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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (378)
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this. I read it in 3 days. It was really fun reading it right after rereading the trilogy, because there are a lot of easter eggs and it was fun finding them. Also very cool to get more history of Panem.
I think a lot of folks were worried this book wouls try to make them like President Snow, who is so obviously intrinsically evil in the trilogy. It does tell his story of how he got there, but it is super subjective and lets you decide for yourself.Personally, while I did feel for him and his situation, I definitely picked up on the edge of complete selfishness lying beneath all his decisions, that ultimately led him to be the evil President Snow we know. I also picked up on it with Lucy Gray, though for her it was more utter survival and protection of herself and her pack. Loved her character so much. Also... I'm fairly convinced that Maude Ivory is Katniss's grandmother (her father's mother).
Suzanne Collins can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned, and I hope she writes more in the THG universe eventually.
Sidenote: I read an interview with her in which she said that she writes all her books based her own explorations of war theory, and I think that is SO incredibly interesting.
Reread March 2025 (4 years later):
I feel comfortable downgrading this one from 5 to 4.5. I still think it's very good and fascinating, but it doesn't have even close to the same readability as the original trilogy. Nor does it hit as hard emotionally or as something to relate to.
Still glad we get this lore, though, and I still found the THG easter eggs fun to spot.
I think a lot of folks were worried this book wouls try to make them like President Snow, who is so obviously intrinsically evil in the trilogy. It does tell his story of how he got there, but it is super subjective and lets you decide for yourself.
Suzanne Collins can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned, and I hope she writes more in the THG universe eventually.
Sidenote: I read an interview with her in which she said that she writes all her books based her own explorations of war theory, and I think that is SO incredibly interesting.
Reread March 2025 (4 years later):
I feel comfortable downgrading this one from 5 to 4.5. I still think it's very good and fascinating, but it doesn't have even close to the same readability as the original trilogy. Nor does it hit as hard emotionally or as something to relate to.
Still glad we get this lore, though, and I still found the THG easter eggs fun to spot.
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:
Yes
Update after reread 2/28/25:
This is absolutely keeping its 5 star rating. I don't know why people say this is the weakest book of the series. I love it, and I think I even loved it more than Catching Fire on this go around.
I immersion read the entire thing today. I'll admit, part of the reason I did that was to throw a middle finger at this past month (which had been a notably bad mental health month and thus an underwhelming reading month). But it also wasn't hard to do at all. This will always be a fantastic, gripping, binge-worthy read.
This is absolutely keeping its 5 star rating. I don't know why people say this is the weakest book of the series. I love it, and I think I even loved it more than Catching Fire on this go around.
I immersion read the entire thing today. I'll admit, part of the reason I did that was to throw a middle finger at this past month (which had been a notably bad mental health month and thus an underwhelming reading month). But it also wasn't hard to do at all. This will always be a fantastic, gripping, binge-worthy read.
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
Still a banger!! If I had to think about it more, Idk if it gets a full 5, but for now it does. And for now, I have to sleep. Just recording something here in the last 10 mins of 2024!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
The pinnacle of YA dystopian fiction. Nuff said.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite the popularity if the show, I managed to remain ignorant of practically everything about this book. And I'm SO GLAD I did because the slow build-up was spectacular! The twist took me completely by surprise and floored me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
So good and fun! An easy read; pretty YA and simple writing, but still beautiful and compelling. And representation off the charts!
It's a Latinx LGBT paranormal mystery love story, LITERALLY what more could you ask for??
It's a Latinx LGBT paranormal mystery love story, LITERALLY what more could you ask for??
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I kind of wish I liked this one more. It was beautiful and full of new perspectives and interesting stories. But the ending kind of ruined it for me. :/
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The very beautiful and addicting writing gets 6/5 stars. It was a very quick and easy read without being unintelligent.
However, the main characters were so frustrating at times, I wanted to yell at them and throw the book away. 😅 And the realness of that is part of what makes it so beautiful, but I can't help but knock it down a point for their utter humanity.
Also reminded me way too vividly of the mental gymnastics and stupid decisions one is always fielding when involved in young love. 🥴
However, the main characters were so frustrating at times, I wanted to yell at them and throw the book away. 😅 And the realness of that is part of what makes it so beautiful, but I can't help but knock it down a point for their utter humanity.
Also reminded me way too vividly of the mental gymnastics and stupid decisions one is always fielding when involved in young love. 🥴
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
I loved this book. It's based on folklore as old as time, but it retells it in such a new and fresh way. She could have easily waxed TOO poetic about some things, but she mercifully kept it simple and easy to digest. It kept me guessing up until the VERY end. I came so close to guessing the ending but it fooled me so many times. I must say, though, I was kind of expecting earth-shattering heartbreak and a puddle of tears at the end, and was a little disappointed when I didn't get that. 😅 Still loved the ending though.
I may have been frustrated with Addie a lot of time, but I still liked her stubbornness, her cunning, her thirst for life. I was definitely rooting for her by the end.
But the one I really fell in love with was Henry. He's the truly relatable one. Poor kid. I don't know what else to say about him, I just loved him so much and want him protected at all costs. I'm ultimately glad she saved him and he got to live the life he deserved, even though it could have been so poetic and beautiful if he died.
I'm so so glad that Luc was never treated like a real love interest. Even when she goes with him in the end, the ultimate goal is to fool him and get her way. He's obviously toxic af and I'm just really glad she isn't with him because she loves him. Because she doesn't.
Lastly, the romance aspect was so beautiful and understated. Nothing I've consumed in a VERY long time as made me feel this single. 🥴
A couple of things I didn't love about this book that bring it down ever so slightly from 5 stars:
- the pacing was a bit slow, not TOO slow but made it hard to get into from the start
- petty complaint, but I read the hardcover and the pages were HUGE and the text was tinyyy, which I really struggled with the whole time
- it got very repetitive with the flashbacks,did she really have to spend that long in France? I feel like she had the same conversation with Luc at least a dozen times.
- considering the scope of all Addie could have done and seen, the book was not very diverse at all. But I also understand Schwab just keeping to what she knows. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall. Loved it. Highly recommend.
I may have been frustrated with Addie a lot of time, but I still liked her stubbornness, her cunning, her thirst for life. I was definitely rooting for her by the end.
I'm so so glad that Luc was never treated like a real love interest. Even when she goes with him in the end, the ultimate goal is to fool him and get her way. He's obviously toxic af and I'm just really glad she isn't with him because she loves him. Because she doesn't.
Lastly, the romance aspect was so beautiful and understated. Nothing I've consumed in a VERY long time as made me feel this single. 🥴
A couple of things I didn't love about this book that bring it down ever so slightly from 5 stars:
- the pacing was a bit slow, not TOO slow but made it hard to get into from the start
- petty complaint, but I read the hardcover and the pages were HUGE and the text was tinyyy, which I really struggled with the whole time
- it got very repetitive with the flashbacks,
- considering the scope of all Addie could have done and seen, the book was not very diverse at all. But I also understand Schwab just keeping to what she knows. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall. Loved it. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt