The Hunger Games Prequel review

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the newest addition to the amazing Hunger Games universe (I know I’m late and it’s been about two months since the release)

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

When I first read the blurb, I was disappointed. I didn’t want another good guy turns bad due to something bad that happens to him. I wanted to know the story of Snow but not empathize with him.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

*Spoilers ahead*

The book is divided into three parts

Part I: The Mentor

This part of the book introduces us to life in the Capital right after the war. They have wont the war but they have all been through terrible things. Coriolanus Snow is trying his to best to keep up with his life when his family (his grandmother and his cousin) is being crushed by poverty, when he becomes the Mentor of the tribute of district 12, Lucy Gray Baird.

Seeing the Hunger Games in its primitive stages is fascinating. You can see how people from the Capital were slowly made to forget that they are actually watching children kill each other and die. The Games were not always entertainment. I wish Suzanne Collins had explored more of this in the book.

Part II: The Prize

Are we even surprised that Lucy becomes the love interest? Throughout Part I Snow views Lucy as someone he can profit from than a person in distress but suddenly she becomes a person. He also keeps trying to drive home the point that Lucy does not belong in the districts. This means that his biases exist from childhood but it grows into anger later on.

I think there’s a natural goodness built into human beings. You know when you’ve stepped across the line into evil, and it’s your life’s challenge to try and stay on the right side of that line.

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

The Games were not really interesting this time. There were too many characters and no one was memorable. I could hardly keep track of all tributes and their mentors. The only surprising thing was that Lucy did not die in the games. I was totally expecting her death and his change. Although we expect Lucy to win, how she wins in unpredictable and interesting.

Part III: The Peacekeeper

Although Lucy wins the Hunger Games, Snow is sent to a Peacekeeper in district 12 for cheating in the games. Snows hate of districts only grows here. Snow is selfish and that is explored in this part.

I feel like Part I and Part II were unnecessarily long and Part III is rushed. Part III is really the only interesting plot point. The games were surprisingly boring.

I don’t even know what to tell about the ending. It was unexpected, rushed and abrupt. The relationship between Lucy and Snow was underdeveloped. Ah, this book had so much potential. It is nice that the narcissistic traits of Snow is always lurking in the background even when he is with friends or his lovers or even his family.

You can blame it on the circumstances, the environment, but you made the choices you made, no one else. It’s a lot to take in all at once, but it’s essential that you make an effort to answer that question. Who are human beings? Because who we are determines the type of governing we need. Later on, I hope you can reflect and be honest with yourself about that you learned tonight.

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

Many times in the book, the main conflict is Snow’s life and it is pointless because we already know he will live. When you write a prequel for a known character, the primary goal should be character building or world building. The book tried to do a bit of both and failed (in my opinion!).

In the end,

Snow lands on top

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

I just wish the story covered the part of Snow actually becoming the dictator we saw. It is an interesting book but I was not hooked and definitely expected from the prequel of the bestselling series, Hunger Games.

There were also many songs in the book which I kind of skipped over. The

Even though I’ve mostly negative reviews, uiu have to read it yourself and decide. It is still a good read for all Hunger Games fans.

🌟🌟🌟

Have you read the book? What did you think? If not have you read the Hunger Games?

Kailash Dwara: doorway to Bhuloka

Kailash Dwara by Vishesh S V

I don’t want to give spoilers so I won’t give away the plot. I’m hoping the blurb is intriguing enough that you want to pick up the book.

Blurb:
Five thousand years ago, Krishna turned the Danavas away from Bhuloka, closing the doorway of Kailash forever. Burying its secrets in the ruins of Dwarka.
Archaeologist Dr Vishwanath, amidst his research, stumbles upon the ancient mystery of Kailash, prompting Tarak to kidnap him and burn down an army camp.
Decades later, Vivaant and Sukheshni’s excursion to Mount Kailash takes an unprecedented turn after they find out the truth about their fathers.
Can Vivaant and Sukheshni keep the secret out of Tarak’s hands or will evil prevail?
Will Vivaant learn the ways of Mahavishnu on his quest to save his father?
Will Danavas find their way back to Bhuloka after five thousand years?

Review:

I love Indian mythology books especially ones with a dual timeline.  We switch between 3102BC and 1998. The story telling is great with easy language. It’s a great book especially for mythology lovers. I can’t believe Krishna and  Hiranyakashyap in the same. You can see the effort and research by the author for this book.

The book tries to bridge the gap between eons. We learn about the creation of Bhuloka, Manava, Dhanavas and more. Most of us would have heard of the Dwara or doors to Kailash. This has been closed to Danavas.

The most important mystery of the book is how does the story connect all of these characters across timelines?

There are also philosophical elements in the book along with some facts and ancient scripts and knowledge from Vedas, Purana etc.

I liked the ending though it felt a little out of place for the book’s writing till that point. The book is just a part of the story. I’m definitely excited to know what happens next.

A great book from a debut author.

Let us support Indian authors. #supportindianauthors

Shades of Magic series #3

Please be warned, this review has spoilers for book 1 and 2, A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows (check out my review of both).

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/07/07/shades-of-magic-series-1/

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/07/09/shades-of-magic-series-2/

I really don’t know how to review this AMAZING book. It had everything to be the perfect book. I love this book so much. The ending left me wanting more from the characters and the world.

Blurb of the book:

Witness the fate of beloved heroes – and enemies.

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED…
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell – once assumed to be the last surviving Antari – begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace – but never common – thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

Review:

If you read the blurb, I can guarantee you would want to read the book. The book picks off right where the last book ends. The city is falling and death and destruction is in the air.

What are we drinking to?”
“The living,” said Rhy.
“The dead,” said Alucard and Lila at the same time.
“We’re being thorough,” added Rhy.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

I will not talk about the plot in this review because I don’t want to spoil the experience of reading the book. V E Schwab is my new favourite author!

Lila is the best female character written ever. The characterization was done very well. You can see why all the characters do what they do. The love part of the story is handled very well. Kell and Lila.. Alucard and Rhy.. Ah my heart! They’ve all gone through so much and you will be so happy for them for even the smallest of happy things in the world of despair.

She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician.
She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying.
She was still a mystery.
And he loved her.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

The book made me laugh and cry, all at the same time. The ending was good but I wanted more and more of the story.

As the characters said Anoshe, I said Anoshe to the story with tears in my eyes!

Anoshe was a word for strangers in the street, and lovers between meetings, for parents and children, friends and family. It softened the blow of leaving. Eased the strain of parting. A careful nod to the certainty of today, the mystery of tomorrow. When a friend left, with little chance of seeing home, they said anoshe. When a loved one was dying, they said anoshe. When corpses were burned, bodies given back to the earth and souls to the stream, those left grieving said anoshe.

Anoshe brought solace. And hope. And the strength to let go.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

I hope I’ve convinced you to read the shades of magic series.

Happy Reading!

Shades of Magic series #2

Please be warned, this review has spoilers for book 1, A Darker Shade of Magic (check out my review of it).

Shades of Magic series #1

The second book, A Gathering of Shadows is as good as the first one.

Everyone thinks I have a death wish, you know? But I don’t want to die – dying is easy. No, I want to live, but getting close to death is the only way to feel alive. And once you do, it makes you realize that everything you were actually doing before wasn’t actually living. It was just making do. Call me crazy, but I think we do the best living when the stakes are high.

V.E. Schwab, A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2)

Spoiler Alert: My biggest question in this book how on earth is Holland still alive!?

Blurb of the book:

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

Review of the book:

The book is painfully slow in the beginning. It is still interesting to learn the magical world through Lila. She is on a ship as she always wanted. She becomes the best thief on the Night Spire. Night Spire’s captain, Alucard Emery is the best character to be introduced in the series.

There is a magical tournament between three kingdoms. Guess what? Kell and Lila and Emery are all participating! I wanted more of a fight between the three in the Games. The slow burn between Kell and Lila is so good and painful to wait at the same time.

Oh yes, your relationship with Miss Bard is positively ordinary.”
“Be quiet.”
“Crossing worlds, killing royals, saving cities. The marks of every good courtship.

V.E. Schwab, A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2)

We stan Lila for being Lila!

They danced in silence for several long moments, spinning together and apart, a slower version of their cadence in the ring. And then, out of nowhere, Lila asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you ask me to dance?”
He almost smiled. A ghost. A trick of the light. “So you couldn’t run away again before I said hello.”
“Hello,” said Lila.
“Hello,” said Kell. “Where have you been?

Victoria Schwab, A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2)

Anyway, the book ends on a huge cliff hanger. There is no way you read the second book and not the third one.

Like I said, please pick up this series! Review of book 3, A Conjuring of Light will be coming soon.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Shades of Magic series #1

This is one of my favorite fantasy series ever. It has a great world building, amazing character arcs, great adventures, magical tournaments and more!

The first book is A Darker Shade of Magic. We get introduced to Kell, one of the last magicians with the ability to travel between the parallel worlds, linked by the magical city of London. There are four worlds and four Londons. As Lila (aka the amazing Delilah Bard) says,

” Dull London

Kell London

Creepy London

Dead London”

Blurb of the book:

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.

Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.

Review:

If the blurb doesn’t interests you, I don’t what will. In one word, it is amazing. It has all aspects to be a perfect fantasy book. Lila is one of the best female characters I’ve read.

Every chapter is interesting. Every word is gripping. I just wished the book ended on a higher note so that we could immediately pick up the second book.

Some might feel bored in the beginning but the plot builds up slowly. I know this is less a review and more of me saying it’s the perfect book. But it is a perfect book, please pick it up!

I’m not going to die,” she said. “Not till I’ve seen it.”
“Seen what?”
Her smile widened. “Everything.

V.E. Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

Expect the review of book 2 of Shades of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows very soon.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is Demand of Time: Must know ways to detect and fulfill the demand to achieve great SUCCESS!

This is Demand of Time by Arijit Chakraborty.


“Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at that level,” — Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Blurb:

When everybody is busy doing their own work, very few people think about their work consciously. But, who will come to explain the solution to each & every problem? When we look around, when we feel, when we think we can change the way we work. This book beautifully relates various life’s situations with many ongoing mechanisms happening inside the human body. It gives the way to approach the situations & value things. Basically to understand what, why and how of situations. There is always enough ‘demand’ to detect & act accordingly. All together it enhances the ability to ‘sense’ the untold task & lead the days to success. Read and learn the ways so that you can be better every day.

Review:

This is one of the most unique ‘self help book I have read. This is a short book but still takes time to understand all the knowledge presented to you. The language is simple but the concepts are a little complex. As the book cover says, these are the must know ways to detect and fulfill the demand to achieve great success. The book is divided in to 7 parts and uses everyday examples to help us understand what the author is trying to say. It talks about demand and supply in all walks of life and the author’s insights from being a doctor.

Part 1: What is on Demand?

Part 2: Demand of Creativity

Part 3: Demand of Relevant Fearlessness

Part 4: Demand of being Practical

Part 5: Demand of being Proactive

Part 6: Demand of being Rich

Part 7: Demand of Knowledge

I really like how creativity is explained. Mind maps, graphs are used really well . I’m usually not a fan of books that tells me how to live my life. I only liked the book The Power of Habit because it doesn’t just give me tips. It clearly explains why it is good to do something along with examples, experiments and the psychology behind it. I got the similar satisfaction in this book.

“I do think that there is a profound reservoir of creativity and imagination in everyone I’ve ever met, and sometimes if someone is persistent and perversely obstinate enough to persevere, then they want to be helped. There is a way to help them,” – Philip Schultz

I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone but pick it up only if the blurb interests you. I’m sure you will enjoy reading and implementing the tips mentioned in life.

Do you read self help books? Have they been actually helpful? Do you have a favorite self help book? Some book recommendations please.

I finished 2020 Reading Challenge! How to read more?

I have been trying to finish the goodreads challenge since 2017. This year I actually did!

I read 50 books in 6 months. It is not that big an achievement but I’m very happy about this because I managed to read 50 books excluding all the review copies and advanced reading copies. I spoke in a previous blog post about how Bookstagram affects my reading. (Check out that post https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/03/23/bookstagram-how-did-it-affect-my-reading/ )

How to read more?

1. Read books you love

Most of the times, I get influenced by all the books that the Bookstagram community talks about. I have found some amazing books through this. But, not all genres are famous here. Reading is fun when you read the books you like. You do not have to complete reading all the books you pick up. DNFing a book is totally okay.

2. Audiobooks!

I started listening to audiobooks this year. Let me tell you, it is so good to listen to a book while doing your work. It also helps you read multiple books at the same time. You can fall asleep listening to your favorite book. How cool is that?

3. Read multiple books at the same time

I love reading one serious book, one light read and an audiobook,  all together. I pick a book that suits my mood among these. Trust me and try this!

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

My next goal is to read 50 more books in 2020. I hope I can actually read a 100 books this year. Something good needs to happen this year *sigh*!

How many books have you read? What are your favorites?

Happy Reading!

The Perfect Father

In The Perfect Father, New York Times bestselling author John Glatt reveals the true story of a Colorado family whose storybook life turned into a nightmare.

In the early morning hours of August 13th, 2018, Shanann Watts was dropped off at her Frederick, Colorado home by a colleague after returning from a business trip. It was the last time anyone would see her alive. By the next day, Shanann and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, had been reported missing, and her husband, Chris Watts, was appearing on the local news, pleading for his family’s safe return.

But Chris Watts already knew that he would never see his family again. Less than 24 hours after his desperate plea, Watts made a shocking confession to police: he had strangled his pregnant wife to death and smothered their daughters, dumping their bodies at a nearby oil site. Heartbroken friends and neighbors watched in shock as the movie-star handsome, devoted family man they knew was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The perfect mask Chris had presented to the world in his TV interviews and the family’s Facebook accounts was slipping–and what lay beneath was a horrifying image of instability, infidelity, sexual ambivalence, and boiling rage.

In this first major account of the case, bestselling author and journalist John Glatt reveals the truth behind the tragedy and constructs a chilling portrait of one of the most shocking family annihilator cases of the 21st century.

Review:

The perfect father, written by John Glatt portrays the most horrifying and senseless homicide up to date that took place in Colorado, US on 13th August 2018. Chris Watts, a wonderful son, an ideal husband, and the best father,  murders his wife Shannon Watts and their daughters, Belle and Celeste. The book gives a complete account of the life of Chris Watts before and after the incident. Why exactly he did this, remains a mystery till today.

In his marriage of 6 years, Chris was the loyal submissive partner and his wife, Shannon Watts was dominant. Shannon was an independent representative for the multi level marketing company Le-vel, selling a product called Thrive while her husband was employed by Anadarko Petroleum. On August 13th 2018, Chris murders his 15-week pregnant wife, and his daughters, the four year old Belle and the two year old Celeste. He confessed to strangling his wife to death and smothering their daughters. 

It was later revealed that he had an affair with his co-worker, Nichole Kessinger, which could serve as a possible motive for Chris’s actions. Their financial condition could also have been a motive or it could be in a fit of rage that he murdered his wife, tired of being dominated by her for too long. But none of these actually make sense because it is believed that his wife was ready to separate from Chris, along with the children. Christopher Lee Watts gave three confessions at three different times, and once said to his mother that he would take with him to the grave, the mystery of what had really happened that day. So there is a chance that none of his confessions is true.

The author gives a clear picture of the life of Watts. Every minor detail is penned down in the book. The author gives the readers complete freedom to come up with their own theories of what could be the possible motive for the crime. However it would be appreciated if the author concluded the book with his own account of what he felt could have happened on that day. The book also gives out the message that not everything is at it seems to be.

As a lover of crime genre, I liked reading this book and the fact that it is written, based on a real life incident is a bonus.

🌟🌟🌟.5

Must read sci-fi ‘Rhythm Roger’ by the best selling author Himanshu Rai


“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.” – Albert Einstein

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz invented a unit of frequency and discovered electromagnetic waves, but virtually, he created a world of electromagnetic waves.

The Virtual world, which is always around humans but cannot be seen or felt, is the world of unknown powers, known as Electon. “World is not only what we see.” Rhythm has entered Electon, now it’s your turn to take your path to know about the secrets of the Electon World.

It’s been while since I’ve read a sci-fi and I loved it. We follow the story of Rhythm, a scientist in Finland who has no idea about the existence of the parallel universe, Electon or that he plays an important role in that world. Electon is the world of electromagnetic waves which isn’t seen or felt by human beings. When Hertz discovered the electromagnetic waves it led to the creation of Electon. Queen Anagol rules that world but the world in danger and it is now on Rhythm, her successor to try and save it.

The scientific concepts used like sinusoidal waves, electromagnetic waves, analog signals are well researched. The author has tried his best to explain the terms and concepts used but a basic knowledge of science is necessary. I loved the world building but the narration could’ve been better. The characterisation was good especially the fierce Queen Anagol.

I’ve read the previous romance books written by the author and it’s great he’s writing new genres. This book also brings up some things we need to think about. Is technology bringing us all closer together or are we forgetting the beauty of real world and actual human interactions?

The book ended on cliffhanger. I badly want to know what happens next.
Overall, eye catchy cover, apt title, beautiful illustrations and an amazing book.

Thanks Himanshu Rai for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Stay home, stay safe ✨

Uneven spaces, Line not straight, Jackets unzipped, Wardrobe out of order. Must read poetry!

Being Bipolar by Amir V

Walk through the poetic journey of an unstable mind with Being Bipolar. The curvy roads go through the chaotic distress of a poet with identity crisis, questions in love, and moving to the symphony of hard-metal music. The journey is filled with self-loathing, inside a dark pit, and battling with mental illness. The poems capture the dark side of depression, suicidal tendencies, bipolar disorder, OCD, and other pressing matters related to mental illness. Read along to know how the poet tackles these obstacles in his journey to find light.”

My only thought while reading the book was “B E A U T I F U L”!

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started the book but I was blown away by the prologue.

It’s a poem ‘Why do you write?’

“Tell me O child, why do thee write? Us; the wind, the sea, the sun and the moon ask, Share thy secret pride, And unravel the flickering mask.”

Dazzled at this question, the child starts to write

“For writing’s special in its ways,

I write so I could express these days,

I write so I could tell this earth,

what I feel inside my heart,

I write when my brain goes mad,

I write to reveal that I’m glad,

I write to express sorrow,

I write for a better tomorrow,”

This is just my favourite part of it. You’ve to read it!

I feel like most people romanticise mental illness when writing poems about mental health but this wasn’t like that at all. It’s a short book of beautiful and raw writing. The author has expressed his thoughts and struggles and everything he went through and you can feel it in his writing. My favourite poems from the book are ‘OCD’ and ‘An Ode to Darkness’.

“O beautiful Darkness,

I see you sad, sorrowful, of you,

When they’re afraid.

I pity you, as they don’t understand, and view,

the depth in your shades!”

I wish all the luck to the author to write more and more.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Stay home, stay safe ✨