Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson Transformation

First Entertainment weekly helped boost the support for Jennifer Lawrence being cast as Katniss. For most, of us, any doubt that Miss Lawrence could transform into our beloved Katniss, were put to rest as soon as we saw her on the cover. Now, both Hutcherson and Hemsworth are looking to accomplish the same support. The only thing I had a problem with and  mind you it's small no punt intended, it's that Hemsworth is almost 10 inches taller than Hutcherson.  I guess that's what Photoshop is all about! Other than that I'm digging the looks. Tell us what you think.   

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Mayberry

The story of Rot and Ruin takes place 14 years after "First Night". A mysterious virus had caused the dead to reanimate. The survivors have protected themselves by living in small colonies within the Rot and Ruin. For our young protagonist fifteen year old Benny, he has reached the age where he must get a work assignment or face his rations being cut.

Since their parents death and reanimation as "Zoms", Benny has been raised by his half brother Tom, a sword wielding, half-Japanese, Zombie Bounty hunter. When Benny soon sees that getting a job is not as easy as he thought it would be, he has only one option left. Become an apprentice to his half brother. There is nothing cool about Tom in Benny's opinion. He wishes Tom could be more like Charlie Pink-Eye and Motor City Hammer, two Zom Killers who have plenty of cool and harrowing stories to tell each time they return from the Rot and Ruin.

As the story develops Benny comes to see the importance and meaningful thing that Tom has done all these years. The story really is about these two brothers and the evolution of that relationship. The background characters are rich as well. I have to admit I love a good book. Rot and Ruin was especially a good one. I couldn't put it down.

Here's some great news...the sequel Dust and Decay is being released August 30, 2011. This reader cannot wait!!

Official First Poster for The Hunger Games Movie

Lionsgate has officially released one of what should be many posters for the movie currently being filmed with its release date set for March 2012. This is very exciting news for the fans. We want your opinion on the first poster. Do you think the poster will do the movie justice? Let us know.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

This novel takes place in a not so distant post-apocalyptic future set on the American Gulf Coast. Our protagonist Nailer works light crew; he has the dangerous and dirty job to crawl deep into the wrecks of the ancient oil tankers that line the beach, scavenging copper wire and turning it over to his crew boss. One night a brutal hurricane passes over and a luxurious clipper ship crashes bringing valuable goods that could make them rich. Amid the wreckage, Nailer finds a girl who barely clings to life and will rock his world upside down. He makes tough choices along the way. If he helps her, it could mean his life. This a gritty story with amazing character development. They are complex yet relatable. This is a fast paced read and you'll be taken on quite an adventure. I highly recommend this book as a great summer read. 

The Host

I just came across some exciting movie news! The Host, a novel by Stephanie Meyer is being made into a movie. Ok the release date is not until March 2013, but this will give you plenty of time to read this amazing novel before you see the movie.

If you are reluctant to read The Host because you are not a sci-fi lover don't be. This moving, beautifully written book will surprise you. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. One such alien named Wander does exactly this but unlike other human hosts, her host Melanie refuses to surrender her consciousness to the alien.

Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. The pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend hiding out with a group of rebels fighting to keep even a small part of the human race alive. In the beginning Wanderer is hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer she finds herself caring for these people which conflicts with her loyalty to her own race.

The Host is a deep and beautiful story, and very different from Meyer's popular, young adult series. The love triangle is like none I have ever read before. This is one of those books you will keep thinking about long after you've finished the last page. I highly recommend this novel to any reader, not only science fiction fans. Enjoy!

The Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps

If you haven't entered The Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps yet, now's your chance. The contest is open to all residents in the U.S to have a chance to visit the set of The Hunger Games movie and meet some of the cast! All you need to do to enter is go to Facebook, go to The Hunger Games Official Movie Fan Page, and click on the link: WIN A TRIP TO SET, and fill out the information below. You can also share the sweepstakes with your friends for two additional entries. The winner will be announced the week of July 25th.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

In the truly original novel Unwind, we find ourselves in a future where a war between pro-life and pro-choice has been fought. The compromise the two sides came to has horrifying results that the whole of society has come to accept without question.

The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. However, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a parent may choose to retroactively 'abort' a child....on condition that the child's life doesn't 'technically' end. The process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive is called 'unwinding.'

The story focuses on three "Unwinds," each from very different backgrounds. It is told in first person from each of their perspectives so we really are drawn into the characters and their motivations.

Some of the concepts such as "storking", seem to be a little far fetched and I won't give anything away but let's just say if I got "storked" I would be a little freaked out!

All in all a great read. I found it to be quite a page turner.

If you get a chance to read it please leave a comment and tell me what you thought. I'd love to hear your feedback!