Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

First of all, I have two warnings.

1. These books are dark and sort of gruesome.

2. There are 12 books (200-250 pages long each)

So if you don't like dark stories or committing to a series that's long, this isn't the book for you.

Secondly, I didn't really like these books.  The first 1-5 were good, 6-9 weren't.  10-11 were okay, and 12 was pretty good, I liked how the author finished it.

Summary:

Darren Shan is just a regular kid who happens to like spiders until he attends a freak show, called "Cirque Du Freak", with his friend, Steve.  During the show, one of the acts is a man named Mr. Crepsley and a spider he calls Madam Octa.  After the show, Steve goes backstage to confront Mr. Crepsley about being a vampire.  Steve demands to be one too.  Mr. Crepsley tastes a bit of his blood and says no.  Darren watches from inside a closet, overhearing everything.  A few days later, Darren steals Madam Octa (because he likes spiders so much), and Madam Octa bites Steve.  The only way he can save Steve is to make a deal with Mr. Crepsley.  In order to save Steve, he has to become Mr. Crepsley's assistant.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

BOOK 1: A LIVING NIGHTMARE - BOOK 2: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT - BOOK 3: TUNNELS OF BLOOD - BOOK 4: VAMPIRE MOUNTAIN - BOOK 5: TRIALS OF DEATH - BOOK 6: THE VAMPIRE PRINCE - BOOK 7: HUNTERS OF THE DUSK - BOOK 8: ALLIES OF THE NIGHT - BOOK 9: KILLERS OF THE DAWN - BOOK 10: THE LAKE OF SOULS - BOOK 11: LORD OF THE SHADOWS - BOOK 12: SONS OF DESTINY 

~thespectacularbookworm

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

WARNING!  This is Book 3 in the Hunger Games trilogy.  If you haven't read The Hunger Games or Catching Fire here's a spoiler alert!

This was my least favorite book in the series. The ending just seemed abrupt, not all of the ends tied and the novel just seemed to stop mid-scene.  But I'd still advise reading it if you read the first two books, just to see what happens to Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and the rest of the group. 

Summary:

After being saved by the rebels, Katniss Everdeen is taken to the legendary District 13.  They want her to be their "Mockingjay", basically a spokesperson who people will believe in.  The rebellion is catching fire, and the fight between good and evil begins.

BOOK 1: THE HUNGER GAMES 
BOOK 2: CATCHING FIRE 
BOOK 3: MOCKINGJAY

~thespectacularbookworm

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

WARNING!  This is Book 2 in the Hunger Games series.  If you are looking for Book 1, click here.  Spoiler alert for those who haven't read Book 1!

This is my favorite book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  I would strongly advise reading it, especially if you loved The Hunger Games. And if you haven't read the first one, it's in the making of a movie so you should read it before the movie comes out in early 2012!

Summary (from GoodReads):

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge. 

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

BOOK 1: THE HUNGER GAMES 
BOOK 2: CATCHING FIRE 
BOOK 3: MOCKINGJAY

~thespectacularbookworm