The Last Thing I Remember - Andrew Klavan

During the first half of this book I was very frustrated as it went so slowly and nothing really seemed to happen. Well it was that or the main line of the story didn't have enough to hook me into it. This did change a little as the story went on but it was more for the discovery of new information rather than what was going on, kind of like the TV show Arrow where you just want to know what happened on the island for those four years that Oliver was missing. I just want to know what happened during that year and leaving it open for sequels to get those answers left me quite upset. Now I have to read two more of these books to find that out. At least this one was a quick read and didn't require much thought and concentration to get through it, which I'm guessing the subsequent ones won't either.  

I must admit I'm not sure how, but I did know almost straight away that Charlie was older than he thought he was (although I thought it was a number of years older not just one). 

I found that I had to re read some lines as the writing was not amazing. It wasn't terrible and definitely didn't put me off the book, as I have experienced before with other authors, it just didn't seem overly polished. Or perhaps that is the way it was meant to be as it could be that is the way the character thinks, but it really annoyed me. However either I got used to it or it didn't occur much towards the second half of the book.

It seems to me that from the pace of this story, all three books could be the arc over one decent length book. It feels like the author presented a book to the publishers and they in turn said they wanted a trilogy instead, so the book was split in three. I'll see if it still feel like that after I finish all three books.

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

The second book in the Hunger Games trilogy follows Katniss and Peeta in the year following their win in the Hunger Games. After her rebellious challenge to the Capital that enabled both of them to make it out of the games alive, Katniss finds herself as the poster child for the building of a rebellion throughout the 12 districts.

Starting out the reader gets to know what life is like back in District 12 for a Victor. Everything has changed for Katniss and her family, now with their own house in the Victors village and ample food that Katniss shares with as many people as possible. It seems that life could go on and Katniss and Peeta could forget about the games and continue on with life. That is until the announcement of the 75th Annual Hunger Games which have been made extra special by being a game featuring past Victors only. As Katniss is the only female victor from District 12, her fate is sealed.

I found this book to be almost as amazing as the first. While it does follow along the same idea of our main character going into the Hunger Games again, there is a new arena, new contestants and a new feeling of unrest within. The arena appealed to me more this time as it was designed for the purpose of the games, while the forest style area of the original Hunger Games seemed a little bland and pointedly there to help out the girl who climbs under the fence of her district to escape into the wilderness. Also putting characters who know what it takes to survive, into a purpose built arena adds a spark and intelligence to all that occurs within.

I ploughed through this book in one night, without sleeping as I couldn't put it down. I was so excited that a second book in a series could be almost as good as the first. I would say the only thing that made this book stand in the original's shadow was that a large part of the general story was very similar with Katniss being selected for the Hunger Games and going back into the arena. Still a very high quality for a second book, which puts so much pressure on the third and final book Mockingjay. Let's hope it lives up to the challenge.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith

This book was so much fun. I'm not sure if it made it better by listening to it on audiobook, but I was giggling to myself at work while listening to it. Seth Grahame-Smith has tied the zombies in so brilliantly and seamlessly that you can hardly notice the additions. I would say this is a great way to introduce someone to the great works of Jane Austin, who wouldn't normally read it.

While Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favourite books, this version does not take away from the story at all, but alternatively enhances it for a different audience. I would advice anyone who loves the classics like Austen and Bronte to give this book a go.

I will definitely be listening to the prequel Dawn of the Dreadfuls, the end of the trilogy Dreadfully Ever After and other similar titles such as Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

Emissary - Fiona McIntosh

Fiona McIntosh really has a way of making a book so engrossing that you never want to put it down. Emissary, the second book in the Percheron Series, is no exception.

Following on from the previous story, Lazar the Spur is believed to be dead and so Ana is in mourning for him. With no glimmer of hope left in her harem life she is resound to live out her days with no chance of happiness, awaiting death, and in fact welcoming it. The Valide and Grand Master Eunuch Salmeo have plans that will aid in speeding such an end, to help rid Zar Boaz of the girl that has such influence over him.

When the threat of war is brought to the peaceful nation of Percheron, over no less than the Spur's death, it brings everyone's scheming plans to a holt. Who will be able to save the nation and will they be able to convince their enemies against such action in time?

Jaki's review

I could not put this book down. Just as Odalisque engrossed me when reading it, Emissary made me regret sleeping and having to go about my every day life, regretting not being unable to read the whole book in one sitting.

The writing is so fluent which makes for a flawless read. Fiona McIntosh has such a way

of drawing you into the story and making you love the characters that you feel their elation, despair, indifference and hatred along with them.

This book ends in a big cliffhanger, so do not finish this book unless you have Goddess, the third in the series, available to you.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Imagine living in a place where each year 24 children are sent to fight to the death for a horrifying reality TV show. Welcome to The Hunger Games.

Follow 16 year old Katniss Everdeen, a tough strong willed girl from the Seam, as she steps up in place of her little sister to be the District 12 tribute. Kat knows this is a death sentence as there can only be one survivor in the games. The rules are kill or be killed.

Whisked away to The Capital with her own stylist team, food she has never even dreamt of, and a constantly drunk mentor, Kat must learn what she can from training to survive in the games arena.

Who will survive the initial bloodbath of the arena? Can Katniss bring herself to do what is necessary to defend herself not only from the other tributes but also the arena itself and all its hidden traps?

Jaki's Review

Originally when hearing about this book I thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 film "The Running Man", where the basic premise of trying to stay alive in a rigged arena is the same. However once beginning the book I quickly saw that it was much more than that.

Straight away I was drawn into Katniss' world and began to care deeply for the people around her. My heart lurched at Prim's name being called and again when Kat volunteers to take her place. Her awe of The Capital matched my own as each new person and event was described. Once inside the arena the quick pace doesn't slow with non stop action and adventure making it almost impossible to put the book down.

A phenomenal page turning book that takes you to a world where the residents are being punished for a rebellion 74 years ago, resulting in The Hunger Games. Anyone who loves brilliantly written characters, sensational detail and a mixture of action and adventure will love this book and be looking for it's sequel Catching Fire.