Book 13-Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

Wow...it has been quite a while since I finished this book.  I meant to retreat into my crypt and do this blog about 10 days ago..but unfortunately life as you all know it got it the way. So here I am taking a well deserved break from my spring tomb cleaning (can't live the entire year with dust and cobwebs) and decided to finally sit and do this!

Book 13 was Mocking Jay, the third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  This book basically wraps up the story of Katniss and her fight against the Capitol.  Again, I can't say to much about the story without giving it away, which is kind of a bummer.

I'll be completely honest...the first half of this book wasn't holding my attention at all.  It had to much of a political feel to it, kind of like reading a historical account of those that have fought battles against any of the other dictators, Hitler, Saddam take your pick.  This part of the story I found just drug on and on...not going anywhere.  Thankfully I kept turning the pages and was pleasantly surprised the way the story ended..somewhat.

Ok, Ok..it wasn't the total ending I wanted...but hey...I didn't write the story, did I??  All in all this was an amazing trilogy which I would one day pick up again just to remember Katniss, Peeta and all the other characters.  It was thoroughly enjoyable and this Zombiemom would recommend all of my followers read it, if you haven't already.

My daughter and I went and say the movie as well.  Hunger Games came out last Friday and my zombager drug us out to see the late movie. Just like the book, the movie was also amazing.  Pretty much true to the book, which made me happy, there is nothing worse then when people change a book into a movie and take what you felt were the important parts out.  Eventhough...I was hoping Haymitch would throw up on himself...alas...I guess Mr. Harrelson wouldn't go for that.

The doors of the crypt library are still open, as I am looking for another book, and also airing out my little alcove a bit...all a part of the spring cleaning.  

Till next time my minions!!

Book 12-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Wow!  Having so much "free" time at work has given me a chance to get caught up on my reading!  It's kind of nice to get paid to sit and read a book (No that is not in my job description), but this zombie mom isn't one for sitting and doing nothing when I'm getting paid...it's driving me a little nuts.

Anyway..onto book my review of Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  *SPOILERS!*  If you haven't read the first book, and don't want to spoil the end for yourself...please stop reading now!!




Katniss and Peeta, the two sole winners of the 74th Hunger Games are happy to be free of the arena and thankful that their families will never have to worry about being safe or hungry ever again, but the Capitol is angry.  There is talk of rebellion amoung the 12 districts of Panem, and the Capitol blames Katniss.

It really sucks with trying to review trilogies...you can't really give a good synopsis of the novel without giving some important details away.  I hope those of you that haven't read The Hunger Games, will have heeded my warning at the beginning of this post.  I wouldn't want to spoil the story for everyone.

Speaking of the story...I really am loving the storyline in these novels.  It it engaging, a little bloody and shocking in parts, with a little bit of political tension.  Kind of like a plot potpourri.  If you haven't read these books, I suggest get your paws on them and sit down for a good read.

Well I won't be closing the doors of the library for a while,  I am sitting by mouldy butt down in reading coffin set to enjoy the third and final book in this trilogy: Mocking Jay.

I'll probably have it done in no time...with the amount of work I have to do at my day job.

Till next time my little minions!

Book #11 Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I have to confess...this is kind of a cheat book. I have read Hunger Games before, when it first came out, but with my daughter losing her marbles about the upcoming movie and wanting me to see it with her...I figured I better reread the novel, and follow up with the remaining two in the series. 

So with a slow period at my workplace, and with the help of my coworker, Mallory, I was able to get a .pdf copy of Hunger Games and read it while "working".  It wasn't really what I wanted to do, but sitting at your desk twiddling you thumbs is about as fun as eating glass. 

Hunger Games is a story based in  the nation of Panem (which was formally North America).  There is the Capital-something like the capital city-surrounding by 12 districts.  Each year the Capital  puts on The Hunger Games, a fight to the death for two children (one boy and one girl) from each of the districts.  The individual who "wins" or lives to the end of the Hunger Games is given food, housing etc. for themselves as well as their impoverished district. 

Katniss Everdeen is forced into the Hunger Games.  She regards it as a death sentence and knows she may never see her family again.  Something inside of Katniss awakens in this novel, and she learns to survive amongst 23 other kids who are looking to kill her, to win the Hunger Games. 

Although this was the second time I have read this book, I found myself immersed in the story more, and not that I remember everything from the first time I read the book, I'm pretty sure I was catching a lot of things I missed with the first reading.  The book is an excellent read, and I recommend everyone to pick it up.  If you don't , please don't see the movie...there's nothing worse than seeing a movie and then reading the book and you realize how much they cut from the movie (Psst...I haven't seen the Harry Potter movies yet...because I haven't read all the books).

Well I'm pretty sure I'm somewhat ready for the movie now...but to make my zombager (teenage zombie) daughter happy I will continue on with Catching Fire...what the heck else am I going to do at work???

Closing the doors of the crypt library for now, till next time my little minions!

Book #10 Kiss of Midnight By Lara Adrian

Any of you have a  co-worker who pays attention to what your reading, and gives you suggestions on what to read??  Well I do have a co-worker that does this...and damn you Heather!!!  I am cursing you!!

Now I must say...I am not an individual who loves romance novels, but vampire smut, I'm all there!  Heather pointed me to the author Lara Adrian who writes the Midnight Breed novels, and now I'm hopelessly ADDICTED.

For those of you who have read J.R. Wards, Black Dagger Brotherhood series these books are something like it.  A group of vampires called the Breed, fight against Rogue vampires...those that have succumbed to the Bloodlust, making them feral animals with no sense of right or wrong.

The first book is about Lucan Thorne, the leader of the Breed and an direct defendant of the original vampires.  He suffers everyday fighting against his bloodlust, not wanting to turn into the thing he hates most.  He lives everyday fighting with himself and the Rogues.

Gabrielle Maxwell is a young woman who goes out for a night on the town with her closest friends.  She unwillingly witnesses a murder in the back alley behind the club she's at.  Always the trigger happy photographer, she snaps some photos on her cell phone, but the flash catches the attention of the yellow eyed men that are ripping their victim apart.

Lucan has been watching Gabrielle in the club, he follows her outside and witnesses what has happened.  He knows he has to protect her from the Rogues, but will saving her life draw her into his arms??

I really enjoyed this book, it is very close to the JR Ward series (as I mentioned before) but it does have some different angles to it.  Now, I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, so I was totally down with this book.  I love big, dark vampires and smutty vampire sex.  Yes even me, in my little dark crypt, have desires for a manly vampire!!

Closing the doors on the crypt library...til next time my little minions!!

Book 9-Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

How many of you out there love Shakespeare?? How many hate his work?? I myself love Macbeth and Hamlet (anything with a murder and or ghosts and such) but hated Romeo and Juliet...I couldn't bring myself to read the whole play...even though it ends in death and suicide...I couldn't get past the poopy "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?"  Excuse me...the brains I ate last night are coming up.... *gag*

So when my BFF the Banshee of Busby, Dawn called me over to meet the amazing author Jessica Bell (in from Greece I might add) You can check her books here: http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=jessica+bell&x=0&y=0) and have dinner, I knew she had something to give me!

After dinner the Banshee handed me a book, Juliet Immortal, I was interested right from the start (after all the Banshee is a writer herself and has a knack for picking out good reads). Then I read the synopsis and was kinda iffy about continuing the book...but I pushed through and was pleasantly surprised :)

Juliet Immortal is a story about Romeo and Juliet, but much, much different. This story takes place in present time and now, the two work against each other. Juliet's soul works for the Amabasadors, those who work to make sure true "soul mates" are together for eternity. Juliets "job" is to inhabit a living individual and ensure the two people end up together. Romeo's soul works for the Mercenaries who strive to make sure the soul mates are never together. Romeo inhabits only the dead, and works against Juliet.

For 700 years the two have worked against each other, until Juliet in her new body, has found someone she is forbidden to love, and Romeo uses everything in his power to destroy that love..he wants Juliet to love him..only him.

Honestly this book was great...I found myself intrigued by the concept of the story, and the fact that it wasn't all smoochy and love. These two characters from the greatest love story of all time (to some...not me), were against each other...it was purely poetic!

I loved the characters, the setting, and the conflict in the book.  If you looking for a different spin on Shakespeare pick up this book.  But I must warn you, this is a young adult novel, so there is no gratuitous gore, sex, or language...Bummer :(

Look past those little negatives for a great read!  I promise you!

I am actually almost done my 10th book on the challenge.  I am going to curl up in my coffin and finish it.  Type at you all soon!!