At this point, I'm not so much as reading the book again, but dissecting it carefully with a scalpel


I've pretty much said all I have to say about my love these books, and, because this is my fifth time reading this, I'm able to look at this a little more critically than I used to. Hence, the four-star rating. (It used to be a five). This new rating does not change my love for this book, series, or the movies. It just means that I'm more willing to talk about its problems.

But now, more importantly:

A Study In Peeta (Alternate title for this essay: Watch me give every high school English teacher a run for their money with my symbolism and character analysis skillzzzz)

It is no secret that Peeta Mellark is my favorite character in this entire series. Heck, he's right up there on my list of favorite fictional men. Don't get me wrong, Katniss is amazing. Katniss is baller. Katniss absolutely slays. But Peeta holds a special place in my heart, for the simple fact that he's an actual dandelion in the chaotic blood-splattered snow that is his world.

Peeta is probably the most dangerous character in the series. I know what you're thinking, I'm crazy. There are tons of other, deadlier characters in these books, right? Bear with me for a minute, I'll explain. You know how president Snow is evil? He's vile and disgusting, and absolutely ruthless? Well, have you ever seen him, I don't know, pick up an ax or a spear? No. His weapon of choice is his words. He lies and he threatens and he calmly talks people into doing his evil bidding. That's how he started the Hunger Games. That's how he got Katniss to dance to his tune and play the star-crossed lover act.

Now take a look at Coin. Isn't she the same exact way? Just like Snow, she uses her words. She bargains and lies and argues calmly and rationally. That's how she rules. That's how she got people to fight the Capitol for her. That's how she got Katniss to be her Mockingjay.

And now look at Peeta - the mild-mannered, good-natured boy who can spin lie after lie without almost no thought. The boy who managed to convince, not just the people of the Capitol, but the entire nation of his and Katniss's love. Peeta may be strong, Peeta may excel at hand-to-hand combat, and Peeta may be great a camouflaging himself, but Peeta's strongest weapon is his words.

Let's think about this in terms of fire, shall we? Katniss, we've seen time and time again, is The Girl On Fire. She's the blaze that tore down the Capitol. And we all know that Rue was the spark that ignited the revolution. If not for Rue, if not for that first baby mockingjay, Katniss probably would have never gone on to become the symbol of the rebellion. But Peeta? Peeta was the kindling. Peeta was the trail of gasoline. Peeta was the matchstick poised to strike.

Why did Katniss decorate Rue's body with flowers? Because something Peeta had said to her reminded her who the real enemy was. "I want to be more than a piece in their games."

Why did Katniss pull the stunt with the nightlock? Many reasons, if I'm being honest, but ultimately, it was because she cared about Peeta. She was afraid she'd "go completely insane" if he died and she lived. And what was the main reason she ended up caring about him? His kindness. Katniss responded to Peeta's kindness. His good-naturedness and his gentle soul earned him a soft spot in her heart.

He may have not told Katniss out-right that she needed to give the Capitol the middle-finger, but he was involved every time she did it.

"Peeta's a whiz with fires, coaxing a blaze out of the damp wood"

And as much as I adore the movies (Joshy is absolutely perf as Peeta), I can't help but feel like they downplay this side of him. Movie!Peeta is much more quiet and passive than Book!Peeta ever was. Book!Peeta is also a lot more charming and wry than Movie!Peeta. Like, Peeta was such a cheeky little bastard in the books, and I really wish they hadn't watered that side of him down in the movies. But eh, maybe that's just me.

TL;DR Peeta Mellark is a precious little cinnabon who can start wars with nothing more than a few choice words, and everyone should be very afraid of him.

REREAD #5: Nov'2015