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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My review must start by stating my obvious love for The Hunger Games. Anything Suzanne releases in regards to the series I will read for the rest of my life, and I will love it.
Does that mean it is perfect, no, does that mean it is 'new' no, it can't be with how the original series ended.
What we are getting here is the history of characters we've come to know and love.
That being said, yes it is repetitious of previous books, the reaping, the capital, the costumes, the parading of the tributes around the capital, the arena, and of course the games. If you are as ok with this as I am. I highly recommend this book. If you are hoping for something new and earth shattering, this isn't the book for you, and any upcoming prequels (I hope there are more) won't be for you either.
From here on out, my review may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk, I'm not blurring them out
This is Haymitch's story. The one I've been waiting for since before I knew I was waiting for it.
Haymitch's 16th birthday, reaping day. His name isn't even picked. The boy who was picked ran, then was killed by the peace keepers. Haymitch's love Lenora stepped in and was fighting with them. He came to her rescue, now his name is the replacement. Unfair from the start, like the games themselves for the past 49 years, why should year 50 be any different.
Before the games begin, we are introduced to characters we know and love, Beetie who's son is in the games as his punishment, helping Haymitch and his son with a plan to take down the arena. Effie who became the stylist by accident, this is how the long friendship with Haymitch started. Mags and Wiress, the mentors to district 12 because they've only had 1 winner before (Lucy Gray) who went missing so they need a mentor from somewhere.
Plutarch!! Who knew he was trying to bring down the games for as long as he was before we saw the war in the original series.
It was nice to see them all intertwine with the present
So much is happening that brings the past and present together that was written beautifully.
Haymitch's downfall was expected, yet still so heartbreaking. How the actions he had to take in the arena affected him. How the friendships he created, the ones he tried to save but couldn't, how winning was never what he wanted. He was supposed to die. How Snow was typical Snow, pulling all the strings in and out of the games to ensure his rule was kept. Breaking down a person so completely that he became less than a shell of himself. The man Haymitch was becoming before the games was going to be a great one, instead we all know how his story truly ends.
My only complaint, while I know it was a picture of Haymitch's downfall was all the Edgar Allen Poe in the last hour, it was honestly too much. If that could have been different I would have rated this book 5 stars.
The epilog ties us into Katness and Peeta, how they forced themselves onto Haymitch and made him care about someone again. It was beautiful and tragic at the same time.
I can't wait for this to be a movie and of course, for the next story.
Does that mean it is perfect, no, does that mean it is 'new' no, it can't be with how the original series ended.
What we are getting here is the history of characters we've come to know and love.
That being said, yes it is repetitious of previous books, the reaping, the capital, the costumes, the parading of the tributes around the capital, the arena, and of course the games. If you are as ok with this as I am. I highly recommend this book. If you are hoping for something new and earth shattering, this isn't the book for you, and any upcoming prequels (I hope there are more) won't be for you either.
From here on out, my review may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk, I'm not blurring them out
This is Haymitch's story. The one I've been waiting for since before I knew I was waiting for it.
Haymitch's 16th birthday, reaping day. His name isn't even picked. The boy who was picked ran, then was killed by the peace keepers. Haymitch's love Lenora stepped in and was fighting with them. He came to her rescue, now his name is the replacement. Unfair from the start, like the games themselves for the past 49 years, why should year 50 be any different.
Before the games begin, we are introduced to characters we know and love, Beetie who's son is in the games as his punishment, helping Haymitch and his son with a plan to take down the arena. Effie who became the stylist by accident, this is how the long friendship with Haymitch started. Mags and Wiress, the mentors to district 12 because they've only had 1 winner before (Lucy Gray) who went missing so they need a mentor from somewhere.
Plutarch!! Who knew he was trying to bring down the games for as long as he was before we saw the war in the original series.
It was nice to see them all intertwine with the present
So much is happening that brings the past and present together that was written beautifully.
Haymitch's downfall was expected, yet still so heartbreaking. How the actions he had to take in the arena affected him. How the friendships he created, the ones he tried to save but couldn't, how winning was never what he wanted. He was supposed to die. How Snow was typical Snow, pulling all the strings in and out of the games to ensure his rule was kept. Breaking down a person so completely that he became less than a shell of himself. The man Haymitch was becoming before the games was going to be a great one, instead we all know how his story truly ends.
My only complaint, while I know it was a picture of Haymitch's downfall was all the Edgar Allen Poe in the last hour, it was honestly too much. If that could have been different I would have rated this book 5 stars.
The epilog ties us into Katness and Peeta, how they forced themselves onto Haymitch and made him care about someone again. It was beautiful and tragic at the same time.
I can't wait for this to be a movie and of course, for the next story.
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5 stars.
"Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming the District Twelve tributes of the Fiftieth Hunger Games!" Drusilla acknowledges us. "And may the odds be EVER in your favor!"
Every time I hear this, it makes me nauseous. Truly. It has taken me so long to write a review for this but I had time today so here we are.
"A truth that's told with bad
intent, beats all the lies you can invent."
- William Blake
Oh Suzanne, the woman you are.
This book was honestly a ride. I went out and bought it and wanted to devour it the same day but life happens and couldn't do so. Growing up, with THG series defined such a big piece of my beliefs and my worldview and now being an adult with grown up money able to buy this beauty on release day made my day.
Haymitch is a character that I heavily criticised as a teenager. A lot of his simplistic reasoning and beliefs angered me because I couldn't imagine being so indoctrinated in a society that I clearly hated but actively participated in (which obviously was incredibly judgy of me, my sense of justice was strong I can tell you that, but as we all learn when we grow up, life is anything but simple).
"Most of the people in District 12 weren't even alive then, but we're sure here to pay the price"
In this prequel we truly get to see what happened in the 50th Hunger Games. Following the harrowing but known process of the reaping, then the interviews, all the events in the arena and finally declaring the victor. One might think there's not much to tell since we already know the outcome, but oh boy, were we wrong. I've seen a lot of people call this "fan service" which is just odd to me because I felt like I was stabbed over and over again. No, but seriously I get that we see a lot of the characters that we already know and love, but we also get a completely new plot line and characters that add to it that to me in no way, shape or form felt like it. It doesn't feel like a filler story to me, it's just.....what happened. The raw and hideous truth.
We explore how life in 12 was back then. We finally get the story of the first "known" victor of district 12. I adored that we see more of the Covey. The characters' growth is *chef's kiss*. You get to care for all of them and it's even more heartbreaking because we all know how it ends.
I've seen some criticism towards the simplicity of the writing. I do not agree. YA books should be understandable for younger audiences. It's such a vital genre because not everyone is privileged enough to have higher levels of understanding and it helps them develop critical thinking skills. YA was the first genre I read while learning English. People forget that not every one has the access to higher levels of education and they are allowed to find books that are simple enough with clear messages. Suzanne's writing is simple in the way that she is concise with what she is trying to say, but she takes the time to develop her ideas so that the reader can form opinions and see different points of view. Her range as a writer is incredible, as well as her pace.
My only critique is that the ending (very likely due to the circumstances and state of mind of the characters) felt incredibly rushed. It being such a central part of the story, made it hard for me to understand why we would brush it up so fast. Still, incredible story, incredible book. I have an itch t reread the entire series again and cannot wait for the movie to come out so I can see it a 1000 times like all the others.
"They have to keep it quiet because loving differently can get you harassed by the Peacekeepers, fired from jobs, arrested even."
"We can only say, "Because this is the way things are."
I hear this daily and it drives me nuts.
"Reading in general isn't a popular pastime in the Capitol. It's a shame. Everything you need to know about people is right here in this room."
"Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming the District Twelve tributes of the Fiftieth Hunger Games!" Drusilla acknowledges us. "And may the odds be EVER in your favor!"
Every time I hear this, it makes me nauseous. Truly. It has taken me so long to write a review for this but I had time today so here we are.
"A truth that's told with bad
intent, beats all the lies you can invent."
- William Blake
Oh Suzanne, the woman you are.
This book was honestly a ride. I went out and bought it and wanted to devour it the same day but life happens and couldn't do so. Growing up, with THG series defined such a big piece of my beliefs and my worldview and now being an adult with grown up money able to buy this beauty on release day made my day.
Haymitch is a character that I heavily criticised as a teenager. A lot of his simplistic reasoning and beliefs angered me because I couldn't imagine being so indoctrinated in a society that I clearly hated but actively participated in (which obviously was incredibly judgy of me, my sense of justice was strong I can tell you that, but as we all learn when we grow up, life is anything but simple).
"Most of the people in District 12 weren't even alive then, but we're sure here to pay the price"
In this prequel we truly get to see what happened in the 50th Hunger Games. Following the harrowing but known process of the reaping, then the interviews, all the events in the arena and finally declaring the victor. One might think there's not much to tell since we already know the outcome, but oh boy, were we wrong. I've seen a lot of people call this "fan service" which is just odd to me because I felt like I was stabbed over and over again. No, but seriously I get that we see a lot of the characters that we already know and love, but we also get a completely new plot line and characters that add to it that to me in no way, shape or form felt like it. It doesn't feel like a filler story to me, it's just.....what happened. The raw and hideous truth.
We explore how life in 12 was back then. We finally get the story of the first "known" victor of district 12. I adored that we see more of the Covey. The characters' growth is *chef's kiss*. You get to care for all of them and it's even more heartbreaking because we all know how it ends.
I've seen some criticism towards the simplicity of the writing. I do not agree. YA books should be understandable for younger audiences. It's such a vital genre because not everyone is privileged enough to have higher levels of understanding and it helps them develop critical thinking skills. YA was the first genre I read while learning English. People forget that not every one has the access to higher levels of education and they are allowed to find books that are simple enough with clear messages. Suzanne's writing is simple in the way that she is concise with what she is trying to say, but she takes the time to develop her ideas so that the reader can form opinions and see different points of view. Her range as a writer is incredible, as well as her pace.
My only critique is that the ending (very likely due to the circumstances and state of mind of the characters) felt incredibly rushed. It being such a central part of the story, made it hard for me to understand why we would brush it up so fast. Still, incredible story, incredible book. I have an itch t reread the entire series again and cannot wait for the movie to come out so I can see it a 1000 times like all the others.
"They have to keep it quiet because loving differently can get you harassed by the Peacekeepers, fired from jobs, arrested even."
"We can only say, "Because this is the way things are."
I hear this daily and it drives me nuts.
"Reading in general isn't a popular pastime in the Capitol. It's a shame. Everything you need to know about people is right here in this room."
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced