Tag Archive for: Dystopian

The Compound

The CompoundTitle: The Compound
Author(s): Aisling Rawle
Genre(s): Dystopian
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 292
Length: 10h 5m
Narrator(s): Lucy Boynton
Source: Library
Reason(s): Recommended
Rating:
Spice: 1.5 Flames

My Thoughts

So much to say. Even though I didn’t really like Lily (I think), the story was so freaking compelling that I had to find out what happened. I kept thinking they were on a show like Squid Game and at some point the shoe was going to drop and they’d all be in danger. I’m a little disappointed that didn’t happen.

Based on what I witnessed and not knowing his thoughts, I liked Sam a lot and I was sad when he left. I was sad Lily hadn’t grown enough to go with him. And, the ambiguous ending is torture. Although, the author could definitely write a follow up to see how Lily’s life changes because of this experience.

Sunrise on the Reaping

Sunrise on the ReapingTitle: Sunrise on the Reaping
Author(s): Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games #5
Genre(s): Dystopian
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 382
Length: 12h 48m
Narrator(s): Jefferson White
Source: Owned
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

I knew Haymitch had to have had a rough life, especially in and after the games. I just had no idea how awful it really was. Poor, Haymitch! Despite how gruesome his story was, it was a fantastic edition to the series. I really loved learning more about him. I also loved how Collins interspersed “The Rave” by Edgar Allan Poe throughout the book and especially during the last chapter. It added a lot of feeling and atmosphere to what happened to Haymitch and the other characters.

It was really fun to see all the character cameos from the original trilogy as well as a few from THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES. The characters endeared the book to me more than anything else.

As of the end SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, I still want to know how Snow became president of Panem and what led to that happening between the tenth and 50th Hunger Games. I also still want to know why he and Tigris had a falling out. I also want to know how both Lucy Gray and Maude Ivory died because of something Clerk Carmine or Tam Amber said near the end of this story. I’d love to read Finnick’s story or what happened during the first quarter quell next. And, I think it would be fun to get Mags’, Beatty’s, and Johanna’s stories at some point as well.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesTitle: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Author(s): Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games #4
Genre(s): Dystopian
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 517
Length: 16h 16m
Narrator(s): Santino Fontana
Source: Owned
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 0.5 Flames

My Thoughts

I thought THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES was really fascinating and a fantastic prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy. I especially loved learning about Panem after the first war between the Capitol and the districts. I thought it was interesting to see how the Hunger Games operated before they became what they were in the 74th Hunger Games. I also loved the characters, especially Lucy Gray. I really loved learning more about Tigris and I’m curious why and when she and Coriolanus had a falling out.

Watching Coriolanus Snow’s life unfold in THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES is a lot like watching Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader in the Star Wars prequels. You keep hoping it won’t happen, but know there’s no hope. I thought it was interesting to be in his head, to hear the conflict of remaining loyal to the Capitol, regaining his status and wealth, or siding with the districts and Lucy Gray.