Rabbit Trail Reviews

Nov 05, 2012 15:31



Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I somehow managed to gather misinformation from my fandom observations (I thought
[just in case any one else hasn't read the book yet]
Gale died when they blew up/avalanched the Nut and ever after I was going "Is he dead yet? Now? Maybe now?

) which leaves me with some thoughts about how characters are treated and so on... I guess Mockingjay is a book I might have read sooner if it hadn't been in the middle of lots of hype, and I also think I would have approached it differently. As it is, I'm feeling quite meh about the series as a whole. Also, as a Christian, I am very disappointed by the lack of any sort of moral grounding. I saw nothing on which the characters could hang their distinctions on what was okay and what was not. Obviously, there's a bit of traditional values being passed on in Twelve (and Four), and reactions that said, "This isn't comfortable for me or the people I care about", but we sort of slide around Gale's rational after going, "Yeah, I see where you're coming from (but you're wrong because you are)" AND are expected to believe that things are supposed to be better after the Capitol is brought down even though there's been nothing to that point to suggest that it'd be anything but different and you don't really know anything about the new leader.

The idea of love triangles annoys me. It's like you set out to purposely tease your readers, and nine times out of ten it gets lots of page time when I'd rather read about what the novel is supposed to be about and also 'the wrong answer' gets a deep-six. (He didn't this time, he just sort of faded out of the picture which on one hand I appreciate, but on the other I'm not okay with that considering how many other supporting characters bit the dust.) I feel cheated after three books, despite my dad's theory that the reader was supposed to be cheering for answer number P all the way and that it was at least partly a story about Katniss figuring that out which is why the second point never felt totally fleshed out as a romantic interest. (Hence my searching for a viable non-canon option; but it's pretty clear now that Cinna is actually dead and I misread the part where I should have said, "Oh, he's dead" :( as ambiguity.)

Thirdly, Katniss was manipulated the whole way through. I can't quite believe that she's slipped those shackles either, and I can't decide if I'm supposed to read the 'happy ending' as 'it'll all come crashing down again' or 'the goddess of love waved her wand and they lived happily ever after'.

Oh! In the hospital, when she was visiting, I more than halfway expected Katniss to break out like Harri in The Blue Sword and FIX EVERYONE!!! (Not that I should have since such things don't happen in this particular story world, but my brain couldn't resist drawing the connection between the scenes.) Also, I saw at least one invocation of 1984 and I think I saw a Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith allusion. (It was pretty funny, especially if it was on purpose.)

I did enjoy many of the side characters in the series, especially in book two. That may have been my favourite, though I tend to be biased towards second installments. You're far enough in that you know the characters, and the setbacks have yet to achieve earth-shattering proportions and cool good stuff happens. (Or not, in this case.)

Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien

I actually enjoyed this more than its predecessor, despite being warned that it was a disappointing follow up. Lower expectations at work? I appreciated that the author tackled the issues she did, and even if I don't agree with some of her conclusions she was forthright about them, especially when I compared the book with Mockingjay.

After my earlier rant, I'm sure you're wondering how I handled the love interests. As a reader, I felt it was a fairer set-up. (Also, has Gaia actually impartially observed herself in a mirror? 'Cause I do think we're going to be told that she's not as disfigured as she believes she is if all the desirables are making eyes after her...) Same with the manipulation of Gaia; it was more up-front.

The setting reminded me of a western, and managed to please me enormously thereby.

[this space reserved for Incarceron by Catherine Fisher should there be anything worth commenting on; I understand it is also dystopian but I think my sister has made off with it. I guess she liked Corbenic. ]

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I read it. I liked it. (She found a manual transmission car? This also pleases me.) I want to know what happens next.

Also, I am now on tumblr. Let the reblogging commence!

tumblr, review

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