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sara_m_martins's Reviews (334)
3.5 stars! It started strong and ended strong but the middle didn't live up to that (still okay though). I liked the characters & the writing was marvelous at points (chapter 32 <3).
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great follow up! That end, man!!!
i like what they're saying with the Luke storyline but the western civilization thing is still a bit weird to me (but i get what the purpose of it).
spoiler for chapter 17 the bit when they get to the shore of Florida was very reminiscing of illegal immigration & i enjoyed the description that accompanied it, including and highlighting the bit when Luke greets them with a sword at the throat while saying "welcome to the USA"
i like what they're saying with the Luke storyline but the western civilization thing is still a bit weird to me (but i get what the purpose of it).
spoiler for chapter 17
i really thought i would make through this time without sobbing, but then it all it not 10 pages to the end
i would also love an essay on the meaning of rope in this book.
here's my terrible attempt: (spoilers)
In Mockingjay, rope signifies fighting back.
First, the song "Hanging Tree", where, as Katniss herself describes it, the lyric "wear a necklace of rope with me" is meant to signify both death and the liberation through death: death simultaneously inflicted onto another and by choice. This "decision" for this type of liberation, of when death is preferable to living, is explored in all installments of the series, in Mockingjay certainly, but even earlier, in The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Additionally, liberation is present in the idea of the song itself, also twofold: first, as it was forbidden in Katniss' younger years, but was later turned into a literal piece of revolution be Plutarch and District 13, becoming a rallying cry, clear in the movie adaptation's dam destruction scene; secondly, by being the song that replays in her head at crucial points of the plot when the death of Peeta or Gale is considered in some way.
The rope appears again, and most beautifully, as the therapeutic technique of victors. First introduced by Finnick's rhythmic knotting/un-knotting, being then passed unto Katniss and Peeta. In all cases, this is allied to their recovery (improvement in mental health) from Capitol trauma, signifying exactly that: them fighting back by healing. And this being another keypoint in the series, and certainly in this installment: healing, the chance of fulfilling life (even if not perfectly) despite all the suffering endured.
With that, I conclude, that the rope takes the same meaning of what is the cornerstone of the series premise: Fighting back. Liberation. Being more than a piece in their games.
i would also love an essay on the meaning of rope in this book.
here's my terrible attempt: (spoilers)
In Mockingjay, rope signifies fighting back.
First, the song "Hanging Tree", where, as Katniss herself describes it, the lyric "wear a necklace of rope with me" is meant to signify both death and the liberation through death: death simultaneously inflicted onto another and by choice. This "decision" for this type of liberation, of when death is preferable to living, is explored in all installments of the series, in Mockingjay certainly, but even earlier, in The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Additionally, liberation is present in the idea of the song itself, also twofold: first, as it was forbidden in Katniss' younger years, but was later turned into a literal piece of revolution be Plutarch and District 13, becoming a rallying cry, clear in the movie adaptation's dam destruction scene; secondly, by being the song that replays in her head at crucial points of the plot when the death of Peeta or Gale is considered in some way.
The rope appears again, and most beautifully, as the therapeutic technique of victors. First introduced by Finnick's rhythmic knotting/un-knotting, being then passed unto Katniss and Peeta. In all cases, this is allied to their recovery (improvement in mental health) from Capitol trauma, signifying exactly that: them fighting back by healing. And this being another keypoint in the series, and certainly in this installment: healing, the chance of fulfilling life (even if not perfectly) despite all the suffering endured.
With that, I conclude, that the rope takes the same meaning of what is the cornerstone of the series premise: Fighting back. Liberation. Being more than a piece in their games.
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rating from CAWPILE | *copy provided for review by BookTasters and the author*
Simone LaFray was a very good middle grade. I greatly enjoyed the very descriptive writing, and the atmosphere created by it!
The intrigue built and built with the story, and with the mystery element in the midst i doubted most character's motivations. The author took great care in plot to built a good mystery that wasn't obvious to the reader. Some chapters were more "filler" or character development, and it broke the action a bit, but it was understandable.
I liked the characters, and i feel like i know them enough for a middle grade novella. Simone read like an old-soul 12 year old, justified with her being a "gifted child". I'd be interested to see how our knowledge of the remaining cast develops in the series and how that helps us with the overarching intrigue of the series.
Simone LaFray was a very good middle grade. I greatly enjoyed the very descriptive writing, and the atmosphere created by it!
The intrigue built and built with the story, and with the mystery element in the midst i doubted most character's motivations. The author took great care in plot to built a good mystery that wasn't obvious to the reader. Some chapters were more "filler" or character development, and it broke the action a bit, but it was understandable.
I liked the characters, and i feel like i know them enough for a middle grade novella. Simone read like an old-soul 12 year old, justified with her being a "gifted child". I'd be interested to see how our knowledge of the remaining cast develops in the series and how that helps us with the overarching intrigue of the series.
(might change this from 4 to 5)
such a great story, fantastic world building, with magnificent commentary on the BLM movement, racism and police brutality.
i couldn't help myself in comparing this to Avatar The Last Airbender, particularly after they arrive at the temple. (mayhaps Incidentally, the same point i was really won over by the story.) I say this as an amazing point in favour, as ATLA is still one of my favourite stories.
But it definitely doesn't feel like ATLA repackaged at all, alright?! this story goes into SUCH a different path!
the characters and their individual journeys are 5 stars! The building of story and world and magic is just exceptionally done: keeping you on your toes without making you feel like you're lost.
such a great story, fantastic world building, with magnificent commentary on the BLM movement, racism and police brutality.
i couldn't help myself in comparing this to Avatar The Last Airbender, particularly after they arrive at the temple. (mayhaps Incidentally, the same point i was really won over by the story.) I say this as an amazing point in favour, as ATLA is still one of my favourite stories.
But it definitely doesn't feel like ATLA repackaged at all, alright?! this story goes into SUCH a different path!
the characters and their individual journeys are 5 stars! The building of story and world and magic is just exceptionally done: keeping you on your toes without making you feel like you're lost.
thanks to booktasters and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for a honest review
I highly recommend this collection of short stories!
"a masterful exploration of life's uncertainty"
cw: death, kidnap (mention of), rape (of minor), genital mutilation, abortion.
The writing is superb, and the author has that incredible capacity of putting you, not only in the scene, but in the skin of the protagonist.
Fisher creates complicated, flawed characters, that you care deeply for. As the title indicates, all these stories center greatly around a mother figure, but the main character is not always a mother. Most of the main characters are Nigerian, either living in Nigeria or being immigrants in America. However, the locations of the stories are set around the world.
All the stories have some sort of hardship in them, with more or less open endings (most of them quite bittersweet), which is not for everyone, but i personally enjoy.
As each story is different and hard to talk about without giving it away, what ties all these together is that they're tales of difficult trials and hard, trying times for these characters
I highly recommend this collection of short stories!
"a masterful exploration of life's uncertainty"
cw: death, kidnap (mention of), rape (of minor), genital mutilation, abortion.
The writing is superb, and the author has that incredible capacity of putting you, not only in the scene, but in the skin of the protagonist.
Fisher creates complicated, flawed characters, that you care deeply for. As the title indicates, all these stories center greatly around a mother figure, but the main character is not always a mother. Most of the main characters are Nigerian, either living in Nigeria or being immigrants in America. However, the locations of the stories are set around the world.
All the stories have some sort of hardship in them, with more or less open endings (most of them quite bittersweet), which is not for everyone, but i personally enjoy.
As each story is different and hard to talk about without giving it away, what ties all these together is that they're tales of difficult trials and hard, trying times for these characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence
cw: death, kidnap (mention of), rape (of minor), genital mutilation, abortion.
not rating it bc i found it impossible to distinguish what was a bad take and what was an unlikable character (literally all of them would be) in just this volume. i picked it up randomly from the library so im not sure if ill continue the series