are so devoid of personality that it becomes difficult to care about them. Most of the other characters, even the minor ones, have at least some personality to them, and I found myself more concerned with their fates than with the lovers/competitors who were the story's spotlight. In particular, I loved Bailey, Poppet, and Poppet's twin brother Widget, and dearly wish they had been the focus of the story instead of Marco and Celia. <hl> I was always heartened to see another Bailey chapter in the book as I read, while the Celia and Marco chapters didn't hold my interest as well, as the characters were too lifeless for me to be emotionally invested in them .That's my only quibble with this book, however -- the rest is one of the most enthralling and beautiful fictional worlds I have ever come across in a work of fiction. <hl> The circus is so grandly described, so beautifully built through Morgenstern's wordcraft, that I find myself wishing it existed in real life so I could pay a visit. She describes not only the sights of the circus, but the evocative smells -- as one character in the book states, the sense of smell is an under-utilized but powerful sense. And she makes it all seem entirely plausible and real, to the point where I find myself wanting to visit the Paper Menagerie, attend a Midnight Dinner, purchase a chocolate bat and a cocoa and go watch the illusionist or the contortionist at work, or even simply light a candle on the Wishing Tree. Of all the characters in the book, I think my favorite, besides Bailey and the twins, would be Friedrick, a clockmaker who becomes enamored with the circus to the point that he builds what can only be called a fandom around it (much like Trekkies are to Star Trek). The collective friendship and brotherhood among these reveurs, as they call themselves, reminds me of the same friendship and brotherhood that exists among fellow fans of some of my own geeky interests, and so helped me identify even more with the titular circus. All in all, I love this book so much that I can't give it a negative review -- it's marvelously written and builds a beautiful world that sucks the reader in and makes them never want to leave. But sadly, the main characters are so flatly written, so bland and uninteresting, that I can't give this five stars. I do not regret reading this book, though, and despite the unengaging leads I will happily recommend it to those who like light fantasy and marvelous worldbuilding.

I first learned about this book through the National Novel Writer's Month website -- this book was listed as being written by a NaNoWriMo participant, and the author stated that this book was a product of said event. Being a NaNoWriMo writer myself, I was heartened to learn that someone had not only published a book produced during the event, but said book had been successful enough to warrant bestseller status and a movie deal. So I decided to check it out for myself, and see what a fellow NaNoWriMo writer had turned out.In the end, I found myself torn over the book -- I love it to pieces, but at the same time it frustrates me, though not enough to make me want to give it a negative review.The titular "Night Circus" is actually called Cirque de Reves (Circus of Dreams), a uniquely built circus open only at night and with attractions and acts that straddle the line between fantasy and reality, between the fantastic and the outright impossible. Behind said circus are two magicians -- Marco, assistant to the circus' proprietor and the secret power behind maintaining and organizing said circus, and Celia, daughter of a famous stage magician and serving as the circus' illusionist. Both are bound to the circus and are pitted against one another in a mysterious contest by their enigmatic instructors... but both end up falling in love, and seek to defy the rules of the game with potentially disastrous consequences for the rest of the circus. Meanwhile, a farm boy named Bailey becomes entranced with the circus in general -- and with Poppet, the clairvoyant daughter of the big cat trainers, in particular -- and finds his own fate becoming entwined with that of the circus.Let me begin with the one thing about this book that frustrates me -- the main characters, Marco and Celia. They are some of the flattest, blandest, most cardboard characters I have ever come across in a work of fiction, second only to Bella from the "Twilight" series. They aren't annoying or pathetic characters, but they are so devoid of personality that it becomes difficult to care about them. Most of the other characters, even the minor ones, have at least some personality to them, and I found myself more concerned with their fates than with the lovers/competitors who were the story's spotlight. In particular, I loved Bailey, Poppet, and Poppet's twin brother Widget, and dearly wish they had been the focus of the story instead of Marco and Celia. I was always heartened to see another Bailey chapter in the book as I read, while the Celia and Marco chapters didn't hold my interest as well, as <hl> the characters were too lifeless for me to be emotionally invested in them <hl>.That's my only quibble with this book, however -- the rest is one of the most enthralling and beautiful fictional worlds I have ever come across in a work of fiction.The circus is so grandly described, so beautifully built through Morgenstern's wordcraft, that I find myself wishing it existed in real life so I could pay a visit. She describes not only the sights of the circus, but the evocative smells -- as one character in the book states, the sense of smell is an under-utilized but powerful sense. And she makes it all seem entirely plausible and real, to the point where I find myself wanting to visit the Paper Menagerie, attend a Midnight Dinner, purchase a chocolate bat and a cocoa and go watch the illusionist or the contortionist at work, or even simply light a candle on the Wishing Tree.Of all the characters in the book, I think my favorite, besides Bailey and the twins, would be Friedrick, a clockmaker who becomes enamored with the circus to the point that he builds what can only be called a fandom around it (much like Trekkies are to Star Trek). The collective friendship and brotherhood among these reveurs, as they call themselves, reminds me of the same friendship and brotherhood that exists among fellow fans of some of my own geeky interests, and so helped me identify even more with the titular circus.All in all, I love this book so much that I can't give it a negative review -- it's marvelously written and builds a beautiful world that sucks the reader in and makes them never want to leave. But sadly, the main characters are so flatly written, so bland and uninteresting, that I can't give this five stars. I do not regret reading this book, though, and despite the unengaging leads I will happily recommend it to those who like light fantasy and marvelous worldbuilding.

I was always heartened to see another Bailey chapter in the book as I read, while the Celia and Marco chapters didn't hold my interest as well, as <hl> the characters were too lifeless for me to be emotionally invested in them <hl> .That's my only quibble with this book, however -- the rest is one of the most enthralling and beautiful fictional worlds I have ever come across in a work of fiction.


Question: What is the way to go for the character?

Despite the language (is it really necessary to use the f-word so often?), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Suspenseful and well-written, Gone Girl is a real page turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, but as I neared the last pages, I didn't want it to end. And then when I read the last word, I thought, "Huh? Is that it? Are we to believe that this couple is going to stay together? Or wait, maybe Amy has something up her sleeve. Or maybe the pair from the Ozarks will arrive and throw a monkey wrench into everything."On the surface, the novel appears to be a boy-meets-girl story in which the characters are going to live happily ever after. They're both nice looking, educated, employed, and in love. But soon the reader learns that there's trouble in paradise and that things aren't always what they appear to be. They lose their jobs and move back to hubby's hometown to help care for his parents, her with cancer and him with Alzheimer's. That's when things really get interesting, and the reader doesn't know what to believe. Is Amy really an angel in disguise? Is Nick a cad? How can Amy be so callous in her thoughts about her parents, the people who have spent their adult lives writing about her and elevating her to fame?Gillain Flynn is masterful in creating such a suspenseful thriller. Seriously, up until the very last page the reader is wondering what's going to happen next. The scene setting, the character development, the plot twists, and the dialogue are all superb. I did wonder about a few things such as why no one listened to Desi's mother or what happened to Andie. Those are minor questions in the grand scheme of things, however.It's a powerful book, especially for those interested in the inner workings in the mind of a sociopath. You'll never see the people around you in the same way again, not even those whom you think you know best.

Answer: the character development, the plot twists, and the dialogue are all superb

Despite the language (is it really necessary to use the f-word so often?), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Suspenseful and well-written, Gone Girl is a real page turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, but as I neared the last pages, I didn't want it to end. And then when I read the last word, I thought, "Huh? Is that it? Are we to believe that this couple is going to stay together? Or wait, maybe Amy has something up her sleeve. Or maybe the pair from the Ozarks will arrive and throw a monkey wrench into everything. "On the surface, the novel appears to be a boy-meets-girl story in which the characters are going to live happily ever after. They're both nice looking, educated, employed, and in love. But soon the reader learns that there's trouble in paradise and that things aren't always what they appear to be. They lose their jobs and move back to hubby's hometown to help care for his parents, her with cancer and him with Alzheimer's. That's when things really get interesting, and the reader doesn't know what to believe. Is Amy really an angel in disguise? Is Nick a cad? How can Amy be so callous in her thoughts about her parents, the people who have spent their adult lives writing about her and elevating her to fame?Gillain Flynn is masterful in creating such a suspenseful thriller. Seriously, up until the very last page the reader is wondering what's going to happen next. <hl> The scene setting, the character development, the plot twists, and the dialogue are all superb . <hl> I did wonder about a few things such as why no one listened to Desi's mother or what happened to Andie. Those are minor questions in the grand scheme of things, however. It's a powerful book, especially for those interested in the inner workings in the mind of a sociopath. You'll never see the people around you in the same way again, not even those whom you think you know best.

Despite the language (is it really necessary to use the f-word so often?), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Suspenseful and well-written, Gone Girl is a real page turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, but as I neared the last pages, I didn't want it to end. And then when I read the last word, I thought, "Huh? Is that it? Are we to believe that this couple is going to stay together? Or wait, maybe Amy has something up her sleeve. Or maybe the pair from the Ozarks will arrive and throw a monkey wrench into everything."On the surface, the novel appears to be a boy-meets-girl story in which the characters are going to live happily ever after. They're both nice looking, educated, employed, and in love. But soon the reader learns that there's trouble in paradise and that things aren't always what they appear to be. They lose their jobs and move back to hubby's hometown to help care for his parents, her with cancer and him with Alzheimer's. That's when things really get interesting, and the reader doesn't know what to believe. Is Amy really an angel in disguise? Is Nick a cad? How can Amy be so callous in her thoughts about her parents, the people who have spent their adult lives writing about her and elevating her to fame?Gillain Flynn is masterful in creating such a suspenseful thriller. Seriously, up until the very last page the reader is wondering what's going to happen next. The scene setting, <hl> the character development, the plot twists, and the dialogue are all superb <hl>. I did wonder about a few things such as why no one listened to Desi's mother or what happened to Andie. Those are minor questions in the grand scheme of things, however.It's a powerful book, especially for those interested in the inner workings in the mind of a sociopath. You'll never see the people around you in the same way again, not even those whom you think you know best.

The scene setting, <hl> the character development, the plot twists, and the dialogue are all superb <hl> .