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savage_book_review's reviews
294 reviews
Inked by Rachel Rener
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I've been meaning to read this one for a while... and I keep eyeing the special edition that's on pre-order for #RARE25London. So my heart is now happy for two reasons! 😂 And despite my having as big a fear of needles as Talia, it's reading books like this that really make me want to suck it up and get a tattoo!
This book is fast-paced, funny, sweet, sexy and slightly mad, but it makes for a wonderfully entertaining read! It's certainly not a book that lingers on the whys and wherefores of each moment, but for the most part it really doesn't need to; the story just pulls you along with it. As long as you are a reader who can just 'go with it', then you'll find this a riot!
Our MMC, Zayn, is everything you want in a fantasy man (except he doesn't have wings), and it was very, very easy to get the attraction even before you meet him properly. He's got the perfect balance of tortured soul, overprotective alphahole and light and fluffy going on, and there are moments when his internal conflict pours off the page. And I think I may have a new favourite fictional bird... Biscuit is SO CUTE! His origin makes him precious, his personality can't help but make you smile, and his actions are just beautifully done.
While I do like Talia as an FMC, I didn't quite warm to her as much. The fact that she is almost constantly screaming, or trying not to scream, did make her feel a little bit like an early days Doctor Who companion - make shrill noises until the hero comes to rescue me. There are certain elements that also make make her come across as a bit immature. Now, I will readily admit that it's nice to get a younger FMC who has some different personality traits in a fantasy book, but at the same time she's missing that grit that carries others from their humble origins to positions of power. I hope to see more character developed for her in the rest of the series to really make her shine.
This books lays the foundations of worldbuilding quite well, but it strikes a bit of an odd balance of there being almost too much information about some elements, with others lacking detail. I think after a few reads and a proper study up of the table provided at the back of the Kindle edition I would understand the magic system better, but for a casual reader the descriptions within the narrative send you a bit cross-eyed. And yet, I found myself wanting more information and grounding when in the fae world, as there just wasn't enough for me. Again, I'm hoping this get built upon a bit more during the rest of the series. In places, it's just a little bit too busy with different creatures, rules and lore to pick up on immediately.
I do love the premise, and as it is such an easy read I'll have no problem coming back to this one to pick up again in future.
This book is fast-paced, funny, sweet, sexy and slightly mad, but it makes for a wonderfully entertaining read! It's certainly not a book that lingers on the whys and wherefores of each moment, but for the most part it really doesn't need to; the story just pulls you along with it. As long as you are a reader who can just 'go with it', then you'll find this a riot!
Our MMC, Zayn, is everything you want in a fantasy man (except he doesn't have wings), and it was very, very easy to get the attraction even before you meet him properly. He's got the perfect balance of tortured soul, overprotective alphahole and light and fluffy going on, and there are moments when his internal conflict pours off the page. And I think I may have a new favourite fictional bird... Biscuit is SO CUTE! His origin makes him precious, his personality can't help but make you smile, and his actions are just beautifully done.
While I do like Talia as an FMC, I didn't quite warm to her as much. The fact that she is almost constantly screaming, or trying not to scream, did make her feel a little bit like an early days Doctor Who companion - make shrill noises until the hero comes to rescue me. There are certain elements that also make make her come across as a bit immature. Now, I will readily admit that it's nice to get a younger FMC who has some different personality traits in a fantasy book, but at the same time she's missing that grit that carries others from their humble origins to positions of power. I hope to see more character developed for her in the rest of the series to really make her shine.
This books lays the foundations of worldbuilding quite well, but it strikes a bit of an odd balance of there being almost too much information about some elements, with others lacking detail. I think after a few reads and a proper study up of the table provided at the back of the Kindle edition I would understand the magic system better, but for a casual reader the descriptions within the narrative send you a bit cross-eyed. And yet, I found myself wanting more information and grounding when in the fae world, as there just wasn't enough for me. Again, I'm hoping this get built upon a bit more during the rest of the series. In places, it's just a little bit too busy with different creatures, rules and lore to pick up on immediately.
I do love the premise, and as it is such an easy read I'll have no problem coming back to this one to pick up again in future.
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The latest book for my office book club, and I suspect I'm going to be the outlier on this. The people I've spoken too at work all love this book. I... don't. It's not bad by any stretch, it's just not me.
I found the premise an interesting one, following the stories of a man, Ansel, on death row trying to come to terms with his imminent demise, alongside the story of his crimes told from the point of view of his mother, his sister-in-law and a childhood companion. The consideration of Ansel's character is such that you are constantly questioning whether you sympathise with him, or are appalled by his unfeeling and seemingly sociopathic tendencies, which makes for uncomfortable and yet surprisingly enthralling reading. Each woman is also flawed in her own way which adds a nice balance to things - overall it does a really good job at subverting the traditional 'good vs evil' subtext of a story like this.
However, I found the multi-POV narrative, that also jumps back and forwards in time, quite difficult to keep my bearings with. Generally, while I'd say the substance of the writing is beautifully done - the prose is almost poetic in places - I really struggled with some of the stylistic choices. We have changes in tenses, changes in perspective (third person vs second person), and grammatical shifts in things like using speech marks - the women's chapters do, Ansel's chapters don't. While I am sure the author could explain the reasons for this choice and an English teacher would salivate at the opportunity to break every element down for critical analysis, my 'passenger princess' reading style just found it all a bit too much.
Similarly, there are big chunks of the text that feel like they went over my head, or I found difficult to grasp within the context of the chapter. There are some philosophical ideas thrown around in here too (indeed, Ansel's Theory is a running theme throughout the book) and I can sort of tie bits and pieces together, but mostly I just think my reading and the author's writing were never really going to work well together.
I found the premise an interesting one, following the stories of a man, Ansel, on death row trying to come to terms with his imminent demise, alongside the story of his crimes told from the point of view of his mother, his sister-in-law and a childhood companion. The consideration of Ansel's character is such that you are constantly questioning whether you sympathise with him, or are appalled by his unfeeling and seemingly sociopathic tendencies, which makes for uncomfortable and yet surprisingly enthralling reading. Each woman is also flawed in her own way which adds a nice balance to things - overall it does a really good job at subverting the traditional 'good vs evil' subtext of a story like this.
However, I found the multi-POV narrative, that also jumps back and forwards in time, quite difficult to keep my bearings with. Generally, while I'd say the substance of the writing is beautifully done - the prose is almost poetic in places - I really struggled with some of the stylistic choices. We have changes in tenses, changes in perspective (third person vs second person), and grammatical shifts in things like using speech marks - the women's chapters do, Ansel's chapters don't. While I am sure the author could explain the reasons for this choice and an English teacher would salivate at the opportunity to break every element down for critical analysis, my 'passenger princess' reading style just found it all a bit too much.
Similarly, there are big chunks of the text that feel like they went over my head, or I found difficult to grasp within the context of the chapter. There are some philosophical ideas thrown around in here too (indeed, Ansel's Theory is a running theme throughout the book) and I can sort of tie bits and pieces together, but mostly I just think my reading and the author's writing were never really going to work well together.
Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
SPOILER FREE REVIEW, WITH A CAVEAT - For clarity, events from Haymitch's games that are mentioned in the original Hunger Games trilogy are fair game and may be mentioned herein. So look away now if you're late to the party and reading in chronological rather than release order!
We've seen the 'official' version of Haymitch's games through their abridged, edited, sanitised reel watched by Katniss and Peeta. We know what to expect from the Hunger Games generally, and some of the plot points from Haymitch's games, and so I thought I knew what to expect. Now I've seen behind the curtain and know the truth of the second Quarter Quell, all I can say is that I might have expected it to hurt like hell, but the reality is even more devastating.
I firstly have to give props to Jefferson White for his narration. He manages to pitch every moment perfectly, emphasising without being overly-dramatic and giving us the deeply emotional resonance of every scene. He inhabits Haymitch throughout; the character was recognisable in the beginning as an 'innocent' version of the one we know and love, but just through the power of his voice you could hear his world-weariness and dissilusionment creep in as the story progresses. And it doesn't hurt that his voice is (at least to me) reminiscent of a younger Woody Harrelson!
Suzanne Collins has done an amazing job here at bridging the gap between 'Songbirds and Snakes' and the original trilogy, giving us plenty of nods to events past and future which make for a great serotonin boost for a person who rereads this series on an annual basis. Although it could be argued that President Snow is the element that links all together (and his spectre still looms large on this book, though in a way that feels somewhat different to the other books), to me this book says that all roads lead to Haymitch. There's a beautiful sense of inevitability that underlays the narrative, but it doesn't feel contrived or forced. Everything just flows and, when a new element/character/plot point is introduced that builds on this feeling, it gives the reader a sense of familiarity, without giving it the vibes of 'oh, what a small world!'. Even the elements we do already know about - Katniss' Mockingjay pin once having belonged to Maisylee Donner, the Tenth Games being essentially wiped from history etc. - are all woven in and given so much more meaning and emphasis here, meaning you'll go back to the other books with a whole new perspective.
It also giving a character that we've come to know and love a backstory that manages to give him character development that only enhances his actions, motives and outlook. Likewise, the story still manages to surprise, devastate and enthrall the reader, even with the outcome being something of a foregone conclusion. There is so much more to Haymitch's story and it's an absolute treat to get to read it.
The Edgar Allen Poe poem 'Nevermore' plays a starring role throughout this book, and while it makes perfect sense for the story, I'm not entirely convinced that the repeated and extended quotations of it don't distract a little from the author's own work. I can imagine that if I were the 'right' age for this book, I'd probably be skimming over these. Actually, let's be honest, I'd probably still have skimmed over them now if I wasn't listening to it! While I think it's a great way to get kids learning about classic poetry etc., I'm just not sure that the wording isn't a bit too 'heavy' for a casual reader of YA. (And given that I've recently picked up the Nevermore Bookshop series by Steffanie Holmes, my imagination was going in a whole different direction! 🤣 IYKYK).
The other reservation I have about this book is that there are some threads I was hoping to see picked up which weren't. Or they were, but not in a 'satisfying' way. I feel like there's been enough left dangling for more books to come in the series, which I absolutely would not object to, but this story has a satisfying conclusion nonetheless. I guess I'm just frustrated by the fact that my single biggest query was dealt with in one brief line. And it would have been beautiful, poetic and even more tragic if the timeline had worked out to make an element of this book an unforeseen consequence of the last book. Gah, trying to say what I want to say without spoilers here is HARD!
I'm so glad Suzanne Collins saw fit to grace us with this! And here's to many more books in the future!
We've seen the 'official' version of Haymitch's games through their abridged, edited, sanitised reel watched by Katniss and Peeta. We know what to expect from the Hunger Games generally, and some of the plot points from Haymitch's games, and so I thought I knew what to expect. Now I've seen behind the curtain and know the truth of the second Quarter Quell, all I can say is that I might have expected it to hurt like hell, but the reality is even more devastating.
I firstly have to give props to Jefferson White for his narration. He manages to pitch every moment perfectly, emphasising without being overly-dramatic and giving us the deeply emotional resonance of every scene. He inhabits Haymitch throughout; the character was recognisable in the beginning as an 'innocent' version of the one we know and love, but just through the power of his voice you could hear his world-weariness and dissilusionment creep in as the story progresses. And it doesn't hurt that his voice is (at least to me) reminiscent of a younger Woody Harrelson!
Suzanne Collins has done an amazing job here at bridging the gap between 'Songbirds and Snakes' and the original trilogy, giving us plenty of nods to events past and future which make for a great serotonin boost for a person who rereads this series on an annual basis. Although it could be argued that President Snow is the element that links all together (and his spectre still looms large on this book, though in a way that feels somewhat different to the other books), to me this book says that all roads lead to Haymitch. There's a beautiful sense of inevitability that underlays the narrative, but it doesn't feel contrived or forced. Everything just flows and, when a new element/character/plot point is introduced that builds on this feeling, it gives the reader a sense of familiarity, without giving it the vibes of 'oh, what a small world!'. Even the elements we do already know about - Katniss' Mockingjay pin once having belonged to Maisylee Donner, the Tenth Games being essentially wiped from history etc. - are all woven in and given so much more meaning and emphasis here, meaning you'll go back to the other books with a whole new perspective.
It also giving a character that we've come to know and love a backstory that manages to give him character development that only enhances his actions, motives and outlook. Likewise, the story still manages to surprise, devastate and enthrall the reader, even with the outcome being something of a foregone conclusion. There is so much more to Haymitch's story and it's an absolute treat to get to read it.
The Edgar Allen Poe poem 'Nevermore' plays a starring role throughout this book, and while it makes perfect sense for the story, I'm not entirely convinced that the repeated and extended quotations of it don't distract a little from the author's own work. I can imagine that if I were the 'right' age for this book, I'd probably be skimming over these. Actually, let's be honest, I'd probably still have skimmed over them now if I wasn't listening to it! While I think it's a great way to get kids learning about classic poetry etc., I'm just not sure that the wording isn't a bit too 'heavy' for a casual reader of YA. (And given that I've recently picked up the Nevermore Bookshop series by Steffanie Holmes, my imagination was going in a whole different direction! 🤣 IYKYK).
The other reservation I have about this book is that there are some threads I was hoping to see picked up which weren't. Or they were, but not in a 'satisfying' way. I feel like there's been enough left dangling for more books to come in the series, which I absolutely would not object to, but this story has a satisfying conclusion nonetheless. I guess I'm just frustrated by the fact that my single biggest query was dealt with in one brief line. And it would have been beautiful, poetic and even more tragic if the timeline had worked out to make an element of this book an unforeseen consequence of the last book. Gah, trying to say what I want to say without spoilers here is HARD!
I'm so glad Suzanne Collins saw fit to grace us with this! And here's to many more books in the future!
Traitor of Villain Academy: The Complete Series by Eva Chase
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
We return to 'Villain Academy' two years after the events of the previous books, this time following Cressida Warbury, the one-time tormentor turned ally of Rory Bloodstone. The story essentially starts with a 'bang' 😉, but then settles in to develop relationships between Cressida and the various people she interacts with. Her past trauma is explored (check your trigger warnings if needed) in a sensitive way, showing her acceptance and redirection of her feelings at her experiences into fighting back. Likewise, she acknowledges her own past mistakes, while probably beating herself up a bit too much about her perceived lack of a 'noble cause'. Her character is likeable and carries the story well, but I feel there is a depth to her we didn't quite get to see.
I enjoyed the contrast between Noah and Emeric as we get to know them through Cressida's eyes. They both have some stand-out moments that really make you connect with them in some way, with one moment of Emeric's in particular being utterly heart-wrenching. I was surprised by how strong my reaction to some of these moments were; for a book that was just being read to fill some time, it manages to pack quite a punch while still being relatively easy-going.
Although the first part of the story does feel a little pantomime-ish, essentially with minor league bad guys trying to do something, anything to prove themselves and get a leg up into the big leagues, there are some great twists and turns. The story arc works really well; it's not overly-complicated but it keeps you engaged, and it skips along at a good pace. The biggest criticism I have is that the resolutions long the way (and even the ultimate finale) come with very little fanfare and are somewhat anticlimactic, which makes the build up seem wasted.
As with the previous books in the series, I do feel this works better as one book. There are more 'natural' breaks in this one at the end of each instalment, but nevertheless the story does feel like it needs to be ingested in one go.
A quick and satisfying read!
I enjoyed the contrast between Noah and Emeric as we get to know them through Cressida's eyes. They both have some stand-out moments that really make you connect with them in some way, with one moment of Emeric's in particular being utterly heart-wrenching. I was surprised by how strong my reaction to some of these moments were; for a book that was just being read to fill some time, it manages to pack quite a punch while still being relatively easy-going.
Although the first part of the story does feel a little pantomime-ish, essentially with minor league bad guys trying to do something, anything to prove themselves and get a leg up into the big leagues, there are some great twists and turns. The story arc works really well; it's not overly-complicated but it keeps you engaged, and it skips along at a good pace. The biggest criticism I have is that the resolutions long the way (and even the ultimate finale) come with very little fanfare and are somewhat anticlimactic, which makes the build up seem wasted.
As with the previous books in the series, I do feel this works better as one book. There are more 'natural' breaks in this one at the end of each instalment, but nevertheless the story does feel like it needs to be ingested in one go.
A quick and satisfying read!
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A dark romance that has you crying with laughter and melting into your seat at the same time? Now, I'm pretty confident in saying my tastes don't run to st@lkers with a knife, fake blood and a mask kink, but this book almost has me convinced! There are plenty of dark themes and trigger warnings aplenty, but everything is served up with irreverence and a sh!t-eating grin.
First thing's first. The dual narration of this audio version is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Elena and Jacob bring the characters of Aly and Josh to life immediately, and every emotion is just heightened by their performances. While I can imagine the book is funny enough to read, listening to them tease and taunt one another and bring the characters' inner monologues to life had me cackling! Likewise, the serious moments have you invested fully, and the spicy scenes... well damn 🥵🥵🥵. There might have been a couple of brief moments during the actual storytelling where they weren't 100% on point, but they're so brief that it really doesn't matter because they've built the characters up so well.
I like that Aly is a strong FMC, who's quite happy to stand up for herself, has a meaningful job and isn't afraid to explore her desires. She feels independent - like if the story hadn't happened she'd have been quite content with her life and her cat, with only the need for an occasional booty call and her favourite thirst trap videos to sate her desires. In short, I like that she doesn't NEED a man to 'complete' her. But, when and comes along she doesn't turn into a wilting flower and defer to him... no, she gives as good as she gets. The author has grounded this character and stays true to that vision throughout, and it's so good!
Likewise, the portrayal of Josh should be terrifying. Twisted childhood, enjoys hacking and watching Aly whetever she goes etc... he should make you feel uncomfortable from the outset. But he too has been given a personality above and beyond his circumstances, and I am here for ut!When the guy who dominates the bedroom refers to his girl's pussy cat (her pet, you heathens!) as their son, makes her bacon even though he's a vegan and generally acts like a complete cinnamon roll, he very quickly climbed the ranks of my book boyfriend list!
There is an actual storyline in here too, although it is definitely secondary to the character and relationship development. Yes, I would have liked more depth to the plot as I think that could have given even more opportunity to cement the bond between Aly and Josh, but they alone carry the book so well that it doesn't really matter all that much! It does help that the plotline is entertaining too, in a slightly farcical way.
While I've rated the book as extremely spicy and there definitely are some meltingly hot scenes, the rating is more reflective of the fact that the scenes are not 'vanilla'. Again, check your trigger warnings! And even when they're outside the bedroom, they (and by extension the reader) are constantly simmering with sexual desire and frustration.
I genuinely loved this book, and I wasn't expecting that! And I'll definitely be buying and reading more from this author and series!
First thing's first. The dual narration of this audio version is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Elena and Jacob bring the characters of Aly and Josh to life immediately, and every emotion is just heightened by their performances. While I can imagine the book is funny enough to read, listening to them tease and taunt one another and bring the characters' inner monologues to life had me cackling! Likewise, the serious moments have you invested fully, and the spicy scenes... well damn 🥵🥵🥵. There might have been a couple of brief moments during the actual storytelling where they weren't 100% on point, but they're so brief that it really doesn't matter because they've built the characters up so well.
I like that Aly is a strong FMC, who's quite happy to stand up for herself, has a meaningful job and isn't afraid to explore her desires. She feels independent - like if the story hadn't happened she'd have been quite content with her life and her cat, with only the need for an occasional booty call and her favourite thirst trap videos to sate her desires. In short, I like that she doesn't NEED a man to 'complete' her. But, when and comes along she doesn't turn into a wilting flower and defer to him... no, she gives as good as she gets. The author has grounded this character and stays true to that vision throughout, and it's so good!
Likewise, the portrayal of Josh should be terrifying. Twisted childhood, enjoys hacking and watching Aly whetever she goes etc... he should make you feel uncomfortable from the outset. But he too has been given a personality above and beyond his circumstances, and I am here for ut!When the guy who dominates the bedroom refers to his girl's pussy cat (her pet, you heathens!) as their son, makes her bacon even though he's a vegan and generally acts like a complete cinnamon roll, he very quickly climbed the ranks of my book boyfriend list!
There is an actual storyline in here too, although it is definitely secondary to the character and relationship development. Yes, I would have liked more depth to the plot as I think that could have given even more opportunity to cement the bond between Aly and Josh, but they alone carry the book so well that it doesn't really matter all that much! It does help that the plotline is entertaining too, in a slightly farcical way.
While I've rated the book as extremely spicy and there definitely are some meltingly hot scenes, the rating is more reflective of the fact that the scenes are not 'vanilla'. Again, check your trigger warnings! And even when they're outside the bedroom, they (and by extension the reader) are constantly simmering with sexual desire and frustration.
I genuinely loved this book, and I wasn't expecting that! And I'll definitely be buying and reading more from this author and series!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although this is a prequel to 'The Hunger Games' trilogy, the central event remains the same and we are already familiar (to an extent) with the main character, to me this book has a very different feel. And while it is a very good introduction to how President Snow became the way he is in the main series and exploration of his character, it all feels very surface-level and leaves me wanting.
There is a big shift even in the fundamentals of the author's style in this book. In the original trilogy, I noted from my Kindle's progress bar that each of the books was essentially split into three equal parts, each serving the story in its own way. In comparison, this book does have three parts but they're unevenly spread, and the pacing suffers for it. The initial build up and the 10th Games seem quite slow going, and then the action in District 12 feels quite rushed with no real satisfying resolution and lots of threads left dangling.
The Games themselves are also something of a disappointment. While I can appreciate that this is still early in terms of the development of the Games in-world and so by necessity they are a stripped back version designed purely to exhibit the worst of human nature, to me that should almost draw you in more because of the simplicity and brutality. But there's very little that's actually memorable from either inside or outside the arena. I do like the experimental feel of things and seeing the bones of the Games that we're familiar with, and in some respects I can see that this style makes the reader more in tune with the Capitol citizen's way of thinking; that it's a piece of entertainment and not a horrendous waste of human life.
I do love Lucy Gray's character, I just wanted more of it! She's not quite as fleshed out as I would have liked and does feel more like a plot device rather than a meaningful character in places, but when she's bringing her sass and singing to the party she's great! I'm desperately hoping that the ambiguity of the ending may mean we get to see her again in 'Sunrise on the Reaping'... even if it's just as a cameo. But I just don't get the thought behind it, save that it mirrors the song.
Speaking of that ending... yeah, a reread hasn't improved it for me. I mean, yes it's obvious that the story needs to go in a certain direction to turn Snow into the piece of work he is as President, but that change of heart was so fast it just doesn't feel real. And it's extreme too - the absolute 180 in his intentions is beyond my comprehension. But, even if I can stretch my imagination enough to even begin to understand his motivation, I'm completely lost when it comes to Lucy's in these moments. It reads to me like she runs before he's made the switch, but why?! I just don't get it. The writing makes the whole scene a mixed up, rushed mess and then everything just moves on as if nothing has happened. Again, I get that this reflects Snow's perception of things and marks him as an absolute cold hearted unfeeling b***ard, but it leaves the reader cold and unfeeling too.
I did a simulcast of this and the movie, and that only added to my woes. I love the personification of Lucy Gray and the Covey as the Southern Belle and her family, but they may as well have asked Tom Felton to play Snow for all the Draco Malfoy-ness of his character.
I'm glad I've completed the reread in time for Sunrise on the Reaping next week, but I'll be glad to move onto something else in the meantime.
There is a big shift even in the fundamentals of the author's style in this book. In the original trilogy, I noted from my Kindle's progress bar that each of the books was essentially split into three equal parts, each serving the story in its own way. In comparison, this book does have three parts but they're unevenly spread, and the pacing suffers for it. The initial build up and the 10th Games seem quite slow going, and then the action in District 12 feels quite rushed with no real satisfying resolution and lots of threads left dangling.
The Games themselves are also something of a disappointment. While I can appreciate that this is still early in terms of the development of the Games in-world and so by necessity they are a stripped back version designed purely to exhibit the worst of human nature, to me that should almost draw you in more because of the simplicity and brutality. But there's very little that's actually memorable from either inside or outside the arena. I do like the experimental feel of things and seeing the bones of the Games that we're familiar with, and in some respects I can see that this style makes the reader more in tune with the Capitol citizen's way of thinking; that it's a piece of entertainment and not a horrendous waste of human life.
I do love Lucy Gray's character, I just wanted more of it! She's not quite as fleshed out as I would have liked and does feel more like a plot device rather than a meaningful character in places, but when she's bringing her sass and singing to the party she's great! I'm desperately hoping that the ambiguity of the ending may mean we get to see her again in 'Sunrise on the Reaping'... even if it's just as a cameo. But I just don't get the thought behind it, save that it mirrors the song.
Speaking of that ending... yeah, a reread hasn't improved it for me. I mean, yes it's obvious that the story needs to go in a certain direction to turn Snow into the piece of work he is as President, but that change of heart was so fast it just doesn't feel real. And it's extreme too - the absolute 180 in his intentions is beyond my comprehension. But, even if I can stretch my imagination enough to even begin to understand his motivation, I'm completely lost when it comes to Lucy's in these moments. It reads to me like she runs before he's made the switch, but why?! I just don't get it. The writing makes the whole scene a mixed up, rushed mess and then everything just moves on as if nothing has happened. Again, I get that this reflects Snow's perception of things and marks him as an absolute cold hearted unfeeling b***ard, but it leaves the reader cold and unfeeling too.
I did a simulcast of this and the movie, and that only added to my woes. I love the personification of Lucy Gray and the Covey as the Southern Belle and her family, but they may as well have asked Tom Felton to play Snow for all the Draco Malfoy-ness of his character.
I'm glad I've completed the reread in time for Sunrise on the Reaping next week, but I'll be glad to move onto something else in the meantime.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fitting finale to the original trilogy, sending your emotions all over the place with twists and turns that still have the power to shock even when rereading for the gazillionth time. But equally I'm always left a little 'flat' after I finish this one...
Although it's become a habit for me to watch the films shortly before or after reading the books, where I almost did a simulcast this time it was starkly clear just how different the book and the movie actually are. Somehow it's never struck me quite as forcefully before now. And (say it quietly) in some respects I think the filmmakers had the right idea. While the book is as tightly written as the others and there's nary a word wasted to move the plot along, I felt like there are too many characters that aren't used to their full potential, and so the narrative just feels a bit cluttered with them all. The film's replacement of Katniss' prep team with Effie, a character you know far better and connect with more; and their removal of Fulvia to give Plutarch the full spotlight as the clear director of the propaganda machine, seems to me to work far better. Likewise, the propo film crew and Squad 451 both feel like they have just a couple too many members who are just there as cannon fodder, and Johanna Mason is wasted as a character in this book.
I definitely think the book is effective at portraying the difficulties of rebellion, especially when the rebels are faced with the staunch Capitol supporters of District Two. Also, in Gale it does a terrifyingly good job at pointing out just how easy it is to cross the line between fighting for freedom and 'the right thing', and utilising the same tactics and techniques as your oppressors while trying to somehow justify that when they do it it's barbaric, but when you do it it's for the good of a noble cause. It's a great contrast to Peeta's character, who is doing things he doesn't truly want to do because he lacks full control.
However, there is something that I can't put my finger on that stops me fully connecting with this book. Perhaps it's the fact that it has moved away from the original premise of the Games, or that by this point we've effectively given up on the idea that the main characters are still teenagers? Bear with me here, but I also wonder if it's my subconscious rebelling against the fact that everything is more "modern" in this one. What I mean by that is, in the first two books we're immediately surrounded by 'timeless' elements - hunting with bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc, washing in a tin tub, herbal remedies etc - with tech only really being portrayed as Capitol excess. Whereas, in this book, suddenly we have guns, explosives, nukes and a dearth of modernity. Given that I generally prefer my fantasy books to be in that 'timeless' fashion, maybe that's what's grating?
It's still a great read, with a satisfying (if slightly cliche) ending! It's just my least favourite of the series.
Although it's become a habit for me to watch the films shortly before or after reading the books, where I almost did a simulcast this time it was starkly clear just how different the book and the movie actually are. Somehow it's never struck me quite as forcefully before now. And (say it quietly) in some respects I think the filmmakers had the right idea. While the book is as tightly written as the others and there's nary a word wasted to move the plot along, I felt like there are too many characters that aren't used to their full potential, and so the narrative just feels a bit cluttered with them all. The film's replacement of Katniss' prep team with Effie, a character you know far better and connect with more; and their removal of Fulvia to give Plutarch the full spotlight as the clear director of the propaganda machine, seems to me to work far better. Likewise, the propo film crew and Squad 451 both feel like they have just a couple too many members who are just there as cannon fodder, and Johanna Mason is wasted as a character in this book.
I definitely think the book is effective at portraying the difficulties of rebellion, especially when the rebels are faced with the staunch Capitol supporters of District Two. Also, in Gale it does a terrifyingly good job at pointing out just how easy it is to cross the line between fighting for freedom and 'the right thing', and utilising the same tactics and techniques as your oppressors while trying to somehow justify that when they do it it's barbaric, but when you do it it's for the good of a noble cause. It's a great contrast to Peeta's character, who is doing things he doesn't truly want to do because he lacks full control.
However, there is something that I can't put my finger on that stops me fully connecting with this book. Perhaps it's the fact that it has moved away from the original premise of the Games, or that by this point we've effectively given up on the idea that the main characters are still teenagers? Bear with me here, but I also wonder if it's my subconscious rebelling against the fact that everything is more "modern" in this one. What I mean by that is, in the first two books we're immediately surrounded by 'timeless' elements - hunting with bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc, washing in a tin tub, herbal remedies etc - with tech only really being portrayed as Capitol excess. Whereas, in this book, suddenly we have guns, explosives, nukes and a dearth of modernity. Given that I generally prefer my fantasy books to be in that 'timeless' fashion, maybe that's what's grating?
It's still a great read, with a satisfying (if slightly cliche) ending! It's just my least favourite of the series.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I may have managed to confuse myself a bit by reading this at the same time as having the films on... but I still know this is my favourite book in the series. From the slow build of rebellion to that ending, this book is a ride and I love it every single time.
I know I had a lot of 'new' thoughts about Peeta while reading this. The main one being about the stark contrast between his and Katniss' families. I kept coming back to the fact that, while Katniss has moved to the Victor's Village with her mother and sister, Peeta seems to live in his new home alone. Indeed, there are several mentions/inferences of him going to visit his family at the bakery. And in all the talk of planning to run away, while Prim, Katniss' mother and Peeta are always considered, his family aren't. I know there are suggestions that perhaps his mother is a bit of a battleaxe, but his father sounds like he's meant to be decent enough, so for all that Peeta is supposed to be the best of them and the one that sees the good in everyone, I'm a little perplexed as to why he wouldn't be sharing in his 'good fortune'. I'm certainly not one to advocate keeping toxic people in your life because they happen to share DNA with you (DEFINITELY NOT!), but I feel like something is missing here... and so for the first time, I questioned Peeta's character more deeply. Is he really as good as he seems?
I think the whole idea of the Victory Tour, the stoking of revolution and then the stark contrast between the Districts and the Capitol is masterfully written. Indeed, the story never really stops building and, while the main bulk of the action takes place in the last third of the book, the tour and the other elements introduced during the first two thirds remain compelling and engaging, even after several rereads over the years.
Like every citizen of the Capitol, I adore Finnick Odair. His character is just perfectly developed and you cannot help but like him, even while you're wary of what threat he might pose to our star-crossed lovers. Joanna Mason is awesome too - though she is far more outspoken and obviously 'bitchy' in the films than she is in the book. The introduction of the various new characters only serves to heighten the enjoyment of the books, the jeopardy of the Games and the depth of the world, and those who do play a more pivotal role are all just *chef's kiss*.
Basically, I think this book is a perfect middle chapter; the story is self-contained and you get some kind of resolution, while at the same time it flows seamlessly from the previous book and on into the next. It develops the characters further, adds to the shock and awe value of the series and generally does everything the first book does, but on a firmer footing.
I know I had a lot of 'new' thoughts about Peeta while reading this. The main one being about the stark contrast between his and Katniss' families. I kept coming back to the fact that, while Katniss has moved to the Victor's Village with her mother and sister, Peeta seems to live in his new home alone. Indeed, there are several mentions/inferences of him going to visit his family at the bakery. And in all the talk of planning to run away, while Prim, Katniss' mother and Peeta are always considered, his family aren't. I know there are suggestions that perhaps his mother is a bit of a battleaxe, but his father sounds like he's meant to be decent enough, so for all that Peeta is supposed to be the best of them and the one that sees the good in everyone, I'm a little perplexed as to why he wouldn't be sharing in his 'good fortune'. I'm certainly not one to advocate keeping toxic people in your life because they happen to share DNA with you (DEFINITELY NOT!), but I feel like something is missing here... and so for the first time, I questioned Peeta's character more deeply. Is he really as good as he seems?
I think the whole idea of the Victory Tour, the stoking of revolution and then the stark contrast between the Districts and the Capitol is masterfully written. Indeed, the story never really stops building and, while the main bulk of the action takes place in the last third of the book, the tour and the other elements introduced during the first two thirds remain compelling and engaging, even after several rereads over the years.
Like every citizen of the Capitol, I adore Finnick Odair. His character is just perfectly developed and you cannot help but like him, even while you're wary of what threat he might pose to our star-crossed lovers. Joanna Mason is awesome too - though she is far more outspoken and obviously 'bitchy' in the films than she is in the book. The introduction of the various new characters only serves to heighten the enjoyment of the books, the jeopardy of the Games and the depth of the world, and those who do play a more pivotal role are all just *chef's kiss*.
Basically, I think this book is a perfect middle chapter; the story is self-contained and you get some kind of resolution, while at the same time it flows seamlessly from the previous book and on into the next. It develops the characters further, adds to the shock and awe value of the series and generally does everything the first book does, but on a firmer footing.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was overdue my annual reread, and as the new book is coming out in around two weeks I figured now was a good time to catch back up with the goings on in Panem. I can't fully explain why it's this YA series that I keep coming back to as opposed to any other, but it never fails to appeal to me or draw me in.
It was an interesting experience going back this time, as my last reread was via the audiobooks and I picked up a few nuances from them that I'd never spotted before. So going back to the printed word means that, once again, I read it with a fresh perspective and found new tidbits to enjoy and analyse.
I think for the first time I realised just how young Katniss is. Obviously I've always understood that she's a teenager, but when her character has been developed to grow up fast due to the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, it's really easy to age her up in your mind. There are moments where she really does still act and sound like a child, but actually it's just her acting her age. So I found myself desperately trying to age down the image in my head. There's a meme that pops up every so often showing images of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson at 16, and they both look so fresh faced and innocent. When you insert those faces into the story (rather than their adult-playing-teenager appearances we've come to associate with the roles), that is what truly makes it terrifying.
One of the things I like best about this book (and the series) is that the storytelling and narrative are tight, but not rushed. Everything you need to fully immerse yourself is there, but there's no excess padding or superfluous detail to detract from the flow. It's never a slog to get through!
Another moment that stood out to me this time around is the fact that we know Peeta goes back for the girl who lights the fire, you hear the cannon boom, and then he returns. But we don't ever actually hear about his actions - not even during the 3 hour highlight reel at the end. This feels like a scene I now want to see, as I can't imagine it's a straightforward as it seems. My head is drawing some strange parallels between this and Katniss singing to Rue...
I also feel like I paid far more attention to Haymitch this time around. Now, that is clearly in part because he is the MC of the new book, but having his character stand out to me a little more again gave me some more new thoughts. It's stressed on a few occasions that, thanks to his shenanigans at the Reaping, the whole Capitol now knows who he is. In my head before now, all of the Victors have been famous, desired, fawned over by the Capitol residents. And clearly he is trotted out every year as a mentor, so surely people will have known who he was anyway? But actually this makes it sound like some are forgotten; indeed, even Katniss and Peeta don't know anything about his games or him as a Victor, and they're from his own District. This feels it must lead him into ever-decreasing spirals - until now, he's not been well-known or well-respected enough as a Victor to help his Tributes obtain sponsors, which means he's forced into a position of watching them die year after year, which lead to him becoming more reclusive and reliant on alcohol, meaning he's even less likely to be remembered the next year... in short, it just makes me feel even more sorry for him, and that's before we have the full detail of his Games!
This is such a great set up for the series as a whole, but IMO the best is yet to come.
It was an interesting experience going back this time, as my last reread was via the audiobooks and I picked up a few nuances from them that I'd never spotted before. So going back to the printed word means that, once again, I read it with a fresh perspective and found new tidbits to enjoy and analyse.
I think for the first time I realised just how young Katniss is. Obviously I've always understood that she's a teenager, but when her character has been developed to grow up fast due to the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, it's really easy to age her up in your mind. There are moments where she really does still act and sound like a child, but actually it's just her acting her age. So I found myself desperately trying to age down the image in my head. There's a meme that pops up every so often showing images of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson at 16, and they both look so fresh faced and innocent. When you insert those faces into the story (rather than their adult-playing-teenager appearances we've come to associate with the roles), that is what truly makes it terrifying.
One of the things I like best about this book (and the series) is that the storytelling and narrative are tight, but not rushed. Everything you need to fully immerse yourself is there, but there's no excess padding or superfluous detail to detract from the flow. It's never a slog to get through!
Another moment that stood out to me this time around is the fact that we know Peeta goes back for the girl who lights the fire, you hear the cannon boom, and then he returns. But we don't ever actually hear about his actions - not even during the 3 hour highlight reel at the end. This feels like a scene I now want to see, as I can't imagine it's a straightforward as it seems. My head is drawing some strange parallels between this and Katniss singing to Rue...
I also feel like I paid far more attention to Haymitch this time around. Now, that is clearly in part because he is the MC of the new book, but having his character stand out to me a little more again gave me some more new thoughts. It's stressed on a few occasions that, thanks to his shenanigans at the Reaping, the whole Capitol now knows who he is. In my head before now, all of the Victors have been famous, desired, fawned over by the Capitol residents. And clearly he is trotted out every year as a mentor, so surely people will have known who he was anyway? But actually this makes it sound like some are forgotten; indeed, even Katniss and Peeta don't know anything about his games or him as a Victor, and they're from his own District. This feels it must lead him into ever-decreasing spirals - until now, he's not been well-known or well-respected enough as a Victor to help his Tributes obtain sponsors, which means he's forced into a position of watching them die year after year, which lead to him becoming more reclusive and reliant on alcohol, meaning he's even less likely to be remembered the next year... in short, it just makes me feel even more sorry for him, and that's before we have the full detail of his Games!
This is such a great set up for the series as a whole, but IMO the best is yet to come.
Dark Fairytales for the unloved volume one by Stacey LP, Loren Sorensen, Amity Grey, Nova B. Quinn, RubyAnn Stiegelmeier, S.D. Paine, Marianne Grey, Grace Vice, Memo Rable, Ellen Winter, Gareth Ian Davies, Alex Upchurch, Mehdi Fakhrahmad
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
*Please note, I was provided with an ARC copy by the authors and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*
My bookshelves are full of twisted fairytale retellings, so when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this, I was looking forward to reading some dark original tales in that style. And there are definitely some good ones in here! Covering a broad spectrum of gunmetal grey to pitch black, from true fantasy to magical realism, this anthology of short stories is not for the faint of heart or the fair maiden!
Personal favourites for me were:-
- 'The Curse of Obsession' by Loren Sorensen. A ballet dancer, a demon and some enchanted pointe shoes.
- 'Scorpion Grass' by Grace Vice. A selfless woman and a cursed man who shows more care when in attack mode than her asshole of a husband does ever.
- 'The Hunter and the Beast' by S D Paine. A cursed princess and her 'bad boy' rescuer.
I found that, in general terms, I enjoyed reading the longer stories herein, as they felt more developed and had clear beginnings, middles and ends. Many of them went in directions I wasn't necessarily expecting too, which gave each of the tales a nice extra bite, and they felt like they were more able to explore the darker themes and perhaps the rationale behind the characters' actions. The shorter of the stories (those that only take up a few pages), were just as interesting, but felt more like really good introductions, or hooks into what could and should be longer works. I was often left hanging on and wanting more!
As you'd expect from a collective work, the tones and styles of each story are very different from each other, and naturally some were more to my taste than others. I was more drawn to those that felt more like traditional fairytales with a creepy undertone, and there were a couple of stories that just didn't click with me because the style just doesn't suit me. None of the writing is bad, not by any stretch! I just found it a bit of a balancing act to find one story that I really got into might be followed by one that left me scratching my head a bit. Similarly, I quite like reading the details and minutiae of an author's world-building, but of course in short story format there isn't necessarily time for that layering, so in some cases again I was left wishing for more of the work.
Each story starts with a list of content/trigger warnings where appropriate, and most of the stories also come with a 'not suitable for minors' warning. While I don't have any triggers myself, I liked the way this was addressed by each individual author, rather than just as a collective at the start of the book. It tells someone like me what to expect, and would be helpful to those who might need it because they can still enjoy the book while easily being able to skip the stories that don't appeal. A few of the warnings definitely got a raised eyebrow from me (dendrophilia, anyone?!), but definitely better to have too many warnings than not enough!
And yet, despite the darkness, there are also some moments of comedy, an HEA or two and some really powerful female characters standing up for themselves and taking back their power, which gives the anthology a great all around feel. It may not have been entirely in sync with my own tastes/wants/needs from a book, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great read for others!
My bookshelves are full of twisted fairytale retellings, so when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this, I was looking forward to reading some dark original tales in that style. And there are definitely some good ones in here! Covering a broad spectrum of gunmetal grey to pitch black, from true fantasy to magical realism, this anthology of short stories is not for the faint of heart or the fair maiden!
Personal favourites for me were:-
- 'The Curse of Obsession' by Loren Sorensen. A ballet dancer, a demon and some enchanted pointe shoes.
- 'Scorpion Grass' by Grace Vice. A selfless woman and a cursed man who shows more care when in attack mode than her asshole of a husband does ever.
- 'The Hunter and the Beast' by S D Paine. A cursed princess and her 'bad boy' rescuer.
I found that, in general terms, I enjoyed reading the longer stories herein, as they felt more developed and had clear beginnings, middles and ends. Many of them went in directions I wasn't necessarily expecting too, which gave each of the tales a nice extra bite, and they felt like they were more able to explore the darker themes and perhaps the rationale behind the characters' actions. The shorter of the stories (those that only take up a few pages), were just as interesting, but felt more like really good introductions, or hooks into what could and should be longer works. I was often left hanging on and wanting more!
As you'd expect from a collective work, the tones and styles of each story are very different from each other, and naturally some were more to my taste than others. I was more drawn to those that felt more like traditional fairytales with a creepy undertone, and there were a couple of stories that just didn't click with me because the style just doesn't suit me. None of the writing is bad, not by any stretch! I just found it a bit of a balancing act to find one story that I really got into might be followed by one that left me scratching my head a bit. Similarly, I quite like reading the details and minutiae of an author's world-building, but of course in short story format there isn't necessarily time for that layering, so in some cases again I was left wishing for more of the work.
Each story starts with a list of content/trigger warnings where appropriate, and most of the stories also come with a 'not suitable for minors' warning. While I don't have any triggers myself, I liked the way this was addressed by each individual author, rather than just as a collective at the start of the book. It tells someone like me what to expect, and would be helpful to those who might need it because they can still enjoy the book while easily being able to skip the stories that don't appeal. A few of the warnings definitely got a raised eyebrow from me (dendrophilia, anyone?!), but definitely better to have too many warnings than not enough!
And yet, despite the darkness, there are also some moments of comedy, an HEA or two and some really powerful female characters standing up for themselves and taking back their power, which gives the anthology a great all around feel. It may not have been entirely in sync with my own tastes/wants/needs from a book, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great read for others!