Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

 

 

Title: Sunrise on the Reaping

Series: The Hunger Games #0.5

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release Date: 18 March 2025

Page Amount: 382 pages, Hardcover

 

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GoodReads Blurb:

Review:

Holy shit. I know I don't curse a lot in my blog posts, but this warrants it. I'll say it again. Holy shit. It was a brilliant, but brutal, book. As one would expect from a Hunger Games novel. 

Going into this, we know the basics of Haymitch's story. Especially if you've read the other books first (please do, by the way). But even reading the little bit about his background that I did in Mockingjay...nothing could have prepared me. I honestly think this was the most brutal of the Hunger Games novels. I knew President Snow was damn evil, but in this book? Again, holy shit. The things he did in this book...When this movie comes out, I think it might be the most difficult of the films to watch. Which is saying quite a lot. 

Something else Suzanne Collins does really well is calling out the behavior of the people in the Capitol while also acknowledging that some of them even try to, in their own way, be "good" to the tributes, and are even brainwashed, you could say. Like Effie Trinket, for example. And Suzanne Collins also calls attention to the people in the Capitol who want to revolt, but why they might not be doing so, or are being quiet about it. She shows the fear in even some of the Capitol citizens, not only the Districts, which I think is brilliant. 

There were a lot of appearances of familiar characters, as well, which were great to see. And all of the connections to the original trilogy? I am saying it again...Holy shit!! 

This is an easy five star book for me. Haymitch is also my favorite character (well, him and Cinna) so I knew this would be high up on my list of favorite books for this year (and in general) but also would emotionally drain me. Which it absolutely did. I have described it as "Soul shattering". That being said, if you are a Hunger Games fan, and you are prepared (as you can be) then yes, I highly recommend this. 

5 quills

Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

 

 

Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E. Schwab

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Page Amount: 448 pages, Hardcover, Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition

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GoodReads Blurb:

A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

Review:

Wow. This was amazing. The writing was lush, immersive, stunning. I am actually jealous of the beautiful writing in this book. V. E. Schwab is incredible. I need to go back and add so many more tabs to mark my favorite quotes. 

I was not expecting twists in this, but there were some twists. A couple (after the first twist) I suspected, but wasn't sure. They were great.

There were amazing characters, too. I love Addie. Her defiant joy is beautiful and inspiring. That's how V. E. Schwab described Addie's character, "defiant joy", and it is perfect. Henry was also great. And the Darkness was also a fascinating character. Several of the lines I already have tabbed are either about him or were said by him. So stunning. The dynamic with Addie was interesting. 

I just absolutely adore this book and would recommend it a thousand times over. 

5 quills

Book Review: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

 

 

Title: Stone Blind

Author: Natalie Haynes

Release Date: September 15, 2022

Page Amount: 371 pages, Paperback

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GoodReads Blurb:

The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar returns with a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman.

They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster. 

The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene's temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge--on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon's actions, Medusa is forever transformed. Writhing snakes replace her hair and her gaze will turn any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude.

Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

In Stone Blind, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes turns our understanding of this legendary myth on its head, bringing empathy and nuance to one of the earliest stories in which a woman--injured by a powerful man--is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault. Delving into the origins of this mythic tale, Haynes revitalizes and reconstructs Medusa's story with her passion and fierce wit, offering a timely retelling of this classic myth that speaks to us today.

Review:

A fantastic retelling of Medusa. I loved all of the different perspectives we got. I also loved the questions this novel brought up about what a monster, who decides who is a monster, etc. That sort of theme has always deeply appealed to me. The second I read the first page of this, I knew I would love it. And I was absolutely right. The writing was wonderful, as was the characterization of everyone in the book. It was amazing, and I would highly recommend it. Especially if you are interested in Greek Mythology and retellings of Greek Mythology. I will certainly be reading more by Natalie Haynes in the future.

5 quills

Book Review: The Cabin by Natasha Preston

 

 

Title: The Cabin

Author: Natasha Preston

Release Date: 01 September 2016

Page Amount: 336 pages, Paperback

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GoodReads Blurb:

There may only be one killer, but no one is innocent in this thriller from Natasha Preston, the New York Times bestselling author of The Cellar and The Cabin

A weekend partying at a remote cabin is just what Mackenzie needs. She can't wait to let loose with her friends. But a crazy night of fun leaves two of them dead--murdered.

With no signs of a forced entry or struggle, suspicion turns to the five survivors. Someone isn't telling the truth. And Mackenzie's first mistake? Assuming the killing is over...

Review:

This was a very quick read. I got through it fast. It was definitely a page turner. There were times it did read a little too young for me, but that didn't deter me. I suspected almost everyone at one point or another, but I had a top two. I don't want to say whether I was right or not. The ending of this did bring the rating down for me. If not for the last two chapters, it would have been a pretty solid popcorn thriller. Unfortunately, the ending ruined it for me.

3 quills