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It’s not that I don’t believe people could be as depraved as the board (I think they’re well characterised for the most part) it’s more so the dialogue and exposition that sullies my enjoyment of this plot point. Regardless it is very disturbing and a good reflection of how money and power can facilitate all means of horrendous fantasies. Also whole zombie trope of humans being the real dangerous horrors

I will say… Shan does not pull his punches. Leaves some stuff to the imagination where necessary and it’s terribly effective. There is a legitimate loathing for the board that’s achieved quite quickly. I do question if it feels earned or way too over the top (ironic to say in a book about a talking zombie). It does feel like a teenagers understanding of evil rich people to a degree, but it’s also terrifying

Think the Dan-Dan character is just too over the top for me. I get what Shan is going for but it’s just too on the nose and cliche honestly

Introduction of the board is a bit hamfisted for me. Gives off supervillain vibes with the way they announce their intentions and all speak one sentence each for that last page. Good commentary on what the mega rich and powerful get up to (Epstein Island makes this more relevant). Naturally if the world went to shit rich people would still find a way to have sick depraved “fun”

Very well written section. Probably the most insight we get into B’s character so far. Seems appropriate for a YA book that it would come in dialogue rather than through actions or subtext (although with this new context it becomes more clear why B was so combative and determined to be alone). Regardless, Becky makes an interesting, unfamiliar protagonist that I quite enjoy following

Ah okay… eye drops issue has been addressed. Good work Shan

I do enjoy how this book progresses. From a writing perspective (trying to improve my own writing!) I think the choices Shan makes are appropriate and engaging so far. There’s so much to choose from when deciding what to include in a post-apocalyptic setting, but zombie-hunters, zealot painters and a cult are great picks so far imo

I feel like the eyedrops are a good idea in theory (and probably a necessity for the details sticklers out there) but I feel like it’s just going to become an annoying detail Shan either has to continuously address in each novel or just axe it completely. I feel like there’s going to be extended periods where B doesn’t have access to eyedrops for whatever reason and Shan won’t make room in the prose for it

“All around the dining hall you can feel the rejuvenating effect that a good meal can bring on. The way it can make people kinder, funnier, more optimistic, and remind them it’s not a mistake to go on living”

Hits so hard

The parallel “game” being played inside and outside the arena is such a cool concept I enjoy it so much. And of course it flips the dynamic from Katniss in control and Peeta following both due to Peeta’s true feelings and his natural charm. So well executed and extremely engaging

The psychological damage experienced by the “victors” and how cruel the constant reminders of it are, just makes me feel so sick. Haymitch being able to function at all is a miracle I’m just so appalled by how intensely cruel and malicious this book makes the Capitol seem

One point of note I’d like to make, it’s extremely interesting how this book (and this section) show us the sheer malice in the capitol’s punishment, as the hunger games aren’t just an inventive, profit friendly way of punishing the districts that they feel they must carry out (in such a severe manner) to remind the districts of their “crimes”, but the game makers and Capitol citizens take active -

The action scenes in this book are expertly written, I can feel my heart jumping out of my chest whenever Katniss is forced to spring into action (specifically the fireball scene so far), and even though I know how it’s going to play out I’m still stressed out!!

The constant switching between social commentary and this twisted love story is such a strong through line for a plot, especially when it’s paired with all the other amazing elements of this novel, chief among them being the initial concept of the Games of course. This is just a really well constructed book with such a solid foundation that allows Collins to add so much flair where she pleases.

Continuing from my last point, this is one tiny that is pointed to constantly (almost to the point of exhaustion - which in some cases would make it insufferable, but here serves to simply drive home the point with soul-crushingly effective repetition) and Collins never lets you forget just how drastic the difference is between everyday life in both worlds, something the Games themselves more overtly reinforce

One thing that is done extremely well throughout this novel is how Collins draws parallels between capitol life and district life beyond just stating “this is bad, this is good, oh well that sucks”, as she draws your attention to small things - like on this page with the elevator rides, just a quick means of easy transportation in the capitol, but Katniss has only ever ridden an elevator in times of tragedy.