Off The Shelf

"This is the only chance we have to rescue what little civilization we have left." On Friday night, I saw Insurgent in the theaters. The film is based upon the second novel in the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth.  All of the main cast members from Divergent (including Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet) reprise their roles in Insurgent. Naomi Watts joined the cast to play Four's mother, Evelyn, and Octavia Spencer to play the Amity leader, Johanna.  As was seen in the movie's trailer , there are clearly some big differences between the book and the film. Veronica Roth endorsed the changes though, so, as I always say, if the author thinks its fine, then its fine by me too. At this point, I'd like to discuss some of the most important differences. If you have not yet read Insurgent , I encourage you skip down to the paragraphs at the end. Spoiler alert.  The biggest change is that hard drive in the book was replaced with a mystery box...

"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!"   On November 21st, Mockingjay Part 1 , based on the bestselling third book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, opened in theaters.  All of the fan-favorite actors and actresses returned to play their leading roles, but a few new additions needed to be made. Natalie Dormer joined the cast to play Cressida, as well as Julianne Moore to play President Coin.  The following are some differences between the film adaptation and the book - some for the better, and some for the worse. If you have not yet read Mockingjay, please   be aware because... SPOILER ALERT.  Effie Trinket makes an appearance in District 13 very early in the movie, unlike in the book where she does not appear until the end. I whole-heartedly believe in this change because 1) by replacing Katniss's three stylists, Effie works as a symbol for even greater change within the rebellion, as now even Capitol people are...

"Fear does something strange to people, but not you. Fear doesn't shut you down, it wakes you up."   On Friday, I saw  Divergent in the theater with a few friends. I read the three-book series by Veronica Roth this past fall. (I reviewed the first and third book a few months ago)   Divergent is the story of Tris Prior, who lives in what is supposed to be a very Utopian-like Chicago. The people of Chicago are divided into five factions: Erudite (the intelligent), Amity (the peaceful), Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest) and Dauntless (the brave).  Upon turning 16, Tris and others must decide which faction they belong to. For Tris, she must decide between her family, and the chance to discover who she really is.   Tris Prior is played by Shailene Woodley, her brother Caleb by Ansel Elgort, Four by Theo James, and Christina by Zoe Kravitz.   Before seeing the movie, I had read an  interview with Shailene Woodley in Teen ...

Divergent Veronica Roth 487 pages “We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”    In a futuristic, dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each valuing a different human characteristic: Dauntless (the brave), Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent), Amity (the peaceful), and Abnegation (the selfless). Upon turning sixteen years old, each teenager must choose the faction to which they belong. For Beatrice Prior, this will mean choosing between her family and the chance to discover who she really is. Tris Prior (as she later renames herself) is a dynamic female character who possess all of the stereotypical characteristics of a weak individual - blonde, petite and pale-skinned - but as readers will come to learn, she is quite the opposite. Her strength not only increases from the physical initiation she must under go in the faction she chooses, but also from the emotional encounters that...

Mockingjay Suzanne Collins 390 pages Katniss and Peeta have survived the Hunger Games twice, but just barely. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, and Katniss, her family, Haymitch and Gale have found refuge in District 13, which until recently everyone thought did not exist. Inspired by Katniss's golden pin, the rebels of District 13, have asked her to become their "Mockingjay" and symbol of the revolt against the Capitol. Katniss has accepted the job, but has gotten herself into something more than she can handle. The country of Panem is a full-blown war zone, and amongst the battles, she must make some of the most important decisions of her life. The third installment of the Hunger Games books is riveting and thought-provoking, but unfortunately, it was my least favorite of the trilogy. Throughout the book, Katniss drifts in and out of consciousness and is classified by the doctors of District 13 as "mentally disoriented". This foggy atmosphere in wh...

Catching Fire Suzanne Collins 391 pages The 74th Hunger Games victors, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have won by defying the rules and are about to embark on a journey across Panem on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour. When they return to their home of District 12, they find it not as they left it. A new Head Peacekeeper has been issued, and he has made it is top priority to tighten the security of their district. This includes keeping the electric fence charged at all times. From painful bruises to broken bones, injuries are not scare, making Katniss's mother and her medical practice the busiest in town. Conflicts arise between Katniss and Gale - one wants to stay, the other to run - and Peeta floats somewhere in between. And just when they think the worst is behind them, the entire country of Panem gets their biggest surprise yet. Catching Fire is suspenseful, intriguing and overall, amazing. Katniss Everdeen is just as daring, and the Capitol just ...

The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 374 pages The country of Panem, is currently the only country residing in a futuristic North America. The cruel and harsh Capital rules over twelve poor, and small districts. To remind the districts of the rebellion some years ago, the Capital forces each district to send one girl and one boy tribute to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The Games are then a mandatory TV viewing for all other citizens. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the 74th Games, she knows it will be her death because only one tribute can survive. Through first person, Collins takes on Katniss's voice; exposing her thoughts, feelings and struggles. She is daring, resourceful, and engaging - the perfect recipe for immediate suspense. Although this book's setting is in future times, I find myself clearly picturing the dark stuffy coal mines of District 12, the vibrant colors of the Capitol, and the haunte...