SOCIETY for SUPPER by TyCobbsTeeth

Original Title: SOCIETY for SUPPER

Year Published: 2015

Published by: HotPepper Publishing

Number of Pages: 308

First Sentence: "David walked into the conference room a few minutes early."

Goodreads Rating: 3/5

Plot:

Widespread drought has gripped the planet and devastated food supplies around the world. Riots have started breaking out as chaos is tearing away at the fabric of society. Ben Donnelly, a former special weapons and tactics officer with the Boston police force, is in the fight of his life, trying to protect his family from the storm of inhumanity.

SOCIETY for SUPPER follows the Donnellys in their struggle to survive in the aftermath of the global food shortage and ultimately the collapse of society.
The life they know is ripped away. They learn all too quickly, how we are all part of a precariously balanced community and when the balance is lost--society is devoured by the chaos of desperation.

Buckle-up and follow Ben Donnelly and his family as they try to survive this new hell.

My thoughts:

This is a good book with a very interesting plot and a theme that really gets you thinking. What would happen if the world's food supply suddenly started to dwindle? How would we react knowing that food might be extremely hard to come by in a near future? Personally I get irrationally grumpy if I'm hungry one evening and haven't been to the store yet. I mean there is still food and I won't go hungry, but it still makes me grumpy. So how much worse would it be knowing that you can't even go to the store and pick up more food simply because the store does not have any food left? Panic is probably unavoidable.

In this book, we get to tag along with the Donnelly's as they are trying to survive in a word that has gone completely mental all at once. They get to see some horrible things and have to do some horrible things in order to survive. This little family, led by father Ben, a former cop, shows us that sticking with your family is the most important thing in a crisis. This whether the family is the one you were born into or one you have chosen yourself. 

This books also shows the darker sides of human nature. The fact that some people would rather ensure their own survival by any means instead of trying to work together with others to survive. It is not only an exploration of a subject that might come true one day but also an exploration of human nature. 

Do I recommend it?

I only gave this book 3 stars because it is written in a genre that honestly isn't my cup of tea. So I couldn't fully appreciate this book. That doesn't mean that it's bad and if you like thrillers then this book is for you.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (#3 of the Hunger Games Trilogy)

Original Title: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

Year Published: 2010

Published by: Scholastic Inc

Number of Pages: 438

First Sentence: "I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather."

Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot:

Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But she's still not safe. A revolution is unfolding, and everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans - everyone except Katniss.

And yet she must play the most vital part in the final battle. Katniss must become their Mockingjay - the symbol of the rebellion - no matter what the personal cost.

My thoughts:

I loved this book so so much. It was hard to get through, not because it's difficult or boring, but because it kept playing with my heartstrings. I literally had to put it down and take a break just to collect myself.

Katniss is traumatised and there is no glamourising it (thank god). We get to see a 17-year-old girl trying to keep her head above water although the current is trying to drag her down. It's amazingly well written and I love the fact that Collins alllowed Katniss to be traumatised. Taking a life, justified or not, is one of the hardest thing a person can do (not that I've ever done it). 

The plot? There is no arena in this one, of course, but instead we find ourselves underground in District 13. The District has not been as abandoned as the other Districs have thought. Instead they have slowly gathered their strength and rallied forces to stage a rebellion against the Capitol. They are led by President Coin, a middle aged woman who is hard as nails. 

Gale and Peeta? Oh they will at times break your heart and then make you want to punch them in their pretty faces. Gale is by Katniss side throughout most of the book, struggling with his feelings for her and his sense of duty. Peeta is in the clutches of the Capitol, and he will break your heart.

The rest of the characters are a mix of people you can't help but love and some that you instantly dislike. It's really difficult to go into more detail without spoiling the book so I won't (I don't care that many have probably already seen the movie). 

The plot is good, but it moves a little bit slower than the first two books. However, that doesn't really matter. Everything is really detailed and worked through without being too much. Instead of following the games we get to take part of a rebellion, which is different but Collins does a great job with this story. 

Do I recommend it?

YES! I recommend the whole trilogy, they are amazing. If you haven't read them yet, go get them and start reading!

Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Original Fire: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Year Published: 2009

Published by: Scholastic Inc

Number of Pages: 439

First Sentence: "I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air."

Goodreads rating: 4/5

Plot:

Katniss Everdeen survived the Hunger Games. Now the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are still alive. Katniss should be relieved, but now there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

As the nation watches Katniss and Peeta, the stakes are higher than ever. One false move and the consequences will be unimaginable.

My thoughts:

I did not love this book as much as I loved the first one. I think it is because it's slower in pace and that much of the plot takes place outside of the arena. It's still a very good book, and I still loved it. It is slower though and the real story don't start until you are just over 1/3 into the book. However, the first bit is still interesting and you learn a lot about several of the characters.

I have a friend who says that she does not like Katniss. Until I read this book I didn't understand why. Don't get me wrong, she is still a great character. However, in this book she is selfish, irrational and don't really care about the consequences her actions will have on others. At the same time, we are talking about a 17-year-old girl who has survived a very traumatic experience. If that is the reason why Collins have written Katniss as she has in the book, then I suppose we can overlook it. If not, then it reflects very badly on Katniss character (not that I was a saint at 17, and I didn't have the exusce of competing in a Hunger Games scenario). 

Maybe she has written it to show exactly how good and selfless Peeta is. If this book did anything, it made my love for Peeta grow. He makes sure to help everyone, he knows how Katniss feels about him and still love her and at the same time respect her. He is more than willing to sacrifice himself for the people around him, especially Katniss. Peeta is the true hero of these books in my opinion.

I liked the fact that we got to learn more about the background characters. Gale, Prim, Haymitch and Katniss mother were all given more space, alongside several of the victors. Finnick and Johanna are as amazing as one might think, and some of the other victors add little special things to the story.

The actual story then? At the same time as I thought  it was a little difficult to read, the plot that was located in District 12 was very interesting. Here we get more proof of how slimy and disgusting President Snow really is and the development of several of the characters that we met in the first book. Same thing with the Victors tour. Here we got to see the relationship of Katniss and Peeta, and also the stirrings of rebellion throughout all of Panem. 

*SPOILER ALERT* (unless you've seen the film)

I was however relieved when we returned to the arena. When the Quarter Quell was announced I was almost relieved. Finally the tempo would increase. I was not dissappointed. Here we got to meet several of the victors of which there were some interesting characters. I loved the fact that you could see the friendship between them, and the fact that at least before the games started they tried to work together to stop it. It of course falls apart in the arena. But we do see some bonds and promises being kept and the willingness to work together. The fact that you can easily tell that there are a group of them determined to keep both Katniss and Peeta alive.

*END OF SPOILER*

The book then ends with the biggest cliffhanger to ever cliffhang. It's cruel. But I love it. 

Do I recommend it?

Hell yeah I do. I recommend people to read the whole series since it's a very important subject it deals with. It is a contemporary problem in several of the countries in the world, that people are being oppressed by their government, and some have been so brainwashed by propaganda that they can't see anything wrong with their situation and those who do are taken care of. The books are very important to read I think, especially if you can avoid viewing them as media do, who are focusing most of their attention on the "love-triangle". Don't do that and the message of the books is amazing. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Book 1 of 3)

Original Title: The Hunger Games
Year Published: 2008
Published by: Scholastic Ltd
Number of Pages: 454
First Sentence: "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold."
Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot:
In a dark vision in the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survuval is second nature.

My thoughts:
I cannot believe that I've waited this long to read this book. Extremely late to the party but I'm happy that I finally arrived. I mean, I've seen the films but that doesn't count (although they are great as well). This is a fantastic book that is so hard to put down. I literally had to pace myself since I do not yet own the other two and have to buy them soon. But I couldn't help myself and finished it in two days. It is just so amazing.

Katniss is just wonderful. The fact that she is only 16-years old hardly ever shows, she is an extremely mature character. She proves from the start that she is not one to go down without a fight, and although she has moments of doubts she never fully stops fighting for her life.

Peeta is lovely and just so charming. Haymitch a lovable drunk, Effie the obnoxious but still lovely escort for the games and Cinna who I just adore. There are so many other characters, including Katniss family and Gale, the rest of the tributes and the inhabitants of the Capitol. that are so well-written and adds so much to the story.

As a reader you are kept in constans suspense, I honestly can't say that I was bored during anytime whilst reading this book. Fantastic language, the world is so amazingly thought up and the characters are as said just fantastic.

Do I recommend it?
Oh God YES!! If you haven't read these books yet go ahead. I'll buy and read the other two as soon as possible.