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Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, War
Moderate: Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting
Graphic: Child death, Torture, Murder
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Rape, War
Graphic: Child death, Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
The book assumes a lot about the reader knowing the story from the original trilogy, which I appreciate. It’s strangely comforting to read about places and things you recognize, even when they’re dystopian (reading about the Hob and the Seam again, for instance).
The only thing I had trouble with was some of the narration. Little bits like “I love you like all-fire” are emotional, but have never really struck an emotional chord for me as a reader. Some other things were repeated a lot (the son of an oddsmaker, the meanest girl in town, heck, even Lenore Dove’s name at a certain point - mostly because I couldn’t help reading it as first name and surname instead of a double first name), which isn’t terrible, but it stuck out to me.
I think what’s most interesting about this is its examination of complicity in fascist regimes or corrupt governments. Haymitch freezes at certain points, and it doesn’t prevent him from being targeted by the Capitol. It also talks about how hard it is to make change in these systems when you’re on the run or have limited access to loyal supporters.
I was surprised by how much various plot points affected me. I did get attached to these characters, despite presuming 100% of their fates. I couldn’t help but hope more would go right in a way I didn’t know about. The character work is genuinely pretty fantastic, but I also feel like Haymitch’s descent into alcoholism and who we saw in the original books was more a fulfillment of an existing prophecy than something that was his most logical, in-character response.
I’m also thinking a lot about what this does (or maybe doesn’t) add to the series overall. Like I said, it does kind of read as a reminder to not sympathize with Snow, ever. It gives background on why certain characters took the actions they did in the original trilogy, including who trusted whom. It furthers the themes of victors writing the history books and anti-war and anti-fascist ideologies. It adds a lot about the need to collaborate and work together.
The book wasn’t perfect, but it was a really great read, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is interested.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Vomit, War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault
Favourite quotes:
"Don't let them paint their posters with your blood."
"Fire is catching, she’d say, but if this one burns down the arena, I say good riddance."
"You were capable of imagining a different future. And maybe it won’t be realized today, maybe not in our lifetime. Maybe it will take generations. We’re all part of a continuum. Does that make it pointless?"
"With that, she condemns me to life."
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug use
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Torture