Mockingjay // Suzanne Collins {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Duh.

Where I got the book
Greeeeeeenwich.

Expectations
Finally getting to this whole rebellion thing.

So how was it?

After being rescued in Catching Fire, and bumming around with what is probably several layers of PTSD, Katniss ends up the Mockingjay: the rebellion's figurehead. There’s lots of arguing about everything, a new flavor of makeover, and actual rebellion-fighting action! Then she sets off with a small elite squad and the real action actually starts. Also, Peeta’s all sorts of messed up.

This vastly exceeded my expectations. Not so much in terms of plot, but in terms of how Collins handles the emotional aspects of war. There's a brief afterword at the end (read by the author in the audiobook) explaining how she came up with the idea: she was flipping through channels, and saw  young reality TV stars juxtaposed against young soldiers in Iraq. I'm so glad I stuck around for the afterword (I usually don't read them) because it explains how this book had such an impact; the plot and the characters are your typical dystopian thriller, but there's a strong undercurrent of -- I don't know what to call it, but it reminds me of M*A*S*H.

The afterword also explained why I was constantly thinking jeez, I really hope they filmed this shot-for-shot, the scenes are set up perfectly for film -- Collins worked in TV!

Recommendation
Well, if you’ve made it this far…

Feels
Like everyone’s dying and you don’t have time to care. Seriously, just assume everyone dies. Not everyone does, but at least then you'll be -- let's not say pleasantly surprised, but at least not totally crushed.

Favorites
Continues to be Finnick and Haymitch, although Haymitch plays a smaller role this time. The shenanigans with the camera crew. Katniss’ last arrow.

Least favorites
The whole thing with Peeta was a little silly initially, but I guess it served its purpose. I also wasn't a fan of the way she wrote the fire... thing at the very end.

So what did I really think?

Click "read more"... massive spoilers ahead!

Catching Fire // Suzanne Collins {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Well, I can’t stop in the middle, now can I?

Where I got the book
Greenwich, Overdrive, etc. etc.

Expectations
Not really sure what The Hunger Games is going to be after the Hunger Games are over. Politics and rebellion and ass-kicking, I presume.

So how was it?

Okay, so, I guess the Hunger Games aren’t over.  

Catching Fire kicks off with the victors, Katniss and Peeta, going on tour to all the districts. It’s traditional, but President Snow is also using the tour (and their shmoopy fake relationship) to relieve the unrest inspired by Katniss’ defiance in the previous book.

Aaaand suddenly there’s such a thing as a “quarter quell,” an extra-special version of the games that happens every 25 years, and involves special rules… yup, Katniss and Peeta are dumped right back in the arena. I know, it's so ridiculous that they can't believe it, either. But in a shocking turn-up, this second trip to the arena actually wasn’t boring or repetitive. It’s an entirely different situation, with entirely different tributes -- other past victors, at various ages and levels of preparation -- and everyone’s acting oddly.

On the Team Gail / Team Peeta front, Katniss becomes even more conflicted; I continue to prefer Peeta. (Which, from my experience with Korean TV dramas, usually means she'll end up with the other one.)

Recommendation
Same as the first book: there’s fighting, survival, romance, a little bit of a psychological thrill (like a spy novel), family drama, and pageantry.

Feels
About the same as the first one in terms of gritty YA plot/action, but the tone is no longer one of immediate immediate desperation. Katniss continues to have no idea what's going on.

Favorites
Finnick Odair, hands down. Of course that means he’s probably going to die. I also continue to like Haymitch.

Least favorites
The Gail/Peeta wishy-washy gets on my nerves, but I knew what I was getting into.

So what did I really think?

Click "read more"... massive spoilers ahead!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy // Gary Oldman {Movie}

Why I'm watching
Okay, the Cumberbatch kick inspired me to finally borrow it, and it came on my radar because of Tom Hardy... but I’m really watching this for Gary Oldman. And, y'know, because it looks like a legitimately interesting movie.

Where I got the movie
Greenwich. What what.

Expectations
A great spy thriller.

So how was it?

Oh my god, this was the best spy thriller… and absolutely not what you probably want or expect when looking for a spy thriller. It’s quiet. It’s desperate. There are zero gun fights, kung-fu fights, crazy surprise plots -- but if you have the attention span, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Basically, it follows the interpersonal drama of a spy agency in the 70s, on the tail end of the Cold War. Yeah, I said interpersonal. That’s real espionage, folks: finding out which one of your trusted allies is the mole. George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is the main character, brought out of retirement to find the mole among his former peers -- peers who forced him into retirement in the first place. He enlists two younger spies (Hardy and Cumberbatch) to quietly sort everything out.

The timeline jumps all over the place, which makes it a little hard to follow, but pulls the mystery together beautifully.

Recommendation
Fans of quiet suspense. Not for anyone expecting Bond or Bourne.

Feels
Sly. Thrilling, but realistic. Quiet.

Favorites
Gary Oldman, oh my lord, that creepy-sly-good poker face.

Least favorites
Getting ahold of the timeline was a struggle -- especially because I wasn’t expecting it.

Severance // Chris Bucholz

Why I'm reading
I want to start reading more sci-fi, and the summary made this look fantastic. A generation ship, cliques, drugs, costumed orgies(!), meat plants, and a murder mystery.

Where I got the book
Another LibraryThing Early Reviewers ebook!

Expectations
An inventive futuristic world, a murder-mystery plot, probably some so-so YA level character development, randomly capitalized Things and Groups, and a "twist" ending about the purpose of the generation ship. A sci-fi snack.

So how was it?

Severance follows Laura Stein, a vaguely mid-level engineer on the generational ship Argos, which is headed towards a new home in another star system. One of her underlings ends up dead after a routine maintenance assignment, leading Stein to unravel a conspiracy that could rip the ship in two.

It was exactly what I expected... only a hell of a lot better than I expected. The writing was a little clunky (like a YA book) but I don't even care. The world development was fantastic -- imaginative, but still grounded, built into the plot but not harped upon, and completely plausible. The plot never felt too slow, didn't put the main character through dramatic trials just to watch her suffer, and built up foreshadowing without (gasp) being too predictable.

There was a great amount of humor, too, from the friendly piss talk between Stein and her friend Bruce, to the hilariously stupid inhabitants of Argos. The description had me worried, with mention of groups like Breeders and Markers... factions and capitalized Proper Nouns are a big, cheesy thing in YA literature. Yeah, that's not a problem with this book. I won't spoil what the Markers are because it's too funny, but they exist in the same world as teenagers who look at the curved ship walls and spin until they puke (vomit clubs, and they've gone out of style).

N.b. I keep referring to YA books, but I'm not sure if this fits or not. Reading level and entertainment value, yes, YA. But there's a reasonable amount of casual swearing, and honestly, it avoids a lot of the annoying YA tropes.

Recommendation
Sci-fi and action/adventure fans, mystery fans.

Feels
Exciting, fun, a little gritty -- but it doesn't make a point of being gritty, if that makes sense. Dirty and a bit scruffed up. I think I could see this adapted into a movie fairly well. It has an almost comic book vibe.

Favorites
Characters, hands down. He doesn't dig too deep into any of the characters, but they're realistic and fun. The main character is relatable without being Typical Teenage Girl, competent but not especially good or bad at what she does, smart and brave but not unreasonably so, etc. etc. She's just in the right place at the right time, and does what needs to be done. Well, okay, there's one special bit about her -- she's a "canned baby" -- but it's not a big deal.

Least favorites
The writing was indeed a little clunky... I wanted to break out my red pen at points. There were also two side characters I wish had a little more "screen time," so I could appreciate their friendship. But overall, I had very little to complain about.

Writing style
Clunky, yes, but... there are little tiny hints of Douglas Adams' influence. Ramshackle technology, a silly little metaphor here and there, and a storyline that jumps around and doesn't always go where you're expecting. Not perfect, but it has its delightful moments.

The Count of Monte Cristo // Alexandre Dumas

The 1800s version of an action movie : love, jealousy, revenge, unbelievable wealth, badassery, and triumph over your enemies. 

This month has been a mixture of sending out all sorts of job applications (hire me!!!!), taking two ballroom lessons a week (yikes!), competing, and getting ready for Halloween (shoulder angel and devil!). Oh, and we just started planning Friendsgiving.

In between all that, I’ve been reading The Count of Monte Cristo… which, as it turns out, is a great frickin’ read. I’ve also figured out how to get Google Books to read eBooks from Project Gutenberg. Not gonna lie, I did a little victory dance.
 
Why I'm reading
So, I’ve got a weird reason for finally reading this. I’ve been watching anime on Crunchyroll recently, and came across an anime adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. More specifically, a psychedelic-space-vampire-demon anime adaptation called Gankutsuou. So I’ve got the gist of the story, but I’m guessing the Count isn’t actually possessed by a vampire-space-demon.

Where I got the book
Project Gutenberg! The Project Gutenberg library hosts eBooks that can be freely used in the United States, because they are not protected by U.S. copyright law (or authors have given permission). That means entirely free (no ads) and entirely legal.

Expectations
A long story about betrayal, revenge, and setting things right. I wonder if the Count will be a more sympathetic character in the original, and if I will agree with his idea of “setting things right.” I’m also expecting it to be a little hard to read, in terms of writing style/complexity.

So how was it? 

First of all, why hasn’t HBO or AMC made this into a miniseries yet?! The characters are so engaging - the servants, the enemies, the frenemies, the good guys; they all have backstory and personality. And the whole thing is so full of suffering and delicious revenge.

The story follows Edmund Dantes, a salt-of-the-earth (salt-of-the-sea?) first mate aboard the Phaeron. Things are going pretty well for Dantes: he’s young, attractive, does his job well, he’s engaged to a pretty woman, and he’s about to be made captain. Then politics and jealousy get in the way, and he ends up in prison for fourteen years. He escapes and acquires a massive fortune; for the rest of the story, he uses his money to exact sweet, sweet revenge.

The book is separated into volumes, but I would separate it into six thematic sections: before prison, during prison, recovering from prison, rewarding friends, building revenge, and closure. Each one has a different feel to it. The revenge section is by far the longest, and perhaps the slowest - but by then, I was hooked, and I liked waiting for the hammer to fall on the count’s enemies.

Recommendation
Anyone who loves a historical fiction, adventure, or suspense. This is also a great read when you only have time for a chapter or two in one sitting. 

Feels
Well-rounded, exciting, colorful. Satisfying (lots of revenge and wish-fulfillment).

Favorites
The side characters are fantastic, and I’m a sucker for good villains. The thing is, no one is “the evil villain” - they’re regular people, and you understand them even as you hate them. I also loved the way storylines intertwine, but without cheesy parallels. A lot of modern books/TV/movies tie the story up in a perfect little bow, everything symmetrical and no loose ends. 

Least favorites
The ending was satisfying, but it did feel a little rushed.  

Writing style
Just as elaborate as I was expecting, but surprisingly easy to read, once you get used to the names. The perspective bounces around to different characters/locations every chapter or so, letting you see each new event in a slightly different light. You see the Count as himself in one chapter, then you meet a “mysterious stranger” in the next (with a wink and a nod from the author). Dumas doesn’t always tell you what the count is doing, so much as he leads you gently down the path to figuring it out yourself. 

So what did I really think?

Click "read more" - massive spoilers ahead!