Self-Isolation Read - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

• Title And Author: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Physical, eBook or Audiobook: Physical
• Bought, Borrowed or Gifted: Bought
• Length: 528 Pages

Ok, let's address the elephant in the room. The world at the moment is awful. There's no other word for it. It's awful. And I thought long and hard over whether to continue posting on the Pewter Wolf or not over the next few weeks. I decided, in the end, that I am going to continue posting for a little while (I am going to take a small break later in the moment due to work and my mental health), but I wanted to say that this blog is my safe space and I want to keep it being a safe place for you, dear reader. I will one or two things the next few weeks and you will notice a shift on what I read and how I educate and entertain myself. But please bear with me. I will try and be/do better.

So... the long awaited prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy! And it’s a chunky beast. And it had a bit of a journey to its worldwide release - we were told it was a prequel, following an eighteen President Snow becoming a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games and happening in the middle of the COVID-19 and other things (can we just cancel 2020?) - but we’re here now. And this book is getting some very mixed reactions. 

So, what is mine? 

Now, before we go further, the book. On the morning of the Reaping for the tenth Hunger Games, young Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot of fame and glory as a new mentor of this Hunger Games. The name and respect for the Snow has fallen on hard times and he thinks this will save himself and his family. 

But when he is told he will mentor the female tribute from District 12, he feels humiliated and starts trying to figure out his next move. For someone desperate to survive, how far will he follow the rules for?

SMILE - I VOLUNTEER!!!

Says nothing, but I completely get the reaction (and I don't even watch Supernatural). 

My thanks to Pinterest as I randomly discovered this and, yes, I am on Pinterest. If you want, you can check my page out here or if you just want to follow the SMILE board, just click here. 

Taylor Swift is on the Hunger Games soundtrack...?

No SMILE blog this week (to give you guys a nice Christmas break), but last week, interesting news reach the world of Twitter.

Taylor Swift revealed on Twitter that she will be release a song entitled "Safe and Sound" with The Civil Wars. And this is the first single from the Hunger Games soundtracks. AND HERE IT IS!



What are your reactions to this piece of news and music? I always a score for The Hunger Games movie but, after listening to it, I quite like it. But am not sure I understand why Liongate is releasing songs for a dystopian movie...

The Hunger Games Trailer

Earlier today, Good Morning America (a breakfast show on ABC in the USA) revealed the trailer for The Hunger Games... and here it is!



Reactions, ladies & gentlemen?

The Hunger Games Character Posters!

Yesterday, Liongate revealed, from several different online locations, character posters for The Hunger Games. It was simple, yet effective posters. And, the lovely people at Hypable, got them all together and here they are...









And here is the only poster, where the character is looking to the right. Well, with the lead being Katniss, THEY HAD TO!!!



I really like them, much to my surprise. I'm still not 100% certain on Lenny Kravitz being Cinna (he's my fave character hence my resistance to him), but I love Rue's poster (it's perfect and heartbreaking) and whenever I look at Effie's poster, I feel the urge to laugh. It's tacky and it's perfect for her! Still not sure about Cato's poster (as I can't remember his character) but I thought we would see President Snow or Foxface. Now, that would be interesting to see...

Also, reported from Hypable, the real name of Foxface will be revealed in the movie! The actress playing Foxface, Jackie Emerson, revealed that the film will reveal her character's name as Suzanne Collins was heavily involved in the script writing process. She even, to my knowledge, wrote the first draft of the movie.

But what are you guys think of the posters and the news of Foxface's real name being revealed?

Hunger Games ADULT covers!

I've been away (at Alton Towers with the Person I'm With aka the PIW). And, of course this happens, book news hits Twitter. Scholastic UK revealed that they will be publishing The Hunger Games trilogy with adult covers. Now, I'm not 100% certain why we need adult covers, but Scholastic revealed them on Friday and they do look lovely!





For those eagle-eyed amount you, the birds are the Mockingjays taken from the US covers (and I do like the US covers of Mockingjay. I love the blue) so I might consider getting the adult Mockingjay. But what do you guys think?

The adult covers of the Hunger Games will be out in the UK on 1st December, just in time for Christmas and a good several months before the first movie.

Hunger Games Teaser Trailer

On Sunday at the MTV VMAs, we were shown the first teaser of THE HUNGER GAMES. This was introduced by Jennifer Lawerence (aka Katniss), we were shown this...



Reactions? Well, on Twitter from what I've seen, it's been mostly positive. There has been one or two "is that it?" and I feel like that. But this is a teaser to the trailer so I will wait before I past judgement, but from the looks of it, it feels right. But am going to wait for the real trailer and then the movie to past judgement.

But what do you guys think???

The Hunger Games MOTION Teaser Poster

I agree with Empire Of Books. I have no words for this. Just perfect!

KATNISS REVEALED!

The first photograph of Jennifer Lawrence being Katniss for Liongate's THE HUNGER GAMES has been revealed!



So, what is your reactions to this picture?

I'm not sure. I like that the first image of her as Katniss is in her Hunger Games getup. And I like the fact that she looks a bit like Katniss in my head, but I always imagined her more dirty looking for some reason. But I suspect that at the start of the film and while she is in the Hunger Games, Katniss will get more the way I imagine her to be.

But I's curious on if Jennifer gets the essence of Katniss. Will have to wait till March 2012 to find out...

The Hunger Games Casting

Yesterday, news was released about who would be playing Peeta and Gale within Liongate's THE HUNGER GAMES, based on the bestselling trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Now, seeing as I haven't reported on the film before, am going to reveal to you the Tritiny of the Hunger Games. Who is playing Katniss, Peeta and Gale...

For Katniss, we have JENNIFER LAWRENCE.


For Peeta, we have JOSH HUTCHERSON.


And for Gale, we have LIAM HEMSWORTH.


What do you guys reactions to these castings? Do you like or dislike? Or are you surprised over these castings? I am surprised (because I never had an actor in my head when I was reading the trilogy) but these actors (to me) are quite unknown so am happy on that front.

But what about you? Yea or na to the Hunger Games castings?

EDIT: Has just found out that The Hunger Games will be released in UK cinemas on 23rd March 2012. That means Liongate has LESS THAN A YEAR to do all the castings, film the film and then do the Post-Production. Can they do it? Or will it feel rushed?

Tomorrow When The War Began & Hunger Games Movie Update

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY, FOLKS!!!

As it's Australia Day, one of my fave sites revealed a trailer for Australia smash, TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN. The book series, written by John Marsden, is huge down under and, if this trailer is anything to go by, it might become huge in the UK and the USA!



According to DigitalSpy, the film will be out in the UK on 15th April. Not sure who has the publishing rights to this book series, but if you are waiting for the Hunger Games movie, this might be the film you need to see.

Speaking about the Hunger Games movie, Liongate and the director, Gary Ross, have revealed the US release date for the movie. The date in question is 23rd March 2012. This comes mere days after Liongate hired Debra Zane as Casting Director. Some people will know her as the casting director for Breaking Dawn.

But what do you think? Do you think that Liongate can make a great movie within a short time period?

My reaction: I can't wait to see how the film looks, but I always thought we would get the film at the end of 2012, the start of 2013. But I feel I can trust the director and the script writers (the author herself, Suzanne Collins, wrote the first draft) so I can trust them. But I do worry over the CGI/Special Effects - my example is the first Twilight movie...

GoodRead - Mockingjay

Okay, this is a review of Mockinjay by Suzanne Collins. But... er... HELP! IT'S BEEN OVER A WEEK SINCE I FINISHED THE BOOK AND I'M NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT!!!

I'm not sure how/if I should review it. Because, like I cap locked, I still not sure how I feel about it. So, let me show you want Amazon says about the book on its Product Description (Am trying so hard not to go spoiler on you lot):

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge...

The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.

All I want to say is that this book will split opinions. Some people will love it. Some people will hate it. And some will need time before they make up their minds. I think I'm in the latter...

Now, a song that I was listening to (while reading Part 3 - yeah, I know...)

GoodRead - UK Cover Vs US Cover

Am very excited about this blog entry on UK Cover Vs US Cover! Just... aw! It's the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy, "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins!

So, here is the UK cover (just revealed yesterday!)



And here is the US cover.



Now, after months of knowing the US cover and annoying ScholasticUK with tweets, we have a UK cover. And I love it! I adore the UK cover! I like the US cover, but the UK cover...

Sorry, but it's been so long waiting...

Excuse Me While I Kick Myself!

This is my own stupid fault.

A facebook and twitter friend, somehow, GOT THE ADVANCE COPY of CATCHING FIRE! And he said I could borrow it if I wanted.

Guess what I said?

That's right, folks. I said no. I am a stupidly SLOW book (I doubt it with this book). Plus, I thought I would distroy his copy so...

I'll say it before you can - FAIL! I FAILED BIG TIME! But, to make up for it, I have offered to put up his review of it, if he ever writes it and allows me to put it up here and on LiveJournal and goodness knows where else I am!

I was going to upload the UK and the USA covers to Catching Fire, but my laptop isn't happy with doing that so... SORRY! My opinion on them - I prefer the UK. There's something more dramatic about it!