Saturday is Horror Day #53 – Planet Terror, The Craft: Legacy

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Planet Terror

Cherry (Rose McGowan) is tired of stripping and decides to make a new life for herself. She gives her scumbag employer her notice and walks out the door. Dr. Dakota Block (Marley Shelton) is planning to leave her doctor husband William (Josh Brolin), but she has to be careful about it. She can’t let him see the texts between her and her accomplice/lover.

 

 

Something strange is going on at the army base. A group of men arrive, led by Abby (Naveen Andrews). He’s brought something, but quickly discovers that something is amiss. The cage is empty and the subjects not to be found. Things quickly go wrong when a noxious gas is released into the air. Before things get too ugly, Lt. Muldoon (Bruce Willis arrives) and he wants answers.

 

When Tammy’s (Fergie) car overheats, she stops to use water from a pump near a bbq restaurant. The owner, JT (Jeff Fahey) offers her some bottled water and a meal. She takes the water and thanks him but declines the meal, even if it is the best bbq in Texas.  JT calls his brother, Sheriff Hague (Michael Biehn) and tells him a couple of people are hanging outside his place and he’s convinced they’ve been sent to steal his secret recipe. But the truth is far worse than that.

Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) drives a tow truck but his reputation as a troublemaker apparently precedes 

him. He ends up at the same restaurant as Cherry and tries to renew their relationship.

Meanwhile it seems there is an outbreak of pustule-laden zombies, created by the gas at the military base, one that is threatening to destroy the town. What can be done to fend them off?

 

This is not your usual horror movie. It’s campy, schlocky, and very violent. Kind of like an old B horror movie but better. Look for Rose McGowan and her machine-gun leg, as well as Quentin Tarantino in a small role. You might remember Freddy Rodriguez from Six Feet Under, where he played Rico. This is something different for him. And of course my favorite, Naveen Andrews. So damn sexy it’s criminal. He plays a biochemist who knows just what is going on.

This movie was fun to watch, but it isn’t for the faint of heart, let me warn you now. There is a lot of humor, something I appreciate in a good film. This film was originally released along with Grindhouse, but that didn’t do well, so the films were separated. Guess I need to find Grindhouse now. I’ll give this film a solid 4 Stars.

The Craft: Legacy

Lily (Cailee Spaeny) has her life upended when her mother Helen (Michelle Monaghan) moves them into the home of her new love Adam (David Duchovny) and his three sons. Feeling like a fish out of water, Lily starts her new school the next day and meets three girls, Lourdes (Zoey Luna), Frankie (Gideon Adlon) and Tabby (Lovie Simome). During one of her classes, Lily unexpectedly begins her period, and her predicament is called out by Timmy (Nicholas Galitzine), to her horror and shame. She goes to the girls’ room, and while she is pondering what to do, the three girls show up with a pair of shorts and words of encouragement. Lily begins to hang out with them and they make her the fourth in their group of witches.

The girls decide to test their powers, and sneak into Timmy’s home, placing a spell. They almost get caught and barely escape without being seen. The next day, Timmy is like a new man. He’s sensitive and attention and more in tune with his better self. The girls are delighted with this new Timmy and find themselves attracted to him, especially Lily.

 

While delighted to have made such good friends, Lily finds life at home difficult. Adam is very 

tyrannical. He’s a motivational speaker who thinks he knows everything and tries to control everyone around him. Disturbing things begin to happen. Timmy is a friend of one of Adam’s sons, Jacob. One night, Lily casts a love spell that brings him to her room, but they are interrupted before they go too far. Adam texts her to be continued. But the next day brings tragic news.

The girls blame Lily for what happened, disrupting their friendship. But things continue to go downhill. Lily witnesses one of Adam’s group meetings with his sons, and she realizes there is more to them than she realized. She wants to leave there, but how to convince her mother, who is so besotted with Adam? Lily’s accidental discovery of some very shocking news makes her even more vulnerable. Will Adam capitalize on this vulnerability? What is it he actually wants from her, and to what lengths will he go to to obtain it?

 

The Craft: Legacy is a sequel to the original Craft movie of some twenty years before. Again, we have three girls seeking and finding a fourth to complete their coven of witches, and then playing around with their powers. The problem with this movie is we have a different writer and director (Zoe Lister-Jones) and a different cast. But it’s primarily the bad writing and the terrible direction and story that make this film both boring and just plain bad. There isn’t much to it, and it lacks any of the charm of the original. I found myself wishing it would end soon. Luckily, it isn’t very long, just seemed that way.

I love David Duchovny, and even he is terrible in this, so that will give you some idea what this film is like.  I’m going to give it 1 Star and a serious recommendation not to watch it.

Wednesday Briefs: March 16, 2022

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

The Garret Farm: Part 26 by J Ray Lamb

Sandy and Trent silently drove along the road from the farm towards town. It wasn’t necessarily towards Racoon Rapids, or ‘town’ on the farm, nor towards Flat River, the ‘city ‘. Sandy had no idea where they were going but he trusted Trent not to get him into trouble. Just as he had fully relaxed, Trent started taking small county roads getting onto smaller and smaller roads that had quickly turned into a small rutted path through a field.

Trent realized that Sandy was completely disoriented and smiled to himself. He wanted to go somewhere quiet…

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Book Review: Bleach, Vol 53 by Tite Kubo

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Bleach, Vol 53   

Author: Tite Kubo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 4, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Ginjo is not only dismayed at Rukia’s unexpected appearance where she hands Ichigo a sword, he is shocked that Ichigo still has any powers since he thought he drained him of them. Turns out the sword contains the power of a number of the captains from Soul Society. At the Old Man’s request, they’ve come to help Ichigo, since he was instrumental in saving Soul Society. Renji, Byakuya, Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, and Ikkaku are all there with Rukia and ready to do battle. Apparently Ginjo and Tsukishima’s little scheme has failed. But Ichigo learns something surprising. Before him, there was another deputy soul reaper. And apparently that man was Kugo Ginjo!  The plot thickens!

Chad and Orihime are baffled at the turn things have taken, still under the mistaken impression that Tsukishima is a long-time friend. They assume the Soul Reapers are there to help them but they seem to be on Ichigo’s side! And why does Orihime feel so bad when she sees Ichigo cry? Mercifully, Kiskue and Isshin take Chad and Orihime out of the battle, although Isshin complains about having to take the heavy one (Chad, of course lol)

Ginjo distributes the power he has taken from Ichigo among his people, who are amazed at the way they feel. Yukio creates arenas in order to force match-ups between the two sides. Kenpachi sees Byakuya has been paired with Tsukishima and wants him to switch since he thinks he’s stronger than his opponent but that doesn’t work and he is left with Giriko. Ichigo faces Ginjo, but is unexpectedly joined by Uryu, who apologizes to Ichigo for not telling him sooner what he surmised concerning the deputy badge. Hitsuguya faces Yukio, whom he dubs the “annoying guy”, while it’s Rukia versus Ruriko, who keeps trying to bombard her with cute things. Ikkaku is stuck battling with Tsukishima’s lackey, Shishigawara, the lucky one. Will his luck run out against Ikkaku? Renji is paired up with Jackie Tristan and her Dirty Boots, but he refuses to strike first against a woman.

Let the battles begin!

To be honest, I just want to see Ichigo and the Soul Reapers kick a lot of Fullbring hiney and end this obnoxious arc. Not much to say other than each battle brings its own troubles that have to be overcome. Even so, it’s a foregone conclusion who will ultimately win, so it’s more a question of how than who. Even so, still love the series, looking forward to the next volume.

Saturday is Horror Day #52 – Deliver Us From Evil, Fantasy Island

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Deliver Us From Evil

Hitman In-nam (Jung-min Hwang) is ready to pack it in and retire to the sunny beaches of Panama. He agrees to one last hit for his boss and takes out a Japanese mobster.  While on the job, he receives a call from his ex wanting his help, but he doesn’t have time for her. The next day he learns that she has been killed and her nine-year-old daughter is missing. On top of that, the mobster he killed has a younger brother, Ray (Lee Jung-jae) who will stop at nothing to avenge his death.

This business just got personal.

In-nam follows the trail of the kidnappers to Thailand where he engages the services of a guide, a 

transwoman named Yui (Jeong Min Park).Learning that the children are being stolen for their body organs, In-nam and Yui pose as a couple who are in search of a kidney. They find a group of children who are locked-up, waiting to be sold, but Yoo-min (So-yi Park) is not among them. They continue to follow the trail, even as they are being pursued by Ray, intent on killing the man who killed his brother.

This film starts off a bit slow, and at first I was a little confused as to who was doing what and why, but the pace picked up and I finally caught on. For fans of Squid Game, be prepared to see Gi-Hun in a much different light as the tatted vengeful killer. 

 

I thought Jeong Min Park did a great job as Yui and Lee Jung-jae was sexy as Ray. It was a good film, very enjoyable. I give it a solid 4 Stars. I found another film that Jung-min Hwang and Lee Jung-jae are in together, called New World, and I plan to watch it too.

Fantasy Island

Have you ever wanted to change a past decision? To take the road not taken? To undo an old regret? Then come to Fantasy Island, where you can live out your fantasy… to its natural conclusion.

Gwen (Maggie Q) regrets the day she didn’t say yes to the marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Robbie (Allen Chambers). But you can’t go back and changes things… or can you?

Melanie (Lucy Hale) has had revenge on her mind ever since high school when she was tormented on a daily basis by Sloane (Portia Doubleday). All of the bad things in her life stem from that time, and she wants nothing more than to get revenge on Sloane, and see her tortured as she once was.

JD and Brax (Ryan Hansesn and Jimmy O. Yang) are brothers, although nobody believes them since Brax is Asian. But JD’s father married Brax’s mother when Brax was still in diapers, and they’ve been close over since. Now their biggest fantasy is to have it all…

Patrick (Austin Stowell) always wanted to join the military but never did, for personal reasons. The closest he ever came to performing service was to become a policeman. Now he fantasizes about being an actual soldier

What do they have in common? They’ve all just arrived on Fantasy Island.

 

Fantasy Island is a place where dreams and fantasies can come true. But always be aware of the old adage… be careful what you wish for. The host of Fantasy Island is the enigmatic Mr. Roarke *Michael Pena). He is there to see to his guests comfort as they fulfill their fantasies. There are only two rules on the island. One is that there is only one fantasy per guest. The second is that the fantasy must play out to its natural conclusion.  But he always says that “Fantasies rarely play out as you or I might expect.”

 

Fantasy Island is based on the TV series by the same name, which originally starred Ricardo Montalban and Herve Villechaize, but the director and writers have taken these stories in an entirely different direction. Would you expect any less from a Blumhouse film? These are the people, after all, who brought us Paranormal Activity (which series I love). The film has twists and turns you won’t see coming, and the ending is far from predictable. 

Although I did see some negative reviews, I personally enjoyed watching it. I thought the acting was good, Michael Pena makes a good Mr. Roark.I recognized his assistant Julie (Parisa Fitz-Henley) from having seen her as Fiji in the series Midnight Texas. You might remember Jimmy O. Yang from Crazy Rich Asians, another wonderful film. 

Watch for references to the series, and just the obvious ones, such as “The plane” or Mr. Roarke’s iconic white suit. It was enjoyable to watch and I do recommend it. I’m giving it 4.5 Stars.

Book Review: Bleach, Vol 52

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Bleach, Vol 2     

Author: Tite Kubo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 4, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Ichigo finds himself blinded by Ginjo during their battle. When Orihime attempts to heal him, she is locked into a cage from which her voice cannot be heard. But Ichigo battles on, only to discover Ginjo’s reason was to help him achieve his complete Fullbring. Afterward, an exhausted Ichigo wants nothing more than to go home. But when he gets there, he’s in for a rude shock when Yuzu tells him they have a visitor, their cousin… Tsukishima? Wth?

When Ichigo attacks Tsukishima, Karin and Yuzu are appalled at their brother’s lack of manners. What can he be thinking, to try to hurt their lovely cousin? And why are Keigo and the others here? The situation grows worse when Tsukishima calls Orihime and Chad to join them! Everyone is convinced that Tsukishima is their friend, such a great guy. Confused and upset, Ichigo escapes. He lucks out and runs into his boss on the street and she takes him home. Finally, someone who’s on his side. Or is she? Oh no, she’s called Tsukishima too! Making a hasty exit, Ichigo goes to the Fullbring hideout, only to learn that the others, aside from Ginjo, have all been taken by Tsukishima!

Ginjo takes Ichigo to another secret hideout, but Yukio finds them anyway, and they end up following him to a large house… where everyone is waiting to welcome Ichigo back and forgive him for his bad behavior! It’s like a nightmare he can’t wake from! How can he protect his friends and family if they think he’s in the wrong and Tsukishima is such a great guy?

Ichigo attempts to battle Tsukishima, but it’s difficult when everyone else keeps getting in the way, attempting to run interference. To his dismay, Ginjo steps between them only to be cut by Tsukishima’s sword. Will he become buddy buddies with the enemy now too? When Uryu arrives, Ichigo doesn’t know if he’s siding with the others or not. But in one move, he now realizes who his enemy really is.

Poor Ichigo has it hard in this volume of Bleach. His friends and family think he’s acting badly and he can’t make them see that it’s Tsukishima who’s the enemy, not him. Kiskue and Isshin seem to be up to something, not sure what. Guess we’ll find out in time.  I was right not to trust those Fullbrings! Can’t wait for the next volume!

Wednesday Briefs: March 9, 2022

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Ancalagon: Chapter Eighty-one by Cia Nordwell
 

“You can’t do that!” Sonez blustered. The Heeze whispered in his ear. “It’s dereliction of duty!”  

“Watch me.”  

Garjah had let me handle my former captain until that moment, but when he took another threatening step forward, he decided to get in on the action with Bouncer. He brought one thickly-muscled arm up and pointed right at the red-faced captain who thought he could bully me. “If you touch him, I will remove your arm. And since you only have two, I don’t think you will function very well.” He flexed his fingers, so casually menacing that it was more

 
 

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Book Review: Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol 9 by Naoki Urasawa

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Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol 9

Author: Naoki Urasawa

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 19, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Horror/482 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Nina comes face to face with Johan, and yet she can’t bring herself to kill her twin. When Tenma finds her, she is about to shoot herself, blaming herself for what happened. The memories that Johan spoke of are hers, not his. Everything is her fault. Tenma stops her from pulling the trigger. Suddenly she realizes what Johan intends to do – he plans to kill himself but also to eliminate everyone who has any memory of him!

Detective Lunge arrives in the quiet town of Ruhenheim and begins to investigate, ending up in a small book store. Herr Grimmer also arrives in Ruhenheim. He hears what he thinks is a gunshot. Is that possible? Grimmer and Lunge run into each other, and Grimmer tells the detective that a terrible massacre is about to take place here.

After speaking with Nina, whom he has taken to the hospital, Tenma seeks out the son of Franz Bonaparta. He’s figured out what Bonaparta’s real name is and, with the son’s help, he learns how to find him.

And now it’s begun. All roads seem to lead to Ruhenheim, and everyone is gathering there, while the town finds itself in the throes of some terrible madness. People are scared, because people are dying but they don’t know why. Will Johan achieve his insane desire to kill himself and take everyone who ever knew him with him?

It’s been one wild ride but this story has finally reached an end. So many twists and turns. Such an incredible mind this Urasawa possesses! He’s kept us guessing about what’s going on all this time, and now it’s done. The final volume of Monster does not disappoint. And though most everything is explained, I still have questions. Even so, I do like the ending.  I am sorry to say good-bye to Tenma and Nina and Dieter. Even Detective Junge. Thank you for taking me along on such a wonderful journey. I must find the anime and watch that now.

Saturday is Horror Day #51 – Black Death, Killers (2014)

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 Black Death

The year is 1348, and the bubonic plague – aka the Black Death – has England in its thrall. Osmund (Eddie Redmayne) is a young monk who lives with his fellows under the leadership of their abbot (David Warner). But Osmund has a secret – he is in love with a young woman named Averill (Kimberley Nixon). Fearful of the plague, she tells him she is leaving and wants him to come with her, but he says he cannot leave just like that. She says she will wait for him every day in a certain spot for a week and hope he comes with her

A group of soldiers arrives, led by Ulrich (Sean Bean). He tells the abbot of a place that is supposedly free 

from the plague because the people there practice necromancy and witchcraft. He requests one of the monks guide them there, but the abbot assures him none will. However Osmund volunteers and leaves with them the next day. 

After witnessing something on the road, Osmund is not so sure of his traveling companions. They make camp for the night, and early the morning he sneaks off to find Averill. But instead, he encounters a group of mine who end up ambushing the soldiers. They blame Osmund for what has happened and the loss of one of them.

 

Continuing their travels, the group runs across a village where, once they establish that they come in peace, they are welcomed with open arms. But Ulrich is suspicious. There is no sign of death here, as in the other villages they passed along the way, no over-filled cemeteries, no great despair. Why do the women outnumber the men? Osmund is still in mourning when he is shown a great secret which he can scarce believe. Could it be? But how?

 

One of the more interesting aspects of this film (outside of the obvious, such as Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne) is the good vs evil trope which is not as clear-cut as one might think. Fanatics come in all sizes and shapes and beliefs. The one thing they have in common is that each side thinks it’s right. The beliefs may differ but the solutions they use to achieve their ends is pretty much the same. Sean Bean is great, of course, as the pious Ulrich who is determined to cleanse evil in the name of his God, and Eddie Redmayne as the pious monk is also good. Look carefully at the woman in charge of the village, Langiva, you might recognize her as one of Sean Bean’s castmates from Game of Thrones. In fact, she played the horrible Melisandra. And the headman of the village, seen above, is Tim McInnerny.

The atmosphere of the film captures the time well, in my opinion, and it is a well-paced, well-told story. Some scenes are not necessarily for the faint of heart, though. I’ll give Black Death 4 Stars.

Killers (2014)

Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura) has a lot of money as well as time on his hands… and a sadistic streak a mile wide. As evidenced by the lady with the plastic bag over her head who he has bound and secured in his own private torture chamber. She isn’t the first, though, nor will she be the last. He films his torture sessions and uploads the videos for all to see. Wearing a mask, of course, to conceal his identity.

 

Bayu (Oka Antara) is a journalist of the crusading variety, who is determined to reveal ruthless 

businessman Dharma (Ray Sahetapy) for the cruel bastard that he is. Things at home aren’t going well either, ever since he moved out of the home he once shared with his wife and daughter. Now Bayu’s father-in-law seems to be trying to move a new man into Bayu’s place. Bayu finds himself on the wrong end of a kidnapping by two men who definitely intend him harm. But a virtual comedy of errors leaves them dead and him alive. Having seen similar videos, he instinctively takes his phone and records the scene, then goes home and uploads it under an anonymous user name.

Bayu is shocked when someone messages him and warns him that he is too easy to find, he needs to use another IP address next time. Confused and fearful, Bayu replies to the stranger, in spite of his instinct not to, and they begin a conversation that carries over into a video chat. The other man is wearing a mask, so Bayu won’t be able to identify him, but the man is none other than Nomura, thrilled to find someone else like him.

 

And so their relationship begins….

Killers is about two killers who do similar things but from different motives. Nomura enjoys the thrill of the kill. He only seems to come alive when he is killing. On the other hand, he finds himself having feelings for a girl he meets named Hisae (Rin Takanashi)   who owns a flower shop. She has an autistic brother, Souichi (Tensui Sakai), and Nomura finds himself giving the boy life lessons. Probably not an ideal situation. On the other hand, Bayu’s victims have done things that are wrong, so he is more of an avenger than Nomura.  Both men find it difficult to balance the separate halves of their lives. Nomura even warns Hisae to stay away from him, but she doesn’t listen, concerned about his influence on her brother.

This film is both dark and intense, and very well done. The acting is top notch, as is the direction, and the writing. It examines the question of doing evil for good reasons, and what price is too high to pay. Be aware this film is not for the squeamish. I give it 4.5 Stars.

Book Review: Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol 8 by Naoki Urasawa

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Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol 8   

Author: Naoki Urasawa

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: April 19, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Horror/432 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 

Tenma has been asking questions about Eva’s bodyguard, trying to learn her whereabouts. The man roughs him up and refuses to tell him, but he lets Eva know he’s seen her ex. Tenma persists, returning the next night, with a gun. He tells the bodyguard he knows the Baby hired him, and he wants to know why. Martin explains that all she does is go to parties, and all she did for the Baby was point out a blond man with a pretty face. Of course, Tenma knows who that is.

Martin rushes back to the hotel. His instructions are to kill Eva, but he can’t bring himself to do that, so he asks her to run away with him. She says has no interest in that, so he gives her the address of Tenma’s hotel, trusting the doctor will keep her safe. When the men come for her, she isn’t there, and now he has to face the music. Martin is shot but lives, and manages to reach Tenma’s hotel, only to discover that Eva never arrived. Martin tells Tenma that the experiments at Red Rose Mansion are still going on, and now the devil has an apprentice in the form of Peter Capek. Tenma finds Eva at the train station and tells her what has happened.

Nina is trying to jog her memory by returning over and over to the Three Frogs. She tells Dieter he needs to go back to Munich, back to school, but he refuses and insists on accompanying her. She remembers being taken to the Red Rose Mansion, and something terrible happened, but what?

We’re finally at the beginning of the end. Everything is becoming clearer, and more and more people are becoming aware of what is going on. But can they stop it? Can they catch the devil before his final grand plan is set in motion? How is Franz Bonaparta at the center of everything? What exactly happened at 511 Kinderheim? And why?

One more volume to go, can’t wait!

Book Review: Mockingjay (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book #3) by Suzanne Collins

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Mockingjay (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book #3)   

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

American release date:  September 1, 2010

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/YA SciFi Action/391 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Rebellion has begun, but at what price? The destruction of District 12. Katniss was able to escape, along with her mother and sister, and Gale, but not everyone was so lucky. And poor Peeta is still in the hands of the Capitol, being forced to endure who knows what? Katniss insists on returning to her district to see it for herself, and it’s not a pretty sight. She and her family are living in what was thought to be a destroyed district, namely #13. But they’ve simply kept themselves out of sight, planning for the day they can retaliate against District 1, the Capitol. Good thing they have Katniss, the face of the Rebellion, even though President Coin was overheard to say they should have saved the boy first, meaning Peeta. Finnick is there as well but he’s not entirely himself. And so is Haymitch, but can she ever trust him again?

Katniss is overjoyed to see Peeta appear on the screen in a broadcast from the Capitol, but her joy quickly sours as he advocates a ceasefire and calls upon the rebels to surrender. This isn’t the Peeta she knows, what have they done to him? When Katniss accidentally stumbles upon her prep team, being held hostage and tortured, she begins to realize that President Coin and her advisors aren’t necessarily better than President Snow.  Coin wants to use Katniss as the face of the Rebellion again as they storm the Capitol, but she demands a price – freedom for those captives being held in the Capitol and immunity, especially for Peeta. But her bargaining may lead to more trouble than she imagines.

When Katniss is finally reunited with Peeta, she is horrified at the change in him… and what he has become. Would he really harm her? Could she harm him, if it became necessary? What if he begged her to? And what of Gale? How does she feel about him? Seventeen, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, can Katniss do what is expected… no, demanded of her? Or will she finally break?

Katniss’ journey is finally coming to an end, but as I read this final book, I couldn’t tell how it would end for her. So many twists and turns, unexpected happenings. Like being on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, waiting for the ending and hoping, hoping, hoping. When the adults around you are intent upon destruction, where can a girl turn? This was a fitting ending to the series, and contains heartbreak, deceit, friendship, love, and triumph. I was pleased with the ending, and plan to watch the movies next. I hope they do the books justice.

Good series, highly recommend.