emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Devastating! 🐦‍⬛

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I was warned about crying while reading this book but truly I could not stop crying past the halfway point. I love this book. Suzanne did an amazing job connecting all of the other books to this one. I’m an absolute emotional wreck! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is probably the best Hunger Games book to date. Discovering Haymitch's games from his point of view offer the reader an opportunity to reconsider events of the original trilogy in a new light.

 As always, Collins chose to write a new installment in this series for a specific reason. Therefore, this prequel does not feel like the author is milking her successful series but like an important addition to a previously existing story. Few authors would have the ability to discuss subjects as complex as implicit submission and propaganda in a dystopian YA novel as easily as Collins.

However, it seems important to mention how exponentially more violent Sunrise on the Reaping is in comparison to previous installments in the series. You thought the death scenes in the original trilogy were bad? Just you wait... This book destroyed me in the best way possible.

Although not being an inherently completely inappropriate read for a teenager (though I would argue that it is a book for children aged at least 13 and up), the nature of the themes and contents of this novel might mean that this book won't be fully understood by younger readers.

Like Mockingjay and Ballad, while the book can be perfectly enjoyable for younger readers, parts of this story might resonate more with an older audience. 

In all cases, this book is a fantastic read and a great extension to this universe, but should be read with caution and after a quick read of potential trigger warnings. Protect your peace and read it only if you are in the right mindset for it!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

THE PAIN AND THE HEARTBREAK AND THE BRAVERY AND THE ANGUISH… I have no real words for Haymitch’s story, another fitting though haunting puzzle piece of The Hunger Games saga. This one perhaps the most painful of all. It’s a Linkin Park anthem and a Phoebe Bridgers ballad. It’s hurt and humility, power and resistance, and burning rage. 

But there would be no true mockingjay without the clever songbird and the rebel rascal of before, district 12 forever in Snow’s blindside. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings