Marshmallow’s reviews – Page 15

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 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 Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds

Today Marshmallow reviews The Odyssey, the famed epic from about twenty-eight centuries ago attributed to Homer, in its graphic novel adaptation by Gareth Hinds, first published in 2010. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, we know you are a big fan of mythology, and you have read a ton of books about Greek myths especially.

Marshmallow: You mean I read all the Rick Riordan books?

S: I guess. But besides his standard series based on Greek myths (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus and Trials of Apollo), you have also read and reviewed Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes. Those gave you quite a foundation on Greek mythology.

M: I guess you could say that. But I did not really read the myths from other sources …. until now!

S: Yes, that’s right. So when you told me your English class was reading The Odyssey by Homer, I was excited. And when I learned it was a graphic novel version, I knew you would find it absolutely fascinating!

M: That is exactly right. I really enjoyed reading about Odysseus and his adventures. I had read a lot about that world, as you said, but with the graphic novel version, I could see it!

S: So okay, maybe we can start there then. Can you tell us a bit about the illustrations and coloring?

M: Well, it is colorful. And distinct characters have distinct facial features. And there is a lot of action, and the action is depicted very effectively. I should also say though that there is a lot of nudity and graphic violence.

S: I guess it is not meant for very young bunnies.

M: No, I do not think so. For example on page 23, they are skinning an ox, and it is very much visible. And there is a scene or three when Odysseus and this lady are doing stuff. “Engaging in sexual acts”, one might say.

S: I see. I guess it is meant for more mature bunnies.

M: Yes.

Marshmallow is reading The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds. — Marshmallow is reading *The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Adaptation* by Gareth Hinds.

S: Okay, then, maybe let us move on to the plot. The story of The Odyssey is relatively well known in some places, but not all our readers might know or remember. Can you tell us a bit about what this odyssey is about?

M: Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, which was described in detail in The Iliad. The Odyssey happens after the wars and tells the story of Odysseus going back home to Ithaca. He meets a lot of challenges and distractions along the way, so the trip takes him about ten years, but he eventually makes it home to his wife Penelope in one piece.

S: The way you described Odysseus and his journey reminded me of one of my favorite poems, Ithaka, by Greek poet Constantine P. Kavafy. Kind of like the journey is the point, the arrival a goal set to start the action, but not really the central meaning of everything.

M: Well, I guess that fits the book I have just read. Odysseus has so many adventures, and he is sometimes quite easily distracted, experiencing and exploring and learning and so on. And the home that he is heading to appears only at the very end.

S: You had met some of the characters in this story earlier in some of the Percy Jackson books, right?

M: Yes, cyclops and the sirens, and so on, they all showed up at various points in the Percy Jackson books. So it was really neat to see where all those stories came from originally, and also to see how this one artist, Gareth Hinds, visualizes them in his head.

S: You know that he has also published a graphic novel version of The Iliad, right? Are you going to read that one, too?

M: Yes, I want to.

S: Great! So maybe you will review it for the book bunnies blog some time in the near future.

M: Probably! I’d rate this book 100%, so I am hopeful about the other one.

S: That will be wonderful! Alright, Marshmallow, this is probably a good place to wrap up our review. What would you like to tell our readers?

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

Marshmallow rates The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds 100%. — Marshmallow rates *The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Adaptation* by Gareth Hinds 100%.