Review:
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Owned
The Emerald City was burning.
- first sentence
I loved this continuation of the series. The end was quite a surprise and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1824096/oz-like-you-ve-never-seen-it
Review:
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
Library Copy
I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air.
- first sentence
I decided to continue my re-read with the audiobook for book two. While I enjoyed listening to the book, I was disappointed with the narrator (Carolyn McCormick). She totally missed the character, and after listening to Tatiana Maslany narrate the special edition of The Hunger Games, it was even worse. McCormick's narration was irritating and didn't fit Katniss's character at all. Her voice is breathy, whiny, overdramatic, and grating. I think she would be good in a different book, like maybe a historical drama.
I knocked off one star for the narration, but I loved the story and would have given it 5 stars.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1824093/catching-fire-audiobook
Review:
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
Library Copy
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.
- first sentence
This is a re-read for me. I watched the movies during a marathon over the holiday break and was inspired to read the books again. This time I decided to go with the audiobook.
I chose the new "Special Edition" and am so glad I did. The narrator is Tatiana Maslany and she did a fantastic job.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't been said about this book except I loved it. I will mention that this series, Harry Potter, and Twilight are the books that got me back into reading after a very long slump approximately 10 years ago. To say these books changed my life is not an understatement. :)
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1824089/the-hunger-games-special-edition-audiobook
Review:
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
Library Copy
Guilt is a hunter.
- First sentence
This is more than just a story about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, although that is the historical event that inspired it. The book follows the journey of a group of refugees trying to escape war and find freedom. They have a long and arduous journey ahead of them, but if they can make it to the ship (and get aboard), they will have a chance to survive.
We follow the journey from the point of view of four teens: three refugees (each with their own secrets) and a sociopathic soldier with an inflated sense of his own importance. The point of view changes with each section and the effect can be disconcerting. Even though the change of narrator was tough to follow, I did like knowing what the characters were thinking and seeing the different ways they reacted to the same situation.
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but when I do, it tends to be from the WWII era. I did enjoy the book and felt it was extremely realistic. Sepetys doesn't shy away from horrific events or from showing the reactions of the characters. By the time the ship started sinking, I was totally rooting for the good characters to live and the bad ones to die, and on the edge of my seat. And of course, the end was heartbreaking even though parts of it were good.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1822564/arduous-journey-to-freedom-or-disaster
