Reviews by Tag: dystopia

Teen Review
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes book cover

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds

By Francis Lawrence
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Brayden P.
Jan 26, 2024

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to the first four movies in The Hunger Games series. It focuses on the upbringing and backstory of the notorious leader Coriolanus Snow. Coriolanus Snow is President Snow in the later movies and he is known for his cold-blooded spirit and ruthless leadership. Coriolanus is one of the top students at his school and is going to be a mentor at the 10th annual Hunger Games. He is chosen to mentor a girl for District Twelve named Lucy Gray.

Teen Review
1984 by George Orwell

1984

By George Orwell
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Mahad Z.
Jan 12, 2024

1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel set in a dictatorial future where the government, led by the Party and its enigmatic figurehead Big Brother, exercises complete control over its citizens. The protagonist, Winston Smith, works for the Party rewriting historical records to fit its propaganda. As he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the oppressive regime, Winston starts a forbidden love affair with Julia, a fellow Party member.

Teen Review
Mockingjay book cover

Mockingjay

By Suzanne Collins
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Dec 29, 2023

Mockingjay is the final book in the trilogy called The Hunger Games. It shows Katniss’s capability when it came to looking out for an entire nation rather than just herself. She becomes the symbol of the rebellion, providing a way for the districts to fight back. Katniss sacrifices her life for the future of the districts. She allows a chance for victims of the capitol to speak up. This revolutionary period happens over the course of this book.

Teen Review
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes book cover

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

By Suzanne Collins
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Saanvi M.
Dec 8, 2023

As the prequel to the well-known Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes allows the reader to explore the motives behind the villain of the original series. We get to dive deeper into Coriolanus Snows’ teenage years and see his thoughts to get a richer understanding of him. The book is set 64 years before the original series, during the 10th annual Hunger Games. Coriolanus Snow is an academy student in the Capitol. The students are all assigned tributes to mentor.

Teen Review
The Trial book cover

The Trial

By Franz Kafka
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Mahad Z.
Nov 20, 2023

The Trial by Franz Kafka follows the surreal and nightmarish journey of Josef K., a seemingly ordinary man who is arrested by mysterious agents for an unspecified crime. Throughout the novel, Josef navigates a bewildering and absurd legal system, facing a series of bizarre and surreal trials without ever being informed of the charges against him. The narrative unfolds in a disorienting and dreamlike manner, exploring themes of bureaucracy, power, and the absurdity of the legal system.

Teen Review
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire movie cover

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire

By Francis Lawrence
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Isabella
Nov 20, 2023

Catching Fire is the second movie in the Hunger Games series, and it is an absolute must-watch. The movie takes us deeper into the world of the Capitol and the life of the people living in the Districts. I enjoyed the exciting experience to watch the story unfold, with original characters and new ones being introduced. The movie is a great portrayal of the tension between the districts and the Capitol, and it does an excellent job of highlighting the 75th Hunger Games. 

Teen Review
The City of Ember book cover

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Isabella
Nov 20, 2023

The City of Ember is a dystopian city constructed as a last retreat for humanity, located hundreds of miles beneath the Earth's surface. The city is kept illuminated by thousands of glass light bulbs, but it is slowly decaying, with the lights about to go out forever. Lina and her friend Doon set out to decode a secret message that could save the city from total darkness. 

Teen Review
The Maze Runner book cover

The Maze Runner

By James Dashner
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Isabella
Nov 20, 2023

In The Maze Runner by James Dashner, the main character Thomas appears in the middle of a maze with no memory of his past. Thomas is more curious than the others there and he wants to know what is beyond the maze. He wants to explore the maze and get out. He eventually figures out and even sees the monsters that they call “Grievers”. Thomas is not like the other boys there. He doesn’t follow rules. While some of the other boys think Thomas is a problem, some think he could be a solution. 

Teen Review
The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Isabella
Nov 9, 2023

Books are amazing! They have this magical power that can transport us to different worlds and ignite our imaginations. One book that absolutely blew my mind is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's the first book of a trilogy and is narrated by Katniss Everdeen. The story takes us to a future where The Capitol is in charge of everything and has all the power. The way the older sister protects her little sister and tries to win the game was truly amazing and kept me hooked. 

Teen Review
Insurgent book cover

Insurgent

By Veronica Roth
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Mia M.
Oct 27, 2023

Insurgent is a dystopian novel that follows Tris Prior through her adventures in a war torn city. Tris is Divergent, which means she can resist simulations and can’t be controlled by the leaders. She has to make a huge choice during this book, she can turn herself in for testing, or the leaders will continue to kill her friends. The choice she makes tears her from her love, Tobias, who follows her even though she broke a promise.

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