The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 [Review]

Hi guys! So it has been a little while since I've actually posted a review or anything like that apart from the Doctor Who feature a few weeks ago which was a lot of fun! I've been busy with work and also combatting some pretty nasty pain that I am hopefully now, with the help of my doctor, in the process of conquering! I have also, as I mentioned in my previous post, been trying to get out myself out of a colossal reading slump that I didn't think would ever end, but thankfully it has! So I am back and hoping to post a lot more regularly!

A week or so ago now, on the actual release day, I went to see Mockingjay Part 1 and boy oh boy was it amazing. So amazing in fact that I decided to write a review. I never really review films, but I am thinking of reviewing adaptations every now and again. Comparing them to the books, what I thought and whether I liked it or not. There are a lot coming up soon (Roald Dahl's Esio Trot has been made into a tv movie and will be on over Christmas, the same for David Walliams' The Boy in the Dress) so it is just something I wanted to try...

Anyway, yes... MOCKINGJAY!! Please be warned that there may be spoilers ahead. If you haven't read the books or seen the movie then read at your own peril! You have been warned!!

Oh man! I knew this movie would play with me. I knew that it would leave me a complete and utter mess, just like the book itself did. I personally feel like the book is HUGELY underrated. Yes, it wasn't as action-packed as the first two, but something that does annoy me is that people seemed to be expecting another games. I don't think some people, especially people who haven't read the books, realise that after what happened at the end of Catching Fire there was no going back and things were going to be completely and utterly different. Katniss was now at war. Both with herself and her choices, and alongside the rebels against President Snow. The book, for me anyway, is an emotionally charged story of war that highlights the consequences you can face both with your decision making and your actions. Having re-read the book prior to going to see the movie this was only re-iterated to me and I really noticed it this time around more so than ever before I think.

The first half of the book was more about the build up to what it so come in the second half, so naturally Part 1 was always going to be more story driven, more narrative driven, more emotionally driven, as things were being laid out in plain sight ready for the final showdown to come in Part 2. Personally I do not think Part 1 was lacking in the action department. I mean the scenes in District 8 literally had me on the edge of the seat and I bit down all my nails right to the quick. I was rapt and could not even for a millisecond drag my eyes from the screen. Then there was the blowing up of the hydro dam in District 5. STUNNING scenes! Stunning, beautifully executed and well placed as well.

I feel like the pacing of the film was done really well. The action sequences were nicely placed so that just when it might of started to feel slow, BAMN, action, BAMN, explosions and death and loss of electricity. BAMN BAMN BAMN!

And the MUSIC!!!! Can we talk about the score for this film! Lorde (pun intended) have mercy! James Newton Howard has done another stellar job with the score. They just keep getting better and better! I like that he keeps the same sounds but builds on them. Makes them more and more menacing, more and more haunting, every film and this time it is simply stunning. I have purchased all of the movie scores for the series so far and as soon as this one popped up on iTunes I just had to have it! Not least of all because of The Hanging Tree... Oh god! The Hanging Tree! What were once just words on the page, read like any normal sentence, not with a melody in mind or anything like that, have been transformed into what is now a stunning and haunting and infections song that makes you want to weep buckets and yet listen to it over and over again on repeat... Something that I haven't been doing... I swear... Okay... Just A LOT! It's been on repeat on my iPod so much the last week it is insane! But it is so good! JLaw says she cannot sing - well JLaw lies!

And it isn't just The Hanging Tree music that is incredible. It's the whole thing. I love the music that played along with the air raid scenes in District 13. The music when Katniss goes back to District 12 on her own and the bit where she finds the bodies... It's just so, so perfect and I cannot wait to see how they build upon it for Part 2!

The scene with The Hanging Tree has to be my favourite part I think, or at least one of them. It was so well done, so well filmed and the mockingjay just perched on the rock was such a nice touch. I love how it kept going and transformed from just Katniss, to Katniss and the people in the districts. It was so powerful, so beautiful, I may of had a tear or two.

And the ending. Oh wow! The ending. Controversial opinion alert... I with they had finished it the first time the screen blacked out. I think it would of worked better as a cliff hanger and would of had people in uproar demanding to see or read what happens next. I just think it would of been ten times more epic. But at the same time I do like they way it actually did end. Coins speech does feel like a definitive closing point and did make sense.

And the acting! Oh my the acting has ramped up a bit hasn't it? JLaw as per the usual was incredible but in this one... Man! If she doesn't get an Oscar for this one I will be furious. This is without a doubt her most Oscar-worthy performance yet. She shows just how damaged Katniss is, both by the games and by the weight that is being placed on her shoulders as she becomes the Mockingjay. I thought that Josh was immense in this one and even though he doesn't have that much screen time, his performance is so memorable and moving and dark and just so good. I loved Effie even more in this movie despite my reservations that she was being put in the film when she wasn't in the book. I like that she replaced Fulvia who I wasn't that much of a fan of in the book, and did it really well. The "they're either going to want to kiss you, kill you or be you line" had me shivering! So good!

The sight of Johanna and Peeta as well at the end, seeing what the Capitol had reduced them to was almost too much! It made me feel so sad and sorry for them! And the strangling scene! OMG IT WAS EVERYTHING I EVER DREAMED OF! It was incredible and had me squirming in my seat! Literally, hearing the whole cinema scream in shock especially when the screen blacked out was INCREDIBLE! So good, so well done!

I have to say that Francis Lawrence is doing an INCREDIBLE job! I love that he is so adamant that the films need to stay as close to the books as possible. It's so reassuring as a fan to have him at the helm and I can only say that I am so glad that Lionsgate chose him to close out the series! He just has this knack of getting it and the last 2 have been so beautifully filmed and pieced together. It's very reassuring!

So overall I think it's safe to say I enjoyed Mockingjay Part 1! Ha! Who am I kidding, I freaking loved it! I think that it's the best of the films so far and reject that the lack of action makes it boring. Boring it most definitely is not. All the action has been saved for the finale to offer up a slice that is going to literally slay us all! Mark my words. Part 2 is going to wreck us even more than Part 1! I'm not going to lie I was close to tears watching the movie and knowing what is to come only makes me nervous for next November. But as well as being nervous I simply cannot wait! Bring it in Lionsgate! Bring it on!

Rating: 5/5.

New Catching Fire poster

I am so so so so SOOO excited for Catching Fire to hit cinemas later this year and Lionsgate are just teasing me and making things so much worse. They're making me anticipate it even more, as if that was possible. They had to go and release this absolutely blinding poster today and make me want to weep tears of joy and longing.

I. Cannot. Wait. 

Mockingjay officially to be split into two parts!

Hell yes!! Lionsgate, the makers of The Hunger Games films have just announced officially that they are splitting the incredible Mockingjay into two parts. I for one am so freaking excited! They'll fit in way more of the book, and hopefully show a lot more action than if they had to cram it all into one!

Part 1 is out 21st November 2014. And Part 2, the fourth and final film, will be out on 20th November 2015! So so so freaking excited! So far away, but I cannot wait!

The Hunger Games Movie...

On Wednesday (3rd April), I finally went to see The Hunger Games movie! I was so excited that I was getting to see it but then a bit nervous too. Oh god! Will they murder the book?! Will they change this? Change that?! PLEASE NO!!!! I hope Jennifer is good, all of the cast too. ARGH NO!

We were also very nearly late, but then there were loads of people came in after us and they didn't start the film till nearly 20 minutes after the time on the tickets. Got a bit frustrated but it was so good. Everyone nearly stayed quiet. Some people laughed at some not very funny bits and I'm not sure why. Insert confused face here! And some people rustled, but overall I could hear the film so I was happy.

And boy I could not of been happier walking out of that cinema. Talk about incredible! The scope of it all was handled perfectly, I love the bits that cut back and forth, the whole look of District 12. The way they treat the games on the tv's in the Capitol is how I imagined it. Wow. Just wow.

The effects were good. The CGI for the outfits that were on fire could of been a little better, but then it was still cool! Overall I freaking loved it. There's not much I can really say because having read the books several times and reviewing the book here in 2010, it's all been said. Some nitpicky bits where they changed stuff but I was surpirsed how minor stuff was. They hardly changed anything. Perhaps the most true to a book film I have ever seen. 


And Jennifer! Wow! She was incredible! Just incredible. She needs... many many awards for her performance. I was always dubious about how they would portray Katniss, and how someone would play her, but I just cannot imagine anyone else being Katniss. The same for Peeta. And Effie. She was awesome. I liked Donald Sutherland as President Snow. Just the right sort of mannerism's I expected. Overall, everyone was good, apart from Gale. Liam Hemsworth just... No. I'm sorry. He doesn't suit Gale, to me at all.


The way the games was done too was also great. I liked seeing the Gamemakers at work. Kind of creepy how much joy they take out of it, but so cool. And the commentating in the games too. So cool.

Argh! So happy. I just need it on DVD right now so that it can be on constant play!

Roll on next November for Catching Fire!!

Trailer: The Hunger Games Second Trailer

Every day that goes by I just get more and more excited for this movie. And now a new trailer has been revealed giving us a further glimpse into the world of Panem and The Hunger Games. Damn it looks so good! Must re-read it before I see it. Roll on 23rd March!

The Hunger Games Movie Trailer

ARGH! The first official full length trailer of the long awaited adaptation of Suzanne Collin's utterly epic distopian novel, The Hunger Games, has at long last been released. And lawdy lawdy it is AMAZING. It has me so so so freaking excited. Already I cannot wait for Catching Fire and Mockingjay! God! MOCKINGJAY  WILL ROCK! Roll on March please!

News: Hunger Games to launch for the adult market in UK!!

Now those who follow me on Twitter will notice that a few weeks ago now, I found some new listings for The Hunger Games trilogy on The Book Depository. Initially I thought they were just going to be the US covers re-launched or something as they had the American look of the previous books (the birds...). Done some snooping (Amazon really...) and found that they were indeed for the UK! And on Friday Scholastic took to Twitter to announce that these are the adult editions set to be released on 1st December. Now I for one love them and shall probably be investing in them... (They'll be my fourth copies as I have the UK ones already out, the US editions in lovely stunning hardback and also have all 3 books on my Kindle... Obsessed much? No!). Check them out in all their stunning glory, below...

News: The Hunger Games Teaser MOTION Poster

I have no words for this. Beautiful.

Mockingjay [Spoiler Free Review]

Written by: Suzanne Collins.

Published by: Scholastic.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 25th August 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge... The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year."
I have just finished what has to be one of the most emotional roller coasters of a reading experience I have ever had.

Quite literally, I am speechless. I am blown away by what Suzanne Collins achieves in this book. From the very first page, you get the feeling that this is a very different book to the previous two, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. In essence, it is a departure from the other two. The first two feature heavily on the Hunger Games themselves, whereas Mockingjay is a pure war story. There is really a sense that everyone is up for grabs. That no matter how big a character they may be, they are at risk. This book, more than any I've read before, really highlights the atrocities of war - I have to admit that I wasn't expecting most of the stuff that happened in this book, and some are quite sickening and chilling.

The plot in this one is absolutely huge! There were times when you could feel something bubbling up, and on a few occasions I thought to myself "Oh god, is this going to live up to what she's trying to do? Is it going to live up to my expectations." I'll admit I went into the book extremely excited, but with a little reluctance. There have been many occasions where a final book doesn't live up to the readers expectations (an example for me being Breaking Dawn.) and leaves the reader feeling disappointed. But with me, Mockingjay was anything but a disappointment. From start to finis, it's fast paces, high octane and just as entertaining and addictive as the first two.

It's VERY dark. As the subject matter would suggest. Those who tend to cry easily, I warn you you may get through a few tissues when reading this book! One part near the end made me tear up, it is very sad! The book is actually quite physically draining. In places, I'd even say depressing. It really does take a lot out of you for various reasons, but don't let that put you off! The amazing plot more than makes up for it.

The cover art, I feel suits this book perfectly. The contents. Everything. It's bold, and quite literally, on fire. Katniss Everdeen is, afterall, the spark! I like that the US cover art gives a sense of hope, while the UK cover art gives the sense of death and darkness. Evil. The tagline for the book, which you'll find on the back of the UK cover is chilling, bold and simply put, brilliant. "If we burn, you burn with us." A very powerful line, I'm sure you'll agree!

The characters are just as brilliant as ever, with a few twists that I certainly didn't expect. In fact, there were twists all the way through the book that took me completely by surprise. I can't say much more about the characters without spoiling it, so you'll just have to see for yourself what twists relate to the characters.

Since finishing, I've seen one or two people complain about the ending. Saying that it doesn't live up to what they thought it would. That it ended too quickly. But for, I cannot see any other way of the series ending. When you read it. You'll understand what I mean. That said, the closing chapters may have been a bit abrupt. It all happened fairly fast. The Epilogue however is fantastic. That final line. *SIGH OF AMAZEMENT*. Now that is a line to end a trilogy. Wow.

I guess looking back I'm not that speechless at all, but on reflection this will probably seem like a jumbled mess. But these are my intial - albeit spoiler free - thoughts on the book. A book that I love, and will read again, and again, and again. It actually is phenomenal. One of the best books I have EVER had the fortune to read. Suzanne Collins, I salute you!

If you haven't yet read this trilogy... do it now. You have the luxury of reading them back to back! I only had to wait a few weeks for Mockingjay and that was bad enough. I can't imagine the poor people who've had to wait an entire year!

My thanks to Scholastic for my copy, and to Steven at Scholastic for introducing me to The Hunger Games in the first place. I cannot thank you enough!

May the odds, ever be in your favour.

Buy from Amazon UK

Buy from Amazon US

HAPPY MOCKINGJAY DAY!

Click To Enlargen

It is here folks! Mockingjay, the third and final book in The Hunger Games trilogy has flown the nest here in the UK. I for one am very excited and am dying to grab hold of a copy and start reading.

Once again, I'd like to promise a spoiler free review, and I'd like to ask that you refrain from posting any spoilers here on Empire of Books! I'd hate for the book to be spoilt for anyone!

Enjoy, grab your copy and find out how it all ends. Will Peeta escape the Capitol? Will Katniss lead the revolution? Will we ever find out why President Snow's breath smells of blood? It's all there waiting for you! :D

Mockingjay Monday

On my Twitter today, I've gone a little Mockingjay mad and have proclaimed today, MOCKINGJAY MONDAY! Original, huh? Well, I am so excited about this book and wanted to just say that here on Empire of Books, there will be a SPOILER FREE review. I am going to do my absolute best to avoid all spoilers. I hate having a book ruined for me, and I sure as hell don't want to spoil the book for you. So you can rest assured that you don't have to avoid all the book blogs!

It's out tomorrow in the US, and Wednesday worldwide (in English). Beware GoodReads, and now USA Today and the LA Times where there are spoilerific reviews! Shocking! And copies are now winging their way to people from Amazon (US, not sure about UK) and Waterstones here in England! Get excited people! :)

WARNING!!!!: Beware The Evil Spoilers!

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a public service announcement (it's not, but let's pretend it is, okay...). Beware spoilers! Do not, under any circumstances go on Mockingjay's page on GoodReads. You will not be a happy bunny after visiting it. As it appears some selfish little so and so has decided to write a lovely review of the book. But what she omitted to do, what warn people about spoilers. What a numbnut! 

Seriously folks, this book comes out on Tuesday in the US and Wednesday in the UK. I for one am so excited about this book, and I know a lot of other people are. The embargo has been botched a bit in the US with leaked copies and it seems this reviewer has one and has decided that no matter how much people don't want to know what happens until they themselves read it, has written said review. I haven't seen it. But I've seen angry tweets and blogposts about it and am avoiding the page as if it were the plague.

If you too are excited about Mockingjay which comes out next week, and don't want to know what happens, do not go on the page!


EDIT: In my haste to post this ASAP, I got some days wrong. It's actually out on TUESDAY in the US, and WEDNESDAY in the UK! Apologies!

Catching Fire [Review]

Written by: Suzanne Collins.

Published by: Scholastic.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 7th September 2009.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying... The terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games."

Lordy lordy lordy. I have just finished Catching Fire and I really do not know where to begin. But I will promise this review will be shorter than the novel I wrote for The Hunger Games!

Just over a week ago I revieved a package from Scholastic, and The Hunger Games and it's sequel, Catching Fire were in there. I'd wanted to read the series before, but never got around to it, and the idea of sending children into an arena to fight to the death for entertainment purposes detered me. But when I revieved the copies, I knew that I had to read them. I read The Hunger Games and have fallen in love. It's become my latest obsession and I could not wait to read Catching Fire. Luckily, I didn't have to wait as my copy was ready and waiting!

There have been uprisings across Panem. And it appears that Katniss is the image of the rebels. She is the one they look up to. And President Snow is having none of it. He wants Katniss to put an end to it.

Pesident Snow is one of the most vile, hateful character I have ever had the misfortune of reading, but at the same time I can't get enough of him. He's so repulsive and yet fascinating.Rather like the premise of the trilogy! 

It's a little slow to kick start, with the majority of the action taking place in the last two to three hundred pages. But from the very beginning it has a special feel about it. I didn't get bored at all, the story just wasn't as instant as it was in The Hunger Games. Old characters return. And new are introduced.

It's the year of the Quarter Quells - which take place every 25 years. Another mockery of the inhabitants of the districts that the Capitol rule them. But this year, things are a little different. Only past victors are eligible. Thrust back into the Hunger Games again, Katniss knows that this time she cannot survive, and plans to help Peeta win the games.

I loved meeting all the past victors. Some of them are really good, interesting, even funny characters and it's sad that we don't get to see more of them than we do.

I think it is my favourite of the two. It's set the scene for Mockingjay beautifully. THAT CLIFFHANGER!!! SERIOUSLY! If you've read it, you'll know what I mean. I actually shouted "It can't end there!". I am so excited for the finale and the next few weeks are going to be pure hell. Whatever you do, make sure you read this trilogy. You've got time to catch up now in time for the 25th August release date! Hurry!

My thanks to Steven at Scholastic for my copy!

The Hunger Games [Review]

Written by: Suzanne Collins.

Published by: Scholastic.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 5th January 2009.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been clse to death before—and survival, for her, is second nature. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. Welcome to the deadliest reality TV show ever..."

I think I may just have found a brand new obsession. The Hunger Games is one roller coaster of a book. Perhaps one the of the most amazing opennings to a trilogy I have ever read. Right from the very first page, you are drawn in the the futuristic but somewhat backwards, world of Panem - what was once known as North America.

The Capitol rule all. After a war, a rebellion, one district of the thirteen was destroyed leaving just twelve. And to remind them every year just who is in charge, and what they can do, they host the Hunger Games. A reality TV programme with a sickening difference. Two tributes are chosen from each district - one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and 18. 24 young adults who are thrust into the arena where the worlds camera's focus on them. Who will be the victor? Whoever survives the bloodbath, the death and destruction that follows.

Yes. To show they rule, the Capitol use murder as a form of entertainment. 

The concept was mindblowing and when I first heard of these books some time ago I was a bit reluctant. It's such a repulsive idea, that innocent young people who haven't yet really lived be thrown together and forced to fight to the death, for the sake of entertainment, for a reality TV show just like Big Brother. But I was sent these books (both The Hunger Games and the sequel, Catching Fire) by the brilliant Steven at Scholastic, and as soon as I began reading, I regretted the time that I have wasted by not reading them. The concept, yes it's repulsive. But the book certainly isn't. It's compelling. I know I seem to throw this word around a bit, but addictive - it truly is. I just could not bare to put this book down, even for just a second. I was totally overwhelmed.

I was captured from the word go. Always wanting to read on to see what would happen to Katniss Everdeen next. How would she fare in the arena? What will she have to face? Who will she have to kill?

The characters in this book all complement one another really well. I loved Katniss. I could really sympathise with her. I'd do almost anything for my younger sisters (although whether I'd go as far to volunteer for the Hunger Games, I don't know...). I thought that Peeta was an interesting character. And just like Katniss, along the way I just couldn't get a good idea as to what he was up to. Just like Katniss, I went through periods of liking him, thinking he was someone to keep on side, to hating him, thinking that he was sly and cunning. Haymitch made me laugh. Effie Trinket is the sort of character that no matter what they do, you just can't help dislike them - some of the things she says are anger-inducing. The other tributes however, I feel a bit mixed about. I loved little Rue. Cato I disliked quite strongly, along with all the other Career Tributes - their attitudes, just as they've been bred to have, are sometimes a bit too much to handle. But generally I thought the Tributes were a good mixed group. It's just a shame that you don't get to see too much of some of them. Overall though, they are a great bunch of characters and credit to Collins for creating such an interesting bunch!

Panem is also rather interesting. Once known as North America, natural disasters and wars have changed the landscape dramatically. The book is set in the future, although how far into the future, I don't know. But it's not how you'd expect. It's almost as if humanity has gone backwards. It has the feel of a medieval setting. The villages. The woods. Even the clothes they describe feel somewhat old, until you get to the Capitol. It's an interesting look into the future and shows that not everything moves forward as you might expect. 

Suzanne Collins, overnight, has become something of an idol to me. She has taken such a horrific idea, but given it such a twist. Her writing is smooth, her descriptions so vivid and encapsulating. I cannot praise her, or this book enough! I am dying to find out what happens next, and thank goodness I have Catching Fire sitting right next to me, so I shall be diving right back into the world of Katniss, Peeta, and the Hunger Games. I just know that the wait between Catching Fire and the third and final book out next month, Mockingjay, is going to be something of torture! Please do not miss out and regret the time lost that you could of been loving these books. Get them now!

My thanks to Steven Salisbury of Scholastic for my copy. I cannot thank you enough!

Waiting On Wednesday (6): Mockingjay

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

Published: 24th August 2010.

Synopsis: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge... The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.

Now, I am a realtive newcomer to the world of The Hunger Games, only getting the first two books today and beginning to read the first. But already I am captured by this book. Completely addicted and dying to find out how it all ends in Mockingjay. I cannot imagine how you people who have had to wait since last year's Catching Fire are still sane!


And how amazing is that cover? I wasn't sure about it at first but now I love it. Very striking. Love the US cover as well! Roll on 24th August!