Bookish News! The First Official Hunger Games Trailer and Upcoming Dystopian Releases

So here I was earlier this week casually y’know just chilling on Twitter when BAM. IT Happened. Tweets galore “Have you seen The Hunger Games trailer yet?” “Have YOU seen The Hunger Games trailer yet?” “HAVE YOU SEEN THE HUNGER GAMES TRAILER YET??!!” “Why no I haven’t!” So off I went on search on the interwebs. I found it, I clicked play, I clicked play again, repeat, repeat, repeat. I scrutinized, I observed, and after a good half hour of watching and much scrutiny I went straight back on Twitter and said “HAVE YOU SEEN THE HUNGER GAMES TRAILER YET??!!” I declared my love for it, told everyone I could to watch it, and let a little sparkle of hope dance around my heart that this was going to be one of those movies that actually lives up to the book. Then I went and re-read it.

For those who haven’t seen it yet I have thoughtfully provided it bellow for your viewing pleasure. And if you have seen it tell me what do you think?

You are most welcome!

Keeping with the dystopian theme I also have some awesome news courtesy of the lovely Lauren at Random House Children’s Books UK. Random House are bringing out some fantastic dystopian reads in 2012 and 2013 and I’m really happy to be able to share with you a sneak peak on what they’re about.

The first book coming our way is Starters by Lissa Price, an American screenwriter, publishing in April 2012, Starters is an action-packed thriller set in a world where eternal youthfulness can be had – at a price. One girl has the ability to bring it all tumbling down . . .

Hot on its tail in July 2012 will be Struck by Jenifer Bosworth which is set in a post- apocalyptic Los Angeles. After the city is devastated by an earthquake, Mia Price finds herself in the middle of a power struggle between two fanatical cults; one that wants to save the world and another that wants to destroy it.

Then for the first of our 2013 releases we have Sangu Mandanna’s debut The Lost Girl which centres around Eva, a feisty teen girl who technically has no true identity of her own. Eva is forced to abandon everything she's ever known and loved, finding herself torn between two worlds.

And finally, children’s librarian Emma Pass, releases ACID in early 2013. This action-packed novel introduces us to Jenna Strong, a truly kick-ass heroine who is serving time in an all-male prison for the murder of her parents. Set one hundred years in the future in a Big Brother style society; Britain is now under the control of ACID – a terrifying all-seeing police force.

Ruth Knowles, Commissioning Editor comments, ‘Dystopian fiction is a much-talked about genre, particularly with the release of The Hunger Games movie next spring. We have acquired some fantastic futuristic thrillers that we know will appeal to this audience, and are confident that RHCB will have some of the most exciting novels in the genre. The worlds within them are very different from each other, but all completely hook you in from the first page and do not let go.’

They all sound awesome right? I have to say my personal favourites that I’m most excited for are Starters and ACID they just sound so brilliant! But as a huge fan of dystopian books I’m sure I’m going to love all of them!

All together I’d say that we’re in for a fantastic dystopian filled year next year whether dooms day comes or not…

Review for Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins– Spoiler Free!

This review is being entered into Presenting Lenore's dystopian contest for an awesome 6 book prize pack as part of her Dystopian August event. This is a spoiler free review so if you haven’t read the book yet feel free to continue on. Although it may contain spoilers from books one and two so proceed with caution if you haven’t read them. Well where do I start with this one? I guess everybody reading this knows how highly anticipated this book has been so it should come as no surprise when I say that I snatched up the first copy I could find and devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I avoided reading reviews on this book until I finished it so when I logged on to my computer this morning I was surprised to see the mixed reviews for it. Some love it some thought it was ok some even hated it but one thing everyone seems to have in common is that they don’t quiet know what to say about this book. One thing’s for sure either way it will leave you speechless. My thoughts? I personally loved it. A lot of people seem not to like it because they didn’t get the happy ending they expected but that’s exactly what I loved about it. I thought it was very brave of Suzanne Collins to stay true to the theme of this book and not give in to the pressure of wanting everyone to be happy with it. What you have to remember is that this book is set in a world where the government have gone mad. This is a story of hardship and death and to change that in the final book and make everything just rosy would be unrealistic. This didn’t necessarily end how I wanted it to end but it ended how it needed to be ended. Because of this the book is truly heartbreaking to read. The hunger game’s is taken out from the arena and is taking place all over Panem. The districts need a Mockingjay and Katniss sacrifices so much to become that person for them. This book is definitely a more heavier, heartbreaking read than the first two books in the series and because of the events that take place in this book the characters change and grow a lot. Some not for the better- another brave move from Suzanne Collins, but again she’s keeping it real. If I went through what some of the characters went through I think I’d behave in the same way too. Whilst reading this book I think it becomes clear who Katniss needs to be with. All through the trilogy it could have really gone either way but in this one the change of events due to circumstance make it obvious who is right for Katniss. It was really heartbreaking to read that part because the boy who she doesn’t chose moves on to a completely different path and way of life because the passion to take down the capitol is now gone and Katniss realises that’s what they were based on. Again no spoilers with that, up until that point it could have gone either way. I cried whilst reading this book, I laughed and I put the book down feeling very confused about how I felt towards it. It’s heartbreaking, thought provoking, and controversial. The end is both sad and happy but ultimately hopeful. I can’t say that you’ll enjoy this book as it clearly isn’t for everyone and either way I don’t think enjoy is the right word. One things for sure though, you will definitely be mesmerised. 5 stars. My Rating 5/5 stars *****