Katniss, there is no District 12

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

        Rarely, since I've become an avid reader of all things literature, have I become emotionally attached to any of the characters I encounter. I've fought wars against the Titans with Percy and Annabeth, starved with the man and his son in The Road, and I was there to smell the thick layers of sex fumes and sweat in the basement of Palahniuk's Snuff. It wasn't until I read Collins' previous effort The Hunger Games, that i felt like I was struggling through thick and thin right beside them.

        The entire book relies heavily on the narrative talents of the principle protagonist, Katniss Everdean. She has the silliest name in all of fiction, but man can she kick your ass. Her and her family live in District 12. As you guess, it is one of twelve districts that make up a dystopia called Panem. The twelve districts do all of the work while the capital of Panem reaps all of the rewards. There was a time when there were thirteen districts and they banded together in hopes of overthrowing the capital. They failed and the capitol created the Hunger games to help remind them that they failed

       The Hunger games is a battle to the death (via Battle Royal and/or The Lord of the Flies) that requires two children from each district to participate. It is terrible for the districts, but it is like watching survivor for the capitol. The winner becomes a celebrity of the highest status. I won't say much more about the first book because I would prefer you read this remarkable work of literature. I can't stress enough how good that book was. This goes for readers of all genres. But, there was a sequel...

WATCH OUT!! SPOILERS!! SPOILERS!!

      This brings me to the direct sequel titled Catching Fire. There was a lot of unrest brought upon the capitol by the results of the past year's Hunger Games and no one that goes against the capitol goes unpunished. 

           The general plot of this installment rests around the forthcoming Quarter Quell Hunger games. Every 25 years , there is a special Hunger Games that is usually more extreme and doubles the amount of participants. But, Katniss has pissed off the capitol ten fold. Her actions (that i'm leaving out. READ THE DAMN BOOK) have infuriated President Snow to "change the rules." Instead of double the new contestants participating. The drawing will take place amongst all of the former victors. Including Katniss Everdean and her cohort Peeta.

     This book surprised me in many ways. First off, several of my friends that read it and enjoyed the first book said that this one pales in comparison. The only thing that short changes this book is the hard act it had to follow. Both of the books are at the same quality, but you aren't experiencing the wonder of a new world and struggles as found in a first reading. By now, you are familiar with the stakes and considering the main character tells the whole story herself; it's safe to assume that of all things you won't lose her. That aside, holy hell did I love this book.

           There are explosions, blood, sadness, hunger (LoL), betrayal, and enough emotion to eclipse every soap opera to have existed in a 390 page book. The third book comes out in August and you bet your ass that I will be at (insert book store here) picking up my copy.

   5/5 Stars

So, my first blog--ever!

Hello, my friends, or anyone, my name is Thomas and boy do I have a story to tell....

The other day, I was walking my dog down the road when I had a hunch that I was being watched. It was night time so of all things I do not wish to be watched--that is for daytime ONLY. Well, I nudged the dog to hurry up its business because of the newly developed stab plot that I formulated in my mind. In a swift reaction, I walk the dog up the drive way of the nearest house.

This house I chose has been abandoned for a year now so, naturally, it is often the choice for the nightly piss. The dogs--not mine. I inch up the driveway only accompanied by the dog's curiosity and the moon's tricky shadows it casts on all of the local real estate. Convincing myself I have simply seen too many movies, I let the dog guide me.

A little time passes before, once again, I get that hunch. I jerk around to see the darkest eyes ever to grace this planet. They scream hunger and desperation. They scream, "Cat Nip!" Ok, it was cat making its nightly prowl. Resisting the urge to slap my self on the head, I turn my attention back to the dog. She has found something. "What is it, Lady?" The dog does not acknowledge me. It only continues digging. It digs and digs and I scream its name, but nothing will stop the digging. Moments later, it pauses. It jerks an object out of the ground. I nearly convulse. In its mouth is a--it's a--a----well, it is nothing.

The dog does not look like she is going to do the deed. I jerk her leash and head home. The sight I witness next is simply terrifying....