The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

Well...long time no see! I'm going to be trying to post more regularly on this blog now that summer is in full swing. I have a lot of new reviews coming, so stay tuned!

Suzanne Collins became famous and well-known around the world with her trilogy, The Hunger Games. However, her first series of books were actually published in 2003-2007 and became New York Times bestsellers although they are hardly known of today. I read them after reading The Hunger Games because I loved Suzanne Collins as an author, and I was really surprised that more people haven't read this series. It's actually really rare that my sister and I will come across someone who has read these books before.

Since these books aren't well known, here's the blurb of the first one: When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats - but the fragile peace is about to fall apart. Gregor wants no part of a conflict. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a prophesy foretells a role for him in the Underland's future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him - and the Underland - forever. 

There are 5 books in this series and they are all a manageable length, not too long, but not super short. These books are considered "children's" genre compared to "young adult", so it's quite a change from The Hunger Games, since these books are definitely intended for younger audiences.

I read these books when I was around 14 years old, after I read (and reread and reread), the Hunger Games trilogy. My sister and brother also read them, and enjoyed them just as much as I did. When my brother heard that I was reviewing this book, he said "Yeah well....they are awesome!" It takes a lot for him to think a book is awesome! He was reluctant to read for a long time but Gregor the Overlander was enticing after my sister and I read them and loved them. He read them last year and couldn't put the books down.

These are GREAT fantasy books, with a hint of mystery and lots of humor, and they will be enjoyable to both boys and girls in most age groups. I plan on reading them to my dad because I think he will really enjoy them, even if the main character is a little kid. If you loved the writing from Collins' The Hunger Games, you'll love these books too.

There is no sexual content in the first 4 books, and only a mild kiss in the fifth one, but that's it. There is violence though. Similar to The Hunger Games, the reason for war, fighting, and killing is questioned. In the third book, a plague attacks the warmbloods in the Underland and this is not a pretty sight - upon seeing what the plague has done to his friend, Gregor throws up. Gregor is just a young boy who wants to have a normal life and doesn't want to hurt anyone - but he soon realizes that the Underland is a place he can't easily avoid, due to prophesies he somehow plays a part in. Gregor is a very loveable character and easy to relate to.

Sadly, many key, loveable characters die - but many of these deaths are redemptive and symbolic. Humor keeps the books from getting too grim and dark, but it doesn't water down the realities of wars and plagues and prejudice.

Gregor is a caring big brother to his sisters, and his family and friends are of the utmost importance to him. Character development is really interesting and well thought out. Readers will enjoy watching the characters develop and adapt, and change in realistic ways.

I loved these books. It might not be the best series for children sensitive to violence and loss, but they are entertaining and touching books. These books are about overcoming differences and learning to work together despite these differences, as well as the importance of family and friendship.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver is the first book in The Giver quartet, but I feel like these books need to be addressed one by one because they are so different. The second book is nothing like the first one. There are some slight connections, but they are hard to pick up on and easy to miss. The third book connects to the second book and to the first book slightly at the end. The fourth book, Son, which I actually haven't read yet and will read after I finish The 5th Wave, I've heard ties all the books together and connects them all beautifully. I can't wait to read it and find out for myself.

I loved this book! I watched the movie first but I definitely recommend reading the book first - it's pretty similar to the movie but a lot better (aren't they always?!). It's a shorter novel, and I read it in just a few hours (but I read pretty quickly).

Here's the blurb for those of you that haven't heard of this novel before:
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns 12, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back. 

There is little to no violence in the book, although there are some disturbing scenes where a character euthanizes a baby and elderly people in the head with a needle. In this dystopian society, anyone who is deemed unfit is "released" - it's seen as a happy, relieving event for the elderly, certain babies, and rule-breakers, but in reality, they are killing innocent people. Jonas realizes the value of human life and sees the consequences of a society that has no love or values.

Sexual content is extremely minimal. There is no kissing, although Jonas experiences feelings and "stirrings" towards girls for the first time at some point in the novel, but I remember it being very minimal. The teens bathe the elderly and nothing is described. Since the characters have no feelings, the teens don't feel grossed out and the vulnerable elderly aren't insecure.

I really loved this book. It was a fun read and easy to get through. The writing is creative and descriptive. In Jonas's world, there is no conflict or misery. But, there is also no love or happiness. I love this book because it very obviously depicts the importance of feelings, and personality, in society. We need sadness, anger, happiness and love in society because they work together to develop us as human beings. They make us unique as individuals, and I love how this book portrays that so clearly by the end.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

I was really considering whether or not to review these books....since the movies based on the books are now completed, and with all the other dystopian books increasing in popularity, I feel like The Hunger Games' time may be over...but my mom reminded me that preteens who haven't read the books yet might be "coming of age" and wanting to see what all the fuss is about, so a younger generation might be interested in reading this trilogy. That makes me pretty happy, to think that The Hunger Games isn't going out of style!

Although Lois Lowry "began" the young adult post-apocalyptic excitement with her novel, The Giver, I think Suzanne Collins is who made the dystopian genre so popular. Here's the blurb, although I'm pretty sure everyone in the world knows what The Hunger Games is about!

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - but survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

Although Suzanne Collins' first series was a New York Times bestseller, it's little known today, but it's also really good. I'll be reviewing her first series soon - be on the lookout for a blog on The Underland Chronicles. The Hunger Games books are amazing and I have loved them since I read the first page when I was babysitting my cousins one night.

Everyone who knows me personally knows my OBSESSION with The Hunger Games...especially several years ago, the first time I read the books, before the first movie came out.
Yes, that's right....I have read these books multiple times. I have read all three Hunger Games books about four-five times in the span of a single year and every once and a while, I'll read my favorite parts again here and there. I read the books to myself, then I read them to my sister (except the last one; she read that to herself), then I read them to my dad, then I read them to my grandma. Overall, I've read the first book four times, the second one five times, and the third one three or four times.
Yes, you could call that an obsession.

There is quite a bit of strong violence and gore in these books. That's what the Hunger Games are all about . . . children fighting and killing children. There's no sexual content, a few kisses and romance in each book, but nothing beyond that. In the third book, a character reveals that the evil, controlling Capitol used him as a sex slave pretty much and tells his story, but it's not graphic like some books can be.

I love these books (as if you couldn't already tell ;)). Throughout the book, Suzanne Collins displays terrific writing by using long, complex sentences mixed with short, punchy ones to convey Katniss's thought process in an elaborate and believable way, throughout all the books. Violence and gore are the biggest reasons why this book wouldn't be suitable for younger children, otherwise it's quite appropriate given it's genre. I love how fictional it is while still displaying disturbing parallels to today's society.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Okay. The Fault in Our Stars. I only read this book because my friends really liked it, but I didn't have a lot of high hopes when I dove in. Generally, these kind of tear-jerker, real-life drama novels don't appeal to me. But I read it anyway, just to see what all the hype was about.

I'm a fast reader, so I read it in a day and a half, but it wasn't worth it, at least to me. I also skipped a couple parts I will explain later, due to sexuality.

The blurb: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. 

John Green is a great author, especially as a man writing in the point of view of a teenage girl. This book was very believable. It's very real. Because of this, there's language, and there's sexuality. The language isn't anything bigger than "b-s" but it's quite frequent.

The sexuality is pretty intense. Lots of inappropriate words are said, some kissing, and they do sleep together, although the scene is described only briefly. It is a love story, so of course their relationship is going to be prominent and detailed throughout the book.

I personally didn't enjoy this book just because I'm not into this genre. I like action and suspense. I like to cry during a good book but I don't like a book that's all about crying. It's a tear-jerker, and there's not a happy ending.

The Fault in our Stars is a very mature novel, and gives insight into what it's like to know you're dying. Hazel chooses to love and be loved even though she knows it will cause her so much pain. Cancer sucks and this book portrays that so well. I love how this book is unique in the fact that the main characters actually ponder what happens after death. It's scary to know that you're dying, yet have no idea what will happen after death. I think this would be a good book to read as a family, with some parts edited, because it really does talk about what some people actually have to go through in their life, and explains the fears, depression, pain, and melancholy happiness that a person with terminal cancer has.

I have just started a new book, The 5th Wave, another dystopian novel of course. I saw previews for the upcoming movie and was really interested. The plot looks really complex and fun. One day I saw my best friend with the book and I was so excited - I had no idea it was a book, and since books are almost always better than their movies, I am so excited to see if that is true for this novel. I will write a review on it as soon as I'm finished!!

The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner

The Maze Runner trilogy is another dystopian, post-apocalyptic series that is really popular right now due to the new movies that are being made. These books are really fun and unique. Although most of the main characters are boys, girls will find interest in these books too.

Similar to the Divergent trilogy, the trilogy is named after the first book. Here's the blurb for the first book if you are unfamiliar with the series:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids swho welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark. The Gladers were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up - the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze in unsolvable. And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers - if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

I absolutely loved these books. James Dashner is an amazing writer, and the books are fun, humorous, and suspenseful. The book is action-packed and exciting, but it can be dark and depressing at times, but I think that most dystopian books are supposed to be. I like The Maze Runner books because throughout these depressing chapters, there's a hint of humor and this makes these books unique compared to The Hunger Games.
It was unpredictable and I loved that. I hate knowing what's going to happen in a book before it happens, and I love a good plot-twister. I cried in the first book, and I'm pretty sure I cried in the third one but I can't remember completely.

Language is very mild, and most of the books are filled with made-up language such as "shuck", "shank", "klunk", "slinthead" and more. In the third book, The Death Cure, the "d-word" is used once or twice.

Sexual content is extremely low. In all three books there is some kissing, but it doesn't get any worse than that, which I really enjoyed. In the first book, one of the boys in the maze mentions the girl is "hot", but besides a couple kisses, it's surprisingly appropriate.

The worst thing about these books is the violence. Teens fight and kill, and are injured severely and/or die. Several loved characters die throughout all three books, and and zombie-like cannibals are the main plot of the second and third books. The violence can get pretty gory, and most deaths are described in acute detail (and they don't die prettily). If you have a weak stomach and don't like gore, you most likely won't appreciate this book.The second one is similar to a zombie-type horror movie.

After the trilogy, a fourth book was published as a prequel to the series, and that one is called The Kill Order. I didn't enjoy this prequel as much as the other books, and it's definitely not necessary to the story, but it's pretty interesting. It has more language, such as the "d-word" and "b-word", but nothing too bad. Sexual content is a little worse in the first half, but nothing is described besides a couple kisses.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I read them last year, my sister read them, and my brother is reading them right now. This is definitely a series I would love to reread someday.

I do have one comment to make about the movies though - The first one is ok and pretty close to the book, but the second one (The Scorch Trials)....what a disgrace. It was terrible! I only watched parts of it, but the preview ruined it for me, it wasn't anything like the book. Definitely read the books first because the movies don't compare.

The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth

Dystopian literature is really big right now. Ever since The Hunger Games trilogy became a huge hit around 2010 when the final book was released, post-apocalyptic young adult novels have been published left and right. With the final movie just hitting the theaters, the Divergent trilogy is really popular. The first Divergent book, Divergent, was published in 2011, a year after The Hunger Games trilogy concluded, so there is some question as to whether or not Virgina Roth's ideas were influenced by Suzanne Collins'...most likely so, but every writer is influenced by something. Although Divergent may seem almost identical to The Hunger Games, it's also so different and unique.

For those of you that don't know a lot about the Divergent series, here's the blurb from the first book:

Beatrice Prior is on the brink of a decision that will change her life. In a society divided into factions, all are forced to choose where they belong. And the choice Tris makes shocks everyone, including herself. Once decisions are made, the new members are forced to undergo extreme initiation tests with devastating consequences. As their experience transforms them, Tris must determine who her friends are - and if the man who both threatens and protects her is really on her side. Because Tris has a deadly secret. And as growing conflict threatens to unravel their seemingly perfect society, this secret might save those Tris loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I read the first two Divergent books during the summer last year and only read about half of the third one. Here are my thoughts on the series.

The first book, Divergent, is good. It's really good. I really enjoyed it and it kept me at the edge of my seat. Veronica Roth is a great writer, especially since the first Divergent book is her debut novel. Out of the three books, it was the by far the mildest when it comes to language and sexual content. The first book is exciting and suspenseful, and the second and third books have positive messages about standing up for what you believe in, doing the right thing, and putting others before yourself.

There is no swearing in the first and second books, but there are words such as "jerk", "shut up", "idiot", and "freak", which are used for character development. The language gets worse however, and in the third book there are words such as the sh-word, d-word, and b-s.

Like I said, the first one is milder when it comes to kissing and sexual content. However, it's still bad. Tris and Four have several passionate kissing moments, and they do get in bed together. Tris has a panic attack because she doesn't know what Four's expectations are for their relationship. In the later books, once they are identified as being together, their romance becomes more intense. In the second and third books, Tris and Four seem to idolize each other and their relationship. When one thing goes wrong or Four makes Tris unhappy, she breaks up with him and doesn't talk to him. The same thing happens with Tris from Four. Then, a few days later, they realize they missed each other and make up and make out. I skipped a paragraph or two of the first book due to the reasons I listed above, and of the second book I skipped pages. I only read halfway through the third book because the sensuality was overwhelming and the plot wasn't good enough to keep me waiting until the end. Throughout the books, Tris and Four realize that love requires commitment and honesty.

Of course there is violence, but it's not gory or traumatic like some books can be. Similar to The Hunger Games, children (mostly teens) fight each other in training and actual combat. Several characters die, but none that would be considered main characters in the first book. In the second and third books, many beloved characters die.

There are lots of good points of this series and lots of bad points. There are twists and turns and surprises. I really liked these books, but I think they would have been SO MUCH BETTER if there had been no sensuality! It definitely wasn't needed and didn't advance the plot in any way. When you begin a series, there can definitely be pressure to finish the series and finish what you started, but I don't think that's necessary at all. Some series just aren't good enough to finish, like Divergent was for me. I do think the trilogy doesn't need to be so long, and you could read the first book, half of the second one, and the end of the last one to get the gist of the series.

I hope this review was helpful to you! If you have a question or suggestion, be sure to leave a comment down below.

See you in my next post :)

Welcome to Holly's Reading Reflections

Why, hello there. My name is Holly. I love Jesus and I love to read. I started reading when I was 4 years old, and now that I'm 17 I've read many, many books throughout my lifetime. Since I've been a teenager, I've read too many books to count. Reading is my passion. It excites me, interests me, and makes me happy. 

Being a Christian, I don't want to read books that sacrifice my innocence, and I don't want that for you, either. Kissing, sexual content, and swearing isn't necessary in a good book. In fact, in most books, you could remove all of that and it would probably be so much better than it was before. Reading influences our imaginations in incredible ways, and as Christians, some of that stuff we just don't need to think about, especially as teenagers.
At the same time, the book doesn't have to be "Christian-y" to be good. It doesn't have to be about a Christian main character to appeal to my values. Of course not! Sometimes those are even worse. 


I want to read a book that will change my life, and many books have. I want to read one that will take me away to a new place and show me things I've never imagined before. When I'm done with a book, when I've read the last page, I want to be able to put it down and think, "Wow." I think we all want this. This is why we read fiction, isn't it?

I like reading the popular stuff. I want to know what happens in the book everyone is talking about. But if it's not for me, if it sacrifices my values, it's not worth the time. I could be reading something so much better and fruitful right now. 
Do you know what's even better than reading the most popular book and liking it? Reading a book no one has ever heard of and loving it. This is one of my favorite things to do. I know many preteens and teens want to read a book everyone else is reading so they can talk with their friends about it. But chances are, if your friends see how much you are in love with a book they haven't heard of, they'll give it a shot and fall in love with it too. Or they won't, because that book just wasn't for them. But what matters anyway is that YOU love the book YOU are reading. 

In this blog, I hope to create honest reviews on the popular, new, and good/bad young adult and children's books I have and will read. I hope this blog will be useful to preteens, teens, and parents and show you which books are worth the read and which are better off on the shelves.