savage_book_review's Reviews (328)

This is a fitting finale to the original trilogy, sending your emotions all over the place with twists and turns that still have the power to shock even when rereading for the gazillionth time. But equally I'm always left a little 'flat' after I finish this one...

Although it's become a habit for me to watch the films shortly before or after reading the books, where I almost did a simulcast this time it was starkly clear just how different the book and the movie actually are. Somehow it's never struck me quite as forcefully before now. And (say it quietly) in some respects I think the filmmakers had the right idea. While the book is as tightly written as the others and there's nary a word wasted to move the plot along, I felt like there are too many characters that aren't used to their full potential, and so the narrative just feels a bit cluttered with them all. The film's replacement of Katniss' prep team with Effie, a character you know far better and connect with more; and their removal of Fulvia to give Plutarch the full spotlight as the clear director of the propaganda machine, seems to me to work far better. Likewise, the propo film crew and Squad 451 both feel like they have just a couple too many members who are just there as cannon fodder, and Johanna Mason is wasted as a character in this book.

I definitely think the book is effective at portraying the difficulties of rebellion, especially when the rebels are faced with the staunch Capitol supporters of District Two. Also, in Gale it does a terrifyingly good job at pointing out just how easy it is to cross the line between fighting for freedom and 'the right thing', and utilising the same tactics and techniques as your oppressors while trying to somehow justify that when they do it it's barbaric, but when you do it it's for the good of a noble cause. It's a great contrast to Peeta's character, who is doing things he doesn't truly want to do because he lacks full control. 

However, there is something that I can't put my finger on that stops me fully connecting with this book. Perhaps it's the fact that it has moved away from the original premise of the Games, or that by this point we've effectively given up on the idea that the main characters are still teenagers? Bear with me here, but I also wonder if it's my subconscious rebelling against the fact that everything is more "modern" in this one. What I mean by that is, in the first two books we're immediately surrounded by 'timeless' elements - hunting with bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc, washing in a tin tub, herbal remedies etc - with tech only really being portrayed as Capitol excess. Whereas, in this book, suddenly we have guns, explosives, nukes and a dearth of modernity. Given that I generally prefer my fantasy books to be in that 'timeless' fashion, maybe that's what's grating? 

It's still a great read, with a satisfying (if slightly cliche) ending! It's just my least favourite of the series.

I may have managed to confuse myself a bit by reading this at the same time as having the films on... but I still know this is my favourite book in the series. From the slow build of rebellion to that ending, this book is a ride and I love it every single time.

I know I had a lot of 'new' thoughts about Peeta while reading this. The main one being about the stark contrast between his and Katniss' families. I kept coming back to the fact that, while Katniss has moved to the Victor's Village with her mother and sister, Peeta seems to live in his new home alone. Indeed, there are several mentions/inferences of him going to visit his family at the bakery. And in all the talk of planning to run away, while Prim, Katniss' mother and Peeta are always considered, his family aren't. I know there are suggestions that perhaps his mother is a bit of a battleaxe, but his father sounds like he's meant to be decent enough, so for all that Peeta is supposed to be the best of them and the one that sees the good in everyone, I'm a little perplexed as to why he wouldn't be sharing in his 'good fortune'. I'm certainly not one to advocate keeping toxic people in your life because they happen to share DNA with you (DEFINITELY NOT!), but I feel like something is missing here... and so for the first time, I questioned Peeta's character more deeply. Is he really as good as he seems?

I think the whole idea of the Victory Tour, the stoking of revolution and then the stark contrast between the Districts and the Capitol is masterfully written. Indeed, the story never really stops building and, while the main bulk of the action takes place in the last third of the book, the tour and the other elements introduced during the first two thirds remain compelling and engaging, even after several rereads over the years.

Like every citizen of the Capitol, I adore Finnick Odair. His character is just perfectly developed and you cannot help but like him, even while you're wary of what threat he might pose to our star-crossed lovers. Joanna Mason is awesome too - though she is far more outspoken and obviously 'bitchy' in the films than she is in the book. The introduction of the various new characters only serves to heighten the enjoyment of the books, the jeopardy of the Games and the depth of the world, and those who do play a more pivotal role are all just *chef's kiss*.

Basically, I think this book is a perfect middle chapter; the story is self-contained and you get some kind of resolution, while at the same time it flows seamlessly from the previous book and on into the next. It develops the characters further, adds to the shock and awe value of the series and generally does everything the first book does, but on a firmer footing.

I was overdue my annual reread, and as the new book is coming out in around two weeks I figured now was a good time to catch back up with the goings on in Panem. I can't fully explain why it's this YA series that I keep coming back to as opposed to any other, but it never fails to appeal to me or draw me in. 

It was an interesting experience going back this time, as my last reread was via the audiobooks and I picked up a few nuances from them that I'd never spotted before. So going back to the printed word means that, once again, I read it with a fresh perspective and found new tidbits to enjoy and analyse. 

I think for the first time I realised just how young Katniss is. Obviously I've always understood that she's a teenager, but when her character has been developed to grow up fast due to the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, it's really easy to age her up in your mind. There are moments where she really does still act and sound like a child, but actually it's just her acting her age. So I found myself desperately trying to age down the image in my head. There's a meme that pops up every so often showing images of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson at 16, and they both look so fresh faced and innocent. When you insert those faces into the story (rather than their adult-playing-teenager appearances we've come to associate with the roles), that is what truly makes it terrifying. 

One of the things I like best about this book (and the series) is that the storytelling and narrative are tight, but not rushed. Everything you need to fully immerse yourself is there, but there's no excess padding or superfluous detail to detract from the flow. It's never a slog to get through! 

Another moment that stood out to me this time around is the fact that we know Peeta goes back for the girl who lights the fire, you hear the cannon boom, and then he returns. But we don't ever actually hear about his actions - not even during the 3 hour highlight reel at the end. This feels like a scene I now want to see, as I can't imagine it's a straightforward as it seems. My head is drawing some strange parallels between this and Katniss singing to Rue...

I also feel like I paid far more attention to Haymitch this time around. Now, that is clearly in part because he is the MC of the new book, but having his character stand out to me a little more again gave me some more new thoughts. It's stressed on a few occasions that, thanks to his shenanigans at the Reaping, the whole Capitol now knows who he is. In my head before now, all of the Victors have been famous, desired, fawned over by the Capitol residents. And clearly he is trotted out every year as a mentor, so surely people will have known who he was anyway? But actually this makes it sound like some are forgotten; indeed, even Katniss and Peeta don't know anything about his games or him as a Victor, and they're from his own District. This feels it must lead him into ever-decreasing spirals - until now, he's not been well-known or well-respected enough as a Victor to help his Tributes obtain sponsors, which means he's forced into a position of watching them die year after year, which lead to him becoming more reclusive and reliant on alcohol, meaning he's even less likely to be remembered the next year... in short, it just makes me feel even more sorry for him, and that's before we have the full detail of his Games!

This is such a great set up for the series as a whole, but IMO the best is yet to come.

*Please note, I was provided with an ARC copy by the authors and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*

My bookshelves are full of twisted fairytale retellings, so when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this, I was looking forward to reading some dark original tales in that style. And there are definitely some good ones in here! Covering a broad spectrum of gunmetal grey to pitch black, from true fantasy to magical realism, this anthology of short stories is not for the faint of heart or the fair maiden!

Personal favourites for me were:-

- 'The Curse of Obsession' by Loren Sorensen. A ballet dancer, a demon and some enchanted pointe shoes.
- 'Scorpion Grass' by Grace Vice. A selfless woman and a cursed man who shows more care when in attack mode than her asshole of a husband does ever.
- 'The Hunter and the Beast' by S D Paine. A cursed princess and her 'bad boy' rescuer.

I found that, in general terms, I enjoyed reading the longer stories herein, as they felt more developed and had clear beginnings, middles and ends. Many of them went in directions I wasn't necessarily expecting too, which gave each of the tales a nice extra bite, and they felt like they were more able to explore the darker themes and perhaps the rationale behind the characters' actions. The shorter of the stories (those that only take up a few pages), were just as interesting, but felt more like really good introductions, or hooks into what could and should be longer works. I was often left hanging on and wanting more!

As you'd expect from a collective work, the tones and styles of each story are very different from each other, and naturally some were more to my taste than others. I was more drawn to those that felt more like traditional fairytales with a creepy undertone, and there were a couple of stories that just didn't click with me because the style just doesn't suit me. None of the writing is bad, not by any stretch! I just found it a bit of a balancing act to find one story that I really got into might be followed by one that left me scratching my head a bit. Similarly, I quite like reading the details and minutiae of an author's world-building, but of course in short story format there isn't necessarily time for that layering, so in some cases again I was left wishing for more of the work.

Each story starts with a list of content/trigger warnings where appropriate, and most of the stories also come with a 'not suitable for minors' warning. While I don't have any triggers myself, I liked the way this was addressed by each individual author, rather than just as a collective at the start of the book. It tells someone like me what to expect, and would be helpful to those who might need it because they can still enjoy the book while easily being able to skip the stories that don't appeal. A few of the warnings definitely got a raised eyebrow from me (dendrophilia, anyone?!), but definitely better to have too many warnings than not enough!

And yet, despite the darkness, there are also some moments of comedy, an HEA or two and some really powerful female characters standing up for themselves and taking back their power, which gives the anthology a great all around feel. It may not have been entirely in sync with my own tastes/wants/needs from a book, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great read for others!

I thought I'd try a different approach to Greek myth this time around and pick up a book by Bettany Hughes, a historian whose TV work I really enjoy. This book examines the 'real life' Helen of Troy and tries to piece together clues about the life she would have lived beyond what we think we know from Homer's works, while also examining her cultural impact and various guises throughout history. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the spot for me.

On the surface, it is clear that the author is passionate about this era of history and the book reads as well researched, with personal touches and anecdotes that evoke a sense of place for the reader. It's broken down into bite sized chapters and sections, and so it easy to read and take breaks from to digest. Treating Helen as a real woman and examining the archaeology, artifacts and other evidence that help in fleshing out the world she lived in, teasing out her character and her experiences is a fascinating project and it is something that does truly interest me.

However, for whatever reason I could not get engaged with the narrative. I felt that the writing walked a line right between the mythological and the factual, but didn't really provide enough detail of either for me to truly invest in the work. And although the writing does generally follow a chronological timeline of Helen's life, it still somehow felt quite disjointed, which in turn made it harder to follow. To be totally honest, as much as I was paying attention when reading it, I don't think I've absorbed anything from the book at all. Which means I'm really struggling to come up with anything construct to say!

I think I'm definitely more at home in the world of mythology and fantasy - the one thing I do remember is Hughes' description of Eris, the Goddess of strife:- 

"As befits the very best of the bad fairies (Eris is rarely portrayed in classical art, but when she is... [it is] sometimes with black wings and pointy black boots)..."

So of course my brain automatically thought of another Eris, trying his hardest to impersonate a Bat Boy in the hope he'll impress his Shadowsinger... And this was my highlight! 

So while I would recommend the book if you are interested in Greek mythology from a scholarly perspective, for someone who is more into the stories themselves it's probably one to pass on.

With Stephen King being the chosen author for this month's book club at work, now seemed like a good time to try out a book I've been wanting to read since it was released. This Fairy Tale includes all of the magic and wonder of your childhood bedtimes stories, but with that unique twist that makes King an iconic writer and master of his craft.

The first couple of hundred pages do feel quite slow going, building up out main character, Charlie Reade, and the premise of the story in great detail. And yet, it reminded me so much of the beginning of '11.22.63' - it has that same domestic and yet not feel to it. Plus the premise of an 'ordinary' person meeting someone with a bit of mystery about them, then heading through a portal to another world is basically identical. But it works just as well here!

For me, the book is something of a story of two halves. Despite the slower pace, I found myself loving reading about Charlie's life and his growing attachment to Mr Bowditch and Radar. His emotion poured off the page, and all of the characters took root in my head as their relationships with Charlie were explored. The sympathetic yet frustrated portrayal of Charlie's Dad as an alcoholic, and his pride and wariness at his recovery, is a particular highlight. Mr Bowditch's entire character arc is pretty much perfection, and the story of Radar the dog is beautifully done. I know animals are a big trigger for some, but King makes this lovable dog an absolute star. She may not speak or have any supernatural traits, but she is just as important as any other character and the emotional investment with her is huge. I'm not a dog person, but I adore this pooch!

The book is fantastically written throughout, and it's incredibly easy to picture the various locations, even if they are somewhat random! Equally however, when we get to The Other World  there are moments is which feel a bit rushed and the worldbuilding just doesn't feel quite as on point as it should be. I found that I couldn't fully immerse myself in the story, although I'm not entirely sure why. And nor did I really develop any attachment to the band of people who help Charlie on his quest. I could understand Charlie's bond with them, but in an abstract way rather than feeling it myself which, after having all the feels in part one, left me a little disappointed.

Some of the characters have verbal tics or common phrases used in their language which make repeated appearances within their speech. It's not a problem to read, but at the same time I just couldn't 'hear' it in the same way I usually do when a character speaks, so I struggled a bit to place this verbal punctuation, its intonation etc. Plus, the only thing I could hear every time someone says "Nah, nah" is Jim from 'The Vicar of Dibley'.... "No, no, no, no, no, no, no.... yes."! Not helpful!

Overall, it's another case where I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed a book by an author I'd previously only associated with horror and thus avoided at all costs. While it doesn't hit the heights of 11.22.63 for me, it was still a very good read! And I'm definitely open to exploring more of his books now!

Purists, avert your gaze! While this is every word of one of the most classic love stories in history, a few extra scenes which would have caused certain scandal in Jane Austen's day have been added to this edition. It is a truth universally acknowledged that I have never been able to enjoy the classics, so I was hoping that this version may induce me to look favourably upon its countenance. But alas, I fear my affections and wishes are unchanged...

It has been years since I've tried to physically read this book, but it is always the classic I revert to whenever I get it into my head to try and convert myself to the ways of some of the pantheons of the English language. Mainly because I at least know the story, which makes the flowery language and interminable idle chatter easier to follow. Most of the time, I rely on audio versions, usually radio plays, or indeed the good old fashioned standby of the 1995 BBC TV adaptation (not a fan of the Kiera Knightley film...). So this is the first time in a long time that I've actually heard the words as written in their entirety. Now, this does mean that I can be entirely certain that Bloom Stories haven't made other little tweaks to the narrative, so I may be about to make myself look like a complete idiot... but I think this is the first time I've actually picked up on the genuine slow burn of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's affections. It's always come across to me as a really sudden shift from enemies to lovers, but there was more examination of the complexity of the characters' feelings in here that I ever remember reading before. This made the story a little more bearable, but nevertheless it's still not a romance I can fully get behind. I just don't buy their story.

I think Elizabeth is the only character who doesn't annoy me, because she seems to have an actual personality, rather than being comprised of a single state of being - 'goody two shoes' Jane, brattish Lydia, hysterical Mrs Bennett... they all come across as so two-dimensional to me. And I can't say I particularly care for the story either - I can fully appreciate it's of its time and portrays the world Jane Austen moved in, but the fact that Elizabeth is the only one to stand up for herself and what she wants, while all about her are only concerned with how much money the potential suitors have and how quickly we can get everyone married off just makes my teeth itch. 

In respect of this specific version of the book, I will say that Alice Edwards' narration is top notch throughout. Her voice totally suits the story, she embodies Elizabeth really well and, for all that I would tune out because of the language, she made it very easy to listen to. I will also note that my understanding is this is the first full length audiobook produced by Bloom Stories, and if this is the case they've done a pretty good job for a first attempt. However, I do question some of the production decisions. It's an odd mix of a traditional audiobook and a graphic audio, with Alice narrating all of the characters throughout and an announcer introducing each chapter, but with music and ambient sounds to draw you further into the world of the Bennett family. The musical cues for the chapter breaks are a bit loud and I would probably just have let Alice advise the reader of the chapter number, or indeed not bothered with the chapter breaks at all to keep things flowing.

The single biggest oddity to me is that Noah White is credited as playing Mr Darcy, but he only makes an appearance during the *ahem* added intimate scenes. The rest of the time, Alice just drops her voice an octave. Given that Noah has a great voice for Mr Darcy, I cannot understand why this wasn't made a proper dual narration. Not only would it have made the story sing a little more, but I feel like it actually detracts from the additional scenes because suddenly this new voice comes out of nowhere. Just feels like a waste of talent...

As for the additional scenes themselves... I get it. I do. But for all the hype this production received precisely because of these additions, they are somewhat underwhelming. I had been hoping for scenes that perhaps added to the UST, or that they'd build to a proper climax (pun intended 😉). But they're just... there. The additional writing does fit with the source material extremely well, so it's not like they feel like they've been shoehorned in for no reason, but they don't really do anything for the story. The last of the scenes is more obviously inserted, both because it appears in the middle of one of the more famous scenes and because there's no build up to it - you go from the recognised dialogue in one sentence to clothes coming off in the next. And, well, let's just say it's these scenes that lean into the 'graphic audio' label and all that entails.

*sighs* I think it's time I accept that I'm never going to be a fan of pre-20th Century literature... even when it's trying to appeal to my romantasy tastes.

The subjects featured in this book are all people from history who today we would consider part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, these aren't the people celebrated as queer icons, role models or leaders. Instead, they are those that have a darker side to them, which might not be as progressive, liberal or accepting as you'd hope. Some are truly Bad Gays, others are a strange mix of admirable and deplorable. But ultimately, the writers explore who they were in their own time and why, although they should not necessarily be lauded, they should still be remembered.

I heard an interview with the authors of this book on one of the 'History Hit' podcasts a while ago, and then was lucky enough to find a copy in a local charity shop. Having read it, I'd say this is a book you need to read with a dictionary in one hand, and a dick joke in the other. The tone in the first few chapters is a strange mash up of scholarly work, reading almost to the point where it doesn't feel aimed at a general audience (it's been a long time since I've had to refer to a dictionary on multiple occasions while reading), quickly followed by moments where the authors' inner teenagers seem to have come to the fore to giggle and put rude words into their essay. It does settle down after a while and find that happy medium, but it leaves the whole thing sitting a bit oddly in the reader's mind. There are several reviews and quotes that suggest this book is quite comical to read (even on the back of the book itself), but I didn't find this to be the case.

As usual for this type of book, I was only familiar with about half of the subjects included, and so it was interesting to learn about some new people and discover new things about those I've heard of. There is a relatively good balance between giving the reader an overview of the subject's life generally, and then focusing in on their sexuality and related anecdotes. Nothing is sensationalised, and for the mostbpart there is admiration and admonishment in equal measure. Clearly, the book cannot help but be political in some respects, with many of the characters displaying right wing leanings at odds with the authors' own persuasions. 

While all of the chapters have their own wisdom to impart, I feel like the most important (and most worrisome) one to read is the last chapter, on Pim Fortuyn. Mostly because the effects of his entering the political arena are within easy memory and the ramifications are still in evidence. It's also a really good illustration of how bad the media (and, let's be honest, society at large) can be at picking on one aspect of a person and praising or vilifying it to the exclusion of everything else that makes them human. I think this is the epitome of what the book is trying to do - look at these people in the round.

I did find myself zoning out in a few places (partly because I was reading while getting over a headache), where I wasn't as drawn to the subject or felt that the writing went a little too far off-topic, but it was an interesting enough read that I could keep going. However, it's going to be an unhaul as it didn't keep me engaged to the extent that I'd want to refer to it again.

Suffering from a horrendous headache again yesterday and today, so I did the only thing I can comfortably do in that situation; stick on my Musicozy eye mask and listen to an audiobook while trying to zone out. Except zoning out while listening to this one was not going to happen! The quote on the front of this book suggests it's got Neon Gods and Fifty Shades vibes going on. I'd say add in 'A Touch of Darkness' and you're pretty much there!

The characters, plot and worldbuilding will all be familiar; Fae from different Courts (with Night being our focus), a human woman drawn into their world, a brooding buff billionaire and his inner circle who own a casino etc. etc. etc., but that just allows you to sink into the story more quickly. At the same time though, there are enough twists and turns in the story to keep you engaged and interested, and a good enough plot for the book to stand on its own two feet, albeit one that is driven by the characters and their relationships. 

As you'd expect, all of the characters are lookers, and while there are no truly unique characters amongst them, they are all really well fleshed out and have their own personalities that really come through. I have to admit though, one of my favourite moments is where Caden repeatedly accuses Bryn of watching too much TV, and eventually she responds that she 'used to', but now she's spending his money on buying ebooks and reading five books a week. At that moment, I had never related to a character more (apart from the bit about spending his money... sadly my book budget comes out of my own bank account...)!

For the first time in a while, I enjoyed both the male and female narrators even when they were voicing characters of the opposite sex. Yes, it would have been even better if it had been a true dual narration, but for once I can let it slide. They both brought a lot to their performances and gave the whole thing an extra boost. I mean, Aidan Snow's deep, growling voice feels perfect for Caden's character, and quite honestly made me sit up and listen from the first rumble - even my husband noticed that reaction! And, of course, he put that voice to particularly effective use in certain scenes... 🫠

As the character states, Caden is known as 'The Dark King' fore more than one reason. His tastes aren't satisfied by vanilla. There is a great build in the sexual tension and relationship throughout this book, with each scene building on the previous experience. It reads in such a way that the reader is being initiated into submission alongside Bryn, with Caden being a patient, if possessive, teacher. Even in the moments where it's not the most comfortable to read, where you're not entirely convinced that his control is there, the author addresses those concerns within the narrative, always giving Bryn a way out and stressing the importance of consent. Overall, it makes for a truly hot read, with the spice complementing rather than overpowering the plot.

One ridiculous aside... I can't help it. Whenever I hear Bryn's name, my mind automatically supplies "it means 'hill' in Welsh". Which in turn means I needed brain bleach when at one point this Bryn was played by Rob Brydon... 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

Adding the next two in the series to my Audible wishlist!

A sweet little holiday novella to round out the series, this effectively casts Atlas as Ebenezer Scrooge in the witchy version of 'A Christmas Carol'. But instead of persuading him to change his miserly ways, the three Spirits of Solstice will curse him to a life of solitude if he fails to let go of the darkness inside his heart...

In some respects this retelling is a little 'on the nose'; with the world she's built, the author could have given it more of her own twist while keeping things reminiscent of the Dickens classic. However, what we have does work well, and it's a nice little twist to have the happy-go-lucky character be the target of the ghosties' ire. Likewise, the introduction of Marley as the 'spirit wrangler' was a cute idea. 

Once you get into the story, it's exactly what you'd expect and so that element does make it an easy read. But, like the second book, there are moments where I questioned whether I'd skipped something, which dulled the flow. It's like I can see the author has this fully built world inside her mind and a great story to tell, but the tiny little details get lost in translation. As before though, if you can let your imagination fill in the gaps, it works really well.

Just like A Christmas Carol, the visions proffered by the ghosts are not all light and fluffy. But, they give you a wonderful insight into Atlas' character, which is exactly what I was after. He now means so much more as person to me because I understand his backstory better, as well as what he's feeling and perceiving about himself. Yes, I would have liked a similar deep dive with Bash, but actually Atlas's character arc really needed this to bring him up to a top tier MMC. 

I'd call this one fluff with substance. And the little glimpses of the future make for great fanfic fodder! Even if it does just stay in my head.