Mockingjay

The title is so bland and obvious, right? But it is also straight to the point and I kind of like it. For my second review (because I totally lack of other things to talk about, lol), I'll give my two cents worth about the third book of The Hunger Games. (Yes, because it's too mainstream, I guess. But I didn't want to watch the movie without reading the book first - just like a true-blooded bookworm.) Do not read if you do not want spoilers.

Mockingjay

Of all the books in The Hunger Games series, I like Catching Fire the most; which would likely imply that I like the third one less, though there were some parts that really made my heart ache. I chose to write my review about this one because I think I would go crazy without having said all my thoughts aloud. (At this point, what I mean is to write, as I don't have anyone to share it with.) 

Some people say it is rushed, some people say it's a disaster. It wasn't really that rushed in my opinion, but rather, there weren't really much pages to put everything on. A disaster? Not really. I think I should give credits to Suzanne Collins for conjuring characters out of thin air and introducing them to readers without so much a fuss. It was disconcerting, in a way, but certainly not disastrous.

I really like Katniss Everdeen, she's almost like the female version of Harry Potter: can't obey orders, intuitive and has a fair judgment. Unlike Harry though, sometimes I hated her for being so weak. But my perception of her weakness vanished when I was nearing the end of the third book. It was written somewhat vaguely but, being in the first person narration, it was perfect. I can actually feel her pain of loss and disorientation. Lucky for her, she has Peeta, who also has his share of ups and downs (I'm still wondering how he recovered from the blows he took), to lift her spirits up.

I think there are potential characters that weren't given enough attention, characters that, maybe, in the future, would inspire more books to be written. Sadly, they were left out in the last book of the series and it's all up to us how to characterize them in our imagination.

I'd give 3.5 out of 5 stars. This is a series I'll be well-remembering and re-reading in the future. :)

Jinx: A Review

Jinx by Meg Cabot

It has been a while since I've been wanting to read this book. The plot is actually interesting and the author is Meg Cabot - I know, I know. I'm like a teenager who reads books like this one. But hey, she is good. Even though the stories are a bit shallow for young adults like me, her books keep me reading until I haven't finished. This one, I have finished in one sitting. As an insomniac, reading books is what helps mo go through the night. It helps me relax and make my eyes tired so that sleep would come by easily. I've read it from 1 o'clock in the morning until 4 o'clock and a half... I know, it's a bit slow, really, for a 262-page book. I've read it on my phone, though, as it was an ePub.

I generally liked it. The story isn't really something that would grip you and make you feel like wanting more in the end, but it will teach you something. The heroine, for me, is a bit coward and gullible. That's her character. Maybe I liked the antagonist's character more, because she's strong and she doesn't like to be stepped on. But all good stories should have good characters, one that would stir sympathy and affection from their readers, or just like here, a guy that would make you swoon. I just have one question: if Asian girls like me read it, and from the perspective of the majority of us (I would like to think so), would we find the guy so helluva attractive with his American hair and American eyes? Because frankly, it is not my preference. But to each his own, they say. Either way, both the girls in the story are attractive in their own way, and the guy is like - yea, the guy of your dreams. 

I just hope there is a sequel to this one, one that would explain so much, because I think Ms. Cabot has left a lot for the reader to wonder about. 

So 3 out of 5 stars! :)