Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

Okay, so I'm very very pleased that everyone is enjoying the book so far. I was hooked instantly, I love the world. I love the characters. I love the utter barbaric nature of the hunger games. I too am very interested to learn more about Haymitch, not sure if they will continue on with his character development, but I would like to know why he drinks all the time. Perhaps it has something to do with the Hunger Games? I'm glad to see that Katie and Amanda have enjoyed this book so much that they finished it lol! I sadly have only made it to chapter 6. So I'm going to update the next due date for those who haven't quite finished the book yet. I have to agree with Amanda, I have always been amazed by post-apocalyptic worlds. I think that is something that drew me to this series. I just love to learn about why society has fallen, and why we have become this weird world that districts, and games involving the hunting of humans. Don't have much else to post, other than I think the book has been amazing so far and I can't wait to see what else there is learn about Panem and the rest of this world.

I have a confession ....

... Pause for Dramatic Effect ...

I have finished the book. Yup. Two days ago. I was so epically caught up in the world I couldn't put it down. In fact, I have already bought the second book and can't wait to start reading. And since everyone has pretty much covered everything I would have said for a first post anyways, I am going in another direction: my favorite thing about the book and the way I saw the world in my head and the movies I thought of.

(You guys already know I am weird so just roll with it.)

My favorite thing about the book didn't have anything to do with the storyline (which was awesomely original in a Vampire fiction world), the characters (which are likable but I have some issues with them) or the descriptions (GASP! I know, me say that? 'Cause I am a sucker for descriptions).

All those things where fine and dandy but what I enjoyed the most was the point of view the author chose to write in: First Person, Present Tense. Which in my opinion was a genius move by Collins because how else are we going to feel how tense the Hunger Games are if we are not experiencing "the game" as it is happening. I feel the book would have fallen short if any other tense was chosen. Kudos Collins, kudos.

Now the book is naturally dark. And as I read it a picture of a washed out, gritty world emerged in my head. I know everyone will see something different but in movie speak it was a combination of The Book of Eli and Zombieland. I know it is probably heresy to even think about combining or mixing those movies in any way, but they are both amazing and have to deal with survival and a world on the brink of disaster. But both of these movies popped into my head about two pages into the book. Coincidence? I think not ...

To further explore this avenue, I will be watching both of these movies this weekend because I am suddenly very interested in Post-apocalyptic worlds and the evolution of the "unlikely Hero" in teen fiction and popular culture. (I love when I sound smart.)

Anyways, I can't be the only one with unique visuals. How did y'all see the world?

NB: Here's the teaser trailer

Katniss the Flame bearer

I agree with Katie, and Allyssa, this book is amazing, intriguing, and fascinating all rolled into one! I've been having an issue with connecting to books recently, and I am so glad Christine chose this book to read, I've been itching to read it, and Christine gave me the perfect opportunity!

Here's my question though, Panem is America in the way way way future, so is the anthem still the Star Spangled Banner? I've been wondering that every time it's been mentioned! I have to mention that even though he's a drunk, I am so fascinated with Haymitch, there is something about him that is so mysterious! Is there a reason he's always drunk? How could he possibly be of any help, or use to the tributes?

I can't wait to find out what happens with the training and with Katniss and Peeta. I want to know how they're relationship works out, or if there will be anything between them. I would love to have a closet and shower like she does, all automatic. Makes me wonder if that's where our technology is headed.

Great choice Christine! I just want to lay in bed all day tomorrow and finish the book, and the series for that matter, I haven't been this excited about a book since I started reading the Shopaholic series!

Being the chosen one is not a good thing after all...

I will have to agree with Allyssa...The Hunger Games is definitely  intriguing.  I think that is the perfect word for it because I am so wrapped up in Katniss and the Hunger Games' history and concept.  Suzanne Collins, you are a genius.

I love Katniss because she is such a strong character.  She takes care of her mother and sister and she is only a teenager.  She sacrifices herself for her sister.  But I think she is more prepared for the Hunger Games than she thinks she is.  She is a hunter and those skills and instincts will help her.

I really don't know what to make of Peeta yet.  He does have the nice guy image going on with his backstory with Katniss.  But that was back in District 12.  The Hunger Games will a totally different situation and there can only be one champion.

I think there is a possibility of a romance between Peeta and Katniss since they will be in extreme situation together and I imagine the story will be focused on them.  Now that Katniss is out of District 12, I don't know how much more Gale will be in the book.

I am looking forward to seeing the other competitors in the Hunger Games and who Katniss will be up against.

Capitol Control in a Scary Form!

Hunger Games -- Suzanne Collins

The set up she's created so far is really good. Post- North America which is now Panema and is divided into 12 Districts, formerly having had 13 until a rebellion caused it's eradication. Every year the citizens of districts are shown the Hunger Games, which is a way for the Capitol to keep their citizens in line.

Katniss is chosen because she sacrifices herself for her sister. Her character is very interesting. She has an extremely realistic outlook towards her life. Even after she has given herself to the Hunger Games to keep Prima alive, she's expecting to die. She hasn't had the training that others have had, she comes from the poorer district.

I'm interested in seeing if she's going to grow more. She wavers when it comes to Peeta, so I get the impression if there's a love interest, he's it. At first I thought it was Gale, especially with the way he acts toward her, but Collins set things up pretty well with Peeta giving her the burned bread when they were younger.

I like seeing Katniss's reaction towards the Capitol and the people inside it. It reminds me of something, but I can't place what it is right now. I'm sure I will soon. The ceremony was just wow. Cinna and Portia were determined to make Katniss and Peeta stand out the most, which they clearly did with flaming costumes!

Beginning thoughts: Intrigue. I'm curious to see where everything goes. Figuring out how this whole world works is...well...for lack of a better word, intriguing. I like the way Collins describes the different districts and what they provide. She shows how controlling the Capitol is pretty quickly, just in the beginning when Katniss says she has to watch what she says, even at home. People giving their thanks to her at the Reaping was very nice, in a sense, that I think Katniss underestimates herself. She clearly gives a lot of herself to help her family, and manages to trade pretty well, despite the circumstances they live in. Everyone's reaction to her self-sacrifice shows me that the people think quite a lot of her, especially those who say they will keep an eye on her family.

The Hunger Games

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Last thoughts on the bizarre world!

Half-Made World is a very interesting book altogether! After some thought, I've come to the conclusion that I am perfectly happy living in our world vs. that one.

The idea of getting controlled by Engines or Guns is just freaky. Marmion is clearly pissed off with Creedmoor at the end of the book. It makes me wonder how often servants of the Gun actually get away from them. So far I'm saying never. I would hate to have to be in servitude to them, or the Engines.

Creedmoor was the best character in my opinion. Out of all of them he seemed to be the most human, struggling with his past ideologies, reuniting with them when Marmion couldn't connect with him. But at the same time, he was upfront and very aware that he would probably die in servitude to the gun.

I haven't figured out what I think of Liv yet. If there's a sequel, which I"m hoping there is, I hope to see more character growth in her area. She kept taking her tonic and she seemed little better than an opium addict, then they ended up in  the mountains where she ran out. She was forced to reconnect completely with reality and face the harshness of their world.

One place I really don't ever want to visit is New Deal. What a backwards way of life there! Freaked me out. They were so restrictive toward Liv and everything there that I wanted to run screaming from the place and it's a fictional town, lol!!

All in all, I really enjoyed The Half Made World and if there is a sequel, I will probably pick it up to see if any of my questions will be answered!

final thoughts on the half made world...

(sorry for the unoriginal title for this post. lol)

So I know, I know, we've been reading this book and this is my first post about it. I think my problem was that I was having trouble coming up with ideas for blog posts. So here goes!

There are some books you enter knowing exactly what to expect, which can be good. Sort of like sitting in your favorite chair. Nice and cozy. Then there are those books that immediately jar you into realizing how different they are, which are few and far between. Its amazing that you can get a sense of isolation while exploring a world so big that its western regions are still forming into existence yet has a history of thousands of years.

I can't help but compare The Half Made World with Firefly and Serenity. Not sure if anyone else made these comparisons, but its something that popped into my head pretty quickly. I love the idea of the unknown world that has yet to be explored. And I find that when the creepy helicopter like thingies show up, I almost expect Reavers to jump out and lay waste to the land.

From the first chapter I was set embark on a journey involving a general of a dead republic lost in his own mind, a psychologist out of her depth, and a man who has done evil things for decades. The Half-Made world is full of magical people and the warring factions of possessed guns and thinking engines of destruction both in control. There are even religious groups such as the Smilers who just want you to be happy. Which personally I think is kinds nice, and awesome!

I love the complexity of this story, the characters aren’t good or bad, they are what they are, making their way through life. As Donkey says we all have layers, like an onion, which I find each characters have in untold spades. As they go through their journeys, they are slowly peeled back, and we are given a peek into their souls. As we learn about the world building, it comes to us in slow bursts, which I found kind of frustrating, I wanted to know more about this crazy world, and I felt like the author was keeping it from us.


I will admit, I had a hard time after the prologue getting into the book, but once I did, I found it was full of amazing characters and a gorgeously developed world. I’m glad that Amanda chose this book, it was something I don’t think I would have checked out. While I love the idea of the steampunk genre, I’ve never really attempted to read a novel about it. But I’m glad that I did, its opened up a whole new literary genre to me, and for that I am grateful.

To be Made or not to be Made...

I really enjoyed the Half Made World and thought it was very original.  Some books were slower than other but overall I really enjoyed the book and the concepts Gilman presents with the Line, the Gun, and the unmade world.  I really look forward to reading the sequel. :)

I have to say Creedmoor was my favorite character because I think he was the most complex.  Once he and Liv are out in the unmade world, I think his true character is shown and we see that Creedmoor truly wants to be a good person when Marmion is not around.  But of course he still struggles because with the Gun his is superhuman and he doesn’t want to give that up.  I was really moved by the story with kidnapping the little girl and that that is what drives him away from the Gun.  And of course I love him because of his sarcasm and awesome action scenes. 

Also, Liv and Creedmoor are made for each other in my opinion.  They both struggle with addictions and in the unmade world they are rid of their addictions. I think it will be interesting to see Creedmoor in the next book because he won’t have the supernatural powers he had from being one of the Gun.  We will really get to see him as an ordinary man.

I found it very appropriate how Gilman handled Lowery and his death.  It doesn’t happen during Lowery’s perspective and afterwards, he is never mentioned again.  It just shows how disposable the Linesmen are.

Amanda, thanks for picking an awesome book!