OMG YOU GUYS!!
Feb. 12th, 2011 06:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
next_to_normalI have THE WORST headache in the world today, which is possibly because I stayed up until all hours last night to finish Catching Fire. And now, instead of being anything remotely close to productive, I am flailing wildly and bookmarking epic amounts of fic to be read once I finish Mockingjay so I don't get spoiled (anymore than I already am, lol).
So, let's talk about this, people! I'm not even going to bother with the non-spoilery review this time because if the first one didn't convince you to read it, I don't know what's wrong with you. Also, hard to describe the middle of a trilogy without details. Anyway. Moving on.
I really didn't know what to expect with this book. Like, I had some vague understanding that Katniss ended up involved in some sort of revolution - which seemed a bit odd to me, I'll admit. I mean, she's incredibly kick-ass and I would totally overthrow a government if she told me to, but... she's not exactly the revolution-leading type, you know? So I didn't know how we were going to get to that point. And, as it turns out, she's not leading a revolution (not in this book, anyway), she just inspired one, and that totally makes sense. As does where we find the characters when we see them again - Peeta is obviously hurt and angry and doesn't want much to do with Katniss. Gale is also hurt and jealous and shuns her attempts at kindness. The Everdeens are doing well, thanks to Katniss' winnings, Katniss is protective of Prim as always, but trying to heal the rift with her mother. Haymitch is drunk, as usual. And Katniss is Katniss - still taking care of everyone else, still hopelessly confused about her feelings, and now suffering some dreadful PTSD. And, of course, having everyone she loves threatened while being held responsible for a rebellion she couldn't possibly have prevented.
Let's talk about the love triangle first and get it out of the way. I really like the way that Collins has woven it so intricately into the plot that it doesn't feel at all contrived, the way most love triangles do. Yes, Katniss is forced to choose between Peeta and Gale, but it's never really about romance - it's about saving both of them, protecting everyone she loves, and choosing what kind of life she's going to lead. Whether she likes it or not, she's forced to continue the epic lovers routine with Peeta in order to placate President Snow, and she abandons her escape plan not because she can't leave Gale behind, but because he makes her realize that it's more honorable to die fighting than running away. It's clear that she has a deep love for both of them, but the line between friendship and romance is so blurry that it's reasonably ambiguous which one she would choose if she ever actually wanted to marry someone. (PEETA! PEETA! PEETA! Ahem. Not that I have an opinion on such things.)
But yeah, still a tireless Katniss/Peeta shipper. I feel like the structure of the story has definitely given Peeta an advantage, intentional or not. Because we're told that Katniss and Gale have this incredibly close relationship, but we actually see very little of it. The whole thing developed before the story began, and thus far, we've only gotten to see them interact for a few chapters in the beginning of each book. Then Katniss is off to the Hunger Games and it's all Peeta, all the time. We've seen their relationship grow - from Katniss' POV, at least, since Peeta has loved her for years - we've seen everything they've been through together, and so that gives it a depth that her friendship with Gale lacks. I mean, I clearly see why she cares about Gale, why she might even be in love with him. I'm just not as invested in their relationship.
Anyway, on to plotty things. I was prepared for any number of things to happen in this installment, but I never expected we'd be going through another Hunger Games. Maybe I should have - it is an annual event after all, but I was as shocked as Katniss was to hear the special twist when it was announced. I figured that the Games were the whole focus of the first book - not to mention the fact that Katniss is supposedly ineligible now, and she's kind of our heroine - so it wouldn't be repeated. Surely the Capitol could come up with new and even more disturbing ways to gruesomely dispatch dissidents and quell rebellion. And things seemed to be moving in a different direction with the localized violence - the executions and Gale's whipping and the crushing of the District 8 uprising are much more pedestrian forms of oppression than the elaborate gladiator reality show, but in a way that makes it more disturbing, because it's less fantastic. It's something that actually happens, now, today, in parts of the world. The Games, horrifying and brutal as they are, still have some sense of fantasy to them, because it's harder to imagine it really happening. Maybe in myths and ancient history, but not here, not now.
That said, the "all-stars" round (it really is like so many of our own reality shows, it's disturbing) and the much more complex arena provided a fascinating twist and made it just different enough that it didn't feel like a rehash of the first book. I loved that it gave us the opportunity to get to know all the past victors, which included some fantastic new characters and illustrated all the myriad ways the Games totally fuck you up for life. There truly are no winners here. For some, it was probably a relief to go back into the arena, knowing they wouldn't come out alive this time, because in some ways, surviving the Games is worse than dying. Even Katniss decides it would've been better if she'd been killed. It also added the dynamic that most of the tributes knew one another very well, and how that would make it both easier and harder to kill them.
I admit, when Plutarch showed Katniss the mockingjay pocket watch, I immediately suspected he was trying to tell her he was on her side, and I was surprised Katniss didn't come to that conclusion herself. I suppose she wasn't expecting to see a symbol of rebellion in the Capitol, so she assumed it was just part of the new fashion trend. But I am still rather uncertain how exactly the whole plan was arranged, who all was in on it, and how much of what happened is what was intended to happen. Then again, Katniss herself is probably still pretty damn confused, and I'm sure more will be revealed in the final installment. Also can't wait to see what District 13 is really like.
Character run-down:
* President Snow: Creepy motherfucker or THE CREEPIEST motherfucker?
* Cinna! Nooooooo! *cries*
* Finnick: Love him! Can't wait for more of him! Also, I saw a fancast that included Armie Hammer (who played the Winklevii in The Social Network) as Finnick and now words cannot express how much I want this casting for the movies.
* Johanna is my other favorite new character. More of her, too! Apparently, Kristen Bell wants to play her? She's not at all what I imagined, but they're both feisty and awesome, and that's a start.
* Speaking of movie casting: Jennifer Damiano for Katniss! I know there are other, more popular choices (ahem, Kaya I-can't-spell-her-last-name), but OMG SHE WOULD BE AWESOME, PEOPLE! Also, although she's now played major roles in two Broadway musicals, she's relatively unknown in Hollywood, which I think is probably a good thing when it comes to casting the teenage characters. I really have very few casting thoughts other than that, because my knowledge of teenage male actors is surprisingly thin.
* PEETA! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! He can't be captured! He's too NICE to be tortured! (Although - and it absolutely pains me to say this - he really is perfect, you know? Like, almost too perfect. So perhaps a little angst and turmoil from him will keep him from falling into Gary Stu territory.)
So, let's talk about this, people! I'm not even going to bother with the non-spoilery review this time because if the first one didn't convince you to read it, I don't know what's wrong with you. Also, hard to describe the middle of a trilogy without details. Anyway. Moving on.
I really didn't know what to expect with this book. Like, I had some vague understanding that Katniss ended up involved in some sort of revolution - which seemed a bit odd to me, I'll admit. I mean, she's incredibly kick-ass and I would totally overthrow a government if she told me to, but... she's not exactly the revolution-leading type, you know? So I didn't know how we were going to get to that point. And, as it turns out, she's not leading a revolution (not in this book, anyway), she just inspired one, and that totally makes sense. As does where we find the characters when we see them again - Peeta is obviously hurt and angry and doesn't want much to do with Katniss. Gale is also hurt and jealous and shuns her attempts at kindness. The Everdeens are doing well, thanks to Katniss' winnings, Katniss is protective of Prim as always, but trying to heal the rift with her mother. Haymitch is drunk, as usual. And Katniss is Katniss - still taking care of everyone else, still hopelessly confused about her feelings, and now suffering some dreadful PTSD. And, of course, having everyone she loves threatened while being held responsible for a rebellion she couldn't possibly have prevented.
Let's talk about the love triangle first and get it out of the way. I really like the way that Collins has woven it so intricately into the plot that it doesn't feel at all contrived, the way most love triangles do. Yes, Katniss is forced to choose between Peeta and Gale, but it's never really about romance - it's about saving both of them, protecting everyone she loves, and choosing what kind of life she's going to lead. Whether she likes it or not, she's forced to continue the epic lovers routine with Peeta in order to placate President Snow, and she abandons her escape plan not because she can't leave Gale behind, but because he makes her realize that it's more honorable to die fighting than running away. It's clear that she has a deep love for both of them, but the line between friendship and romance is so blurry that it's reasonably ambiguous which one she would choose if she ever actually wanted to marry someone. (PEETA! PEETA! PEETA! Ahem. Not that I have an opinion on such things.)
But yeah, still a tireless Katniss/Peeta shipper. I feel like the structure of the story has definitely given Peeta an advantage, intentional or not. Because we're told that Katniss and Gale have this incredibly close relationship, but we actually see very little of it. The whole thing developed before the story began, and thus far, we've only gotten to see them interact for a few chapters in the beginning of each book. Then Katniss is off to the Hunger Games and it's all Peeta, all the time. We've seen their relationship grow - from Katniss' POV, at least, since Peeta has loved her for years - we've seen everything they've been through together, and so that gives it a depth that her friendship with Gale lacks. I mean, I clearly see why she cares about Gale, why she might even be in love with him. I'm just not as invested in their relationship.
Anyway, on to plotty things. I was prepared for any number of things to happen in this installment, but I never expected we'd be going through another Hunger Games. Maybe I should have - it is an annual event after all, but I was as shocked as Katniss was to hear the special twist when it was announced. I figured that the Games were the whole focus of the first book - not to mention the fact that Katniss is supposedly ineligible now, and she's kind of our heroine - so it wouldn't be repeated. Surely the Capitol could come up with new and even more disturbing ways to gruesomely dispatch dissidents and quell rebellion. And things seemed to be moving in a different direction with the localized violence - the executions and Gale's whipping and the crushing of the District 8 uprising are much more pedestrian forms of oppression than the elaborate gladiator reality show, but in a way that makes it more disturbing, because it's less fantastic. It's something that actually happens, now, today, in parts of the world. The Games, horrifying and brutal as they are, still have some sense of fantasy to them, because it's harder to imagine it really happening. Maybe in myths and ancient history, but not here, not now.
That said, the "all-stars" round (it really is like so many of our own reality shows, it's disturbing) and the much more complex arena provided a fascinating twist and made it just different enough that it didn't feel like a rehash of the first book. I loved that it gave us the opportunity to get to know all the past victors, which included some fantastic new characters and illustrated all the myriad ways the Games totally fuck you up for life. There truly are no winners here. For some, it was probably a relief to go back into the arena, knowing they wouldn't come out alive this time, because in some ways, surviving the Games is worse than dying. Even Katniss decides it would've been better if she'd been killed. It also added the dynamic that most of the tributes knew one another very well, and how that would make it both easier and harder to kill them.
I admit, when Plutarch showed Katniss the mockingjay pocket watch, I immediately suspected he was trying to tell her he was on her side, and I was surprised Katniss didn't come to that conclusion herself. I suppose she wasn't expecting to see a symbol of rebellion in the Capitol, so she assumed it was just part of the new fashion trend. But I am still rather uncertain how exactly the whole plan was arranged, who all was in on it, and how much of what happened is what was intended to happen. Then again, Katniss herself is probably still pretty damn confused, and I'm sure more will be revealed in the final installment. Also can't wait to see what District 13 is really like.
Character run-down:
* President Snow: Creepy motherfucker or THE CREEPIEST motherfucker?
* Cinna! Nooooooo! *cries*
* Finnick: Love him! Can't wait for more of him! Also, I saw a fancast that included Armie Hammer (who played the Winklevii in The Social Network) as Finnick and now words cannot express how much I want this casting for the movies.
* Johanna is my other favorite new character. More of her, too! Apparently, Kristen Bell wants to play her? She's not at all what I imagined, but they're both feisty and awesome, and that's a start.
* Speaking of movie casting: Jennifer Damiano for Katniss! I know there are other, more popular choices (ahem, Kaya I-can't-spell-her-last-name), but OMG SHE WOULD BE AWESOME, PEOPLE! Also, although she's now played major roles in two Broadway musicals, she's relatively unknown in Hollywood, which I think is probably a good thing when it comes to casting the teenage characters. I really have very few casting thoughts other than that, because my knowledge of teenage male actors is surprisingly thin.
* PEETA! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! He can't be captured! He's too NICE to be tortured! (Although - and it absolutely pains me to say this - he really is perfect, you know? Like, almost too perfect. So perhaps a little angst and turmoil from him will keep him from falling into Gary Stu territory.)
