Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 17: Always Go to Church After Killing #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction? This book, that’s what. Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 17 of Killing Mr. Griffin. The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored.

A car is being painted and it looks like grandma got a visit from the big bad Killing Club. Let's go!

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********


Summary
Duckling is building a fire and staying home from Sunday church potluck cause all this murder and lying just gave her a case of the blues. As she's scanning stations on the Devil's Picture Box when she runs across a news report about Snape's death. Just as she's about to eat, Beebop and Cordelia ring the doorbell.

The two of them for some reason tell Duckling about how they are going to get rid of Snape's car. Cordelia lets Duckling in on the fact that Cordelia told her mom she was staying at Duckling's house tonight and even though her mom will probably try to call Cordelia's cell phone, heads up. Then they ask if they can use Duckling's phone to call El Guapo because Beebop told his parents that he was staying with El.

Duckling calls El and learns that his grandma bit it. Bought the farm. Gone to visit the choir invisible. D-E-D, dead. Nobody seems concerned. Duckling is concerned, however, about whether Beebop can stay at his house and the ring. El puts down a solid no on both counts because his damn grandmother just died and the neighbor lady might have seen somebody kill her. Somebody wearing a brown sweater, but do not remember that because its a random detail that... wait a second, Duckling remembers that Rocksteady wears a brown sweater.

Duckling confronts Cordelia and Beebop with the knowledge that Rocksteady killed Gram Guapo and that she is going to the police. They are cool with Rocksteady murdering an old lady but are way not cool with Duckling going to the police. Cordelia goes to get Rocksteady while Beebop holds Duckling hostage. When Rocksteady comes in, whoo boy, he is wearin' his killin' sweater.

Observations
1. Why in the world is there a news report on Sunday night? I've never watch television in New Mexico, but I thought nightly news programs were reserved for weekdays. Does nothing ever happen in this town?
2. Why the hell do we get exposition about what they are going to do to the car? Why does Duckling need to know? She is the one person in this group I would not give information to as she has already proven herself the most likely to squeal.
3. Why the hell didn't Cordelia just call Duckling on the cell phone Cordelia mentioned she had? And why the hell didn't they use the cell to call El Guapo? See what happens when you update your book with tech?
4. Why does Duckling have to remember that Rocksteady wears a brown sweater? Couldn't she just freak out about going to the cops then have Rocksteady come in with the sweater? This is nuts.

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 16: Exposition Central #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction? This book, that’s what. Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 16 of Killing Mr. Griffin. The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored. 

The bricks are falling down on this wall of teenage murder. Nobody knows what the hell is going on, but murder is being hid and shit ain't getting pretty. Here we go.

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********

Summary
The Duckling household eats breakfast and talks murder. Again. Facts that we already know are regurgitated out by way of news story while Duckling just feels all bad and stuff.

Cut to the Beebop household were Ma is worried that Rocksteady is taking advantage of her son by making him store and paint the murder car. More vomitus of exposition that WE ALREADY KNOW, SOME OF WHICH HAPPENED LAST DAMN CHAPTER, and we get that the parents don't like Rocksteady cause he ain't no good and he ain't never gonna be any good.

We jump over to the Snape house where Preggo Snape is having a quiet moment remembering her husband. Then a woman comes in and breaks the moment by telling her about the newspaper story of her husband's death but will not show Preggo because that might upset her.

Swish pan over and we are looking at Gram Guapo playing with the ring she stole from her grandson who took it off of Snape corpse (haha, book, see, I can exposition dump, too!). Gram is sure the ring is not her son's because El Guapo told her that last chapter, which she recounts in detail. Does anyone else think this couch is stuffed with too much PADDING?! But alas, oh no, a mysterious boy arrives and Gram is afraid! End chapter.

Observations
1. I get that this exposition is just to build suspence as we head to all these dumbass kids getting caught, but man is this just a boring read. Two sections right in a row that basically cover the entire books worth of information. I would think that maybe some big twist is coming, but when you give out the really big freaking twist as the title of the book and everything else has been happenstance I just can not get behind you.
2. The scene with Preggo really is heartbreaking and well written. The small moment of her not remembering that he is gone is well done. That being said, it does not belong in this book. It adds little to the story outside of giving sympathy for a dead man that could have been given through interaction with the kids rather than the omnicient narrator letting us in on the sadness.
3. I don't wish anything bad to happen to the old lady, but man... about time something happened that was caused by one of our characters.

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary
Our story is about 16-year-old Katniss and her trial through the brutal competition known as the Hunger Games in a post-now society world. Starting from abject poverty in a coal town where she illegally hunts for food to feed her family and progressing into the “there can be only one” nature of the competition, Katniss finds allies and enemies while under the oppressive all seeing eye of the Capitol.

Review
The dystopian future set up in the world of Panem makes for a provocative look into our own future, at least if things go to hades in some kind of basket. After a brutal war, the United States is divided into districts like a Trivial Pursuit wheel with the evil Capitol in control in the center. Our home base of District 12 where Katniss lays her head is a great entry as it shows how a poor mining town can toughen our protaganist up and give her a kick ass attitude.

And toughen her up it does. Katniss is so brash and likeable that I almost want her to be portrayed by 1988 Bruce Willis, spitting catchphrases and taping a bow to her back. The supporting characters are largely unobtrusive, hinting at more but held back as we only see them through Katniss’s eyes. The romance aspect works, but only to the point where you want the girl to get the guy in that “OMG, I’m Team Gale” kinda way. The soap opera is a distraction for the overall story, but one that will draw some readers in.

The story is fairly well told with spare writing that fits the action-centric nature of the book. The book is “show, don’t tell” almost to a fault, sacrificing description for pacing. And boy does it pace. Once our stage is set and everyone gets to killing, the pages seem to turn themselves. We also miss motivation for a lot of the action beyond “everyone wants you dead” and “except the guy that wants to snuggle with you.” I would like to have had a little more insight into why these games exist beyond the teenage version of gladiatorial combat.

Overall, this book a fun read. Those looking for a little bit more depth in their dystopias may want to just re-read 1984, but I see no wonder that teenagers are eating this series up. I am excited to go on to the next one.

Why was it banned?
This book was banned in certain areas for the violence and graphic nature of the deaths. For some reason, people do not like their children reading about dismembering each other. There are also some animals and implied genetic modifications that could bring on the nightmare. I would also not be surprised that some would object to the use of sex (as a weapon and defense) as a factor in helping you live as well as questioning authority and government in general.

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Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 15: What Gram Thinks #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction? This book, that’s what. Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 15 of Killing Mr. Griffin. The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored. 

Snape's body has not risen on its own in an unholy terror but is found by police. The Killing Club has banded together and is searching for a way to make all this right. And by "right", I mean "get away with murdering their teacher." Let's cut to our action, already in progress.

 

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********

Summary
Duckling and El Guapo are rushing to Guapo Manor in order to get Snape's magical ring. Duckling is astounded to learn that El stole the ring from the corpse, but is down for whatever. When they get to the house, El finds that Gram has found the ring and hidden it away, believing it to be her deadbeat son's. El demands that she give it back, and she demands he turn over the father that she believes he is hiding. Duckling gets flustered by the whole thing, tries to lie their way out of it, then runs.

Attempting to find a rational thing to do, Duckling goes home and calls Rocksteady.

Observations
1. Over the previous chapters, we have seen these kids literally get away with murder. Now that the climax is builidng and everything is falling apart, I seem to find myself caring more and getting anxious for them, yet at the same time disinterested.
2. I really expected El to kill Gram here. With his poisoning expertise and her crazy attitude, I almost bet that this old lady is worm food by the end of the story.

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 14: Things Fall Apart #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction?  This book, that’s what.  Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 14 of Killing Mr. Griffin.  The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored.

Snape is in the ground and Lady Preggo Snape got all up in Duckling's grill.  Is it too late for this book to become a zombie revenge novel?  Let's find out.

 

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********

Summary
We set our scene in the Guapo living area.  Mama Guapo is folding laundry when Gram speaks up.

Gram:  I think our little boy El has been seeing his missing daddy, my son don't ya know.
Mama: Bullshit.  
Gram:  It's true, he's been out all the time all sneaky like.
Mama: Ha!  First he tries to poison you with jello now it sounds like you are accusing him of murdering that teacher or something.
Gram:  No, just of seeing his father, but that jello did taste funny.  And he lied about the game show.
Mama:  Gram, you so crazy, you are talking like a pregnant lady.
Gram:  I just want my son back, you don't want your husband back.  
Mama:  Blah, blah, I did.  Anyway, you're old, you don't see.
Gram: Yep, I'm older than old dirt, but I see the truth and speak it.
Mama: I'm outie.

Our next scene is in the police station.  Random Couple is speaking to Gordon.

Random Couple:  We found Snape's pill bottle where the Killing Club hang out.  And a shallow grave that we didn't think was one.  
Gordon: Cool.
Random Girl: Oh yeah, my ex-boyfriend Rocksteady used to take me out there.
Random Guy: Say wwwhhaaaaaat?

Our final scene is between Duckling, El Guapo, Cordelia and Rocksteady just hangin' out.

Rocksteady:  Where's Beebop?  Doesn't he know us hanging out together more and more cements our bond as a Killing Club?  And why didn't you tell us you got a speeding ticket on Murder Night?
Cordelia:  Eh, I thought 'Fudge it, man'
Everyone together: There goes our alibi! laughter
Rocksteady: Let's hide it in Beebop's parents garage.
Everyone together: Yay!
Beebop comes in.
Beebop:  They found the body.
Everyone together:  Fudge.
Rocksteady: We are putting the car in your garage.
Beebop: Like hell.
Rocksteady: Do it.
Beebop: Okay.
End scene.

Observations
1.  It is odd that this story is taking a turn in having the people "affected" (pregnant and elderly) are becoming the detectives.  Rather good ones, too.
2.  The scene in the police station seems rather shoved in, almost filler to give a plot point some meaning.  And the convenience of the girl being the college-aged girlfriend of Rocksteady that we keep hearing about is just off the charts random.  Who the hell just brings home their college sex buddy to see some random thing in the woods?
3.  Okay, the previous chapter's events where they dropped off the car at the airport and were followed by the cop are now given purpose in that the cop is the same one that pulled over Cordelia on Murder Night.  I am beginning to doubt how lucky the police really are in this town.  
4.  I am just astounded that these kids continue to both breathe and walk at the same time.  Why the hell continue any plans?  Continue life as normal or just turn yourselves in because all this cloak and dagger crap is just digging a bigger hole.  Oh, crap, I think I am invested in this.  Well played, Author Lois Duncan, well played.

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 13: Law and Preggo #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction? This book, that’s what. Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 13 of Killing Mr. Griffin. The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored.

Our friendly neighborhood Killing Club looks to be getting away with the crime of the whatever century they are supposed to be in. The only things that can throw a wrench in their carefully thrown together plans are a police force that are not a bunch of morons or somebody with a conscience... Which will win out in the end? Let's find out.

 

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********

Summary
As the Duckling family sits around the dinner table discussing Snape's disappreance, Ducking gets uncomfortable as her brothers discuss what they would do with the reward for finding Snape. Duckling begins to think of how murdering somebody changes you and her observant writer intuition begins examining how she will never be the same again. Then Snape's wife shows up.

Lady Preggo Snape wishes to talk with Duckling, her being the last known person to see Snape and all. Duckling's parents join in and everybody crams in on the couch just in time for Preggo to call Duckling a big fat liar for all those pant-on-fire things Duckling said to the police. Duckling freaks right the hell out under the preasure, sticking to the story about Snape pulling a Chevy Chase and looking at his bare wrist to check the time. Then, boom goes the dynomite as Preggo goes wacka-doo over the whole "Yo husband done run oft with a 'notha wo-man" crap Duckling slang to the cops. Preggo calls Duckling out, claiming that because Duckling lied about Snape than she knows where Snape is, which is honestly the most sound logic that anyone has used in this book so far.

Duckling begins climbing the road to Crazytown when El Guapo and Rocksteady show up. Preggo is introduced to them and identifies both the boys by events we have been told she knew in the previous chapter. Preggo, seeing that she cannot corner Duckling with the boys in the room, kicks rocks after leaving a menacing message that Duckling should call her if Duckling remembers anything else. Duckling agrees and the chapter ends, I can only imagine with the two of them staring at each other for an uncomfortable amount of time.

Observations

1. Preggo comes across in this chapter as possibly the clearest thinking of the book. This is odd considering that she has lost her husband and pregnancy hormones tend to make for some unbalanced emotional states that do not always lead to the clearest thinking (yes, I've known some pregnant ladies, very intelligent ones, and all of them lost their shit once in a while, especially under stress. Please don't comment saying I hate pregnant people, I just don't find this lady all that probable. I will concede that some moms will say that they were fine and serene all through their ovenhood and I will accept their statement. However, I warn you not to trust these people as they just want you to join their screwy parenthood cult.)

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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Killing Mr. Griffin, Chapter 12: Teacher Semetary #evanreviews

What would happen if Quentin Tarantino took a blow to the head and started writing John Hughes-esque teen fiction? This book, that’s what. Welcome back to Evan Reviews for Chapter 12 of Killing Mr. Griffin. The names have been changed to protect me from getting bored.

The last chapter showed the psychological strain Ophelia... whoops, Duckling is under after participating in the murder of a fellow human being. But what's everybody else up to? Let's find out.

 

******BEWARE THAR BE SPOILERS********

Summary
El Guapo, Cordelia, Beebop and Rocksteady all show up at the killing picnic land to take care of Snape's body. Cordelia wonders why gross ol' Duckling is not with them but Rocksteady explains it's because Duckling's weak and had to talk to the cops. El Guapo defends Duckling and Cordelia gets all "Ew, you got Duckling cooties."

Beebop starts doing what men do and begins digging a shallow grave to bury his teacher in. Rocksteady thinks it is a good idea to roll the stiff for mad lutz, taking Snape's wallet and devising a plan to commit credit card fraud to hide where Snape is. Beebop once again has an attack of knowledge, quoting the grave digging scene from Hamlet.

Beebop checks in on Cordelia, who is playing in the water. He starts getting hints that maybe she wants to go out with Rocksteady instead of him after she shows jealosy at how Rocksteady is treating Duckling.

Beebop goes back and takes digging back over from El Guapo. El Guapo closes Snape's dead eyes and puts his windbreaker over Snape's dead face while Rocksteady makes jokes about what funeral music they should be playing. El Guapo has an attack of conscience and walks away from the burial thinking very Christian thoughts about the man they murdered. Then he gets in Snape's car and freaks out, repeating justifications and prayers until he is just about as crazy as a crap house rat.

Rocksteady (looking like a vampire that sucked the life from the dead guy) comes back and tells Cordelia and El Guapo to take Snape's car to the airport and ditch it. They go and get freaked out when a cop car pulls in the lot behind them. The wipe the prints and act all cool. The officer recognises Cordelia as the leave, but they get away clean.

Observations
1. I did not think El Guapo would stick up for Duckling. Part of me actually believed these all to be horrible people and it is kinda nice to see someone take some sort of moral ground, even if it is "don't pick on someone when we don't need them anymore cause I think she's sweet."
2. Another point to Beebop having learned something from Snape, also making allusion to their current situation as the fools in the plan.
3. Another anachronistic description with Rocksteady mentioning his iPod after detailing a rather dated credit card fraud plan that he should be better up to speed with being a criminal mind and all.
4. The touch at the end of the cop recognising Cordelia as they leave was good, giving the nature of the small town and the seeming uninterest of a police officer not wondering what two popular teenagers are doing at the airport long term parking so late in the day.

Thank you, this has been today's #evanreviews

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