"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

I have a confession to make: I’m a very stubborn person. One of my pet peeves is when family or friends say something to me like, “You just HAVE to see this movie!” When this statement is paired with the cultural pressure of a viral hit, sometimes I vow to never give in to such pressure. A perfect example is Napoleon Dynamite. I had so many college buddies tell me that I HAD to see that movie, and it was such a pop-culture hit, that I rebelled against their expectations and made myself a promise to never ever see Napoleon Dynamite. To this day, I’ve kept my vow. (A similar thing happened with Nacho Libre)

So, I was close to shutting out “The Hunger Games” completely, but in the end it was the appeal the book and movie had to young people that caused me to read the book. Disclaimer: this is different than “Twilight”. I will never, ever, EVER see or read “Twilight” or any of its sequels. Period.  End of story. I mean, come on. Vampires? Really? Anyway….

Quick plot summary: North America no longer exists. In its place is Panem, a nation divided into 12 districts. Each district is controlled by the Capitol, and each district is responsible for a portion of the economic foundation of Panem (for example, one district does coal mining, one district does agriculture, etc). Of course, the Capitol is a brutal master, and the people are pretty much slaves to the powers that be. Every year, names of a boy and a girl from each district are selected to participate in a fight to the death – the Hunger Games. In an Ancient-Roman-like way, the Capitol glamorizes this expression of their control over the people. Our main character, Katniss Everdeen, is the female participant for District 12.

I will give Suzanne Collins a lot of credit for writing an incredibly captivating story. There are so many good things I can say about it. She covers the full range of human emotions, and she covers them extremely well. She takes a difficult subject (death) and lets us peer inside the mind of a young girl who is facing it honestly. Young people today already think of death – we know this by the suicide rates of teens. But books like these could cause young people to think more deeply about death – and its consequences – which could potentially lead to opportunities for sharing the Gospel.

After all, Katniss, the main character, is stuck in a cruel man-made world where kids fight to the death. In reality, we are all facing imminent death – and none of us knows when it might come. Katniss sees her opponents in the Hunger Games as human – even if they are slightly more savage than she is. In fact, she finds terrible similarities between herself and the negative qualities of those opponents. This is a true-to-life view of human nature. We are all fallen – we are all capable of dreadful evil.

Let me speak for a moment about the death in the book. The author always speaks of death with a sort of sacredness that’s difficult to explain. Katniss avoids killing if at all possible, and only does so when it is necessary for survival. So, the idea I’d had in my mind from highly critical reviews of the book about kids gleefully hacking each other to pieces was not accurate. Yes, kids kill kids in the book. No, the author does not glorify it or make it appealing. She does not present murder as a possible solution to a conflict between young people, or any other such nonsense. There are several scenes that are quite gruesome, but again, the author intended for such scenes to be gruesome.

There is also a bit of romance in the book between young people. I’m of the opinion that young people who think they are in love are highly mistaken. Love is a difficult and life-long decision. It is an emotion tied to the will. It is sacrificial and selfless. Young people tend to see love in a more shallow way. But, in the book, the romance between the young people is not overly sexualized, which I greatly appreciated (true, there is some kissing in the book, but the author does not dwell on sensuality). In a day when kids are made to think that sex, sexiness, romance, physical interaction, and love are worth having RIGHT NOW instead of being worth waiting for, I appreciated that the main character’s parents had a happy and fulfilling marriage, and Katniss also looked ahead several times to thoughts of her own marriage (even though toward the end of the book, she is thinking she will never marry).

Other than two or three minor swear words, I did not take issue with much of the content of the book. The story was fascinating and compelling. The setting and plot was surreal, yet very real. The post-apocalyptic backdrop seemed to be a frightening glimpse into the potential future of the country. We like to think of our nation as too civilized to ever do anything like the Hunger Games for real, but remember that each of us is capable of great evil. And people in power tend to be corrupted more quickly than the powerless.

Since it is part of a trilogy, the book ends in great suspense. But, being a Christian fiction fan, it is difficult to read a book with such sorrow and pain and never see the Healer and Savior make an appearance. Jesus Christ – what a Savior He is! And I only wish that I could introduce every young person who faces the fear of death to the One Who has already conquered death itself.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention, special thanks to JT for letting me borrow his copy of "The Hunger Games"!

"Dreamhouse Kings Book 6: Frenzy" by Robert Liparulo

The last book in the series always brings a little bit of apprehension... Will things work out like I am hoping they will? Will I get to the final book only to think the ending is disappointing? How can the author possibly resolve all of the questions?
Let me get right to the meat of this review: this was not the dramatic conclusion I was hoping for. It ended a little anticlimactically, in my opinion. The author admits that he hopes to use the King family in future books, so I can't blame him for not acting like we'll never hear from them again. But still! The ending was just kind of...abrupt.
The good news is (as you can tell by the front cover image) they find Mom! (Which has been the mission of the King family since book 1). There is a really awesome scene where the King family is at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. But even then, it's sad that they don't realize at first Who it is carrying the cross (until Jesus calls David by name)... If I were traveling through time and came across a man carrying a cross, Jesus would be my first thought! Again, no overtly Christian themes in the book. But I appreciate that Mr. Liparulo included the scene of the Via Dolorosa.
I would gladly read more books about the King family and their travels through time, but I'm glad to reach the end of Book 6!

"Dreamhouse Kings Book 5: Whirlwind" by Robert Liparulo

Well... This book presented two interesting developments in my reading of the series. It was the first book in which I really started getting tired of the two boys disobeying their father, going through a portal, and almost dying but finally escaping. This is also the first book since about book 2 that I felt like we learned some helpful information about the house, the portals, and how the time traveling works. Don't get me wrong - I still really enjoyed the book. I finished this one and "Frenzy" both within about 4 days. But at the end of this one, I was beginning to feel like the series really could have been a trilogy... The redeeming quality was the fact that the trips through time are just so interesting! You can tell that the author did good research into the time periods and cultures the King family visits.

And the time travel is really what keeps me glued to this series. The boys' characters are decent. The dad is not developed as a character as much as the boys are. Mom hasn't hardly been in the series to develop her character, and Toria doesn't really do much either. So I don't feel guilty at all in stating that I read this series to see how and where Robert Liparulo sends the family through time!

Don't forget, you can read excerpts from each book at www.dreamhousekings.com.

"Dreamhouse Kings Book 4: Timescape" by Robert Liparulo

Robert Liparulo is very good at building tension in his books. And all of these books are filled with lots of suspense, action, narrow escapes, and brushes with death. While these books are aimed at younger readers (not TOO young), I don't mind telling you how much I enjoy them! (If you haven't already read my reviews of the first three books in the series, please click on the "Robert Liparulo" label at the bottom of this post).
This book, strangely enough, had more talk about God and more violence and gore than the first three. The King boys have a conversation where David gives God the credit for the new friend that they've made who seems to be exactly the kind of person they need to help them. (Xander is not so sure that God did it, however).
The boys also offer up a few vague prayers... Not directly spoken to God, but assumed to be prayers.
There is a little more blood in this book, as a character is injured fairly badly. (Can't tell you who). There is also a fascinating scene - and extremely coincidental - where David, Xander, and their father wind up on the deck of the Titanic as it is about to sink. Oddly enough, yesterday - April 15th - marked the 100th year of the Titanic disaster where over 1,500 people lost their lives. This scene and the scene of the Viking attack were particularly spectacular and brilliantly written.
Books this intense are not for all readers, but in my opinion these stories are just too good to pass up. It would not be a stretch for me to say that I enjoy this series better than I did any of Mr. Liparulo's stand-alone novels. (By the way, Robert Liparulo just released a new novel, "The 13th Tribe" - check it out and read a sample chapter at his website here. You can also read samples of all the Dreamhouse Kings books at http://www.dreamhousekings.com/)

"Dreamhouse Kings Book 3: Gatekeepers" by Robert Liparulo

Well, I am halfway through the series, and it has (so far) been getting better and better. In fact, there were more overt Christian references in book 3 than either of the other two. The villains have gotten creepier. The house has gotten a little more active. And the King family is getting some unexpected help.
This book marks the first time the family makes progress. I won't tell you what it is, that would be cheating! They are starting to figure out a lot more about the doors and the house in general.
Xander and Dad reconcile a bit more in this book. The kids have made quite a habit out of lying to their dad, using the justification that he had been lying to them about the house. Let's hope the young readers don't miss the point: it is NEVER right to lie.
These books are the perfect length for young readers. Any longer and you run the risk of losing interest. Any shorter, and you would wonder why he had to take 6 books to tell the story instead of just making a trilogy out of it.
So far, I've had no luck in finding books #4  and #5 at my bargain bookstore. I can get it for full price at Lifeway Christian (and I might wind up doing that), but I was hoping to find it for a little cheaper. Not because the books aren't worth the price, but because I'm broke!
Still 5 out of 5 stars!

"Dreamhouse Kings Series Book 2: Watcher in the Woods" by Robert Liparulo

If the house weren't creepy enough..... Now, the King family must deal with several new problems - problems like strange people watching their house at night, the threat of losing their home, and the first day of school! Will they be able to find their mom? Can they bring her back from the worlds beyond the portals? Can they figure out how the portals work? And who is the man who wants to take their house?
These questions are asked but not answered in this book.
It is not easy to write a series of books that is multiple volumes long and retain interest and curiosity throughout the middle parts. Usually the first and last books are most interesting, because they contain the introduction and the resolution of the story. In Book #2 of this series, author Robert Liparulo does a superb job of carrying on the story, introducing new information, and enticing us to reach for Book #3.
While Book #1 seemed to focus more on Xander, the eldest King child, this book gives a better glimpse at the character of David, second child and youngest boy. He wrestles with the choice between submitting to Dad's cautious plan of action (or INaction) or secretly joining Xander on forbidden and dangerous schemes of their own. There is also a sinister new villain with a mysterious history....
In all, the book did an admirable job of delivering more of what Book #1 great, while leaving just enough to be desired so that I'll finish the series. I'm a little ashamed to think of these books as JUVENILE fiction! They are just as good (although a good deal shorter) than much "adult" fiction I've read. I read this book easily in three days, at a slow pace. So, it will not be difficult to finish the series of six books.
I give this book five out of five stars!

"Passages Manuscript 2: Arin's Judgment" by Paul McCusker

"Arin's Judgment" is another fantastic book by Paul McCusker. This is the second in the "Passages" series, and I guarantee you that I will read all of them.
The story centers around a manuscript that was found by John Avery Whitaker of Odyssey. In the manuscript (which is the main portion of the book), we have the story of young Wade. He is transported from his home during the days following World War II to a different time and place.
The stories in the "Passages" series always parallel a Bible story, but with modern twists. The Biblical story re-portrayed in this book is the story of Noah and God's judgment on the sins of man in Genesis 6....only in this case, God doesn't destroy the earth with a flood, but with a.......... you didn't think I was gonna TELL you, did you? The counterpart to Noah is Arin, the books title character.
Young Wade faces some hard temptations, and we learn a great lesson about the grace of God. Even though Arin and his family are spared from God's wrath, they clearly know that they don't deserve to be spared. As Arin so eloquently points out to Wade near the end of the book, they are only spared because they trusted in the "Unseen One", their name for God.
I would caution that there are some gruesome moments of death and illness. The book is intended for 10 year olds and up. However, the story is a wonderful adventure!
Five out of five stars, with a smile!

"Dreamhouse Kings Series Book 1: House of Dark Shadows" by Robert Liparulo

Do you know that feeling you get when you are reading a scary part in a book, and you get kinda nervous? Almost like the bad thing is going to happen to YOU instead of the characters in the story? I had that feeling a lot in this book. It is a perfectly executed tale where the sense of imminent danger almost never goes away. The moments of intense action are blended with a sense of humor that is very realistic. (After all, many of our actions or emotions or thoughts in tense situations WOULD be funny if we were merely reading them instead of experiencing them!)
The story surrounds a family of five: mom, dad, two sons, and a daughter. The depth of the characters is surprising for a moderate-length juvenile fiction. There are many complex emotions explored in the book, particularly surrounding the eldest child, Xander. In fact, the book is quite well suited for the more "mature" reader as well as the young person.
As you can tell by the title, the house is the reason for most of the suspense in the story. The King family has just moved into their new home...but it is not a normal house. This house has sounds that come from nowhere, and secret doors that can transport a person to distant lands (and times). The house also seems to be occupied by a mysterious hulking shadow of a man, who comes and goes like a ghost. I won't give away any more of the story - you'll just have to read it.
The concept of "portals" that transport people from normal places to fantastic ones may not seem to be extremely unique to some; every young boy's imagination has at one time or another wished that such a portal would be opened to him and whisk him away to great adventures. But it is precisely this emotion from my childhood that made the story so intriguing to me! (Why couldn't MY childhood home have magic portals?)
There are very few negative elements to the story. A small amount of violence takes place, along with a few bloody descriptions, but they are by no means excessive. The suspense and violence may cause some parents to hesitate, but I believe any twelve year old would be mature enough to read the story.
A few times throughout the book, the author made references to some old movies that I have never seen. I don't know anything about the movies, so I didn't understand the references. To me they may have not been necessary in the story, but they didn't really hurt anything either.
The only other observation I will make is that it is not really a story about Christians - and undoubtedly many people will criticize the author for writing a "Christian" book without anything Christian in it. Very little "Christian" terminology makes its way into the book, so don't expect to see characters praying together or preaching on street corners. My personal opinion, though, is that we don't read fiction stories and expect to get deep theological and Biblical insight out of them. We should read the Bible for spiritual illumination, not a man-made tale.
On its own merits, therefore, "House of Dark Shadows" is a wonderful book! The story is masterfully written, and I will finish reading the series as soon as I purchase the other books!

"Darien's Rise" by Paul McCusker

***WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!
"Darien's Rise" is the first book in the Adventures in Odyssey "Passages" series. I am so glad to see that Adventures in Odyssey is still providing great entertainment for young people! I have listened to DOZENS of the radio episodes in my lifetime. They have a very good reputation for emphasizing Biblical life-lessons in ways that are easily understood by young people. So, knowing that Paul McCusker had written some great material for the radio shows, I had high hopes for this book (even though it is for ages 10 and up, and I'm 26 years old). He did not disappoint me!
I borrowed this book from a kid in our church. He recommended it to me, knowing that I like to read. So, I dove into it, in between "big books." I must say, it holds up very well, even among other Christian Fiction titles I've read that are geared to adults. Paul McCusker is a very creative and talented man.
The story is basically about a pair of siblings who are miraculously transported from an old abandoned house to a different time and place. As the story unfolds, the reader will recognize that it is a re-telling of the Biblical story of David and King Saul. The parallels are very clever; and even though I knew how the story should end, I was still riveted to the book all the way through. Sure, the story is told in a way that appeals to young readers - and it is told from a young person's perspective. But that doesn't mean adults can't enjoy it!
One word of caution for parents: there is a minor amount of violence, but you should be aware of it. Near the end of the book, the character who represents "King Saul" in the story shoots himself in the head. (Remember, in the Bible Saul fell on his own sword so that he would not fall into the hands of the enemy.)
I highly recommend this book, especially for 10-14 year-olds. (And I'll be reading book #2 shortly!)