Kids Books - Adventure Books

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games)

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins is a mesmerizing sequel that surpasses all expectations, delivering a heart-pounding narrative that will leave readers clamoring for more. From the moment I opened the book, I was immediately drawn back into the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol's tyranny looms large and the stakes are higher than ever. Collins wastes no time in thrusting us back into the action, seamlessly picking up where "The Hunger Games" left off and plunging us headfirst into a thrilling new adventure. What sets "Catching Fire" apart is its masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and emotion. As Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark embark on their Victory Tour, we are treated to a deeper exploration of the world of Panem, from the opulent splendor of the Capitol to the impoverished districts struggling under its rule. Collins' world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid portrait of a society on the brink of rebellion. But it's not just the world-building that shines in "Catching Fire" - it's the characters. Katniss Everdeen continues to be a captivating and complex protagonist, grappling with the aftermath of her actions in the Hunger Games and the growing unrest in the districts. Her resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way. Peeta Mellark, too, undergoes a compelling character arc, wrestling with his feelings for Katniss and his own sense of identity in a world that seeks to manipulate and control him. The dynamic between Katniss and Peeta is electric, and their relationship forms the emotional core of the story, driving the narrative forward with its intensity and depth. And let's not forget the games themselves - the Quarter Quell is a stroke of genius on Collins' part, injecting new life into the series and raising the stakes to dizzying new heights. The arena is a mesmerizing and dangerous playground, filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. In conclusion, "Catching Fire" is a triumph of YA literature, a pulse-pounding sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. With its unforgettable characters, gripping plot, and dazzling world-building, it's a book that demands to be read and re-read. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Catching Fire" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses

By Sarah J. Maas

This wonderful book written by Sarah J. Mass is packed with fantasy and magical creatures like the Fae. This book is mostly about how Feyre, the main character, falls in love with Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, and how she breaks the curse and becomes a High Fae. Although this book is incredible, there are a few things that you should be aware of before reading this book, and that is 1. They use foul language and 2. There are a few parts in this book that are inappropriate (especially in the 2nd book), other than that I would definitely recommend this book, but (always that but) for ages 12-13+. I hope you enjoy this book just as much as I did! Happy Reading!!

Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass

By Sarah J. Maas

Undefeated by the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien has returned to Adarlan, the prince’s champion to compete for the position of the royal assassin. If she emerges victorious, she Crown prince has offered her freedom at the price of four years of service to the malicious King of Adarlan. But it is not the competition that worries her one bit-- it’s the evil that lies at the heart of the castle that is killing her opponents left and right. With the help of the gruff Captain Westfall and the bewitching playboy, Prince Dorian, will she finally set her inherent beast free before it’s too late? After reading a review by fany13 on DogoBooks, I finally managed to read this fantastic Young Adult book by Sarah J. Maas. I admit that at first I hesitated to read it-- Celaena seemed evil to me. How could the author possibly justify the actions of the most notorious assassin of Adarlan? I opened the book cover with completely cynical eyes, expecting to hate the main character. At first, I did. She was narcissistic, haughty, ruthless-- or so I thought. As I read on, I discovered that Celaena was one of--if not the most--incredible, inspiring, and 3-Dimensional characters that I’ve ever encountered in literature. Sarah J. Maas spins an incredibly intricate web in “The Throne of Glass”, which you don’t want to miss. I can confidently rate this book five stars. Lovers of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth will enjoy this thrill of a read!

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase

By Wendy Mass

First of all, I have to say that The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase was EVEN better than the first book in this series. I immediately fell in love with the characters and storyline—this book is impossible to put down, and very enjoyable. Once again, Wendy Mass has written an amazing, candy-filled mystery that all readers will enjoy. Summary: Logan, Daisy, Miles, and Phillip are back again! After the national candy making competition that took place a few months ago, their lives have gone back to normal. But when they find out that there’s a problem with the winning candy entry, the four friends must figure this out—quickly. Then, an opportunity to make things better arises. Logan’s father, who owns the Life is Sweet Candy Factory, decides to take them on a tour so they can see what the winning candy bar looks like...and tastes like, of course! But soon, what they thought would be a fun trip starts to go haywire, and it’s up to Logan, Miles, Phillip, and Daisy to save the day. Can they do it? Read this book to find out! Overall, I totally recommend this book, and rate it 5/5 stars. I think all readers will absolutely love The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase!

James and the Giant Peach (The Best of Roald Dahl)

James and the Giant Peach (The Best of Roald Dahl)

By EMMA CHICHESTER-CLARK (ILLUSTRATOR) ROAL

I really liked James and the Giant Peach. It is a really magical book. It really takes you into the story, it is like you are in the peach with James. This story is about a boy named James. James lives with his two mean aunts because his parents were eaten by a rhino. One day, on a tree in a James' yard a peach grows on the tree. But it is not any peach it is a magical peach. It grows so big it gets bigger than the tree it is on. The peach falls off of the tree and it rolls down the hill James lives on. There is a whole crazy adventure on the peach that I do not want to spoil! My favorite part of James and the Giant peach is when the peach is in the air flying and it falls on the Empire State Building. I really like Roald Dahl. (He is the author of James and the Giant peach). His books are so so funny. This book is probably one of the best books that I ever read! I will totally read another one of Roald Dahl's books. I will totally recommend this book to you! I hope you enjoy the book, and if you do there is a movie!

Dragon Pearl

Dragon Pearl

By Yoon Ha Lee

*NO CRITICAL SPOILERS* (Entirely subjective) Dragon Pearl is about a fantasy world taking place in space. And yes, I picked it up because it said, "Rick Riordan Presents" on the cover. In this world, humans coexist with "supernaturals" in space and the summary above pretty much gives the rest of the synopsis. A critical review: Kim Min is the protagonist of the book. As far as characters go, she's one of the most interesting in the whole book. The idea of a supernatural fox-pseudo human going to space to save her brother while is such an enticing premise that is fully realized in this book. She possesses many shades of grey that make the reader question her moral values and the decisions she makes, going so far as to have them decide whether she can even be considered a good character in the first place. She is determined, rebellious, and willing to do anything, even abuse her shapeshifting abilities to pose as another individual. She deceives her closest friends and infiltrates a private room to find information about where her brother (the main motive) has gone. The reader's choice to decide whether or not she can be forgiven gives the book a more immersive feel to it and makes her character more relatable. The most interesting thing about her is her grey shades that leave the reader One of the book's biggest strengths is its worldbuilding elements. The world itself is full of supernatural creatures and is so fully realized it feels almost real. Part of the reason for this is the fact that it's able to reflect real-world prejudices in a realistic manner that mirrors prejudices of our own. In this book, fox species are frowned upon as deceptive and cunning, and while it's a nice nod to Zootopia (ha), it manages to be different from that with its sci-fi theming and setting that takes place in the confines of a military-like spaceship. The Korean mythology that is implemented in this futuristic setting feels so incredibly creative and mind-blowing at times, as the parallels between the legends and the events of the book are so cleverly executed. However, there are some serious criticisms that I feel should be addressed about this book. The book seems to drag on and on forever and is riddled with poor pacing. Lots of patience is needed to go through this book as the "high-octane thrills" that are promised on the cover only come occasionally. This is likely due to the setting, which is restricted within the spaceship. Although Kim Min has lots of drive behind her, the rate at which the goals themselves are accomplished sometimes happens at a staggeringly slow pace. The characters spend lots of their time expressing their opinions on previous events in the book or spend a long time contemplating what to do. And when the destination is finally reached, it doesn't feel fulfilling. The brother Kim spends so many pages looking for is actually in the book for only twenty pages/ The first and last act of the book is where it truly manages to shine as that's where it feels most appropriately paced. Some side plots also unnecessarily intrude in the main story. Kim's two best friends, Haneul and Sujin, are not expanded to their full potential and while they start off strong, get less and less developed as the book drags on. The villain also feels one-dimensional at times, with the generic "I'll take over the world using this epic powerful item" trope. Even Jun, Kim's brother, struggles as a character with the same problems and lack of a proper arc. Jang, the ghost out for revenge, is the only other character that actually feels fleshed out enough. Overall, this book is good. That much is true. It has a fully-realized world and protagonist that is hindered by poor pacing and side characters. But hey. That's just my opinion. If you're patient, go enough and read it. 3/5.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)

By Scholastic

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was the most amazing book I have ever read. I am a huge fan of the original trilogy, and I am so glad that this book not only did justice to it, but in my opinion was superior to it. I was at first skeptical at the idea of Coriolanus Snow, the villain, being the main protagonist, but after reading the entire book, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I will say, there are about five pretty slow chapters, but the chapters after that COMPLETELY make up for it. Getting a peek into the mind of Coriolanus Snow was so interesting, especially to see how he articulated his thoughts and put them into words. The ending left me wanting more, and I hope one day we find out what happened to Lucy Gray. I do think the ending was extremely creative on Suzanne Collin's part, how she left it up to the reader to decide what happened to Lucy. I also love the fact that it implies at the end that Snow ends up marrying Livia Cardew, because that just adds so many more layers to the original trilogy. In the original trilogy, Plutarch Heavensbee's assitant is someone named Fulvia Cardew, meaning if Snow married Livia Cardew, Fulvia is most likely related to him in some way. Another thing I loved about this book is the amount of characters that are related to the original trilogy characters, it really adds world building and interest to the story. It really shows how the wealthiest families stay the wealthiest, and how hardly anyone else climbs up to their level. It gives an example of aristocracy, and how Coriolanus was pressured ot keep the wealthy Snow dynasty going. I also love how different this generation of Capitol people and children see the Hunger Games, how different it is from the Capitol people and children in the original trilogy. In the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, everyone sees the Hunger Games as a form of power over the districts. While in the original Trilogy, everyone sees it as a harmless form of entertainment. This story just had so many layers, and I cried especially when Sejanus was executed. Suzanne Collins did an amazing job with making you love this character, and then another amazing job with writing his death as painfully as possible. Lucy Gray's character was also so cleverly written, with how intelligent she was. Another fun detail in this novel is Coriolanus's hatred for mockingjays, obviously connecting back to Katniss Everdeen being the "mockingjay" for the revolution in the original trilogy. In conclusion, I would HIGHLY recommend this book!

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins delivers a stunning finale to "The Hunger Games" trilogy with "Mockingjay," a gripping and emotionally charged masterpiece that will leave readers breathless until the very end. From the outset, "Mockingjay" plunges us back into the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen finds herself thrust into the heart of a revolution. Collins masterfully weaves together themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply compelling. What sets "Mockingjay" apart is its unflinching portrayal of the consequences of war. As the rebellion intensifies and Katniss becomes the symbol of hope for a nation, we are confronted with the harsh realities of conflict: loss, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Collins doesn't shy away from the complexities of war, and her characters grapple with their own moral dilemmas in a world where survival often comes at a great cost. At the heart of the story is Katniss Everdeen, a heroine whose strength and vulnerability captivate us from the very first page. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of revolution, Katniss undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery, grappling with her identity, her relationships, and her role in shaping the future of Panem. Her resilience in the face of adversity is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and readers will find themselves rooting for her until the very end. Collins' writing is as sharp and evocative as ever, transporting us effortlessly into the dystopian world of Panem. Her vivid descriptions and taut pacing keep the tension high throughout, culminating in a breathtaking finale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. "Mockingjay" is a testament to Collins' storytelling prowess, and it solidifies her place as one of the greatest YA authors of our time. In conclusion, "Mockingjay" is a triumphant conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy. With its richly drawn characters, powerful themes, and heart-stopping action, it's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Mockingjay" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One The Lost Hero (new cover)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One The Lost Hero (new cover)

By Rick Riordan

Imagine if the greek gods were real, and were still alive today. Imagine if there were demigods, roaming the Earth, that we humans knew nothing about. Well, in The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, you get to see what a world like that would be like; through the demigod’s points of view. In The Lost Hero, each character is facing a different conflict. Earlier in his life, Leo was tricked by the evil primordial god of the earth Gaea to use his fire powers (An attribute that is very rare for a son of Hephaestus to have) for bad. Gaea manipulated his firepower so that he burned down the mechanic shop his mom-owned, and his mom died in the fire. So now he doesn’t want to use his fire powers in fear that he will hurt someone again. Jason lost his memory, so he can’t remember anything that's happened before he woke up on a school bus. Piper is sad because she remembers that Jason and her were boyfriend and girlfriend, but none of the relationship was real, it was just a trick of the mist (the mist basically hides the gods, demigods and greek monsters from humans, although some humans have a gift to see through the mist). The setting of the book is in the USA, in modern times, and for most of the book at a camp called Camp Half-Blood; which is a camp for demigods of greek gods, which all of the main characters are. The main antagonist in the book series is Gaea. Gaea is the Greek primordial goddess of the Earth, which means she was created near the beginning of time. She has been asleep for eons but is now waking up to overthrow the gods. Basically, a lot of the enemies that the main characters face that aren’t Gaea are working for Gaea, like the giant Enceladus, who was keeping Piper's dad captive on Mount Diablo; that giant was working for Gaea. One of the most important memory moments of the book was when Jason got most of his memory back and remembered that he was a son of Jupiter, which is the roman version of Zeus, which means he is Roman and not Greek. This memory moment then makes all of the characters have the biggest aha-moment of the story that sets the scene for the next book in the series. Overall, The Lost Hero is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who has finished the Percy Jackson series and is left with the feeling of wanting more, or, for anybody who is interested in greek mythology and a great and hard-to-put-down book.

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1

By Alexander Gordon Smith

ReedB

I would definitely recommend this book. It has many twists and turns, and there is a lot of suspense. I would say this book is a mystery book, because you don't know if Alex, the main character, will escape the inescapable prison called the Furnace. If you like mystery, I would seriously recommend this book.

Show More