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sam_gartley91's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book and how it connects and explains things that lead to things happening in the original trilogy. Such wonderful descriptive writing! You both kind of feel for Snow but also really hate him. And you ultimately know where he ends up. But you still have that hope that he might change, that the circumstances might change him, that Lucy might change him!! He is such a narcissist but also blame the capital and his upbringing for making him this way. I’m glad he ultimately didn’t end up with Lucy because although he may have felt like he loved her, he just wanted control. Control so thus power over things was his main love and objective and motivator. And although we know he becomes the big bad you see him against the back drop of their poverty and the horrible adults in the school that make him look almost nice. There were definitely a lot of topics and discussion a that are brought up in this work of fiction that we as individuals and as a society really need to look in the mirror at and reflect on how they are similar to our current situations. This book at time reminds me 1984 with the constant war for the government to have control over the people. Definitely will ruminate on this one for a bit. I feel for Sajamus’s whole story line because he actively fought against it all and sadly believed Snow was his friend which contributed to his end… Felt for Tigeress too. Hoped she got a better life and learned beyond her situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Cannibalism, Blood, Gun violence, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent
anispaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had watched the movie before reading this, and although I intended to read the book prior to seeing the movie, I'm glad it was too long for me to fit in. I think I enjoyed the movie more not knowing anything about the plot. I was able to enjoy all the dramatic moments for the first time and I really liked the movie it was great!!! Then, reading the book was like gaining further insight on Coriolanus and his story. I was able to look further into his inner monologue and annotate the book with my thoughts and notes, which went better having already known the storyline. I was in a little bit of a rush to finish the book so I feel like I could have slowed down to drink it up a bit more but I enjoyed it well enough anyway. I think that the book itself is really interesting. Giving us this insight on a hated character, making us almost feel bad for him in his past but also showing us the twisted workings of his mind. Coriolanus Snow really gave me something to annotate good lord. It was also really great seeing the early years of the Hunger Games, what shaped them, how they've evolved and come to be how they are in the original trilogy. Overall a great novel on the nature of humanity, trust, power, and control and a great addition to a much loved story. Also the first book of 2024 :> started it Jan 1!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Vomit, and Animal death
ameliafr7's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Bro is crazy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Police brutality, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Confinement
Minor: War and Death of parent
bee_n_cats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Vomit, Death, Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Genocide, Colonisation, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse and Cannibalism
acadiaclar42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was wonderfully done. The intrigue, the mystery, the suspense-- it was a delightful and emotional read. The plot moved swiftly and yet Snow's character development was hidden. Lucy Gray's character was especially interesting. Her disappearance made me want to reread the whole thing and look for clues as to why and how she left. I can't wait to watch the movie, as I've heard complimentary things about it as well.
All in all, this tied quite well into the Hunger Games Trilogy and is definitely worth the read.
For first time readers- If you're new to the Hunger Games franchise, I suggest you read those first, as this won't make sense/will spoil the plot of the trilogy.
/16 March 2024/ UPDATE: Holy smokes the movie was amazing. 10/10 for sure. The tension between Coryo and Lucy Gray was palpable, and the soundtrack was incredible. Even if you're not a huge HG fan or didn't care for the book, you HAVE to see the movie.
All in all, this tied quite well into the Hunger Games Trilogy and is definitely worth the read.
For first time readers- If you're new to the Hunger Games franchise, I suggest you read those first, as this won't make sense/will spoil the plot of the trilogy.
/16 March 2024/ UPDATE: Holy smokes the movie was amazing. 10/10 for sure. The tension between Coryo and Lucy Gray was palpable, and the soundtrack was incredible. Even if you're not a huge HG fan or didn't care for the book, you HAVE to see the movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: War, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Vomit
lovosii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, War, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Body horror, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Bullying, Cannibalism, and Drug use
maddieoftheorangetree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There is so much to be said about this book. I'll admit, at the beginning, I was quite underwhelmed. I think this book suffered from a tad bit too much exposition, but also somehow benefited? Maybe I'm just talking out of my ass. I think Suzanne Collins is a genius, and not just for the success of these dark, gruesome books. She's a masterful writer who seamlessly weaves metaphors and foreshadowing into her novels in a just-subtle-enough way that you don't notice initially, while still being clear. I was not expecting this to have as much of a kick as it did, but I can say with certainty that this book is a must-read if you plan on reading the original trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism and Gun violence
lorenmarie7's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Drug use, Addiction, Child death, Murder, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Genocide, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Death, and Death of parent
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think this is a really fabulous look into how right-wing radicalization happens. From the get-go, we see how someone is nurtured into believing others are lesser, that certain people "deserve" to live in squalid conditions while others "deserve" excellence, how someone can present a facade of care to get what they want. Snow sucks, he sucks from the get-go, but it's so interesting to see the ways these traits, that if he had people around him trying to nurture him to be empathetic, might not have become so dominant. But he's primed for fascism and he dives into it. I think what's so excellent about this book is that Collins humanizes him, and I think that makes his character later on much more poignant. I also like that it shows that people who do awful things are human, and that not many people are as far removed from Snow as they'd like to think. It also shows the Capitol as a place that had to be created--like they weren't beloved from the get go. It's a lot more morally complex than I think a lot of YA usually is, and I really liked it. It's just a really good philosophical work in a YA package.
I did think at times some of the writing felt a little heavy-handed, but after seeing some of the Goodreads reviews where people seemed to miss the point of this book I think they needed to be. Truly baffled that people look at a book about how a person and society enter into a descent into tyranny and horror and not get that you're supposed to be horrified and sad by the end of it.
I did think at times some of the writing felt a little heavy-handed, but after seeing some of the Goodreads reviews where people seemed to miss the point of this book I think they needed to be. Truly baffled that people look at a book about how a person and society enter into a descent into tyranny and horror and not get that you're supposed to be horrified and sad by the end of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War
lilawsahar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First off, I would like to state that I wrote a letter to Susanne Collins in 2009/2010 about writing another book, so I’m going to be delulu and say I inspired this book 13 years later haha.
Wow, what a crazy backstory for Snow. I can’t believe that Snows family was directly responsible for the start of the hunger games/the development of what the hunger games became. For him to have the experience of how horrid the games were, by being placed inside of them, and he still threw kids in there time and time again shows how truely horrid he is. Also him to fall in love with his victor and still have the ruthlessness to kill her even though she had survived that traumatic event just shows how he never cared for anyone but himself.
Do not read this book if you think it’ll be a light read. It is not.
Wow, what a crazy backstory for Snow.
Do not read this book if you think it’ll be a light read. It is not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Murder, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Grief, Child abuse, and Torture