friendship – Page 6 – BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı

Last year Marshmallow read and reviewed Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı. This year, as her last book before taking time off for the summer, she chose Samancı’s new book, Evil Eyes Sea, just published this month. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: I’m very excited about this book. So let us get started.

Marshmallow: Sure.

S: Why don’t you tell us a bit about what this book is about?

M: It is about this college student and her college dorm roommate solving a crime together.

S: That sounds interesting!

M: It is!

S: Okay, so tell me more. Please?

M: Okay, okay, you don’t have to beg! So the main character’s name is Ece, and her best friend’s name is Meltem. They have some interesting ideas. Like if they stare at something with their “Medusa gaze,” then they can control it, like move it and so on.

S: That sounds cool.

M: It is funny. But anyways, these two friends are going to college in Istanbul, Turkey, and their dorm is right next to the Bosphorus Strait, and they are diving there one day, when a car falls into the sea right next to them. There is a woman in the car, and they try to save her, but it is too late.

S: Is this the crime they will try to solve? Was the woman murdered?

M: Yes, at least they think so. Ece is quite fascinated and wants to dig into the facts of the case and solve it. They also feel bad for not being able to save her. They also know the woman; it was another student from their dorm.

S: I see. This sounds like a real thriller. And you like murder mysteries.

M: Yes, but this book is a lot more than just a murder mystery. Just like Samancı’s other book that I reviewed, this gives you a good snapshot of Turkey from when she herself was a college student.

S: And that corresponds to the 1990s, right?

M: Yes. There is political tension, and and the crime itself is politically motivated to an extent, and you see all of it through the view of a college student.

S: And from what you are telling me so far, a very perceptive and curious student.

M: Yes, you get to see a lot of different aspects of Ece’s life. There is a lot of smoking though.

S: There was a lot of smoking everywhere back then.

M: There is also some drinking.

S: Hmm, looks like this is not quite appropriate for younger bunnies.

M: Well, I think the fact that there is a gruesome murder in the center of the plot also makes that the case. We do see the dead woman’s body. And there is some cursing. So yes, not for very young bunnies.

Marshmallow is reading Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı. — Marshmallow is reading *Evil Eyes Sea* by Özge Samancı.

S: Okay, so tell me a bit more about the characters. If I am understanding it correctly, Ece is the narrator, right?

M: Yup. And she is a very likeable narrator. You sympathize with her when she is losing her patience with Meltem for example. And Meltem is also a very interesting character. She is popular with boys, very smart, and maybe a bit more cautious than Ece in some ways. But their friendship is strong and real.

S: So in some ways this is a friendship story too?

M: Yes.

S: Okay, so you had really enjoyed Dare to Disappoint. Did this book fit your expectations?

M: Yes. This is more fictional I think, but it still has a sense of realism to it. You really feel like you are observing Ece’s world with its full details. And the book is really colorful! Ece’s hair, like Özge in the other book, is bright orange, but there are so many other colors, too. The color of the sea is very deep blue, and I really liked the cover too.

S: Why?

M: It sort of captures the whole story of the book in one picture, which is really impressive.

S: I agree!

M: There is a trailer for the book, too. Maybe we can put a link to it for our readers to have a sense of the book?

S: Sure. Here it is:

Evil Eyes Book Trailer, YouTube.

M: Thanks. I do think the trailer does a good job describing the book.

S: Great. I hope at least some of our readers will check it out.

M: They should!

S: Okay, maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review. Before we do that, can you tell me how you would rate this book?

M: I’d rate it 100%. But it is not for younger bunnies.

S: Okay, that makes sense to me. Alright then, this is your last review before we take off for July. What do you want to tell our readers?

M: Have a great summer and stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies, coming in August!

Marshmallow rates Evil Eyes Sea by Özge Samancı 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Evil Eyes Sea* by Özge Samancı 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.

Marshmallow reviews The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Today Marshmallow reviews The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, first published in 2008. Sprinkles has watched the movie version and is chatting with Marshmallow about the book.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, let us start with a brief overview. Can you tell us a bit about the plot of Hunger Games?

Marshmallow: The book is set in a dystopian future, in North America. There are twelve districts and a Capitol city that make up a country named Panem. Katniss Everdeen is the main character. She lives in District 12 with her mother and younger sister Prim. All the districts are very poor, or maybe, I should say, everyone is very poor, except for the people of the Capitol. Every year, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games, which are a big spectacle. Two children are selected from each district, a boy and a girl, ages 12 to 18. And they are brought to the Capitol and are to fight to the death in these Hunger Games.

S: That sounds pretty vicious. Children fighting to the death.

M: Yeah. It is really vicious. Also because it is kind of as a revenge of sorts. The twelve districts rebelled against the Capitol a while ago, and so they are paying tribute for their betrayal.

S: That sounds terrible actually.

M. Well, I did say it was dystopian.

S: You did.

M: Anyways, so Katniss ends up being the girl representing her district in that year’s Games. Along with a boy named Peeta. The book is about their trip to the Capitol and their time during the Games. The Games are rough, violent, and sadistic. They are almost like the gladiator games in the Roman Colosseum. The audience is watching and keeping track of who is surviving and the children playing the game are creating alliances and such. However, since there is only supposed to be one winner, everyone is actually working against everyone else, and they are all trying to kill each other.

S: So some of this reminds me of the Triwizard Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.

M: Yes, but actually I think it is more similar to the Purging Trials in Powerless by Lauren Roberts. They are both more vicious and are made to honor horrific events. The Triwizard Tournament is not supposed to be lethal even though it ends up being that way in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Marshmallow is reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. — Marshmallow is reading *The Hunger Games* by Suzanne Collins.

S: I know this book made a huge splash when it came out and it and its sequels were made into movies. I have not read the books yet, and only watched the first movie so far. But I think the plot and the setting of the book are quite fascinating. You watched the first movie with me. Can you tell me a bit about how the book compares with the movie?

M: I read the book before watching the movie. So I had a pretty good idea what the plot would be. But even then, the suspense built in the movie was very deep, and I really liked the way Katniss Everdeen’s world was portrayed on screen. I think the film was very well done. Maybe we can put a link to the trailer for the movie here.

S: Sure. Here it is:

The Hunger Games (2012 Movie) – Official Theatrical Trailer (YouTube).

M: Great, thanks!

S: So were there any significant differences between the book and the movie you noticed?

M: I did not notice really, but the book is written in present tense and in first person, so of course they could not really depict that style. However, I think they did a really good job creating the world Katniss is living in, and I would recommend the movie to bunnies who enjoy the book.

S: But they should read the book first?

M: Well, you did not. So maybe it does not matter too much.

S: Hmm, this is a book blog, remember?

M: Well, then maybe I should say read the book first. But the movie is pretty good too.

S: Okay, then, maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review. What would you rate the book?

M: I’d rate it 100%. It is really good. But it might be a bit too mature for some younger bunnies. It is about a very grim topic, a violent world and terrible tragedy.

S: I see. What would you say to our readers as we wrap things up?

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

Marshmallow rates The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 100%. — Marshmallow rates *The Hunger Games* by Suzanne Collins 100%.

Caramel reviews Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll by Mr. Jay and Erin Wozniak

Today Caramel reviews a cute picture book from 2017, Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll, written by Mr. Jay (Jay Miletsky) and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. — Caramel reviews *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, tell me a bit about this book.

Caramel: This book is about a rock named Ricky and about friendship.

S: Wait, now we are naming rocks?

C: No. This book is naming them. The book has a lot of talking rocks.

S: I see. So there are these talking rocks and one is called Ricky.

C: Yes. Unfortunately for Ricky, Ricky is different from his friends.

S: In what way?

C: Well, as the book title says, he can’t roll! He is flat on one side. All his friends are round. So they can all roll, but Ricky can’t.

S: I see. How does this make Ricky feel?

C: Sad because he feels left out.

S: I can understand that. If all your friends were ice skating, and you could not skate, it would not be too fun.

C: Exactly. But Ricky has really good friends. And they try to help him. They come up with many many ideas. Most of them fail, of course. They try to wrap him up with balloons and such, and that fails miserably.

S: But at least they are trying to help. I see now why you said the book is about friendship. Good friends help one another.

C: Yep. And in the end they succeed!

S: Okay, so let us not totally spoil the fun of reading the book, but that means that in the end Ricky will be happy, right?

C: Yup.

Caramel is reading Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. — Caramel is reading *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak.

S: So then I am assuming you liked this book?

C: Yes. It made me happy.

S: I can understand why. You like books with happy endings.

C: Yes.

S: What you told me about the book reminded me of another book you reviewed a while back: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein. Do you remember that book?

C: Yes. And you are right, there are some similarities. There too there is a thing, called the Missing Piece, that wants to roll on its own but cannot. But there, the Missing Piece eventually figures out that by trying, it can smooth out its rough pointy corner and become rounder so it can roll. It does this more or less on its own. That book is not really about friendship. It is more about perseverance.

S: You are very wise Caramel. And that is a big word for a little bunny your age! But there is perseverance in this book, too. Ricky and his friends do not give up. They try and fail over and over again, but they do not give up, until they eventually solve the problem.

C: That is true.

S: But I can see how this book is more about friendship. So if you were to describe the book using three to five words, how would you do it?

C: Cute story about friends helping friends.

S: That works! So let us wrap this review up then. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel appreciated reading Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak, and recommends it to other young bunnies who can't always do everything their friends can do. — Caramel appreciated reading *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak, and recommends it to other young bunnies who can’t always do everything their friends can do.