And so I spent the entire weekend reading The Hunger Games.

[mellymell]

I have to say, I enjoyed Catching Fire and Mockingjay a lot more than The Hunger Games.

Also, in light of my discussion with padawansguide last time, I paid special mind not to spoil myself too much before reading these two. I didn't go off reading lengthy summaries of the books or looking for who dies in advance. I left it to my own guesses (which were

Comments

[padawansguide]

Again, the action was spot on. I've thought a bit about it and think I see a defense for using present tense in a novel such as this. After reading the first book, I really had to wrack my brain to figure out a good application for present tense but I see it right in front of me now. I think the tense, as much as the clear word usage, helped to keep things visual and kept the action from getting muddled up and confusing (even if a character was confused during the action). That said, I think it takes just the right writer to make present tense work. So, YA lit writers jumping on this present tense bandwagon: KNOCK IT OFF! unless you're really, really good at it.THIS. I said before that I really hate present tense, and this trilogy was a rare exception, and that's I think because these books are very action heavy and you are right there with Katniss. She doesn't know what is coming next and neither do you. So it works. But this is a rare exception and this trend HAS to stop

[mellymell]

As always, I love your input here! You're absolutely right about discussing books with someone who doesn't agree completely. It's almost more satisfying, exactly as you said

[mellymell]

Meh, you and I would likely never fight over the same guy then. ;) I just found him utterly uninteresting

[mellymell]

That's just my thoughts on that aspect of it. See, I could have gone on and on and on with this entry! I couldn't even fit this in one comment! ;)

It seems very plausible that you're correct on the epilogue and like you, I almost hop that was the case. It's just very detached and so incredibly short and almost doesn't even feel like the same voice.

Will definitely have to check out that series! Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts here! :)

[belluthien]

I didn't really feel Prim's death until Katniss yells at Buttercup and has her breakdown. I recognized myself in her at that moment and how I dealt with my mom's death at times when it was still fresh. Add that to the list of devices I thought made Katniss' character authentic. When you lose someone that important to you, it's often a line of thought when you think about all the little things that person isn't going to be around to do anymore that sends you over the edge. It's not one massive sense of loss, it's a million tiny ones.That scene Really got to me, for the same reasons. I think I came close to tears there, though I did not react much when I read the scene where she dies

[mellymell]

It was very authentic and well done.

Can I get a shout out for Team "I Don't Freakin' Need A Man!"? Or maybe Team "None Of The Above"? ;)

I think it was the whole Roses=President Snow and Primroses=Prim, but it failed for me because I know what each plant looks like and thought, "SHENANIGANS! Katniss would have known what they look like and known that they don't look a thing like each other!" Wtf indeed. ;)

It's funny, but when I finished the books and after your comment last time about how we thought so similarly I wanted to text you and say, "how about that epilogue? total BS, am I right?!" I somehow knew it wouldn't sit right with you, too. Yes. :)

LIKEWISE! September can't get here soon enough! Although, if I'm really honest, it can take its time if it wants. I haven't even started Celeborn's mockup. :/
*hugs* :)

[mellymell]

Thanks! :)

Like I said, the first book was distracting, except when they were in the arena. But these two, I finished and then realized, "hey wait, either these were action packed enough that I didn't notice or I got used to it."

But yeah, everyone else can knock it off! ;)