Alright guys, it’s time for me to give my review (that literally no one asked for) of SOTR. I will speak only about what I DISLIKE in the book ! Let’s goooowww
Disclaimer: I know that not many people (if anyone) will agree with me, but I’m gonna say it anyway. People are probably even gonna call me dumb for “not getting the book,” etc. But honestly, I did understand it—I’m just really picky about certain things in books. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it though! For the record, I’d rate it a 7.5/10. So yeah, I do like the book, just to be clear.
1. Lenore Dove is a Covey
I’ve got nothing against the Covey, but honestly I didn’t really vibe with Lucy Gray (personal reasons, just not my type of character). So the fact that Haymitch’s girl is kind of a Lucy Gray copy (not 100%, but deep down yes)… yeah, that annoyed me a bit. Like again a Covey ?? And you’ll probably say to me, ‘Well yeah, that’s the whole point, it’s been the Covey rebelling against the Capitol from the start.’ And like… maybe I’m just bitter, but I really don’t like stuff like that either 😭.
2. The book’s structure (very Hunger Games 1 vibes)
So… how do I put this. I loved getting all the details of Haymitch’s Games, but I wish it had been more condensed so we could also get a proper mentor arc.
Like: how he dealt with losing his family and his love, how he became who he is, his life as the first and the only mentor from District 12, etc. I also wanted to see how the sort of love-hate relationship with Effie developed because in SOTR they seem to get along fine until her terrible comment about the Games.
So yeah, I loved what we got, but I definitely expected more!
I actually liked her appearances even though I wasn’t expecting her to be there. But I was convinced she was younger than him. Like, 100% convinced. And that detail kind of bothers me.
It doesn’t stop me from shipping Hayffie, but it gave me that weird feeling of: “okay, she’s kind of trying to break the ship by throwing in this one detail that doesn’t fit.”
But then again, her exact age is never confirmed—some say early 20s, others 25, some close to 30… It’s vague and a bit odd. But well... meh
We start getting some hints… and then nothing. What was the real point of talking about the mystery surrounding their family? And Effie repeats twice that it’s hard to be a Trinket, so it doesn’t seem like it’s there for nothin but on the other hand, we won’t learn anything more? I don’t know, I’m quite of torn. I don’t like that (because I’m too damn curious), but I do like it in a way (because it leaves room for imagination).
I already wrote my own theory 👀.
5. Lenore Dove (again yeah plz don’t hate me, i dont hate her, chiiiiiill 🙄😭)
Okay, I know I’m gonna get flamed for this, but I honestly didn’t enjoy her character. Not hate, just a gut feeling. She was just too awkward for me.
That scene in chapter 14 where he said she cries because the world is too beautiful and humanity doesn’t deserve it…
…I closed the book 😭. That kind of thing just makes me cringe so hard.
And on top of that, Haymitch was way too obsessed with her.
Let me explain, let me explain ✋😬🤚: Katniss always thought about her sister during the game, like she was her strenght to win the game. Haymitch also had a little brother and a mom, and yet during his Games it was almost always “Lenore Lenore Lenore.” Sure, he did think about his family, but his thoughts were very centered on her. Even the epilogue was basically all about Lenore. And like, yeah, she’s the love of his life, I get it. And yes, I do get too that it was Lenore’s last wishes that kept him going, but anyway—I know what I meant.
6. More details about a victor’s life
Like I said earlier, I wish we had seen Haymitch more in his mentor role. Especially his interactions with other victors: anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stuff, how Snow threatened them, etc. (Maybe we’ll get other books, but I really wanted to read this directly from my fave’s POV.)
We didn’t get all the details since Katniss wasn’t part of the inner workings, but I really wanted to see more. Like, the actual beginning of the rebellion with District 13, for example. We know Plutarch, Beetee & co. were plotting for years, but I wanted more concrete details !
I really loved the book, no lie. It instantly put me back in Hunger Games mode. I LOVED the whole Games part (prep + arena), finding out how Haymitch was chosen, his score, his strategies, his mini-rebellion. But I wish some parts had been trimmed down to leave more space for his life as a mentor.
Some community lore definitely got kind of “wrecked” by new info, but well, yeah… it’s not that deep 🥹🙄😭.
Kiss guys let me know what you didnt like too in SOTR 💋
