Lissar & Ash

  After Lissar's traumatic experience with her father, the King, we as readers see her go on a journey to find who she is once again. At first, all she knows is that she wants to get away from the place where something haunting happened. As the story goes on we realize that Lissar has little, if no recollection of who she used to be. Flashes of memories come and go of her former life. When reading Lissar's journey through the forest and bearing the winter in the cabin Ash led them to, I felt anxious and couldn't stop reading because I wanted to see them both make it through. For awhile I thought the King would come back and find her in the cabin before the Lady came. As Lissar continues her journey to the 'yellow city' she meets the royal family and gets a job as a nursemaid watching over the prince's new litter of puppies. I believe Ash got her to this point, just like Ash has helped her through everything. My prediction is that Lissar and Prince Ossin will fall in love. This has a lot to do with Ash as well. Lissar was not just noticed for her exotic looks and bare feet when she met the royal family but also for the curly haired animal that stood to her side. The Prince automatically sat a little straighter when he saw Ash.
  Overall, Ash has played a big part in this story so far. Ash has protected Lissar as best as she could, helped Lissar on their journey through the forest by providing food and now she has led Lissar to her future husband (or so I believe). Ash is the magical part behind this book. She has such a keen sense of what Lissar needs. One question I asked myself while reading was about the possibility that Lissar's mother, now dead, feels guilty for neglecting Lissar and came back in the form of Ash to help her on her way. The Queen could also be The Lady but I believe that is another form of magic. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I found a fan based trailer that was made for this book, watch at your own risk! It may be a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the full assignment yet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ui8rKO1lKU

Mockingjay

To start off, I have not read the first two books of the Hunger Games series. Thus, this book is really standing on its own for me as a reader. When I began to read this book I had pre notions in my head about the series due to things I've heard from those who have read it. Mostly, these were not great comments. However, I was pleasantly surprised to fall for this book and become very intertwined with it. I am very curious about Katniss Everdeen's character along with that of Peeta's. I am very excited to keep reading and learn what happens to Peeta.

Many questions arise for me while reading this book because I have not read the two previous books. I get the sense that the actual 'Hunger Games' was not a good experience for any of those in it and Katniss is still trying to recover from it. Why are there these 'games?' Is it just for pure enjoyment of all the districts or the Capitol?

A particular point I like about Katniss is how she does what she wants and is very different from all those around her. District 13 has been trying to create propos about Katniss to show other districts what their Mockingjay is like. One propos takes them to a district where Katniss greets the wounded in a hospital. This later turns into disaster when there is a bombing and I believe the author does a great job at describing Katniss' quick, gut reaction to try and save those people in the hospital. I believe she is more worried about the people around herself than her own well being. This is something I can connect with very well. Obviously I am not in her situation but sometimes I run around and do so much that I realize I haven't even eaten lunch and now it is 4 o'clock. I feel a connection towards Katniss.

Katniss is her own person and one moment I really enjoyed in the reading was when she sang to the Mockingjay's in District 12. This was on page 123-124 and I thought it was unique but that song was sad and a little haunting.

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where they strung up a man they say murdered three.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where the dead man called out for his love to flee.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.

Strange things do happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Overall, I'm very intrigued to keep reading and find out what happens next!