Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire

A detailed and fully researched book. It beats any of the typical vampire romance and sci-fi action books. The build ups and action scenes in this book are magnificently executed and will draw the reader in spectacularly. The storyline is detailed and carefully written, but progresses quickly, never boring and never predictable, though if you analysed the book well, you would be able to work out Collins' next step in the story.

                    I was so excited about the contents of the next page that I read it as quickly as my eyes could take me and before I even knew it or wanted it, the book was over, leaving me reaching immediately for the next.

Catching Fire

Personally, I really like Collins' writing style; the way she builds up tension at each stage makes you on the edge on your seat, adding on to the well describe give emphasis to the characters and undeniably love them. Before each death, there is some build up, one way or another, making each one have different impacts, suiting the story.

                    The storyline is full of twists and turns, and when you think there finally peace for your favourite character, Collins throws a bomb into the story.

Mockingjay

Having recently finished the last book, I was tormented by the situations, twists, emotional roller-coaster of character developments and the ending.
                    Throughout the last book, the strong character of Katniss Everdeen is brought back to a young girl, coincidentally picked as the country's mockingjay... Her character dramatically changes through devastating events; her love life faces troubles as she nears one and distances herself from the other, who she may long for more.
                    The final book makes no one and nothing in the story perfect, which deems an inevitably imperfect ending, but that imperfection is what makes the trilogy such a brilliantly structured storyline portrayed in the most amazing way it could be. However, I do think that the ending could have been more detailed and less rushed, and as a fan of HG, I would have given anything for a longer book to elaborate on little details of other characters' pasts as well as the future of the remaining characters.


As always, I wish for more to read, a never ending story of a great series.


Recently, I have made a new blog dedicated purely for The Hunger Games. I babble, analyse and express my opinions on various things like the characters and situations. It's all for fun but be ware for spoilers if you have not yet read it. Comments are appreciated: Restaurant for The Hunger Games

My Overall Rate: 4.8/5 (there's always room for improvement)

Patisserie Valerie

Patisserie Valerie, Manchester

Not a great photo of the single pieces of cakes, but still, they're cakes~

An elegant, yet modest sized dessert shop with a small eat-in area. Having taken the pieces of cakes out in the usual bakery boxes, one of the staff put it in a bag which did not fit at all, tilting it at worryingly dangerous angles, which was a huge disappointment, seeing as I thought of Patisserie Valerie with a high reputation.

However, all the desserts displayed in the store were all splendid in appearance. They were all very rich in taste, especially the double chocolate cake, and so it was difficult to even finish one piece. Nonetheless, I would visit again and pre-order a full cake for any special occasions.

My Overall Rate: 4/5

Koreana

Koreana, Manchester

Mm... A full table of food~

Traditional Korean food.

I've been to Koreana a few times before and I've always wanted to go back for more, partly because I love the Korean beef ribs. Not far from this place, there's another Korean restaurant, but this one's far, far better than the other one. Their usual Korean style stone-plated rice were brilliant, although - as always - the soup were just full of seasoning, which often make people even more thirsty.

The service of the place was good, as was the atmosphere. I greatly recommend this place~

My Overall Rate: 4.5/5

Sarah Rees Brennan - The Demon's Lexicon

Sarah Rees Brennan - The Demon's Lexicon
Fast-flowing yet with build ups to the main climax, it was a book worth reading. The character's feelings and actions were expressed through their actual actions and stated feelings in the book, which makes the reader able to really grasp each character. Almost written in the main character's - Nicholas Ryves - point of view, so that when he suspects anything, the reader also suspects all those around him, as the author does not reveal much to the reader without revealing to Nick himself. Also, when he often feels angry during the book, the reader may fear for those around him, as he often expressed that when he is angry, he likes to lash out at those around him. When he is at his lowest, the reader would also be sympathetic towards him.

Hints were plotted throughout the book and so when the climax was beginning and those hints were mentions once again, a tense atmosphere was created, though in the action itself, little tension is produced. However, just as anticipation fades, a twist erupts and creates a pleasant surprise. The small range of vocabulary could be made into a positive point by regarding it as a formal atmosphere, as Nick would be unlikely to use those words, though those around him may. In order to really grasp the book, you must pay attention to every, little detail in the book and attempt to link them to other matters.

My Overall Rate: 3/5

Holly Black - Tithe

Holly Black - Tithe
Beginning the book, the font appeared larger than a normal book would be, which, personally, I disliked and made its first impression on me a negative one. Following that, the cook took on some strong language which was not necessary, even in portraying the character's personality and surroundings she grew up in, which is evidently shown as a really rough and adult place. The wording throughout the whole of the book was not the best and could have been improved if the author tried to make every word count as much as possible, whereas some words were written just to fill up the sentence. Other times, the sentences could have been better structured for easier understanding for the reader. I have had to read over several sentences more than once in order to grasp its full meaning.

Moving on to the storyline itself, some times, a situation would rise to another level, and the chapters would end almost as a cliffhanger, but they were never clear and I have been confused - more than once - as to what exactly, was happening, though it was obvious once it revealed what happened next and if you read back on the part connecting both scenes. As a teenage, fantasy book, it should had expressed more about the girl's conflicting feelings as a human she remembered as well as the faery she is and how all that had influenced her life. In addition, the main part of the story is all in a matter of a few days, yet the story was quite fast-flowing, with little build up to the climax and little, if not, no tension building.

My Overall Rate: 1.2/5
(It was a book I didn't finish and I don't think I'll want to read any sequels...)

Cassandra Clare - The Mortal Instruments

City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass

I was never a fan of too much romance in books or films, so it took some encouragement to for me to carry on reading this book. However, the storyline proceeds quite quickly, which was good and the action bit was really enjoyable to read! Throughout the book, there were hints about Jace and Clary's past, and it could easily be guessed. I won't say what the hints were and what is needed to be guessed in case I spoil the book, but because it is pretty well written, I would say you'd know anyway.

There are two main points which drew me into this book;

1. Clare's writing style is one of my favourites.
2. The action in this book was executed very nicely.

Followed by a third point; the storyline is very good, with twists appropriate to the atmosphere.

My Overall Rate: 4.5/5

Introduction

Hello!


This blog is all about reviews about novels and manga I have read and anime and films I have watched. My reviews reveal no spoilers (at least I don't think so) about the story itself. The reviews are all based solely on my opinions, so please don't take offense for anything! However, I welcome constructive criticism! ^^


I hope my reviews help!