This story reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode "Number 12 looks just like you."

While the writing style is a little weak, and some of the analogies he used were not-good hilarious, the plot was interesting, and that sells. Nevertheless, the characters are endearing, and I like that even though the book is driven by looks, I have no idea what a lot the characters actually looks like, besides the things that define them as "ugly"...which is pretty fascinating.

I really love this idea, the world, and the plot, but the writing feels sub-par.

Again - the analogies and the predictability get me. But I still read it, so....

I wondered if "Stay bubbly!" was supposed to be a little annoying. I think it was.

Predictable.

Unsure about the "ending" - maybe the fourth book clears it up? Honestly, I'm undecided if I'll read it.

The plot was excellent, but felt rushed. Maybe he didn't know for sure how much longer the series would stretch, which I imagine is a typical problem with YA lit. While I did like what Westerfield was doing with this series, I feel the writing could have been better.

Questions: Why did she become special? Why did she become a cutter? I didn't pick up on this reasoning.

Started slow, but this was terrifying. I'm glad I didn't read this while I was younger because I LOVED merry-go-rounds.

Webb is the dialogue champion. :)

The movie intrigued me, so reading the book was a must. (The film had a twist, but stayed pretty true to the book).

The characters were corrupt and fascinating, but not quite a train wreck? Mrs. Robinson is mysterious and sultry––though we know nothing about her (I don't think Webb gives a physical description of her besides mentioning she's attractive) we want to know more, and you wonder how she became the manipulative, oddly attractive 'older woman' that she is. Benjamin is also corrupt, but his naivete makes you still "root for him" as he's struggling with his identity.

I loved this book: Real people in real situations. We've all heard about similar happenings, but Webb had the guts to not only write about it––but make it look provocative.

Thought I enjoyed this book and really loved Wells's style, I felt like this was one of his weaker works.

His usage of the unnatural in an everyday world is well done, especially his mentioning of eyelids and clothing. I can't put my finger on what I didn't like - the length, the number of seemingly unnecessary characters, or something else. What I did like was the spookiness, which I somehow didn't expect from the book. Seeing evidences of an invisible man would probably be quite scary, though, and Wells portrays it well.

Fantastic.
I love all the characters.
I love the themes.
I love the imagery.

I was originally skeptical of Collins' writing because it was disjointed and choppy. As I got to know Katniss, though, I felt Collins was writing in tune with Katniss and how she thought, which is the sign of a good writer. Having started book two, though, maybe beginnings are Collins' weakness? She makes up for it with her cliffhangers––not too dramatic and overdone, but where you say, "Gosh, I was going to stop at this chapter but––" and then you realize you're several pages into the next chapter. :)

Romance triangles don't seem forced. And of course, I adore the dystopian society Collins has created.

I LOVE how Collins ends her chapters––like I said, this is what kept me up late reading. If she's able to do that, then she's doing something right. :) I'm interested to read her other works as well.

Interesting pairings so far: Battle Royale; Lord of the Flies; Heart of Darkness; The Invisible Man?

First and foremost, I think the themes in these books and the questions it raises are excellent. Know that overall.

But.

I feel like book 3 dragged to the end.
I was irritated about Katniss's "man choice," but what can you do?

I think Collins' biggest flaw was ending a chapter/section with a cliffhanger, but instead of continuing in the moment, flash back pages later to explain what happened. (example: explosion, wake up in the hospital, someone else explains) I think it's appropriate to do that at times, (like when the main character was severely injured) but there were points where this technique was used even when Katniss DIDN'T pass out (when B's legs were blown off, I think). Part of me says Collins did this for a reason - to show that such violent events are so hard to process that they HAVE to be looked at in retrospect or need to be told by another POV to process. Part of me, though, finds that as a half-hearted excuse for weak writing.

*I think Gale getting a job in what used to be district 12 is unlike him.
*I think the decision to murder the new president was the right decision (though––eeek!) because the system would have happened all over again. Even if the capitol people 'deserved' to have their kids in the hunger games, no one deserves the hunger games.

I can't wait to compare this book with Battle Royale.

Other comparisons: Battle Royale, Lord of the flies, a clockwork orange, poisonwood bible, invisible man?, diary of anne frank, something by toni morrison, mein kampf