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BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated The Hunger Games in Books

Jun 17, 2020 (Updated Jun 17, 2020)  
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.5 (277 Ratings)
Book Rating
My favourite series.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I've read this book probably about 7 times.... I adore this series. The world that Collins has created is fantastically unique. As horrible as it seems, I would have loved to experience it in real life. It's such a rollercoaster of emotions and I really didn't want it to end. I'm so glad this is a trilogy. And I'm only writing this now because I reread the series in preparation for the newly released Prequel book, A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

In a dystopian future, the city of Panem is split into 12 Districts and a beautiful Capitol. Ran by the horror that is President Snow. Katniss Everdeen is our heroine from the mining District 12. In a tournament known as the Hunger Games, 2 contestants from each district, one male and one female, are chosen at random to compete to the death in an arena. This book is set during the 74th annual Hunger Games. It is also the first year Katniss' younger sister Primrose, can be entered. Unlucky as she is, her name is drawn. Katniss heroically (or stupidly) volunteers asks tribute. The first tribute for District 12. She is to train with neighbour Peeta, the bakers son. Their trainer is District 12s only past winner, Haymitch. A rude, drunk, cynical man who isn't much good for anything. They are brought to the Capitol, which is home to the wealthiest of Panem, and are literally paraded through the city dressed in garments that represent their District. Thank you Cinna, their personal stylist, for the fabulous flaming costumes!
After an extensive training sessions, they begin the games. Watched by every citizen in Panem, bet on and laughed at. The wealthy citizens can become sponsors and send the tributes things to help, but only if you are worth it.
As you imagine, blood, gore and death. In the final moments, we find Peeta and Katniss still alive, along with District 1 (the favourite) Cato. Eventually, they leave the arena, despite only one person having supposed to win. Brought out to be celebrated for not dying. To move into the Victor's Village in District 12 with their families.
  
Love, Death & Robots
Love, Death & Robots
2019 | Action, Animation, Comedy
Unique And Visceral Experience
Love, Death, & Robots is an adult animated anthology tv series on Netflix. The series is produced by Joshua Donen, David Fincher, Jennifer Miller, and Tim Miller. Each of the 18 episodes released on the first season was animated by different crews from a range of countries. It's also a re-imagining of 1981 animated sci-fi film Heavy Metal. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Topher Grace, Gary Cole, Samira Wiley, and Stefan Kapicic.


Produced by different casts and crews, and consisting of 18 stand-alone episodes, each under 20 minutes, the title of the series refers to the recurring themes of love, death, and robots in each episode. Full of terrifying creatures, wicked surprises and dark comedy, it's a collection of animated short stories spanning several genres like horror, comedy, fantasy, and science fiction. Captivating stories come to life with world-class animation in a plethora of tales unlike anything else.


This series was wicked awesome. Reminded me of some of the other animated anthologies I've seen such as The Animatrix and Batman: Gotham Knight, except quite a bit more NSFW. This series also gave me a Twilight Zone vibe but bit darker. More blood and guts and highly sexual. Even though it's pretty graphic, I really liked a lot of the stories they told and the twists that most had in the end as well. Some are kind of hit or miss or just better than others but I think that there is definitely something for everyone despite the gore and nudity and language. I especially enjoyed the following episodes, 1. Sonnie's Edge, 8. Good Hunting, 10. Shape-Shifters, 13. Lucky 13, and 18. Secret War. The way they went about the story telling and world building in each episode was phenomenal. I really feel that some of these episodes deserve their own individual films or series to do them better justice. I mean some were just so good and less than 20 minutes felt like not enough or that they could have been even better. I give the entire series overall a 9/10.
  
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Tim Booth recommended Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens in Music (curated)

 
Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
2015 | Country
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I had been keeping my eye on Sufjan Stevens for a while. He's always been surprising me and blowing me away. His song 'John Wayne Gacy, Jr.' has one of the best lyrics I have ever heard. On Carrie & Lowell he made an album that has no standout tracks – everything is just remarkable. Sufjan is a maverick and this album is a delicate, fragile piece about the death of his mother who had problems with schizophrenia and alcoholism. The lyrics are beautiful and he sprinkles in some almost Simon & Garfunkel-style harmonies to these folk songs, while others have an almost Sigur Rós element as well. I took my ten-year-old son to see him play. My son had pretty sophisticated tastes. We sat there, holding hands and weeping at the concert. Sufjan drew an incredible performance from that record that was so full of life and death. Sufjan didn't talk for an hour-and-a-half at that gig. It was like watching a sacred ceremony. The lighting and the visuals were the most profound I have ever seen in any concert. Then, after 90 minutes, he talked solidly for ten minutes. He was geeky, gawky and funny. I thought this must have been a pre-prepared speech. He had us belly-laughing. Then, he went back to the ceremony and it was such a bizarre contrast between this vulnerable boy during his talk, to this shaman performing in stillness. The only other rock musician I think can perform in stillness, to that level of profundity, is Leonard Cohen. I went to see that show three times and it changed every night. His talk changed every night, so it wasn't a prepared speech. He would end the show, after playing these beautiful folk songs, with about 15 minutes of noise, worthy of Sigur Rós and a lighting effect, which I can only describe as what I think the soul will look like when I die. It left me shaking and sobbing. It was one of the top five gigs I have ever seen – and I have seen the greats. Sufjan can get you on all levels. I think he will be seen as one of the greats of this generation."

Source
  
Suvi's Revenge (Dark Warrior Alliance #6)
Suvi's Revenge (Dark Warrior Alliance #6)
Brenda Trim, Tami Julka | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
152 of 250
Kindle
Suvi’s Revenge ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 6)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Suvi is the youngest of the Rowan triplets and prefers high heels to combat boots and parties to battles. Unfortunately, lately, she finds herself fighting more than she does drinking martinis. If she isn't rebuilding the business she shares with her sisters, she's searching for their archenemy, Cele. The way Suvi sees it, they've done their part and it's time for a celebration, but that isn't in the cards for her. The moment she has dreamt of her entire life happens when she meets her Fated Mate, yet she isn't able to plan the party of the century. Instead, she and her sisters have seventy-two hours to investigate a murder, locate a rogue vampire, stop an evil witch from stealing their powers and save her mate from a death sentence. She wants nothing more than to spend her days and nights in sensual oblivion with her vampire, but the clock is ticking. Caine DuBray's world is upended when he wakes up next to a human female that has been drained dry. As the only vampire on scene, her death is immediately pinned on him. He believes he is innocent, but the problem is that he can't recall the details of their date. Rather than executing him immediately, the Vampire King takes pity on him and gives him three days to prove his innocence. He discovers that one of the witches he is directed to is his Fated Mate. Their passion sets him on fire and leaves him desperate for the chance to spend eternity with the sexy witch.


This was a pretty good short bordering 3.5 stars. It’s good to see the sister are now al mated. I’m a bit unsure the Cele is really dead though as she was planning a clone! I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her it seemed to easy! I do love our little visits to the realm!
  
NR
NYPD Red 3 (NYPD Red, #3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
NYPD Red is an elite squad of the New York City Police Department that deals with the wealthiest of the city. In this book, MacDonald and Jordan are investigating the murder of the chauffeur of one of the richest men in the city, Hunter Alden Jr. During the initial investigation, they also discover that Mr. Alden's son, Tripp is missing. The Alden's don't seem concerned and offer no assistance in finding their son or their driver's killer.

I have been reading James Patterson book for most of my life. Most of his books are a quick thrilling read and this was no exception. NYPD Red is a fairly new series for James Patterson, focusing on the Elite of New York City. With two detectives heading up this division, those needing the service are sure to get personal attention. Book three in this series focuses on the Alden family with the death of the family driver and the strange "disappearance" of their son. For detectives MacDonald and Jordan, this doesn't seem seem like a coincidence and in their investigation, they discover a lot of interesting facts and theories about this case. Determined to find the truth, they will stop at nothing until they do, even if that means upsetting the Elite Class they are assigned to protect. Another intriguing quick read from James Patterson.
  
Let Me Lie
Let Me Lie
Clare Mackintosh | 2018 | Thriller
10
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It is the one year anniversary of the death of Anna Johnson's mother when she receives an anonymous note that makes her question everything about her parents deaths. The previous year both her parents had taken their lives within months of each other, but did they really? When Anna goes to the police with her note, more disturbing events take place and she doesn't know what to do. Full of twists and turns you won't see coming, this book is definitely one to read.

I read this book as part of a buddy read and I loved it!! I didn't see any of the twists and turns coming.

Can you imaging grieving the deaths of your parents for a year just to find out that they might not even be dead? What would you do? Do you think anyone would believe you? I wasn't sure what was going to happen with this book and it's hard to give a concise review without giving away too many details.

I thought I knew what was going to happen in the end and who was behind all of the incidents happening in Anna's life, but I was way off. I couldn't have imagined the ending at all.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who like a thriller with unimaginable twists.