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adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
When I read Mockingjay I cried like I have never before while reading a book (and I cry pretty easily while reading). So colour me shocked that this managed to wreck my soul even more.
Now I do have to say that I have always thought Haymitch is an incredibly interesting character, and I have been super hyped to get around to this book to learn more about him. I was not dissapointed as this book caused me to love him even more. The way he is just so tuned in with what is going on around him makes him such an interesting lead. Especially considering he never really sees himself as someone important. The parallels between him and Katniss were also incredibly interesting. I loved seeing just how similair they are really. I feel like it drives home the point of the original trilogy that she isn't a 'chosen one' but just happened to be the right person at the right time.
I also really loved the cast of side characters. I feel like in this book we have such a large cast, and yet I really felt for them all. I also loved getting to see some characters we also meet in the original trilogy. It added some more depth to them as well. This group of tributes wasn't afraid to show their rebelion and hatred for the Capitol, and I just thought getting to see that was really interesting as well.
The focus on the themes of propaganda was also really well executed. We have always known that the way the Capitol communicates to the Districts isn't the most reliable or honest, but it was so interesting to see exactly how that is done. Partly through Plutarch just playing propaganda director, but also through seeing the contrast of what Haymitch actually goes through in the games and how it aired to the Districts. I also really liked seeing the way the rebels used that propaganda to serve their own purposes as well.
Of course Haymitch's journey ends in a tragedy. We've always known that. However, just how tragic it ended up being I never could have predicted. As I mentioned before this book absolutely wrecked me. I couldn't help but absolutely SOB through the entire ending of this book. It's just so incredibly well done, and it really helped show how Haymitch got to be the person he is in the original trilogy. I truly think this might just be my favourite of all the Hunger Games books.
Now I do have to say that I have always thought Haymitch is an incredibly interesting character, and I have been super hyped to get around to this book to learn more about him. I was not dissapointed as this book caused me to love him even more. The way he is just so tuned in with what is going on around him makes him such an interesting lead. Especially considering he never really sees himself as someone important. The parallels between him and Katniss were also incredibly interesting. I loved seeing just how similair they are really. I feel like it drives home the point of the original trilogy that she isn't a 'chosen one' but just happened to be the right person at the right time.
I also really loved the cast of side characters. I feel like in this book we have such a large cast, and yet I really felt for them all. I also loved getting to see some characters we also meet in the original trilogy. It added some more depth to them as well. This group of tributes wasn't afraid to show their rebelion and hatred for the Capitol, and I just thought getting to see that was really interesting as well.
The focus on the themes of propaganda was also really well executed. We have always known that the way the Capitol communicates to the Districts isn't the most reliable or honest, but it was so interesting to see exactly how that is done. Partly through Plutarch just playing propaganda director, but also through seeing the contrast of what Haymitch actually goes through in the games and how it aired to the Districts. I also really liked seeing the way the rebels used that propaganda to serve their own purposes as well.
Of course Haymitch's journey ends in a tragedy. We've always known that. However, just how tragic it ended up being I never could have predicted. As I mentioned before this book absolutely wrecked me. I couldn't help but absolutely SOB through the entire ending of this book. It's just so incredibly well done, and it really helped show how Haymitch got to be the person he is in the original trilogy. I truly think this might just be my favourite of all the Hunger Games books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Suicide, Torture
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
I doubt I will be able to touch on anything that hasn't already been said in other reviews, but I think this book is worth the read. I have read the trilogy over a decade ago, now, and have NOT read Ballad. But Haymitch has always been my favourite character, and I had always wondered what exactly brought him to the very grim temperament he had at the start of the 74th games.
To say this book is sad is putting it mildly. It isn't even that the deaths are more profound than any other death in Suzanne Collins repertoire of breaking our hearts, but rather it feels worse to us, the reader, because of the heavy dramatic irony. We know how each of those characters is going to end up 25 years from now, but what we didn't know was how everything could come together almost seamlessly for Catching Fire. It's unclear how much of Haymitch's story Collins knew of when writing the trilogy, but regardless it fits well together. It made me - as well as many others - itch to read the main series again to piece everything together with fresh eyes.
The theme from the book is propaganda, and it's very clear within the first five pages of the book. The use of media and how it is used to manipulate the masses whether it be for government control or as protest. As someone who majored in politics in university, I couldn't help but apply my studies to the material. Collins clearly does her research. From a sociological standpoint that book will surely be the subject material for many uni/high school students dissertations. From a literary standpoint it's also fascinating. I know many people will pour over those pages for the never-ending references to one of the most studied poems of all time, 'The Raven' by Poe. I feel like this would be even more important in my mind if i had read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as I know the Covey use music to pass down tradition and it's seen as the most dangerous form of protest (in Snow's eyes, I would argue).
Speaking of the Covey, I know everyone jokes that the people of Panem suffered because of Snow's failed not-much-of-a-situationship, but really it is absolutely fascinating how the reminder of his own obsession controls him. He is, as always, a terrible person but of a very interesting mind.
I can't imagine reading this as a standalone, but I'm curious to the effect it would have on the reader to read as that, or to read all books for the first time in chronological order. That would change the experience of the whole storyline because, again, dramatic irony. However, I don't believe they would find it as heart wrenching as those of us who read them in the order of publication. I wonder this book would just seem more pretentious that way, considering the times we are in as of Sunrise on the Reaping's release. I will also say, if you are expecting this to be YA... while it technically is YA... the first audience grew up, and Collins knows that. The book is mature in the sense that it is told by an adult to adults after several years of traumatic revolutionary events. Even though the characters in the story themselves are children, it is told exactly as it happened. When I read the word 'rape' in this book I was floored. I think it's the first time Collins explicitly said that was a torture option, even though we all knew it already, had been told of and seen the Capitol murdering and bio-engineering people and animals alike... to hear that explicitly said was indicative that Collins, while still mindful of the age group she primarily writes for, is done coddling us readers. That to me, was her own poster. (IYKYK.)
All in all, if anyone liked reading the main trilogy even a little, this book is HIGHLY recommended. And I feel that now I will have to read Snow's prequel, to further see how his psyche breaks everything down. Because if there's one thing Hunger Games fans know about Suzanne Collins works, is that the private thoughts of the characters are what make the book that much more rich, and the films simply cannot capture that.
To say this book is sad is putting it mildly. It isn't even that the deaths are more profound than any other death in Suzanne Collins repertoire of breaking our hearts, but rather it feels worse to us, the reader, because of the heavy dramatic irony. We know how each of those characters is going to end up 25 years from now, but what we didn't know was how everything could come together almost seamlessly for Catching Fire. It's unclear how much of Haymitch's story Collins knew of when writing the trilogy, but regardless it fits well together. It made me - as well as many others - itch to read the main series again to piece everything together with fresh eyes.
The theme from the book is propaganda, and it's very clear within the first five pages of the book. The use of media and how it is used to manipulate the masses whether it be for government control or as protest. As someone who majored in politics in university, I couldn't help but apply my studies to the material. Collins clearly does her research. From a sociological standpoint that book will surely be the subject material for many uni/high school students dissertations. From a literary standpoint it's also fascinating. I know many people will pour over those pages for the never-ending references to one of the most studied poems of all time, 'The Raven' by Poe. I feel like this would be even more important in my mind if i had read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as I know the Covey use music to pass down tradition and it's seen as the most dangerous form of protest (in Snow's eyes, I would argue).
Speaking of the Covey, I know everyone jokes that the people of Panem suffered because of Snow's failed not-much-of-a-situationship, but really it is absolutely fascinating how the reminder of his own obsession controls him. He is, as always, a terrible person but of a very interesting mind.
I can't imagine reading this as a standalone, but I'm curious to the effect it would have on the reader to read as that, or to read all books for the first time in chronological order. That would change the experience of the whole storyline because, again, dramatic irony. However, I don't believe they would find it as heart wrenching as those of us who read them in the order of publication. I wonder this book would just seem more pretentious that way, considering the times we are in as of Sunrise on the Reaping's release. I will also say, if you are expecting this to be YA... while it technically is YA... the first audience grew up, and Collins knows that. The book is mature in the sense that it is told by an adult to adults after several years of traumatic revolutionary events. Even though the characters in the story themselves are children, it is told exactly as it happened. When I read the word 'rape' in this book I was floored. I think it's the first time Collins explicitly said that was a torture option, even though we all knew it already, had been told of and seen the Capitol murdering and bio-engineering people and animals alike... to hear that explicitly said was indicative that Collins, while still mindful of the age group she primarily writes for, is done coddling us readers. That to me, was her own poster. (IYKYK.)
All in all, if anyone liked reading the main trilogy even a little, this book is HIGHLY recommended. And I feel that now I will have to read Snow's prequel, to further see how his psyche breaks everything down. Because if there's one thing Hunger Games fans know about Suzanne Collins works, is that the private thoughts of the characters are what make the book that much more rich, and the films simply cannot capture that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Gun violence, Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
It was beautifully written and I loved the ties to the original books and it's characters, it was certainly much more brutal to read and I found myself crying with the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, War
This is a great book! But be warned there are a lot of scenes in which it goes into extreme detail of gore and violence by both guns and other weapons, dismemberment/beheading of characters, mainly young teenagers (12-16), and there are some scenes towards the end of the book where rabbits are killed by a snake in a glass cage. There are also mentions of a character who is in prison being at risk of rape, and some mentions of miscarriage in the past for one character. Also lots of poison and murder and angst. And one instance where a sharp needle almost pokes a character in the eye in a maze. There is a lot of detail about blood and people being blown up or cut in half, and the after math that follows.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
I REALLY 100% loved this book. Each character’s emotions and character traits were vivid and layered. I loved the humanity of Haymitch—how he was just average at most of his skillset, yet still carried the potential to overthrow the Capitol in the end. He wasn’t flashy or godlike, but you could feel the weight of every decision he made. That made him real.
Every character felt distinct and well-crafted. I couldn’t find any clichés or reused ideas. The rawness of the pain each character felt—and their reactions to death, both witnessing and experiencing it—was something I really appreciated. It wasn’t sanitized or overly poetic. It was gut-deep and honest.
Suzanne Collins also did an amazing job connecting this prequel to the rest of the series. She wove in plots and ties to the later books so seamlessly that it gave the entire Hunger Games saga more cohesion. Everything clicks now.
And Haymitch. Wow. I fully understand now why he drinks. His trauma feels so tangible, especially because he came from a relatively joyful, pain-free background. He had a loving girlfriend, a good family, and he still lost it all. Everything he loved was stripped away from him. That made his suffering feel even sharper.
Before this, I saw him as a kind of inconsiderate, slightly useless mentor.
I also oddly liked his writing style more than Katniss’s. Katniss, in comparison, feels more like a textbook rebel leader—even though she’s not that at all. Haymitch’s narration just hit different. It was less polished and more emotional.
The message of this book? Snow always lands on top—but it only takes a bit of flame to burn it all down.
It reflects both the Capitol’s seemingly unshakable power and the quiet, smoldering potential for revolution. (Cough cough, looking at you, Katniss.)
What’s been sitting heaviest on me is how unfair it all was. Haymitch wasn’t even supposed to be in the Games.
And that makes the revolution feel all the more necessary.
All in all—I loved this book. It’s absolutely going on my favorites list. 🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Torture
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Torture, Police brutality, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A little simplistic in its writing style but Collin’s does a great job of expanding upon the existing lore of the Hunger Games and surrounding context. I wish she did with this book what she did with BoSaS—that is, take a more mature/complex route with the story. There are some repetitive/uninspired bits but overall this was a worthwhile read with some standout moments of love, social commentary, and found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Torture, Violence, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide, Gaslighting