Revew: 'Women Heroes of the American Revolution' by Susan Casey

Women Heroes of the American Revolution: 20 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Defiance, and Rescue by Susan Casey, 2015, Chicago Review Press, $19.95, hardbound, 226 pages. Cover: not bad. Category/Genre: history. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.

This is a good book if you like history. It's put together from diaries, journals, letters, historians, writers of the time, and accounts by soldiers or families; some of the letters and other documents are included in the book along with Casey's narrative.

It isn't entirely clear whether all the stories are true or not – Casey says that separating fact from fiction or exaggeration was one of the hardest parts about writing the book – but she does tell you if the story is in question, and she offers information at the end of each tale as to where to go if you want to learn more.

There are some interesting stories in here: that of Phillis Wheatley, a slave who published a book of her own poetry that was about and for America; Lydia Darragh's spy ring (although her husband and sons played as big a role as she did); and Grace and Rachel Martin, who prevented papers from being delivered to British officers by pretending to be militiamen, are a few.

This book is part of the Women of Action series, a biography series that 'introduces young adults to women and girls of courage and conviction throughout the ages.'

 

If you like this one, try: Behind Every Great Man, by Marlene Wagman-Geller.


Susan Casey is an author, teacher, public speaker, and journalist. You can find out more about her and her books at: www.susancaseybooks.com. She has two Facebook pages for her books: Kids Inventing! and Women Invent!

Review: 'A Career as an Auto Mechanic' by Tamra B Orr

A Career as an Auto Mechanic by Tamra B Orr, 2011, Rosen Publishing, $35.51, hardbound, 80 pages. Cover: good. Category/Genre: how-to. Where we got it: borrowed it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.

Aimed at high school students, this book is an invaluable resource for teens (or anyone, really) who want to pursue a career as an auto mechanic.

Orr lists the kinds of classes you'll need to take while still in high school – math, English, and science (including electronics, computer technology, and physics), plus any classes or workshops on car maintenance and repair or small engine work – and gives you an idea of how to get a head start on your career.

There are certification tests you can take, which will help you become a more skilled mechanic, and which will help you find a better job. After high school, Orr suggests either community college or a post-secondary vocational school.

It's also a good idea to check out the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence online (www.ase.com) for lots of great information about your chosen career. Orr has a number of other resources at the end of the book, plus a handy glossary.

This is a great book for any guy or girl interested in auto mechanics.

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Tamra Orr's books may be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Books-A-Million.

Review: 'Coping with Teen Suicide' by James M Murphy, MD

Coping with Teen Suicide by James M Murphy, MD, 1999, The Rosen Publishing Group, $2.57, hardbound, 125 pages. Cover: not bad. Category/Genre: reference. Where we got it: borrowed it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 

This book is a must-have for teens. (It wouldn't hurt to be in an adult's library, either.) Murphy walks the reader through various reasons for teen suicide, the primary one being stress. Murphy gives several ways teens can cope with stress, including speaking up (don't hold your feelings inside), negotiating (try to compromise to get what you want), and changing tactics if what you're doing isn't working. He also offers ideas on how to cope if you can't alter your situation.

Various ways to get help are described, and there's a handy list at the back of the book should you need to get in touch with any of these places. 

Murphy describes the stages of grief, goes over how you can help prevent suicide, and talks about the reasons you shouldn't commit suicide. He also includes scenarios based on real-life situations. 

This is a helpful book, and the subject matter is treated with respect. Teens are likely to respond to Murphy's easy writing style and compassion. 

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Review: 'The Iron King' by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa, 2010, Harlequin Teen, $9.99, softbound, 363 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: cool. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


This book is the first in a series about a teenage girl named Meghan Chase, whose four-and-a-half year old brother, Ethan, is kidnapped by the fey and replaced with a changeling. Meghan, along with her best friend, Robbie (who is not what he seems) sets out to find her lost brother, travelling to Faeryland, also known as Nevernever. 

Along the way, Meghan travels through the treacherous Wyldwood, which is disappearing due to human disbelief. She also meets Grimalkin, a Cait Sidhe who comes to her aid in return for an unnamed favour. It is dangerous, Meghan learns, to owe the fey anything . . . 

There are two Courts of fey: the Seelie and Unseelie; the Seelie are the Summer Court and are ruled by King Oberon and Queen Titania. The Unseelie are the Winter Court and are ruled by Queen Mab. Mab's youngest son, Ash, has hunted Meghan, but the two of them are attracted to each other. 

Then Meghan discovers there's a third Court of fey, the Iron Fey, and things really start to get interesting . . . 

This promises to be a good series, and the idea of the Iron Fey is intriguing and unusual, bringing the world of Faery into the modern age. 

Note: strong language.

If you like this one, try: The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa. 

Review: 'Intrigues' by Mercedes Lackey

Intrigues by Mercedes Lackey, 2010, DAW Books, $7.99, softbound, 391 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: The swords and masks background is pretty cool, but Dallen's and Mags' faces could be a little better done. The overall composition is pleasing, however. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million.


Spoiler Alert!

Though it would be best to read the first of the Collegium Chronicles before Intrigues, it isn't vital. Intrigues, the second book in the series, follows Herald Trainee Mags and his Companion, Dallen, as Mags struggles to fit in with the other Trainees at the Collegium. 

Companions are white, horse-like creatures with blue eyes and a talent for telepathy. The telepathy is called 'Mindspeech,' and some humans have it, as well (Mags does). Companions bond to their Chosen people and are very close to them. 

There are lots of personal issues in Mags' life; all his friends have problems that need sorting, and Mags himself has problems, as well. Most troubling is the vision at the heart of this story: Farseers have seen the king covered in blood, with a shadowy, foreign-born figure next to him. Because Mags is foreign, suspicion immediately falls on him, and he starts being harassed by the other Trainees. 

It will be up to Mags to prove himself innocent -- but how can one prove oneself innocent of a crime not yet committed? Fortunately for Mags, he has Dallen and his human friends, who stick up for him. Still, things are rough, and Mags takes it to heart. 

On the plus side, the Collegium is developing a new sport: Kirball. Kirball will help Trainees get used to what it's like to be in battle, which they will all face one day. The Kirball scenes are lively and exciting, as team members work together using their wits, skills, and Gifts (magical powers). 

Mags is also learning espionage techniques from Nikolas, the King's Own Herald. Nikolas is teaching Mags to be stealthy and not draw attention to himself (a problem when Mags becomes something of a hero and his friend Lena, a Bard Trainee, writes a song about him).  

This is a very entertaining book. One thing we didn't like about it was the fact that, when everything comes to a head and Mags' friends turn on him, the friends never apologise for their part in the fighting, though Mags does.  

Review: 'The Girl in the Clockwork Collar' by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross, 2012, Harlequin Teen, $9.99, softbound, 357 pages. Category/Genre: steampunk. Cover: very good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


The second in The Steampunk Chronicles, this book takes place in New York five days after the first book, 'The Girl in the Steel Corset,' left off. It follows teenagers Griffin, Sam, Finley, and Emily as they try to clear their friend Jasper of murder charges. 

Jasper has been taken by Reno Dalton, his old gang boss. Dalton is threatening everyone Jasper loves in order to force Jasper to return a device Jasper stole from him. Jasper knows Dalton won't do anything good with the device, but feels he has no choice in the matter. 

There are some interesting developments, character-wise as well as plot-wise, in this book; fans of Cross's 'The Girl in the Steel Corset' won't be disappointed.  

If you like this one, try: The Girl in the Steel Corset, by Kady Cross; The Girl with the Iron Touch, by Kady Cross; The Girl with the Windup Heart, by Kady Cross; and Soulless, by Gail Carriger. 

Review: 'Hero Worship' by Christopher E Long

Hero Worship by Christopher E Long, 2014, Flux, $9.99, softbound, 233 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: pretty cool. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


In what seems to be a new trend, this is a comic book in novel format. It's set in a world in which superhero powers are fairly commonplace. The Clean Powers Act established a department with the authority to certify powers as 'clean' or 'dirty.' Those people with volatile powers are called 'dirties,' and are not allowed to make a living off their powers. 

Marvin Maywood is a dirty, but he lives clean. He wants nothing more than to join the Core, a well-loved group of superheroes led by Lieutenant Mercury. 

Then one day Marvin meets Eliza, the youngest member of the Core, and everything changes. 

Some good action, and good powers. 

Note: strong language; rape scene. 

If you like this one, try: Karma Girl, by Jennifer Estep. 

Review: 'Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies' by Deborah Halverson

Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson, 2011, Wiley Publishing, $19.95, softbound, 358 pages. Category/Genre: writing how-to. Cover: meh, for the most part; but the spray paint is reminiscent of 21 Jump Street, so that's cool. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 

Another in the '. . . for Dummies' series, this book covers just about everything you want to know about its subject: how to target teen readers, creating teen-friendly characters, using a narrative voice teens will love, and of course, devising a hook for your book. 

There are chapters on editing, revising, and formatting your book, as well as how to get published. The section on getting published includes information on agents, query letters, writing a synopsis, and self-publishing. 

Halverson concludes the book with the 10 most common pitfalls in writing young adult fiction, 10 facts concerning book contracts, and 10 ways to make the most of a conference. 

If you like this one, try: Writing Great Books for Young Adults, by Regina Brooks. 

Review: 'The Civil War' Edited by Ruchir Shah

The Civil War: The American Civil War -- 1861 to 1865 Edited by Ruchir Shah, 2007, EZ Comics, $ softbound, 33 pages. Category/Genre: history. Cover: decent. Where we got it: editor. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Aiming at younger readers, this book is an attempt to get people interested in history. It goes over the main points of the Civil War (for example, the invention of the cotton gin made it easier to make cotton cloth, which increased the demand for cotton, and therefore, the demand for slaves). 

With a plethora of colourful pictures and a concise re-telling of this period of history, the book is likely to appeal to its core audience. If you or a young person you know is struggling with learning about the Civil War, you may want to try this book. 

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Review: 'Wind Dancer' by Chris Platt

Wind Dancer by Chris Platt, 2014, Peachtree, $15.95, hardbound, 126 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: brilliant. A handsome face, indeed! Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


This is a touching story about a girl who lost her horse and a young man who lost his leg in a war he can't forget.

Ali McCormick, 13, has decided not to love horses anymore; it hurts too much after losing her precious Max. But she can't decide not to love her brother, who she also feels she's lost after he came home from Afghanistan damaged. 

But Ali's best friend, Cara, won't let her forget how special horses are, and neither will Ali's parents, who soon bring home a pair of neglected horses for Ali to tend. 

You'll have to read the book to find out if Wind Dancer, one of the horses in question, can save the people who are trying to save him. 

For middle readers. 

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!

Sally’s Bookshelf.

Also, go to http://peachtree-online.com/index.php/book/wind-dancer.html to get information on author Chris Platt. 

Review: 'The Golden Lily' by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, 2012, Razorbill, $18.99, hardbound, 418 pages. Category/Genre: supernatural. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Alchemist Sydney Sage serves to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires, and to protect vampire secrets. She's expected to loathe and fear the vampires she protects, but secretly she's growing closer to them. 

When someone attacks Sydney's friend, moroi vampire Sonya Karp, it becomes apparent that vampire hunters, who Sydney and others thought were a myth, are reality. And Sydney may be the only chance at stopping them. 

In the quieter moments, Sonya and fellow moroi Dimitri Belikov are conducting experiments to try and figure out how to protect themselves against the evil strigoi vampires. But Sonya's expectations push Sydney's buttons when she wants some of Sydney's blood for one of the experiments. Blood is power, especially where vampires are concerned, and Sydney doesn't want to give any of hers to a vampire, even if that vampire is supposed to be a friend. 

There are troubles at school, as well, starting with dhampir vampire Angeline Dawes's constantly getting into trouble, and Sydney's teacher trying to teach her magic -- another thing that's on Sydney's list of things never to do. 

An excellent addition to the Bloodlines series. 

If you like this one, try: Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead. 

Note: strong language.
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the blog tour!

 Kid Lit Reviews

Review: 'Let's Meet a Marine Educator!' by Tasha Jacobson

Let's Meet a Marine Educator! by Tasha Jacobson, 2009, Windward Publishing, $11.58, softbound, 36 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble. 


This book is intended to help kids decide if they want to become a marine educator for a living. It starts off with explaining what a marine educator is, and talks about where a marine educator works. 

The focal point of the book is the introduction of Tammy Rach, a marine educator herself. Through this book, the reader learns that marine educators often organise learning events, such as summer camps, and that they will visit schools or put on workshops. 

There are lots of photographs of marine educators and marine life, as well as information about marine life. There's also a section on conservation. The book closes with tips on what to do if you are interested in a marine education career. 

Several organisations and websites are included, as well as a bibliography. 

For ages 10-15.

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Review: 'Cursed' by Jennifer L Armentrout

Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout, 2012, Spencer Hill Press, $9.95, softbound, 287 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: good. We'd like to see a picture of her eyes, though. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 

Ember McWilliams died two years ago. Her sister, Olivia, brought her back, and since then Ember has had pale blue eyes and a killing touch. 

With their father dead and their mother all but comatose with grief, Ember must take care of the household by herself. But the money is running out, and things look grim. 

Then one day, some people come to take her and Olivia to a house hidden deep in the mountains. Here Jonathan Cromwell has been collecting a group of 'gifted' people -- people just like Ember and Olivia. Ember should be glad; she no longer has to worry about bills, and this is a place where she and her sister should belong. 

But things aren't what they seem at the Cromwell house, and as Ember gets closer to the truth, she also gets closer to hurting someone she cares about. 

Note: strong language. 

If you like this one, try: Suggestions? 

Review: 'The Doomsday Vault' by Steven Harper

The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper, 2011, Roc, $7.99, softbound, 391 pages. Category/Genre: steampunk. Cover: cool; we particularly like the clockwork cat and steampunk gun. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


This book is about a girl who likes fixing automatons (which is an improper thing for ladies to like doing), and a boy who loves flying. Their worlds collide one day, and difficult choices must be made. 

The world is filled clockworkers, mad geniuses who unleash their schemes on the unsuspecting populace. The Third Ward is Britain's answer to those madmen; and the Third Ward wants Gavin and Alice to join them. 

Accompanied by the automatons her insane aunt gave her (including a clockwork cat named Click), Alice fights clockworkers by Gavin's side while at the same time trying to keep with propriety and marry a boring gentleman who has promised to pay all of Alice's family debts. Eventually, she must make a choice: join the Third Ward and continue helping people, or marry Norbert and live a quiet, subdued life of privilege. 

There are zombies in this book as well as amazing gadgetry and clockwork creatures. There's also plenty of action, interesting characters, and a good plot. 

Note: strong language.

If you like this one, try: The Impossible Cube, by Steven Harper.  

Review: 'The Girl in the Steel Corset' by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross, 2011, Harlequin Teen, $17.99, hardbound, 473 pages. Category/Genre: steampunk. Cover: Nice. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne is two people: a normal girl and a darker, deadlier person, capable of all kinds of mayhem. No wonder -- her father, who was doing experiments on himself before Finley was born, was the inspiration for Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde, and he passed certain traits on to Finley. 

Then Finley meets a group of people who are just as unusual as she is: Griffin, who can access the Aether (the land of the dead) and alter people's emotions; Sam, who is part machine; and Emily, who can 'talk' to machines. 

But living with the group doesn't make Finley's life much easier. For one thing, Sam would rather see her gone. For another, Finley's darker side still takes control. And as if that weren't enough, there's a mad genius called The Machinist on the loose. 

Described by the author as 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets teen X-Men,' the book is filled with adventure, romance, and lots of cool steampunk gadgetry and automatons. It's supposed to be for young adults, but older readers will get just as much of a kick out of it.  

Note: mild language. 

If you like this one, try: The Girl with the Iron Touch, by Kady Cross.

Review: 'Reckless' by Cornelia Funke

Reckless by Cornelia Funke, 2010, Little, Brown, and Company, $19.99, hardbound, 394 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: okay. We like the mirror. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


Since he was 12 years old, Jacob Reckless has been travelling to the Mirrorworld. Now his brother, Will, has come with him -- and a curse has befallen him. Soon Will is going to become a goyl -- a creature made of living stone -- and he will no longer know Jacob or the girl who loves him. 

Jacob's shape-shifting friend, Fox, and Will's girlfriend, Clara, are going to help Jacob find a way to break the curse and get him back to his homeland. 

But things aren't so easy. Time and again, Jacob's efforts fail, until at last he learns that to break the curse he must destroy the Dark Fairy -- the one who put the curse on Will. 

Filled with action, adventure, magic, and romance, this is the first in what promises to be a successful series. 

If you like this one, try: Fearless, by Cornelia Funke.  

Review: 'Across the Universe' by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis, 2012, Razorbill, $9.99, softbound, 417 pages. Category/Genre: science fiction. Cover: pretty cool. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Told from the points of view of two different characters, this book takes place in the future, when cryogenics is a reality. Seventeen-year-old Amy gets cryogenically frozen along with her parents in order to reach a planet 300 years away. 

There are a number of people awake during the journey, including those known as 'Shippers'; they run the ship and have training in how to operate Godspeed during an emergency.  

Elder is the leader in training under Eldest on board Godspeed and wants to prove himself worthy of becoming the next leader. His leadership skills are tested when Amy wakes up early and is unable to be re-frozen. Everyone on Godspeed is the same: no religion, the same ethnicity, and the same language -- until Amy wakes up. One of the causes of discord, according to Eldest, is difference; and Amy is definitely different. 

This is a story about flawed leadership, learning to stand up for yourself, and why our differences should be celebrated rather than feared. 

If you like this one, try: A Million Suns, by Beth Revis.  

Review: 'The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook' by Emily Ansara Baines

The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook: From Lamb Stew to 'Groosling' -- More Than 150 Recipes Inspired by The Hunger Games Trilogy, Emily Ansara Baines, 2006, Adams Media, $19.95, hardbound, 240 pages. Category/Genre: cooking. Cover: fitting. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


As Baines says in her introduction, food in The Hunger Games 'represents a variety of conflicts that the characters, regardless of background, must struggle against.' It's a weapon the Capitol wields against the poor. It's also a form of communication, as we learn when Haymitch uses bread to communicate with Katniss during her first Hunger Games. 

Each recipe comes with 'Tips from Your Sponsor' and a brief explanation of which book and chapter inspired that particular recipe. 

The first chapter is all about breakfast and includes such recipes as 'Mrs Everdeen's Breakfast of Mush' and 'Porridge for the Poor.' Chapter 2 is called 'Breaking Bread' and includes dishes like 'Katniss-Approved Puffy Buttermilk Biscuits' and 'District 4's Seaweed Bread.' There are nine chapters in all, and you'll get recipes for soups, stews, and salads, seafood, poultry dishes, wild game, desserts, and more. Wild dog optional. 

The appendix is titled 'Katniss's Family Book of Herbs' and describes various herbs you can scrounge yourself (if you know what you're doing). Unfortunately, no pictures are included, so you're left to figure out for yourself what the plants look like. 

A very intriguing book.

If you like this one, try: The Unofficial Catching Fire Cookbook, by Rockridge Press, and The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games, by Rockridge University Press.   

Review: 'Transformed' by Debbie Kump

Transformed, by Debbie Kump, 2011, World Castle Publishing, $9.99, softbound, 267 pages. Category/Genre: fantasy. Cover: not bad. Where we got it: author's relative. Where you can get it: Amazon.


Thirteen-year-old Jessica Davis has a dream that she's turned into a sea eagle and is trying to help someone. When the alarm wakes her, she realises she has, in fact, turned into a giant sea eagle. But she can talk, and has anthropomorphic motion. When her mother sees what's happened, she surprises Jessica by being happy for her. Transforming runs in the family, and Jessica's mum always wanted the gift herself. 

Jessica's Grandpa Theodore could also shape-shift into a sea eagle. He died in a battle because Jessica's mother couldn't shape-shift and fight for him. Now Jessica will be trained in the art of transformation so that she, too, can go to battle.

To that end, she travels (awkwardly -- she still doesn't know the intricacies of flying) to the island of Pokapu. This is where the base camp of the Alliance is. The Alliance is an organisation of shape-shifters (or 'morphers') who protect endangered species and their habitats. Here Jessica meets the eight other morpher students who, like her, will be taught how to control their shape-shifting abilities.

But strange things keep happening to Jessica. She knows, without being told, the translation of the island's name, and she finds her grandpa's sketch of the place she saw in her dream. Her social life is also complicated: two of her fellow students take an instant and inexplicable dislike to her, and she still doesn't know how to turn back into her human form.

Then, when Shredder, one of her classmates, takes her by the hand, Jessica sees a torrent of unfamiliar faces. These visions continue to assault her whenever she comes into physical contact with Shredder. Jessica is falling for Shredder, but her best friend likes him, too.

We thought this was a stronger story than Debbie Kump's 7G; Kump's style is more suited to the young adult audience, and she has an unusual take on shape-shifters in this book. There's humour in the book, and it's well thought-out. 

Note: mild language.

If you like this one, try: Suggestions?     

Review: 'Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, 2010, Scholastic Press, $17.99, hardbound, 390 pages. Category/Genre: science fiction. Cover: brilliant. It should be noted that the image of the mockingjay on the covers becomes more realistic with each passing book, until she finally breaks free of her bonds. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, & probably anywhere else you can think of. 


Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read The Hunger Games & Catching Fire, you may not want to read this review. 

Don't read this series if you don't like to see good characters die. 

Katniss's old life is literally in ruins as she visits what's left of her home in District 12. Because of her friend Gale, her family is safe, along with 800 others, all of whom have been evacuated to the rebel base in District 13.

Everyone wants Katniss to become the Mockingjay, the symbol of the uprising. But Katniss is more concerned about Peeta, who is in the hands of President Snow. When Peeta publicly asks for a cease-fire, however, Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay, provided the rebels won't harm Peeta for being a traitor if they win. 

Meanwhile, the war rages on, and soon Katniss is in the thick of it, doing her best to promote the rebel cause and, much to her own surprise, inspire people. 

This installment brings everything to a head: the rebellion; Katniss's desire to kill President Snow; the love triangle amongst Katniss, Peeta, and Gale; and the fates of each of the characters. No one is safe in Collins's world, and everyone suffers. This brings out both the best and worst in people, and Collins deftly handles each.

The ending to this popular series is not entirely happy, but it is realistic, and it will make you want to read the trilogy all over again. 


If you like this one, try: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. (Again.)