Marshmallow’s reviews – Page 16

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%.

Marshmallow reviews All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Today Marshmallow reviews All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, first published in 2015.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you would like to read a book about social justice, friendship, bravery, and family, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Rashad Butler has worked hard to be an All-American boy. His father believes that the military is the best option for a young Black man in America, so Rashad is in the ROTC drill team at Springfield Central High School. One Friday, Rashad is preparing to go to a party. While he is buying chips in a store, he leans down and reaches into his bag on the floor to get his phone to text his brother. A woman trips over him, and a police officer comes over to see what’s happening. He presumes that Rashad is trying to steal the chips. He drags him outside, handcuffs him, pushes him to the ground, and starts beating him. Rashad is arrested and sent to the hospital with a broken nose, several broken ribs, and internal bleeding.

Quinn also goes to Rashad’s school. Quinn’s father died in Afghanistan and is viewed as a hero. Quinn feels constantly pressured to be a perfect All-American boy, living under his father’s shadow, even after his death. He’s doing a pretty good job, however, playing on the school’s basketball team competitively. Within a couple weeks, scouts from colleges and universities will be watching their games, and Quinn is determined to be seen.

That very Friday, Quinn and his friends are at the same store, waiting outside to find an adult who could buy them alcohol. Quinn is still there when the police officer beats Rashad viciously and remains there long enough to recognize the officer, Paul, who is like a father figure to him. After his father died, Quinn was taken care of, taught, and protected by Paul who filled the part of a family for Quinn that his mother and brother didn’t. Quinn and his friends flee the scene, and Quinn tells his friend Guzzo (Paul’s brother) what he saw.

Soon, Rashad’s beating is covered by the news, so much so that Rashad sees this all over the TV while in the hospital. He is confused as to what to do next. His brother Spooney is enraged and helps organize a protest about police brutality. His mother is devastated and tries to stay strong. His father, on the other hand, is conflicted. His father, who was in the military and in the police force, believes that Black men should be disciplined and look like it, because that will prevent anything bad from happening to them. He doesn’t even believe Rashad in the beginning when he says he wasn’t stealing the chips.

Quinn is also conflicted. He has known Paul for such a long time, and his mind cannot connect the violent officer he saw to the caring, protective figure he’s known for so long. As a family friend to Paul and Guzzo’s family, his “allegiance” to Paul is presumed, but inside he is unsure. He knows that Rashad didn’t deserve to be beaten.

After that Friday, the city of Springfield is torn into chaos. Sides are taken and lines are drawn. “Loyalties” are put into question while citizens work to fight against social injustice and stereotypes. Meanwhile, Rashad and Quinn live in two different worlds, in two different situations, struggling to make sense of what just happened.

Marshmallow is reading All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. — Marshmallow is reading *All-American Boys* by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.

Marshmallow’s Review: I think All-American Boys is a very meaningful book. I have read and reviewed a book about police brutality from the perspective of a witness before (The Hate U Give). However, All-American Boys is unique because it is written in two different perspectives: the victim’s and the witness’s. So we see the narrative through the eyes of people with fundamentally different experiences. Rashad is Black and gets beaten by Paul, while Quinn is White and had been raised loving and respecting Paul. As expected, the two boys have a fundamentally different experience with racism. Each chapter is written from either Rashad’s or Quinn’s perspective, and they mostly alternate between the two narratives. Rashad’s chapters are written by Reynolds and Quinn’s are by Kiely, which adds depth and more detail to the storyline. The characters have a very realistic, down-to-earth feel (for example we get to connect with Rashad beyond his victimization as a young person who draws to express himself), as well as the school and small-town environment created by the authors. I find it impressive how the two authors wrote such a cohesive book together.

I have read another book by one of the authors (Jason Reynolds) before: Long Way Down. I have deeply enjoyed reading both, and I think this book, as well as that one, should be read by all. It is important for everyone to read and understand the perspectives of others, especially given how some situations are experienced in extremely different ways by different people based on their race.

All-American Boys might be more appropriate for bunnies older than ten because it has a lot of cursing, and the topic might be a bit heavy for younger ones. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend this book to all because of its well-written storyline, characters, and important message.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely 100%. — Marshmallow rates *All-American Boys* by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely 100%.

Marshmallow reviews Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Today Marshmallow reviews Powerless by Lauren Roberts, first published in 2023.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like fantasy books about romance or fighting against injustice, or if you just want to read an interesting book about adventure, then this is the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Paedyn Gray is an Ordinary, even though she is definitely not ordinary. However, in Ilya, where there are only Elites, being an Ordinary is a crime. Many years ago, a deadly Plague swept the land. Many who survived were gifted powers; these made up the Elites. Elites pass on the status to their descendants, with Elite parents birthing Elite children with powers of their own. However, some who survived the Plague were not given powers. They and their children who are born without powers are Ordinaries. After another outbreak of a common illness, King Edric of Ilya decreed that Ordinaries were responsible and carrying some sort of disease, which is why they hadn’t been given powers. He claimed that Ordinaries suck away the power of Elites, stealing their gifts away. So all Ordinaries in Ilya were banished, killed, exiled to make Ilya stronger and the only, all-Elite kingdom. This was called the Purging, which is why Paedyn must be careful. Even now, Ordinaries and anyone caught helping them are killed or exiled to the desert (under the promise of mercy, of reaching an unreachable kingdom across it).

Paedyn’s mother died when she was young, so when Paedyn’s father, a Healer with magical healing powers, was killed, she fled her house and started living on the streets. Her father was stabbed through the chest, by the king himself, though she doesn’t know why. But before he died, he taught her how to survive by posing as a Psychic, a mundane magical ability that would keep her from being recognized as an Ordinary. On the streets, she is less traceable and lives with Adena, an Elite girl who loves sewing. Adena is a Phaser, meaning she can pass through objects and people (which is how she met Paedyn) if she wants. Adena sews clothes to sell using cloth and materials stolen by Paedyn.

One day, while looking for her next victim, Paedyn decides to rob a wealthy-looking Elite. She finds him intriguing and attractive but carries out the job anyways. Later, this man is attacked by a Silencer, a type of Elite whose power is to suppress the magic of other Elites and is persecuted in Ilya. Paedyn feels sorry for the stranger and saves him, which is quite easy for her since she is well trained in fighting and is not affected by the Silencer’s powers. Soon after, she learns that the stranger was Prince Kai Azer, future Enforcer for the king whose job is to eliminate all and any Ordinaries.

Paedyn is now dubbed the Silver Savior and is entered into the Sixth Purging Trials, a set of competitions designed in honor of the Purging to celebrate and show off the powers of the Elites. And while that’s certainly an issue given the fact that she has no powers, she is also starting to struggle with her growing attraction to Prince Kai (who is also competing). He also appears to reciprocate. But as it says on the book cover, she is hunted by him, the hunter. Now, Paedyn must fight battles on both fronts, the ones in the Trials and the one in her heart. Duh duh duh dun!!!

Marshmallow is reading Powerless by Lauren Roberts. — Marshmallow is reading *Powerless* by Lauren Roberts.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found Powerless to be a very interesting and intriguing book. I really enjoyed reading it, and I found the plot and the characters to be very well written and well developed. The reader definitely develops a sense of connection to the characters as the book goes on. I really liked how the author shows the perspectives of both of the main characters, Paedyn and Kai. Each chapter is narrated either by one of the two main characters which serves its purpose of showing the story from multiple views.

I think the author also did a very good job of creating a world that was foreign yet familiar at the same time. It is realistic and fantastic at the same time; the author gives the characters a sense of ability despite their challenges being unlike the ones that most people face today. The world discussed in this book is kind of dark, and genocide is a theme throughout: the Ordinaries are killed just because of the way they were born. But for readers who can handle more mature books, this is I think a very good book.

When I started to read Powerless, I had the sense that it would be similar to some other books that turned into intensely romance-oriented novels. And while the budding romantic relationship between Paedyn and Kai is a major part of the plot and the story, I was glad that it was not the only thing that was focused on throughout the book. The plot kept moving, and the romantic aspect stayed relevant all while keeping the focus on the trials the characters faced. There are a lot of scenes in which the two characters are in close contact and touch each other frequently; however, they do not ever actually start to have an official, romantic relationship. While this might seem confusing, let me explain. The two characters are attracted to each other, but they are both trying to stop themselves from falling in love with the other. They tantalize each other with touches, but there is no sexual activity. So in that aspect, it is not necessarily inappropriate for children.

Powerless is dramatic at times and comical at others. So in that sense, too, it is an entertaining read. However, I did find that there was a little bit too much violence for my taste, especially since the author includes very vivid descriptions of fighting, stabbing, gore, and blood. Moreover, I found the relationship between the two main characters to be a bit bizarre because of their desensitization to violence, though perhaps it makes sense; all the characters in the book seem to be somewhat desensitized to violence. and it is probably due to the harsh world they are living in, and in the case of many of the characters, due to the rough nature of their own upbringing. In any case, I feel personally that some descriptions of violent acts were a little too vivid, and that younger bunnies might be horrified or traumatized by the detailed descriptions. So I would recommend this book for bunnies over the age of fourteen.

I know that many readers are waiting for the sequel to this book to come out this summer. I myself am also excited because this book does end in a cliffhanger which made the ending quite unsatisfactory in my opinion. Overall, I think Powerless is a good book even though some parts are a little too graphic for me personally, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing the characters’ story continue to grow.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 95%.

Marshmallow rates Powerless by Lauren Roberts 95%. — Marshmallow rates *Powerless* by Lauren Roberts 95%.

Marshmallow reviews The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Today Marshmallow reviews The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, first published in 2017.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you appreciate books about racial injustice, family, friendship, growing up against adversity, and police brutality, then this is the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Starr Carter attends a fancy prep school that is mostly White and wealthy but comes from a neighborhood (called “The Garden”) that is mostly Black and poor. These two distinct worlds create two distinct Starrs, one for Williamson Prep and one for Garden Heights. But she still feels like she doesn’t quite fit in in either place. So at a party, she finds comfort catching up with her childhood best friend Khalil whom she hasn’t seen for a while. But when a gun is fired at the party, she and Khalil leave and then get pulled over for no apparent reason. Khalil is instructed to get out. He does. He briefly leans over to check if Starr is okay. Then Khalil is shot by a police officer and everything changes forever. The police officer claims he thought Khalil was reaching for a weapon which turned out to be a hair brush. Khalil’s death becomes the center of attention. Starr faces a choice between staying silent or speaking out and placing herself and her family in danger.

Marshmallow is reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. — Marshmallow is reading *The Hate U Give* by Angie Thomas.

Marshmallow’s Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is very well written, and though it is about very challenging themes (police brutality and racism), I could not stop reading it once I started. The story is told from Starr’s perspective and voice, and you get a first-hand look at her inner world as well as how she switches personalities and voices (see code-switching on Wikipedia) when she travels between her two worlds.

The title of the book is the beginning of the sentence whose initials spell THUG LIFE, an acronym created by Tupac Shakur and points to one of the important messages of the book: if you hate people from their birth just because they are black or poor or just different from you, if you give them hate from the time they are infants, it hurts everybody. Starr’s friend Khalil explains the quote right before his murder: “What society gives us as youth, it bites them in the [xxx] when we wild out.”

The book came out during the early years of the Black Lives Matter movement, and it was received well by critics and readers alike. There was even a movie adaptation (see the trailer here). The book also became controversial in some places, where people argued that the themes were too volatile and the language too vulgar. I did not find the language inappropriate given the context of the story, though it might be not acceptable for parents of very young bunnies.

But I think that more mature bunnies should definitely read the book. It is provocative, to say the least, but it tells a story that is unfortunately too familiar today from the inside, in the voice of one who was there when it happened.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.