Rowan's Bookshelf (Carleigh) > Recent Status Updates

This guy needs a new editor lmao the chapter on finding the collars is almost useless - a tiny bit of information with a LOT of wandering around and weird quotes including "Get to the choppa!" with a lame explanation of what the reference is, just in case you live under a rock. It wasn't funny even before he explained the joke

The writing is pretty boring, just regurgitating simple facts he's learned along the way. Nothing that new or interesting imo. And he portrays Doug Seus too good to be true - like they're so nice and "in touch" with the animals emotions that I am soooooo sus of them. But nothing bad online about them comes up in a quick search

Pretty sure Collins is going for "dreamlike" in the rambling on about what Katniss does after the bomb, but it's just kind of confusing. Takes a few reads to understand and just frustrating instead. Again, real but not really entertaining

I never bought into the "the Capitol is the new arena" thing and I think this last third is just kind of boring. The only interesting parts are with Peeta imo. Once Gale and Katniss split off for the mansion it all becomes a blur of violence - which is accurate for war but not very interesting to read

For a second we were back to "realistic if not entertaining" with the military training - but I stand by that putting Peeta in their squad makes no sense at all lol Coin literally just wants her dead ig

I don't remember most of this I guess lol like Katniss going to D2 for a few weeks and kind of settling for Gale now that Peeta "hates" her. Gale showing his colors coming up with the plan to trap everyone in a cave-in in D2. Katniss getting shot and taken back to 13 for Finnick wedding and bonding with Johanna

The tavern scene is going on a bit too long - they keep going back and forth whether they want each other one too many times imo - but its seems they're going to bed now and I hope its worth it

I like the idea of the Merry men devolving into a different sort of mob or group of lords - they don't bother helping people, only caring about land under their control as a symbol of status. And merial having to reconcile that with the heroics of the "old days"

Plots finally starting for real! Idk anything about the original merry men but these guys are idiots lmao. I like Clem and her case of "verbal diarrhea" there are some great lines in this. Very witty. The slow patching of wounds is very tender. V romantic for a super tough girl like Miriam

I remembered that Gail knew about the bomb with primm and all that, but I didn't know that he literally came up with the scheme for it. And now I'm shocked that anyone is team Gail ever. And they may say that that is character assassination, but I would argue that Gail did not have that much character before this to begin with

I also wish primm had more of a predominant role in this, considering that what happens to her is so major. You get these little moments of her standing up for Katniss and herself, but she's really missing. Which is bad considering she's the very start of this book and kind of the end of it

I definitely understand why this book is the least liked, it really is a lot of Katniss going back and forth with her own bravery. Again, it's that realism from Collins that she's just a teenager, a pawn and we have to constantly be reminded that she is a good symbol. I do love that we get more time with finnick, but the reveal of his prostitution is a little weak

I also like the additional context of TBOSAS give us that Snow is targeting Katniss, specifically, trying to haunt her and break her like Lucy Gray has been doing all these years to him (in his own mind of course)
Also Gale is Stoopid lmao like he thinks he's this grand soldier and that Katniss only cares about him when he's in pain like he's such a child.

I really appreciate the realistic take Collins does with this - Katniss barely knows anything about the rebellion, she's far far away from making any real decisions. She's terrified and full of despair and hate and needs reminders of what the right thing to do is with this war she didn't even want.
Is it the most ENTERTAINING?? no. But I see the realism

Loved the first one on a revisit so have to go into the next! Love the exploration of Katniss s trauma, her confusing feelings for Peeta and sometimes with Gale. (Peeta obviously, Gale sees her more as an object imo) And how thoroughly screwed she is for something that she has no control over

I like that despite herself, Katniss does sometimes kind of fall for the safety and security of the Capitol. I think she hates Haymitch so much because they are so similar and it reminds her of what exactly the Capitol does to people from 12. Also Peeta is the MVP of strategy

Really like the subtle connection of Peeta to fire and warmth - he burned the bread for her and is burning with her. Did not notice that before.
Katniss is braver in the capitol now, maybe with food in her she takes risks of being happy like waving at the crowd and kissing Peeta on the cheek

Rereading for the first time since I was in middle school - Just at the part where Katniss volunteers and the others give her that 3 finger solute and I am almost in tears

oh my goooodddd they are so wonderful

The dancing scene is beautiful. Love all the descriptions like the paint used on the forgery, how Icarus cooks for him, the feeling of Helios touching him in simple ways. I like that there is an explanation for why Icarus is so sensitive to touch too, and how it actually made him happy that Helios was so upset by this-it shows how much he cared

I love Icarus I want to protect him
He's very cocky around Helios but so soooo sensitive around his friends. But also Helios makes him blush and Feel Things just like Luca and Celestina does

Love the whole vibe of this. Very artsy but they still feel like teenagers. I think the two main boys are acting very comfortable with each other even though this is only the 3rd thing they've talked

Lexi is kind of standoffish but its interesting to see her examine her own grief and start to like her job, Theo, and understand herself more

Being spit into three POVs makes this super meandering, but all of the stories are still pretty sweet

this is pretty cute already! I love when the guys are protective in a NONCREEPY way

Are we SURE Marc isn't supposed to turn into a thriller style villain that Jamie will have to escape from??? I think I hate this

Birdie is the most annoying person to exist and it's no wonder she's broke. Liz and Rafi I am invested in tho

The one time I think Brighton actually did something decent she immediately turns into a brat again

Always love the slow unraveling of the red herrings, and how the rich people tend to ruin themselves with petty drama lol