Book Review: The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

This week, I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Although I was fairly late on the bandwagon with this one, I wasn't this late. I have read this book series more than once and I thought now would be a good time to review it. I always feel sceptical of reviewing books the first time you've read them. I think the books are sort of glorified in a way. Especially when there is so much hype around a particular book or series and I realised that I feel exactly the same about this book. I feel like the first time I read it, it was very glorified and it takes a few times reading it though to actually be able to review it properly. Instead of looking at it as an exciting new book that I get to read, I get to read this again taking the time to actually think about whether I like the writing style, what I think doesn't work in it etc., etc.

I do like this book. I'm not going to say it's a bad book because it's not. In actual fact I think it is a very good book and is well written. However, I gave this three stars because the story just doesn't appeal to me all that much. I think dystopias are never going to be my cup of tea. They're always going to be a bit to samey for me. I am a girl that loves classical literature and that time period and dystopias are the complete opposite but I do try and view a book objectively and I won't completely rule a book our just because it's not something I would usually read. I just feel that some points of this book were poorly executed. The other thing that really annoyed me is – as with every YA book now – it has a love triangle. Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) was the first big YA series that had a love triangle and that now seems to be the formulae for every book series now. Love triangles, defying the odds, a pretty heroine that doesn't know how beautiful she is and it is starting to drive me around the bend because I feel like I'm never reading anything new. Obviously, first impressions, I'll love the book if I read it all the way through. But then I'll read it again in a few months' time more objectively and realize that it's just like every other book that's been published. Nothing new and interesting is coming by anymore. People keep writing more of the same and it's tiring.

I do like your books and your writing style Suzanne Collins but originality is key and although the story itself is original, the love triangle, the girl who doesn't know how beautiful she is etc., just don't work. I gave this book 3 stars.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

Well, I'm sorry but I had to do it. Every year or so, I reread the Harry Potter Series and this is the first year I have read it being a member of the 'BookTuber' community so I thought I would review it for you since I spend so much time raving about the books!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's [Sorcerer's] Stone. This is the first book in – arguably – the best book series ever written and remains to be my favourite. The first book in itself is only average but I enjoyed reading it all the same. I love the characters, I love the humour, I love the whole world that Rowling created and put into this first book. While it is true that the books later on in the series are my favourites and are probably better written, I do love this book. When I say the writing in this is average, I mean for Rowling's standards. This is by far a better book than most writers could ever hope to write no matter how hard they tried but I have to look at it objectively in terms of Rowling's writing skills and this is some of her weaker pieces. If I was rating this as a stand-alone book, I wouldn't hesitate to give it 4/5 stars. It is a brilliant book that is easy to get through, has some depth and makes you feel something but also makes you laugh. I can't tell you how many times I laughed aloud reading this book. Rowling's wit is incredible and I love reading her work.

I will – obviously – be reading and reviewing the rest of this brilliant series over the coming months but as I am sure you will grow tired of me reviewing the whole Harry Potter series and nothing else, I have decided to read one of the books every month and keep trying to read new things which can be just as exciting so please don't be alarmed if you don't receive my review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for another few weeks. I promise you I have not neglected finishing off the series, I am just trying to keep a bit of diversity in my reading and reviews for you all should you not be a fan of Harry Potter or be tired of heard about it after 20+ years. My next review is coming soon. Keep on reading! And I will leave you with a funny quote from this first book, just to tide you over until my next review. I gave this book 3/5 stars! Thank you J.K. Rowling!

Before he could say or think anything else, the dormitory door was flung open and Fred and George Weasley bounded in. Harry stuffed the cloak quickly out of sight. He didn't feel like sharing it with anyone else yet. 'Merry Christmas!' 'Hey, look – Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!' Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G. 'Harry's is better than ours, though,' said Fred, holding up Harry's jumper. 'She obviously makes more of an effort if you're not family.' 'Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?' George demanded. 'Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.' 'I hate maroon,' Ron moaned half-heartedly as he pulled it over his head. 'You haven't got a letter on yours,' George observed. 'I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know we're called Gred and Forge.' 'What's all this noise?' Percy Weasley stuck his head through the door, looking disap- proving. He had clearly come half-way through unwrapping his presents, as he, too, carried a lumpy jumper over his arm, which Fred seized. 'P is for prefect! Get it on Percy, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one.' 'I – don't – want – ' said Percy thickly, as the twins forced the jumper over his head, knocking his glasses askew. 'And you're not sitting with the prefects today, either,' said George. 'Christmas is a time for family.' They frog-marched Percy out of the room, his arms pinned to his sides by his jumper. – J.K. Rowling

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

Well, I'm sorry but I had to do it. Every year or so, I reread the Harry Potter Series and this is the first year I have read it being a member of the 'BookTuber' community so I thought I would review it for you since I spend so much time raving about the books!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's [Sorcerer's] Stone. This is the first book in – arguably – the best book series ever written and remains to be my favourite. The first book in itself is only average but I enjoyed reading it all the same. I love the characters, I love the humour, I love the whole world that Rowling created and put into this first book. While it is true that the books later on in the series are my favourites and are probably better written, I do love this book. When I say the writing in this is average, I mean for Rowling's standards. This is by far a better book than most writers could ever hope to write no matter how hard they tried but I have to look at it objectively in terms of Rowling's writing skills and this is some of her weaker pieces. If I was rating this as a stand-alone book, I wouldn't hesitate to give it 4/5 stars. It is a brilliant book that is easy to get through, has some depth and makes you feel something but also makes you laugh. I can't tell you how many times I laughed aloud reading this book. Rowling's wit is incredible and I love reading her work.

I will – obviously – be reading and reviewing the rest of this brilliant series over the coming months but as I am sure you will grow tired of me reviewing the whole Harry Potter series and nothing else, I have decided to read one of the books every month and keep trying to read new things which can be just as exciting so please don't be alarmed if you don't receive my review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for another few weeks. I promise you I have not neglected finishing off the series, I am just trying to keep a bit of diversity in my reading and reviews for you all should you not be a fan of Harry Potter or be tired of heard about it after 20+ years. My next review is coming soon. Keep on reading! And I will leave you with a funny quote from this first book, just to tide you over until my next review. I gave this book 3/5 stars! Thank you J.K. Rowling!

Before he could say or think anything else, the dormitory door was flung open and Fred and George Weasley bounded in. Harry stuffed the cloak quickly out of sight. He didn't feel like sharing it with anyone else yet. 'Merry Christmas!' 'Hey, look – Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!' Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G. 'Harry's is better than ours, though,' said Fred, holding up Harry's jumper. 'She obviously makes more of an effort if you're not family.' 'Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?' George demanded. 'Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.' 'I hate maroon,' Ron moaned half-heartedly as he pulled it over his head. 'You haven't got a letter on yours,' George observed. 'I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know we're called Gred and Forge.' 'What's all this noise?' Percy Weasley stuck his head through the door, looking disap- proving. He had clearly come half-way through unwrapping his presents, as he, too, carried a lumpy jumper over his arm, which Fred seized. 'P is for prefect! Get it on Percy, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one.' 'I – don't – want – ' said Percy thickly, as the twins forced the jumper over his head, knocking his glasses askew. 'And you're not sitting with the prefects today, either,' said George. 'Christmas is a time for family.' They frog-marched Percy out of the room, his arms pinned to his sides by his jumper. – J.K. Rowling

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments City of Ashes – Cassandra Clare | Lara Pass

**** - 4 Stars
The Mortal Instruments City of Ashes is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Usually I get disappointed by book sequels because they're never as good as the first. However, this book did not let me down. I was anxious to know how the story of Jace and Clary was going to progress and it has been really interesting. I feel like I Clare had more confidence when writing this book and was more comfortable with the characters now. The relationships between both Jace and Clary and Clary and Simon, become a bit more complex. The brother-sister relationship between Alec and Isabelle also becomes more prominent in this book which I enjoyed.
Obviously, we get to meet new characters in this book. The rest of the Lightwood family come back from Alicante after the Accords and you get to see Jace's relationship with his adoptive family. What I loved about this book is, unlike the last book, this was not set from just Clary's point of view. You get to see how other characters view the situations and what their feelings are as well as Clary's and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. I constantly read books and get to a part thinking 'it would be great to know what this character is thinking right now, see their point of view' but I have never read a book like it until now. I love the idea and it makes for a more interesting read. Of course, a lot of books work better where it's just from one character's point of view, but this particular series works better when you get to know what multiple characters are feeling. I makes the story more complex and interesting and just makes it more enjoyable to read than the last book.
I gave this 4/5 stars for its originality but it is not quite good enough to get 5/5. Thank you again, Cassandra Clare, for writing a truly brilliant book.