family – Page 6 – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia

Caramel has already reviewed the first two books of Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong series: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and Tristan Strong Destroys the World. (In case you are curious, he also reviewed the graphic novel adaptation of the first book.) Today he talks to Sprinkles about the third and last book in this trilogy: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching, published first in 2021.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this is the third book about Tristan Strong.

Caramel: Well, actually it is the fourth one I read. I did read the graphic novel version of the first book, too, remember?

S: True. Anyways, this is the last book in the trilogy, right?

C: Yes.

S: So tell us a bit about it then.

C: It starts off with him burning. Spontaneously combusting!

S: Wait, those are big words! And who is burning? Tristan?

C: Yep.

S: Wait, how? Why?

C: Magic? I think it is magic.

S: Hmm, so you are not quite sure.

C: Okay, now that I think a bit more about it, I am pretty sure it is magic.

S: Okay…

C: Well, so I am exaggerating a bit. But anyways there is some flames coming from his knuckles.

S: Alright. So is the whole story about his inflamed knuckles?

C: No. It is again about him versus some baddies from the other world. There is a particular villain, named King Cotton, and we met him in the first book already.

S: You did not mention him back then.

C: Well, I probably should have. Anyways the guy is just evil, and he is the main villain in this book. Where is New Orleans?

S: It is in Louisiana. Why do you ask?

C: Because in this book, Tristan is not in Alabama but visiting New Orleans with his family.

S: New Orleans has a very unique history. So what happens in New Orleans?

C: Tristan figures out that King Cotton is back in the real world and causing mischief. And both Tristan and his friends are in danger.

S: I see. That means more excitement and adventure, I suppose.

C: Yes.

Caramel is reading Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia. — Caramel is reading *Tristan Strong Keeps Punching* by Kwame Mbalia.

S: Okay, so I think you read this book rather fast too.

C: I am a fast reader Sprinkles.

S: That is true. But this is again a big book. How many pages is it?

C: Let me see. 406 pages.

S: That is not bad! And I think you finished in a day or two at most.

C: I think it was one day.

S: School had not started yet then.

C: Yes. That is true.

S: Anyways, that is pretty impressive Caramel.

C: Well it is a good book, and it is very easy to read. You want to read it to know what’s going to happen next. And it is fast paced, and just fun to read.

S: I think that it is a good book for you then!

C: Yes, for me and for any other bunnies who like books about adventures in mythological lands!

S: That sounds almost like a book blurb, Caramel!

C: What’s a book blurb?

S: You know those sentences they have at the back cover of a book advertising it?

C: I see. Blurb is a funny word! Blurb! Blurb!

S: You are right, it is a funny word. Especially if you keep saying it like that.

C: Blurb.

S: Okay, I think you said it enough times.

C: Okay I will stop. Right after this: Blurb blurb blurb! Blurb.

S: Okay. Maybe this means we have come to the end of this review.

C: Maybe. And … blurb!

S: Alright. So let us wrap things up then. If you were to describe this whole series to someone, how would you do it?

C: Blurb!

S: Seriously!

C: Okay, seriously, here goes: magical adventures in and out of this world.

S: I like that!

C: Really? Do you think it would make a good-

S: Don’t say it!

C: -blurb?

S: Okay, I think I deserved that. Okay, let us wrap it up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And that would make a good blurb!

Caramel enjoyed reading Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia and recommends the trilogy to other young bunnies who love to read mythological adventures. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Tristan Strong Keeps Punching* by Kwame Mbalia and recommends the trilogy to other young bunnies who love to read mythological adventures.

Caramel reviews Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Earlier this year Caramel reviewed the graphic novel version of Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. A few weeks later he sat down and read the original book and reviewed it for the book bunnies blog. Today he is talking about the second book in the series, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, first published in 2020. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, I remember you read and really enjoyed Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. This is a sequel of sorts, right? Can you tell us the main story?

Caramel: I can, yes; the question is: will I?

S: Okay, I can see you are going to be a bit cheeky today.

C: Yes.

S: Alright, cheeky is fine but we do have a review to post. So please tell me a bit about the book.

C: Okay. This book is about Tristan Strong, who was the main character in the first book. He is still in Alabama, living with his grandparents. In the first book he punched a hole in the sky and traveled into a world of magic and myth called Alke. In this book his grandma gets kidnapped in the real world. So Tristan goes to this other world to get help.

S: Is the kidnapping related to Tristan’s actions in this other world?

C: Yes. A bad creature from that other world is the one who kidnaps the grandma. So Tristan Strong asks for help from Gum Baby.

S: I remember you said Gum Baby was really annoying.

C: She is a little, yeah, but she is now a good friend to Tristan. So there is that.

S: I see. So do we meet any new mythological characters?

C: Yes, one particular one, but I can’t tell you.

S: Why? Because he is the villain?

C: I can neither confirm nor deny. I retain the right to remain silent.

S: Hmm, that sounds suspicious, but I will not push you further in this direction.

C: Don’t.

Caramel is reading Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. — Caramel is reading *Tristan Strong Destroys the World* by Kwame Mbalia.

S: Okay, then. What else will you tell us about the book?

C: It is again a very long book. It has 390 pages!

S: That is a long book, especially for a little bunny like you!

C: But it is very exciting so I read it very fast.

S: Oh that sounds good!

C: Yes. I think the book is very good. I especially like Tristan Strong. He is funny. And he likes his grandma a lot. I like my grandmas a lot too. I have two!

S: Yes, you are lucky that way! So do we get to meet the grandma before or after she is kidnapped?

C: Both. But I won’t say too much more so I do not spoil things.

S: Well, I imagine Tristan Strong and Gum Baby will save the grandma, but maybe it is okay if you do not say it explicitly.

C: Thank you.

S: Alright. What else do you want to tell us?

C: I really liked the book. But it ends with a cliffhanger again! So now I have to read the third book.

S: I see. But is the main story of the book tied up well enough at least?

C: Yes.

S: So if you were to describe the book in three to five words, what would you say?

C: Fun, fast-paced read about an adventure full of myth and legend.

S: Hmm, I think that is quite a few words more than I asked for, but that is alright. So let us wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia and is curious about what Tristan will do next. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Tristan Strong Destroys the World* by Kwame Mbalia and is curious about what Tristan will do next.

Marshmallow reviews Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Marshmallow has already reviewed the first two books of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Today she reviews the third and last book: Mockingjay, first published in 2010. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

(Marshmallow wants to warn readers that there may be some spoilers in what follows.)

Marshmallow reviews Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. — Marshmallow reviews *Mockingjay* by Suzanne Collins.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, as your first post post-summer break, you chose to tell us a bit about Mockingjay. Let’s get started.

Marshmallow: Sure. Mockingjay is the third and final book in Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series. And I think it wraps up the story really realistically. It does not simplify or dismiss the bloodiness and complications of revolutions.

S: Okay, let us step back. So being the third book in a series, readers should probably have read the first two books, right?

M: Yes. So they should definitely have read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. The story begins more or less when the second book ends. So Katniss Everdeen is the champion of District 12 in the seventy-fourth Hunger Games at the end of the first book, and then in the second book, she is forced to take part in the seventy-fifth one. And she and Peeta, her partner from District 12, survive that game too. But at the end of the second book, we are kind of left at a cliffhanger, because it seems that Katniss is taken by rebels, and Peeta is taken by the forces from the Capitol. So when the third book starts, Katniss is with the rebels from District 13. Oh, we should say there may be some spoilers here.

S: Okay, I will add a note to the beginning of the post about that. So wait, District 13. Wasn’t that destroyed in the rebellion against the Capitol seventy-five years ago, before the Games began?

M: So that is what everyone thought, but in reality they had survived and they went underground. Literally they began to live under the ground, and they are pretty strong because they have nuclear power. And they support the rebels. So Katniss learns about all this at the very end of the second book.

S: I see.

M: Then this book is about the rebels trying to take down the Capitol and President Snow, while Katniss has a lot of mixed feelings about being involved.

S: How come?

M: Well, she has suffered a lot of trauma, her entire District was destroyed, and she is seriously injured. She has healed but has many permanent scars, physical and emotional. Also Peeta is in the hands of the Capitol, and she is scared of how they might be torturing him.

S: I see.

Marshmallow is reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. — Marshmallow is reading *Mockingjay* by Suzanne Collins.

S: So the narrative is still first person, right? We still see the world and the events through Katniss’ eyes?

M: Yes. And that was one of the reasons why the book shook me so much. The reader is going through all the emotional stuff together with Katniss.

S: I know. I saw how shaken you were by the end of the book.

M: Yes. Even though in some ways the end can be called a happy end, I was very unsettled about everything. Because Collins, the author, does not spare any details. She makes things so realistic. Both sides do terrible things, and there is really no winner. Lots of losers, but even those one could say won have so many permanent scars inside and out…

S: I understand. So all in all, it was a very powerful read it seems like.

M: Yes, I was emotionally very moved. The series, I think, is very important for all bunnies to read, at some point, because it shows how horrific all human suffering is and how violence is never, should never, be the answer. And it also shows how trauma, pain, and violence can shape others to become like the ones who hurt them.

S: Those are some tough lessons Marshmallow. I am guessing you think this book is not very suitable for very young bunnies.

M: I don’t know. I have friends who read this when they were twelve and they loved it. But personally I was affected very strongly by this book, and I think that maybe it is better suited to older bunnies than twelve.

S: That makes sense to me. It is also possible that people of different ages can read the book at different levels. But all in all, did you like this book as the end of the series? Having read all three, are you going to recommend people to do so themselves?

M: Yes. I definitely think so. I’d rate Mockingjay 100%, but also I think this whole series is very important. Not just a good book series to read, but as I said before, it is important for young people to be aware of the horrors of war, violence, human suffering.

S: Thank you, that works for me. So let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

M: We are back! And stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow rates Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Mockingjay* by Suzanne Collins 100%.

Marshmallow reviews Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

A few weeks ago Marshmallow reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the first of the famous Hunger Games trilogy. Today she talks to Sprinkles about the second book in the series, Catching Fire, first published in 2009.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, tell us a bit about this second book.

Marshmallow: Well, it starts more or less where the first book ended. So Katniss and Peeta won that year’s Hunger Games, and they go on a victory tour. But it is not really a real victory, because they are being coerced into performing like they are proud and also in love for the masses.

S: So it is really like a reality TV show.

M: Yes, but it is also based off the Roman gladiator games, like we said the last time. This became apparent to me when we see rich people who make themselves throw up so they can continue to gorge themselves with more food. Roman aristocrats also did this.

S: Such a waste of food.

M: Yes, but also keep in mind that there is real poverty in other parts of the country. So it is especially disturbing that they have too much to eat while others are almost starving.

S: I agree. Okay, so tell me more about the victory tour that is not a real victory tour bur rather a fancy photo op.

M: When Katniss and Peeta both survive, this is kind of against the wishes of the Capitol, and this leads to people having some rebellious ideas. So President Snow coerces Katniss to act as if she is really in love with Peeta and did not intend to start a rebellion. But still, they become the symbols of a rebellion against the Capitol.

S: That sounds like they might be in danger then.

M: Yes, eventually there is a new Hunger Game announced and this time they do not choose new champions. Instead teams of two from among the earlier victors will be put together. And of course since Katniss is the only female victor from her district, she has to play. Peeta joins her and they face an even more challenging game this time, because this time President Snow wants her dead.

Marshmallow is reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. — Marshmallow is reading *Catching Fire* by Suzanne Collins.

S: Okay, I think that sums up the plot of this second book quite well.

M: But wait there is a love triangle as well.

S: How so? Tell me.

M: Well, Katniss is developing feelings for Peeta, but also she has some lingering feelings for Gale, who was her friend from before the Games in the first book. So there is that, too.

S: I see. But I am guessing that it does not get too mushy, or you would not really love the book so much.

M: Yes, that is correct, so no, it does not get too mushy. Thankfully. There is some kissing and stuff, but it is not as central to the book as in some other books.

S: Okay, I know you want to move to the next book immediately, so does that mean you liked this one?

M: Yes! I’d rate it 100%, if only it did not end in a cliffhanger…

S: I guess you will just have to read the third book soon.

M: But first we have to watch the movie for this book!

S: Maybe.

M: At least maybe we can put the trailer here?

S: We can do that! Here it is:

Hunger Games: Catching Fire – official trailer (YouTube).

M: Thank you. I think that looks really good!

S: I agree. So maybe we should see it some time.

M: Yes!

S: But for now, it is time to wrap up this review.

M: Yes!

S: What do you want to tell our readers?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow would rate Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 100% if it did not end in a cliffhanger. — Marshmallow would rate *Catching Fire* by Suzanne Collins 100% if it did not end in a cliffhanger.