You don't need me to bang on about this book. I'll yield the mic to the myriad of young people who will probably be discussing each line in detail.
Let me say that Suzanne Collins took enough time with this contribution to the Hunger Games Universe that it can stand up competently next to the original Hunger Games, which is the first YA book this "Old Fogey" read years ago and introduced me to the entire YA genre.
But I WILL speak to this AUDIO version read by Jefferson White who completely knocked this READ out of the park (or should I say Survived the Arena in the book's vernacular).
This story is a PREquel to the Hunger Games where we follow Haymitch through HIS Hunger Games cycle. Of course, in the movies, Haymitch is embodied by Woody Harrelson who is both a talented actor and very quirky and unique individual. So, not only does Jefferson have to depict a TEENAGE version of Haymitch/Woody, but he has to do younger versions of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) Effie, Ceasar Flickerman plus a HUGE amount of new characters that we need to keep track of. But he pulled it off 😃❗️
It helped that Collins took her time writing this book and gave us some interesting, relatable and three dimensional characters but Jefferson didn't just switch between men's and women's voices but included different tones and cadences that we become familiar with them. I could tell who was talking BEFORE the book said, "Effie responded."
As the star of these Hunger Games is Haymitch, Jefferson got Woody's way of talking so great that I was actually picturing a teenage Woody Harrelson. (It's currently being made into a movie so we'll have to see how that PLAYS out.)
But this was ANOTHER great trip to the Arena and I would recommend people jump to THIS book DIRECTLY after the Original (and postpone all the MockingJay stuff that is lesser in comparison).
I hope Suzanne continues to give us MORE Hunger Games Prequels. She is quite a great writer IF she doesn't RUSH it because of a deadline but takes the time to think things through.
As to Jefferson White, he's only narrated a couple of books but I HOPE he continues down this path because he has shown a huge potential to be a truly great voice actor. In fact, it's because of him particularly that I'm going to do something I've NEVER done before. Recommend the AUDIO book ABOVE the ebook or paper formats. 😯❗️
I should mention there is a brief mention of a same sex couple who have not been allowed to live together under this harsh, futuristic regime but it is not explored any further by Collins and I found no other disturbing ideologies.
🤔
Well, except that this entire book series is about poor children forced to violently and brutally hack each other to death in an arena while the adults watch to be entertained.
But other than that ... 💁♀️
I did NOT buy this book but got it from my public library, even though I had to wait several weeks for it.
Would I have paid for it❓️🤔
Maybe severely discounted but not FULL price because I'm Poor-folk. But if you have Moolah, this is worth spending it on. It was definitely worth me waiting for. I completely enjoyed it.
Well done to all involved.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for taking the time to read it.
The Truth with Love,
Always Laura-Lee
The book itself gets an 8 out of 10 cookies
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
But Jefferson White takes this to another level so I'm going to grant him another Cookie.
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪➕️🍪
Please Note I have NO ADS NO Store, NO Merchandise No Monetizing and I NEVER accept Donations❗️🤨
