Series Review: Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods & Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: July 1, 2005 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This is book three in the Underland Chroincles, and it might be my favorite book in the series so far. I love the characters. Gregor, Luxa, Boots, Temp, Ripred, and Ares are all great. And I can totally understand why Ripred is Suzanne Collins's favorite character.

Since this series is for a younger audience, it's a bit more lighter and funnier than The Hunger Games. But really, it's not that much different. Sad things happen. There's war and hunger and death. And there's creepy stuff too. (Like with what happened to a bat in the previous book or the plague in this book. Really grossed me out.) There was a quote I wrote down from the first book that really made me think of The Hunger Games, but I misplaced the paper I wrote it down on. Don't want to give spoilers, so I would say it was something like....life would never be the same but at least they had each other.

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Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: May 1, 2007 / Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The fifth and final book in the engrossing Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. I think people would have been prepared for Mockingjay if they had read the Underland Chronicles first, especially this book. And I remember people complained about the epilogue in Mockingjay, and well...at least it got an epilogue

I had a couple of questions about the ending, and I planned on listing them in this review. But I think I probably just need some time to really think about it and figure it out on my own. Use my imagination, which is what Suzanne Collins would probably say to me if I asked her these questions.

Anyway, the Underland Chronicles was a thought-provoking and touching series! I wonder what Suzanne Collins' next book or series will be about.

Reviews: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
Release Date: May 27, 2010 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

At first I wasn't feeling Shade. I admit all I kept thinking was: 'This love-triangle better not get on my nerves.' And actually, it did annoy me a bit. Because all of sudden this HOT, new guy is interested in Aura for whatever reason, and Aura's boyfriend seems immature and...pretty stupid. That's why it took me forever to get through the beginning. However, once I finally read further, it wasn't that bad. So the love-triangle ended up not bothering me, which was a good thing.

As for everything else that happened in the book, I really enjoyed it. Thought it was very interesting and unique. I really wanted to know exactly what was up with Aura and Zach. At the same time, not sure it's enough to make me want to pick up the sequel. I haven't heard good things about book two, which is too bad. It seemed like a promising series.

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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: April 24, 2010 / Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Mockingjay was so different from what I imagined it would be like. I went through so many emotions reading this book just like with the previous two novels in the Hunger Games series. But I have to say that while reading some of the last few chapters of this one...I was left with a feeling of wanting more. I wouldn't say it was rushed. Maybe I didn't want it to end. Maybe I was reading too fast. I don't know how to explain it. It all probably needs to sink in.

Anyway, yes, I loved it. Mockingjay had some really amazing moments. And of course, there were a lot of dark, sad, scary moments that shocked me and almost made me cry. I could go on and on, but I'm still a bit shocked. So, I will say that the ending was bittersweet. And I got a bit teary-eyed. It was an unexpected and fascinating end to an awesome series.