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aahrobot's Reviews (116)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
hi~ this is going to be LONG!
Firstly, this is an incredible book. Suzanne Collins is an expert at world building. I truly don't think that a lot of people understand the Appalachian culture that Suzanne (a woman from Connecticut) brings to this series. It's more than coal miners and bootleggers and booker boys and poverty. It's the kindness of Haymitch, even when he dislikes some of his fellow tributes at first. It's giving Wellie chocolate and even throwing some to Silka. It's Maysilee experiencing hunger for the first time and Haymitch knowing that pain all too well; Wyatt's family tradition of betting on the Games. It's ham hock and bean soup. It's in their mannerisms, their actions, their ability to survive, their desire to be seen as more than just some kids from District 12. It's the defiance and eventual rebellion; deep rooted in Katniss and seeing that same spark in Haymitch then watching it die out. He felt powerless, but always wanted to be free. He is a haunted man saved by a girl who's father he once called a friend; a child much like Louella. That is Appalachia.
Sorry - I just really needed to get that out. I could talk for hours about the cultural significance (especially the Covey!) Anyway, I loved this book, if you couldn't tell. Learning and experiencing Haymitch's pain helped make things make so much more sense. His heartbreak is so tangible in the best and worst ways. We all know how the story is going to end, but feeling that hurt? A necessary evil. I appreciate that Suzanne Collins doesn't write a standard happy ending. Because, much like the Hunger Games, there are no winners. Not in a place like Panem.
I enjoyed the other characters as well, seeing new and old was refreshing and heartwarming in a way. Maysilee will always be my favorite; her snippy attitude was perfect and I loved every interaction with her, even the most painful one. Beetee and Effie, Mags and Wiress, Plutark (who I will always have mixed feelings about). It was nice to watch this connect and intersect, really bringing the whole story together.
I've seen some other reviews talking about how this is more of a fan service book than an actual story. And I get that, truly. But I don't think I care. My one and only qualm will always be about wanting more. It's heartbreaking nostalgia wrapped in a purple cover.
Firstly, this is an incredible book. Suzanne Collins is an expert at world building. I truly don't think that a lot of people understand the Appalachian culture that Suzanne (a woman from Connecticut) brings to this series. It's more than coal miners and bootleggers and booker boys and poverty. It's the kindness of Haymitch, even when he dislikes some of his fellow tributes at first. It's giving Wellie chocolate and even throwing some to Silka. It's Maysilee experiencing hunger for the first time and Haymitch knowing that pain all too well; Wyatt's family tradition of betting on the Games. It's ham hock and bean soup. It's in their mannerisms, their actions, their ability to survive, their desire to be seen as more than just some kids from District 12. It's the defiance and eventual rebellion; deep rooted in Katniss and seeing that same spark in Haymitch then watching it die out. He felt powerless, but always wanted to be free. He is a haunted man saved by a girl who's father he once called a friend; a child much like Louella. That is Appalachia.
Sorry - I just really needed to get that out. I could talk for hours about the cultural significance (especially the Covey!) Anyway, I loved this book, if you couldn't tell. Learning and experiencing Haymitch's pain helped make things make so much more sense. His heartbreak is so tangible in the best and worst ways. We all know how the story is going to end, but feeling that hurt? A necessary evil. I appreciate that Suzanne Collins doesn't write a standard happy ending. Because, much like the Hunger Games, there are no winners. Not in a place like Panem.
I enjoyed the other characters as well, seeing new and old was refreshing and heartwarming in a way. Maysilee will always be my favorite; her snippy attitude was perfect and I loved every interaction with her, even the most painful one. Beetee and Effie, Mags and Wiress, Plutark (who I will always have mixed feelings about). It was nice to watch this connect and intersect, really bringing the whole story together.
I've seen some other reviews talking about how this is more of a fan service book than an actual story. And I get that, truly. But I don't think I care. My one and only qualm will always be about wanting more. It's heartbreaking nostalgia wrapped in a purple cover.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Good graphic novel! Very informative. Beautiful artwork.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an okay read. Definitely some plot holes. Cute. Easy. Nothing to write home about.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay? Not my fave. It’s like as the series went on, we kinda lost the plot. I get that these are cute romances meant to have zero/minimal drama but like. . . *crickets*
The drama just was ridiculous and pointless to me. Book one, we’ve got a media scandal/“fake” dating! Book two, we’ve got a sex tape scandal. Book three, “we dunno how we can date!!” (Didn’t like that one either). Book four, we’ve got some convoluted “flip flop” (🙄) drama that didn’t even matter in the long term and believing Declan wouldn’t have been happy with Eve and Pen. Just felt out of touch.
Love the message, hate the delivery. The spice wasn’t bad, but it was few and far between in comparison to the rest of the series. Just felt lack luster. Almost like a story of convenience. Why go look for the LOML when I can say it’s actually my sister-in-law’s assistant?!
tdlr; I was more interested in Billy and his mom than the actual main characters. Missing Chris & Trixie 😭🥲
The drama just was ridiculous and pointless to me. Book one, we’ve got a media scandal/“fake” dating! Book two, we’ve got a sex tape scandal. Book three, “we dunno how we can date!!” (Didn’t like that one either). Book four, we’ve got some convoluted “flip flop” (🙄) drama that didn’t even matter in the long term and believing Declan wouldn’t have been happy with Eve and Pen. Just felt out of touch.
Love the message, hate the delivery. The spice wasn’t bad, but it was few and far between in comparison to the rest of the series. Just felt lack luster. Almost like a story of convenience. Why go look for the LOML when I can say it’s actually my sister-in-law’s assistant?!
tdlr; I was more interested in Billy and his mom than the actual main characters. Missing Chris & Trixie 😭🥲
dark
reflective
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
I love this book. Scary and a little funny with the right amount of gen z vibes, character growth, and the painful reality of grief. I was scared to look in the mirror, but I couldn’t stop reading.
Viv was an amazing and real character. Bri was a great friend. Ash was a misunderstood little emo baby. All so different, but so intertwined in the best (worst?) way.
Such an incredible debut novel and I cannot wait to see what more Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will give us.
Viv was an amazing and real character. Bri was a great friend. Ash was a misunderstood little emo baby. All so different, but so intertwined in the best (worst?) way.
Such an incredible debut novel and I cannot wait to see what more Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will give us.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
This was an adorable read. I really enjoy graphic novels, especially ones with storylines like Sunhead. Also, this whole thing was one huge queer-coming-of-age Twilight reference and I am HERE for that! I would absolutely love to read more about Rotem and Ayala.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This wasn’t bad, definitely had some good elements. But some of the story just felt lacking to me. I felt as if there wasn’t enough, I dunno, drama maybe? Just something more I guess.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think what this series has taught me is that I am not a slow burn kinda girlie. Like, don't get me wrong - I ache to yearn, but sometimes it's too much yearning. I dunno - maybe this book was just too slow for me.
I understand that the timeline of this book happens at the same time as the other two books, but it felt like I was getting the same book in a different POV. I felt as if there was no real suspense or frustration or build up. Things just happened and sometimes we never talked about it again. I felt like we jumped around a lot, timeline wise. Some of it just felt disjointed to me a little and it would have been nice, maybe, to have a bit more filler or just something.
As for the story, I really liked Rose. The circus, the tarot, the chaos - it was always fun to see what she had going on. Fionn was adorable and whiny and definitely benefited from some self-reflection. The spice, when we finally got there, wasn't too bad. Though using the words 'her channel' gave me the ick just a bit. Also, we got a warning for the cotton candy and when we got to that scene is was just like, 'really? that's it?'.
Also, Fionn - calling Leander?! You have two serial killer brothers and that's the call you make? You cannot convince me that, that choice was: one, the correct choice, and two, the choice that Fionn would have made!!!!!!!!
3 stars BARELY.
I understand that the timeline of this book happens at the same time as the other two books, but it felt like I was getting the same book in a different POV. I felt as if there was no real suspense or frustration or build up. Things just happened and sometimes we never talked about it again. I felt like we jumped around a lot, timeline wise. Some of it just felt disjointed to me a little and it would have been nice, maybe, to have a bit more filler or just something.
As for the story, I really liked Rose. The circus, the tarot, the chaos - it was always fun to see what she had going on. Fionn was adorable and whiny and definitely benefited from some self-reflection. The spice, when we finally got there, wasn't too bad. Though using the words 'her channel' gave me the ick just a bit. Also, we got a warning for the cotton candy and when we got to that scene is was just like, 'really? that's it?'.
Also, Fionn -
3 stars BARELY.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Sav R. Miller will forever and always been an instant read for me. She just does everything so right (and wrong in the best way).
Stella and Leo? Ugh. Perfect. No notes. Also TWO bisexual main characters?! Incredible, truly. 10/10.
Seriously though, I really enjoyed this (as I always do with this author) and I might just read the rest of this series!
Stella and Leo? Ugh. Perfect. No notes. Also TWO bisexual main characters?! Incredible, truly. 10/10.
Seriously though, I really enjoyed this (as I always do with this author) and I might just read the rest of this series!
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hi - I loved this book. I am truly becoming a fan of contemporary literature because it's just (from what I've read) an endless stream of consciousness. And this book really hit me. The author wrote some paragraphs in the same way that I think; I, too, am jumping from talking about lying, to Abraham Lincoln, wondering where planes and cars are headed, about people's lives, where they came from, etc.
This book is heavy. Pizza Girl is a pregnant teenager, and pizza delivery driver, struggling with something (because honestly she wasn't struggling with JUST her dad's death). She becomes obsessed with Jenny, a mom who orders pickle and pepperoni pizza every Wednesday for her son, Adam. It's the kind of book where you should just take a deep breath and read it all in one sitting.
One section that I particularly enjoyed:
This book is heavy. Pizza Girl is a pregnant teenager, and pizza delivery driver, struggling with something (because honestly she wasn't struggling with JUST her dad's death). She becomes obsessed with Jenny, a mom who orders pickle and pepperoni pizza every Wednesday for her son, Adam. It's the kind of book where you should just take a deep breath and read it all in one sitting.
One section that I particularly enjoyed:
“Well, what do you like doing?” This was the most painful question he could ask, maybe because I knew how I would answer it—I liked eating cereal early in the morning on the front steps of the house, seeing how sure and confident Mom’s hands moved when she folded laundry, watching TV on mute while I listened to my iPod, reading under trees and watching sunlight leak through the leaves above and cast strange patterns on my skin and the pages, pulling off my jeans the minute I got home, Gummy Bears, I liked after we fucked, when we just lay in each other’s arms, not speaking—none of these answers were what he was looking for. I never applied to any colleges, never was able to answer the question of my future purpose.
It's just so...real and emotionally raw. When I was 18, I struggled to find a purpose, maybe we all do. What did I like doing? Hiding in my room, eating too many chips, walking around outside with no real place to go, convenience stores and movie theaters, lighting a candle after school and taking a nap until dinner was ready, and spending way too much time on the internet. (This is why I have to limit my contemporary fiction intake because I will just eat myself alive from the inside out).
This book ends with so many things unfinished, unanswered. And I'm okay with that. Life is so complex and sometimes, we never get answers for the things we want, we might never find peace no matter how desperate we may become. I found myself driving to work, wondering what happens when Pizza Girl gives birth. Did motherhood change her, make her feel fulfilled and have a purpose? Or was she so removed from the baby that she truly turned into her father, disappearing into the shed? I'll never know. And, really, that's exactly what the author wants to happen. Much like our main character, we are left wondering so many different possible things, staring at our hands on the steering wheel, and asking ourselves, 'Which parent will I end up like?'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Alcohol