Alice in Waterdeep

It's a prequel, right? You know some details already, you know the fate of the characters, you pretty much know how it's going to end. You shouldn't care THIS much, and yet Suzanne Collins makes you care anyway. Makes you root for them, as if it made any sense. As you read and know things are about to go very, very badly, a part of you stupidly hopes things will go differently. Which is ironic, for a book that talks about how hope can be dangerous.

I loved this story with all my being. I never thought the world of The Hunger Games and its characters could still pique my interest so much, and hit me so hard, after fifteen years since I read the original trilogy. Haymitch's story is so tragic, starting from the reaping itself. I am glad he stayed alive to witness and participate in the rebellion with Katniss and the rest, even if it hurts to think it took another 25 years (25 years of him having to mentor - to their death, as he says - kids reaped on his birthday).

Snow, I hate you like all-fucking-fire.

I actually really loved this one. There were moments I wasn't sure about it but it surprised me. The mid portion is what made me think I was going to just consider this as okay, and made me wish the author had pushed more on that type of humor present in the first part of the book. Wasn't a fan of the other characters either, at first. But then Purple Dress and Green Shirt won me over, and I almost audibly went "awww" when Purple Dress found the kitten. Same when Lucas got the postcard from Green Shirt.

I think this is a love it or hate it kind of deal, it's pretty clear from the fact that the first chapter is two sentences long. Really nice read.

I didn't hate it, but it's not for me. I wanted a light read after I read a book that dragged on forever but, as it turns out, it took me almost a month to read this one too? Wow. Not that it's a race, but it says a lot about my engagement with the story.

I am not a fan of misunderstandings that last almost the entire book, even more so when characters are childish for no reason. So I had a hard time with the whole dynamic between Bee and Levi, not to mention the Twitter exchanges - these two brilliant engineers didn't realize they were talking about each other? Not even once? Not even a tiny doubt? Please.

For me, Levi was the most interesting character. We see more of his personality and development through small things rather than Bee's. In fact, dare I say there's no development whatsoever for Bee? I feel like this is becoming a trend with books in this genre I've been reading, but: so much unexplored potential. So much. I think her commitment issues were quite interesting, but of course trauma is magically solved after one act of kindness and suddenly she's not scared anymore. Man do I wish real life worked like that.

I started appreciating the story around the 80% mark when shit started happening, but again: wasted potential. And the resolution floored me, and not in a good way. You're telling me that someone whose intelligence is praised throughout the entire book and who has the cards to be hired at NASA, uses the same simple password for every account she has? I facepalmed so hard my forehead hurt.

Despite all that, and despite not liking the writing, I still somewhat enjoyed reading this, but then the epilogue ruined everything. Flash forward to less than one year later and they're married (also, she eloped to avoid getting paralyzed with fear by the thought of being left at the altar??? Girl that's not how you heal trauma), and of course they mention kids. I know, I understand, I get it - but can we have a happy couple that doesn't need marriage and babies to prove they're now very much in love and "complete"? I'm begging.

I loved this one. The interactions between ART and Murderbot were my favorite parts. The dramatized version of the audiobook really sells it for me, it's too good!

Wanted a light read and tried my hardest to give this book time but it's just not for me. The way it starts, with Lina talking to Aaron with her back turned to him and using her friend as a proxy for, what, at least thirty minutes? Yeah it wasn't a good first impression for me. There is something interesting here and there when Lina talks about herself, her family, her past, but that's about it. Also, I get it that it's a romance with tropes and silly situations but when Lina's getting dressed and she ignores Aaron's knocks on the door for absolutely no reason, so he comes barging in? At least make it that she's listening to music and doesn't hear the knocking? I was also not a fan of all the repeated "I don't need help - yes you need help - I don't need help - yes you need help" scenes (the wedding date, the work thing, the car lift in the rain...).