Mockingjay

When something unexpected happens, do you take charge or do you just follow the crowd? Could you stand having dozens of people's lives on your hands? Would you be able to piece yourself back together after losing someone close to you? How about losing two? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins has all of the action and adventure from the Hunger Games, combined with the surprise factor from Catching Fire, all snow-balled in together with new horrors and decisions that make Mockingjay a book worth reading.

After surviving her first two Hunger Games, Katniss's life has become a living nightmare. Since her escape from the arena, she's been sent to District 13, the district that everyone else thought was ruins. She's been slowly putting the pieces of her life back together, even though she's lost Peeta to the Capitol, her house is in cinders, and a new revolution is beginning. As plans are put into action concerning the fall of the Capitol and the rise of District 13, everyone seems to put their faith in Katniss, believing that she'll follow orders, not her heart, and accept everything that comes with it. But as we know, Katniss just can't operate that way, and trouble rouses when Peeta is rescued, with all his memories of Katniss distorted into living terrors. To make matters worse, it seems as though every one has it out for Katniss, including the leader of District 13. Plus now the revolution is beginning, with Katniss as the rebel's Mockingjay. Will Katniss be able to survive yet another year in this universal version of the Hunger Games?

This book is a great one to read because if you've read the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, you just have to read the ending. There's no way you can eat only half an ice cream bar, so there's no way you can only read part of this series. Collins creates such a visual and breathtaking ending to her trilogy that really completes it.

So, will Peeta ever remember the Katniss he loved? Will District 13 triumph over the Capitol, or will there just be chaos? Is it even possible for Katniss to lose anyone else close to her? Read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and you'll be content with the ending she provides.

The Warrior Heir

Have you ever experienced a day where something unexplainable and wonderful happened? Would you ever give up your own life to save someone else's? Could you take the pressure and stress from leading two separate lives but keeping one a secret? All of these topics, along with a hint of magic and a dash of adventure, are what make The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima a great book worth reading.

Life in Trinity, Ohio was pretty ordinary for sixteen-year-old Jack. That is, ordinary until one day he forgets to take his medicine for the first time in sixteen years, and unexplainably blows another player off the field during soccer tryouts without even touching him. Then, after the replacement of the old vice principle and a near-death experience during a trip with his Aunt Linda, Jack soon realizes that maybe his life isn't so ordinary after all. Now he's acquired Shadowslayer, a deadly, magical sword; and new knowledge. As he eventually learns, he is a wanted candidate for the Roses, two legendary groups that still rival against each other. The Red and White Roses will not attack each other directly, however, as they rely on Warriors to fight their battles for them. Jack was once destined to be a Wizard Heir, but was born without a stone, which is essential for all Weirs to have. In desperation his Aunt hired a surgeon who granted him with a Warrior stone instead of his Wizards one. Now Jack has to train just to save his life from being captured by the Roses and forced to battle another warrior to the death. Can Jack keeps his hectic life from spiraling out of control, or will he be dead before he has the chance to live?

This book keeps you captivated because you never know what will be thrown at Jack next. Chima keeps you up at night trying to just finish the last few pages, desperate for knowledge of what happens. The end to this book brings a satisfying end and beginning for the next installment.

Will Jack be able to keep his power controlled? Can he survive a year now that he knows who he is? Is his family hiding even more things from him than he's aware of? Read The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima and you will be rushing to the library to get the next one.

Epic

Do you ever feel like your life is revolving around one video game? How much different would it be if your whole society was based upon that video game? Well Epic by Conor Kostick is definitely an epic tale. Filled with dragon slaying, like-life avatars, and the ultimate quest make this book the perfect one for this blog.

Ever since the New Earth began and violence was banned, the game of Epic has fulfilled people's wish for violence. Not only that, but it has become the center of all activity, where people use their avatars to earn money and challenge the Committee, or the ultimate players of the game, to settle matters such as a new tractor. But when 14-year-old Erik Haraldson's father is taken away to exile, he and his friends decide to challenge a dragon and try to win its immense wealth. If they succeed, their next plans are to challenge the Committee to get Erik's dad back. Soon, though, strange characters come into play and threaten to destroy the fragile fabrication of Epic. These threats cause Erik and his friends to embark on the Epicus Ultima quest, where an unknown reward awaits them. Will these heroes complete the quest, or will not only their characters die, but the players as well?

Epic is one of the greatest books written because it shows video gaming in a whole new perspective. Kostick creates such vivid characters and emotions that make you feel like you're actually in the book and fighting for you and your friends in a life-like video game.

So, will Erik's father be returned to his family? Is there really a way to kill players outside of a game? Will Erik and his friends survive their quest and the dragon battle, or will they die trying? Read Epic by Conor Kostick and you will definitely love it from the first chapter. But remember the words finem facere mundo while reading, and once you finish, you will understand why they are so important.