Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

2.75/5

This book is pretty gut-wrenching. It is about "Alice," a child kidnapped at the age of 10. She is now 15 and has outgrown her kidnapper's, Ray, tastes. Still she is subjected to daily physical, sexual and psychological abuse which is detailed pretty graphically. The chapters are short, usually lasting no longer land a single abusive episode. Alice (the name given to her by her kidnapper)has given up the hope of ever returning home. The only thing she looks forward to is the day Ray finally kills her because at least her pain will then be over. However, soon, even that hope is taken from her when he reveals his newest plan - to have Alice help kidnap a new little girl.

There is no happy ending. Despite the horriffic abuse and feeling incredibly sorry for the main character, I would not describe the book as character driven. Some of the violence felt gratuitous. Overall, it's a realistic and horrifying picture into a world no one should have to live in.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

4.5/5

The much-anticipated final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy packs quite a punch. I was literally exhausted at the end, even though there is probably a little less action in this book than in the previous two. In Mockingjay, Katniss and her friends embody the phrase, “War is hell.” We meet new characters, some of whom we love and many we despise immediately. We are reintroduced to old friends and enemies and are no longer certain who falls into which category. Be careful not to get too attached to any one character – there’s a fair chance he or she will die.

Overall, this entire series, including Mockingjay, is outstanding. War changes people, Katniss is no exception. The author does an excellent job of revealing exactly how people’s willingness to watch the suffering of others is a dangerous and slippery path. You never know when you may go from watching to watched.