In the twentieth chapter of Catching Fire, Katpee, Finnick, and Mags continue to explore the arena. All they learn is that the Gamemakers have never been quite as fucked up as this. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Catching Fire.
I’ll probably say this a few times before I get to the final chapter, but I am getting nervous because we are just barely starting the Games and the end of this book is just over 100 pages away. This is not good. We’re either dealing with the most awful cliffhanger ever or something in these Games are going to eliminate all of the competition very quickly. Or both. Or….something else gets in the way? Or…ok, I have to stop thinking about this. I’m getting distracted.
Let’s take probably the only moment in this whole book to laugh.
“No!†I yell, hurling myself at Finnick, for surely he intends to make certain that Peeta’s dead, to keep any hope of life from returning to him. Finnick’s hand comes up and hits me so hard, so squarely in the chest that I go flying back into a nearby tree trunk. I’m stunned for a moment, by the pain, by trying to regain my wind, as I see Finnick close off Peeta’s nose again. From where I sit, I pull an arrow, whip the notch into place, and am about to let it fly when I’m stopped by the sight of Finnick kissing Peeta. And it’s so bizarre, even for Finnick, that I stay my hand. No, he’s not kissing him. He’s got Peeta’s nose blocked off but his mouth tilted open, and he’s blowing air into his lungs. I can see this, I can actually see Peeta’s chest rising and falling.
Ok, seriously, 100% hilarious. Let me guess: If there is any one scene in this trilogy that inspired the most fanart, this is it. There have to be at least a couple trillion pieces that represent Finnick and Peeta making out. PROVE ME RIGHT, GUYS.
So Peeta isn’t dead. I mean, she couldn’t have killed him off this soon, right? But this is almost worse for me. Now I am incredibly confused. Why on earth did Finnick just save Peeta’s life? Does he need him as an ally that badly? Maybe Peeta is hiding a secret that Katniss is unaware of and he actually does need to stay alive. THIS IS WEIRD, RIGHT? Or maybe Finnick is tricking Katniss into a long con so he can kill HER by making her feel as if he is on her side? LOOK, I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS.
“His lashes flutter open and his eyes meet mine. “Careful,†he says weakly. “There’s a force field up ahead.â€
OH, PEETA. You are a heartbreaker, you!
Ok, done smiling? Because the tone of the vast majority of this chapter is pretty much as bleak as the End of Times. Let’s start with some paranoia. When Katniss volunteers to lead them to find a place to camp, Finnick actually agrees to let her do it.
“No, let her do it.†He frowns at me. “You knew that force field was there, didn’t you? Right at the last second? You started to give a warning.†I nod. “How did you know?â€
Oh, no. I agree with Katniss that sharing this with him is a baaaaaaad idea. He’s not making it very subtle that he’s trying to get her to admit her secrets. Is that what he meant when he spoke to her at the Training Center? Or was he referring to something else? UGH I CANNOT FIGURE THIS OUT and I feel like I’m right there.
Katniss makes up a lie about her reconstructed ear and being able to hear the fence and it’s actually a pretty good lie. So she leads the way through the thick jungle, using nuts to keep an eye on the force field, even though she can see it the whole time. She had to keep up appearances that it’s all about hearing the field and not seeing it.
After a few minutes I become aware of a smacking sound behind me and turn to see Mags peeling the shell off one of the nuts and popping it in her already-full mouth. “Mags!†I cry. “Spit that out. It could be poisonous.â€
She mumbles something and ignores me, licking her lips with apparent relish. I look to Finnick for help but he just laughs. “I guess we’ll find out,†he says.
MAGS FOR PRESIDENT OF PANEM. RIGHT NOW. I love that she is in an arena of death and she STRAIGHT DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK. I cannot wait to see how she continues to not care and upstages everyone else. Seriously my favorite.
After another hour of moving through the arena with no luck of finding water, Katniss decides she needs to climb up a tree to get a better vantage point of the entire place.
As I cling to a stretch of trunk no wider than a sapling, swaying back and forth in the humid breeze, my suspicions are confirmed. There’s a reason we can’t turn to the left, will never be able to. From this precarious vantage point, I can see the shape of the whole arena for the first time. A perfect circle. With a perfect wheel in the middle. The sky about the circumference of the jungle is tinged a uniform pink. And I think I can make out one or two of those wavy squares, chinks in the armor, Wiress and Beetee called them, because they reveal what was meant to be hidden and are therefore a weakness. Just to make absolutely sure, I shoot an arrow into the empty space above the tree line. There’s a spurt of light, a flash of real blue sky, and the arrow’s thrown back into the jungle. I climb down to give the others the bad news.
See, the Gamemakers are very, very intentional. I suspect that there is an awfully fucked up reason this arena is shaped like a perfect circle for a reason. What that is? I can’t even begin to guess. Even worse, I’m looking over old reviews of this book and I can’t even think of anything that might be a clue. Man, my sleuthing skills are seriously fucking terrible when it comes to fiction. OH WELL, MORE ENTERTAINING FOR YOU, RIGHT??
The thing is, this arena fills me with far more dread than the last one. Maybe it’s because the context is different and maybe it’s because in the back of mind, I have a sinking sensation this arena was designed to kill Katniss. So when she volunteers to go find water while the rest stay back at a makeshift camp, all I could think was OH NOETRY. Bad idea.
The sound of the cannon brings me to a halt. The initial bloodbath at the Cornucopia must be over. The death toll of the tributes is now available. I count the shots, each representing one dead victor. Eight. Not as many as last year. But it seems like more since I know most of their names.
So, one third of them are already gone. It is worse that we know who they are, too, because now I’m sad to think who died in the initial slaughter. Katniss doesn’t have much time to think about such things, because she notices a strange animal that’s a cross between a rat and a possum nearby. After she kills it, she notices that it’s muzzle is wet, giving the appearance that it (probably) just drank water. When she takes it back to camp and tells the others, Peeta gets busy being a total BAMF again:
Peeta has another idea. He takes a cube of rodent meat, skewers it on the tip of a pointed stick, and lets it fall into the force field. There’s a sharp sizzle and the stick flies back. The chunk of meat is blackened on the outside but well cooked inside. We give him a round of applause, then quickly stop, remembering where we are.
PEETA FOREVER. Ok, maybe earlier in this chapter wasn’t the last time we’d get to laugh. The visual in my head of them all clapping and then suddenly stopping is a nice touch by Collins. I think the fact that these people can do something as small as that speaks volumes to the new environment for this arena.
That night, the anthem plays and we learn who perished during the opening mayhem:
The man from District 5, the one Finnick took out with his trident, is the first to appear. That means that all the tributes in 1 through 4 are alive—the four Careers, Beetee and Wiress, and of course, Mags and Finnick. The man from District 5 is followed by the male morphling from 6, Cecelia and Woof from 8, both from 9, the woman from 10, and Seeder from 11. The Capitol seal is back with a final bit of music and then the sky goes dark except for the moon.
Oh no, Cecelia and Seeder. I for sure thought they’d still be alive. DAMN YOU, COLLINS. ::shakes fist::
A sign of hope arrives not long after that, as the first gift from a sponsor floats down on a silver parachute. Peeta opens it up and finds a long, tube-like piece of metal that perplexes all four of them. Obviously, there’s no explanation for it provided, so they are all stumped. It takes Katniss relaxing, thinking of her home so far away, wondering if her family are ok, for the thought to trigger in her mind.
I wrestle the thing from the ground and brush it clean. Cup my hand around the tapered end, concealing it, and look at the lip. Yes, I’ve seen one of these before. On a cold, windy day long ago, when I was out in the woods with my father. Inserted snugly into a hole drilled in the side of a maple. A pathway for the sap to follow as it flowed into our bucket.
IT’S A SPILE!!!!! Which means that there is water inside the goddamn trees. And there are trees everywhere.
Oh, Haymitch, if this was your doing, BLESS YOUR HEART, SIR.
Sure enough, Katniss is right. The trees around them are full of water. (Actually, I’m not sure if all of them are, as I imagine they weren’t all designed that way, but it’s not really specified which ones have water in them.) Able to quench their thirst, the four of them agree to take shifts and sleep in the fantastic hut that Mags and Finnick have built. But unlike the first time Katniss was in the arena, there’s not much time to sleep in the Quarter Quell’s arena.
Instead I find myself jarred from sleep a few hours later by what seems to be the tolling of a bell. Bong! Bong! It’s not exactly like the one they ring in the Justice Building on New Year’s but close enough for me to recognize it. Peeta and Mags sleep through it, but Finnick has the same look of attentiveness I feel. The tolling stops.
“I counted twelve,†he says.
I nod. Twelve. What does that signify? One ring for each district? Maybe. But why? “Mean anything, do you think?â€
Well, shit. A bell? Never has a bell been so creepy. So maybe there is something that happens in this arena that coincides with something in each of the twelve districts, right? Or maybe. I don’t know, it’s an idea. It would be a pretty fucked up one, but it would give a specific set of tributes an advantage.
The only thing that appears is a lightning storm in the distance. But that’s it. No sign as to what that bell means at all. An hour after this, the cannon goes off, another tribute having died.
Moments after [the rain] stops, I see the fog sliding softly in the direction of the recent downpour. Just a reaction. Cool rain on the steaming ground, I think. It continues to approach at a steady pace. Tendrils reach forward and then curl like fingers, as if they are pulling the rest behind them. As I watch, I feel the hairs on my neck begin to rise. Something’s wrong with this fog. The progression of the front line is too uniform to be natural. And if it’s not natural…
A sickeningly sweet odor begins to invade my nostrils and I reach for the others, shouting for them to wake up.
In the few seconds it takes to rouse them, I begin to blister.
"You were dead! Your heart stopped!" I burst out, before really considering if this is a good idea.
Okay, before I reread this chapter again this morning, I was going to ask why on earth the cannon didn’t sound for Peeta. His heart stopped, he was dead, the cannon sounds right away for people when they die. But then I read this (finally noticed it for the first time today, I guess): The sound of the cannon brings me to a halt. The initial bloodbath at the Cornucopia must be over. The death toll of the tributes is now available. They wait until the fighting is over at the Cornucopia (that lasted forever! How did only 8 people die?! I guess the whole swimming to land thing held them up, but still. What happened to all the rest of you, the nicer ones, standing up to the Capitol and not fighting, huh??) to sound the cannon. New question: what would have happened if the fighting had already been over or if Peeta had died on any other day? Would they have sounded the cannon for him immediately? Or do they wait until it’s 100% sure they’re dead? If there’s a chance CPR can save a tribute, do they wait to see if anyone knows it? And how long do they wait before declaring those people dead? Ten minutes? Twenty? If Finnick hadn’t acted right away, would they have sounded the cannon anyway? Just some morbid questions I’ve had since reading this chapter for the first time.
But I am also furious because it means that I will never stop owing Finnick Odair. Ever. So how can I kill him in his sleep?
Um, you don’t? Because the Gamemakers have decided that they’re waiting until two groups of allies are left, and then they’ll announce that this year they’re saving the last group standing? Delusions aside, I understand how Katniss feels, since now she’s obligated to someone she doesn’t even know if she can trust (although saving Peeta? You get an automatic gold star from me, Finnick!). Maybe they should all take a page from Haymitch and go their separate ways before there are too few tributes left. And then maybe Finnick will fall into a pit full of poisonous snakes (no, wait, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Something, I don’t know what, will kill him instantly!) so Katniss won’t have to take him out. Maybe Peenis will do the same so that Mags doesn’t have to kill anyone to become the winner. Ugh, I don’t want to talk about this. Then again, maybe the citizens of the Capitol are marching up to President Snow’s door and demanding that he stop the Games before they kill him, so he does. YES, THIS IS A GOOD PLAN.
Alright, too many questions. I’m done with rambly conjectures now.
They have water! Oh, good. Dying of thirst has got to be one of the most excruciating ways I can think of dying. This means we can just rule out this possibility and look for the other, countless ways they can all die! Yay! OH, WAIT. YEAH, THE CREEPY AS HELL FOG. I DIDN'T MEAN WE SHOULD DO THIS NOW, COLLINS.
another doubt.the meat charred and got cooked when it hit the force field.but peeta just got a cardiac arrest and singed hair.maybe it is transmitted through the knife but doesnt make it any less lethal.
Since Peeta was standing (especially with a fake leg) instead of being in the air, it is likely that the charge went through the knife, into him (stopping his heart on the way) and out through his foot completing the circuit. That's what can happen to someone if they get struck by lighting and I believe is how some survive, if the charge misses the heart.
I was actually wondering why the cannon didn't go off for Peeta too. But then I remembered that this is the first day and they wait until the bloodbath is over. So technically Peeta died to early on to get his cannon. But I feel like he should nave gotten a bell ringing or a buzzer or something. It can't be too often that a Tribute dies and comes back to life in the arena. That should be commemorated.
Yeah, I didn't read that part so well in my mad rush through the series the first time. Or apparently the subsequent times. Today is the first time I ever realized that was true, heh.
Ooh, he should seriously have gotten something like that. Not to mention that it would totally freak out the rest of the other tributes. "What? Someone died and then came back to life?! Who has these mad awesome skills?? I MUST KNOW!"
NOT THAT THAT EXCUSES THE LACK OF CONCERN OVER PEETA YESTERDAY, Y'ALL. I wonder if he's going to die. Nobody is freaking out about it, therefore I am so worried now.
Yep, this was the only time I realized he got no cannon. 6 reads later and I'm all caught up.
I personally put myself very firmly in the land of denial yesterday haha. If Peeta had died halfway through CF, I would have thrown the book aside and fumed for a very long time. I had accepted Cinna, but Peeta so soon after the Games started? Nope, refuse to think it possible. What are those five stages of grief? Denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance, and something else. I was pretty much stuck in those first 3. Prediction time: My instant NOOOOOOOOO button will be worn out by the end of this series. Because we know this brief moment of happiness won't be allowed to last in the snow globe of doom.
That line outlining Katniss' thought process is precisely why I have her pegged as a Slytherin (yes, she has an enormous capacity to care for people besides herself and being Sorted into Slytherin does not preclude this).
But she tends to do very brave, very hotheaded, and sometimes very stupid things in the heat of the moment, which is a definite Gryffindor trait. I'd say she's more of a Gryffindor with Slytherin leanings.
Nah, she's more of a Slytherin with Gryffindor leanings.
Yeh definitely true but I think she would be in Slytherin , cuz..I mean looked what happened to Snape…Imma just sayin
Maybe some maidan person can correct me if I’m wrong, but I something once your Jett stops beaten you’re technically “dead” because isn’t that part of a Jett attack? Okay, well, heart attacks are irregular beats, but I remember from first aid (a long long) time ago that you feel for a pulse and start chest compressions. So if a stopped heart means death, you spying do the chest compressions. So the gamemakers and doctors monitoring Peeta could probably still detect the last minisule brain patterns and oxygen Pathways, but Katniss isn’t experienced enough to know that. Finnick however obviously has this kind of experience and recognizes that a stopped heart doesn’t neccesarily mean death. So… Yeah, I can understand why there was no cannon.
I know that this is super duper late, but you don't die because your heart stops. You die because of a lack of oxygen in the brain.
"Now I am incredibly confused. Why on earth did Finnick just save Peeta’s life? Does he need him as an ally that badly? Maybe Peeta is hiding a secret that Katniss is unaware of and he actually does need to stay alive. THIS IS WEIRD, RIGHT? Or maybe Finnick is tricking Katniss into a long con so he can kill HER by making her feel as if he is on her side? LOOK, I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS."
Oh man……………I remember feeling like my head was going to explode trying to figure out Finnick's actions.
"Man, my sleuthing skills are seriously fucking terrible when it comes to fiction."
There is a reason your sleuthing skills suck- it is because no one could anticipate where this book went or will go. One giant mind blowing surprise!
The other tributes and how amazingly fabulous they are is what makes this book so top notch. I really love book 2 in that it really is so different from book one and you really fall in love with almost all the character vs just Peeta and Katniss
Still so not prepared!!!
omg. i have to look up that fanart NAO!
I love that she is in an arena of death and she STRAIGHT DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK.
IKR? I love Mags. I mean, she is pretty much the epitome of awesome and not giving a fuck. She knows she's old and doesn't have much time left. She volunteers for the Games so that the young woman back in 4 wouldn't be sent into the arena. She is 100% awesome.
LOL. I loled so hard at Katniss sobbing and blubbering and having snot run down her face when she's getting over thinking that Peeta was dead. Peeta has definitely come to mean something important to her, even if she can't articulate it or fully understand it.
Maybe Finnick saved Peeta because he does want Katniss as an ally. She's a BAMF with a bow, and since Finnick is kind of burdened with Mags, he needs someone. And he knows that if Peeta dies, Katniss would probably completely mentally check out of the Games.
Also, Collins is pure evil with all of her cliff hangers.
love the gif at the end!
this chapter left me with a ton of respect and love for Mags, she's just so nonchalant, so awesome! =)
Are you going to keep a running list of tributes and who died vs who is left, like you did for HG?
ALSO!
"Never has a bell been so creepy."
My thoughts exactly …
Hee! I remember being at this point and thinking THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PAGES LEFT! HOW CAN THIS BOOK BE ENDING SO SOON?
Keep going!
I love how Katniss breaksdown when Peeta is literally killed and how he's brought back and she's sobbing uncontrolably. I just might think that Katniss really does love Peeta.
And what heaven's name is this arena…..bell…..circle…what?
Last thing OMG Blisters from what!
<img src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/thefbm42/WHAT.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
Seriously, does anyone else imagine the fog from The Ten Commandments in this scene?
From where I sit, I pull an arrow, whip the notch into place, and am about to let it fly when I’m stopped by the sight of Finnick kissing Peeta. And it’s so bizarre, even for Finnick, that I stay my hand. No, he’s not kissing him. He’s got Peeta’s nose blocked off but his mouth tilted open, and he’s blowing air into his lungs. I can see this, I can actually see Peeta’s chest rising and falling.
first, isn't it messed up how ready katniss is to kill everyone? maybe not. maybe i am being unrealistic. but i think it's so sad that the games/capitol have messed her up so badly. i mean, yes, she is in the games, and the goal is to win and therefore kill everyone else, but this scene made me feel like she is wayy too trigger happy. i guess it doesn't actually make sense that finnick would be trying to save peeta. at all. but i trust finnick, at least at this point. much more than katniss seems to. then again, maybe this is why she won the first games – if she had trusted people as readily as i tend to, she probably would have died. i don't blame her, and i get that "allies" in the games doesn't really mean anything, especially when the arena is filled with former victors and she's no longer dealing with a 12 year old who reminds her of her sister. but i guess i'm just a little surprised at how willing she is to deal out death.
second, from the way collins described what finnick was doing, did anyone else get the impression that katniss had never seen CPR before or known what it was? i just found that a little odd, especially since her mother is a healer and whatnot. maybe i'm reading too much into it, but i just found the description a little weird.
So when she volunteers to go find water while the rest stay back at a makeshift camp, all I could think was OH NOETRY.
mark, why do you constantly write the best sentences ever?
Moments after [the rain] stops, I see the fog sliding softly in the direction of the recent downpour. Just a reaction. Cool rain on the steaming ground, I think. It continues to approach at a steady pace. Tendrils reach forward and then curl like fingers, as if they are pulling the rest behind them.
collins, why do you constantly write the creepiest sentences ever?
I think it says she’s seen her mom do it, but that Finnick was clearly more trained and had rhythm to it. I couldn’t be sure about that though. I don’t have the book with me.
Yep, she says she's seen her mom do it, but not very often:
"Once in a blue moon, I've seen my mother try something similar, but not
often. If your heart fails in District 12, it's unlikely your family could get
you to my mother in time, anyway. So her usual patients are burned or
wounded or ill. Or starving, of course."
Yeah, she mentions that after Finnick started pumping at Peeta's chest that her mother sometimes got patients whose heart had stopped, but that if your heart failed in District 12 you usually didn't survive in time to get to a healer like Katniss's mom.
No, Katniss didn't know what CPR was. I don't think it's that odd – you usually see CPR used when someone's drowning, so it would make sense that Finnick would know it. Katniss' mom mostly seems to deal with herbal remedies and whatnot, so I'm not surprised that she doesn't know more "modern" techniques like CPR.
I love your avatar Alot.
I had my Biotechnology exam today, so I keep reading your comment as "modern" techniques like PCR. So I'm all, of course she doesn't use PCR, why would she… oh wait 🙂 Damn University, ruining my reading abilities.
I think Katniss has always been like that, to some extent, but the Games have made it worse. The only person in the first Games that she never considered killing was Rue, after all. I don't think she's really malicious at heart, though. I think its mostly an extremely strong self-protective impulse paired with paranoia.
I think that part of her trigger happiness comes from the fact that she feels the need to protect Peeta. In the Games, this means that she not only has to defend him, but she might need to perform some preemptive strikes to ensure that he's the last one standing. Maybe things would be different if she were on her own, but she's in super defense mode now, and sometimes the best defense is a good offense, you know?
i am starting to trust finnicK.
i never really based for mag.but reading your blog,i am starting to like her.
but another doubt,if the force field is powerful enough to cook a meat,how come it just stopped peeta’s cardiac activity.shouldn’t it have cooked him too.
probably because he's bigger
He hit it with his knife not his actual body. So the knife conducted the electricity and zapped him.
He might have a small blister or burn on his hand where the shock jumped from the knife to his hand. Sometimes when a person suffers a large shock their heart can stop and they may have no outward signs other than an entrance and exit burn from the path of the electricity.
Bahahaha, I so called that Peeta wasn't dead! I thought I would be annoyed by the copout, but now I'm glad because Finnick saving him is definitely unexpected. Why would he do that? Hmmmmm. I want MOAR FINNICK.
Yeah I was going to be annoyed if Peeta wasn't going to stay dead! And then POW! Finnick saves him! It was plausible AND unexpected AND a huge relief! You are forgiven this time Collins! 😛
finnick is gradually gaining my trust.you know,he really saved peeta when he could just have pretended not to know anything about CPR.
didnt really care for mag when i read the book.but reading your blog,i am starting to like her.
Mm, mm opossum.
Mark, Mark, Mark. I can't believe that you called for Finnick x Peeta fanart and then forgot the fan-wankiest reason why Finnick would save him: he's totes in love with Peeta and is going to spend the rest of the Games seducing him away from Katniss. That knotty speedo wasn't for her benefit.
And then Gale can join them! Triple slashy goodness! Who's with me?
Huh? Why is my comment deleted? It wasn't a spoiler, just slash-y. I said Gale ought to join them for a slashy threesome.
shit…double comment…the previous one disappeared and now it has come back.
and a question,do you guys really go back to previous chapters to look for clues even if it is a detective one.mark is doing it because obviously he is reading a chapter a day.but when you are reading feverishly through a book.for example an agatha mystery,even if i get a hunch that there is a prior clue,i wouldnt go back.i ll just read along.
If I think I've found a link to a prior clue, I'll go back until I find it.
The first time I read Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius' name rang a bell in my head and I thought I remembered it from Sorcerer's Stone. I immediately went back and checked. :p
For me, it depends on the intrigued/excited ratio as I'm reading. I'm stubborn about being right, so I'll go back sometimes, but I have so many theories as I'm reading that yes I'll check sometimes if I'm sufficiently intrigued by something. Like, "I swear–I saw/heard that in that one scene–it was right there–ha!" But if I'm super excited, screw it, I'll catch it the next go round or the next, whatever, just turn the page and find out OMG COLLINS/ROWLING/AGATHA WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CHARACTERS
(I'm assuming we mean Ms. Christie by Agatha?)
"I love that she is in an arena of death and she STRAIGHT DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK."
Word. Mags must be descended from the Lovegoods.
I never really thought about those other possible motives you gave for Finnick's actions. I just decided to trust him, but now I am worried too.
MAGS IS LUNA IN THE FUTURE. FANFIC PLZ
OH GOD YES
She's the Lovegood / Longbottom descendent we never got to see.
Luna+Gran=Mags?
Those aren't fishhooks Mags is making. She is making traps to capture nargles!
That would make her a squib though. If she was a wizard she could just Avada Kedavra the other tributes asses 🙂
This is a game of victors, whose to say she didn't?!
cliffhanger time!
Your first paragraph is spoilery.
Noted. And deleted.
Apologies.
I never saw what your paragraph was, but you know you can edit, right? You probably do know that, but I thought I should mention it.
I don't think you can edit after replies have been made to that comment.
Not after someone's replied, unfortunately.
Ah I am clearly an idiot 🙂
Never mind, you learn something new every day!
If anyone cares, that second paragraph was a comment about really old people generally not giving a fuck, with a personal anecdote concerning my 90-year-old grandmother and a giant pig as an example.
I don't know how the original paragraph read, but that summary is AMAZING.
Well then:
I think after about 70 years old, most people just say "fuck it I'm not going to live much longer, might as well go out hard."
My grandmother, for example, turned 90 last month. She lives on a farm. In Jamaica. With two dogs and a weedhead for company. Last year, her pig broke out of its pen. And this was a Jamaica pig, which are the kind of pig you don't want to fuck with. If the thing could stand on its hind legs, it would be about 6 feet tall. And it had stubby legs. So demon-pig is in the process of busting down a tree in rage, and grandma goes out there-88 years old, weighing 80 pounds- and starts friggin' BEATING IT WITH A STICK AND TELLING IT TO GET BACK IN ITS PEN. Dead serious.
No death chart??
🙁
Finnick, I love you
Finnick, I do
When we're apart my heart beats only for you
(And Peeta's does too!)
Finnick, thank you for bringing Peeta back from thedead. After Cinna's beating, I don't think my heart could have taken Peeta's death halfway through the series. You clearly only drink bottles of win, sir.
Speaking of which, I think District 4 would be a pretty decent place to live if, and only if, you had friends like Finnick and Mags. I support training for the Games if you don't volunteer. It's very sensible. I love being near the water. Having grown up on an island where a beach is never more than 20 minutes away, I actually feel a little lost when I'm not near one. But I do get queasy pretty easily when on boats, so perhaps I could work on the wharfs or something. But I would love to have someone as tough as Mags for a grandmother. Can't you just imagine Katniss trying to wrestle the nuts out of her arms and she just smiles, shakes her head, and moves her hands away from her? Mags, you are fierce.
RIP Cecelia, Seeder, Woof, and all those who didn't get a name (I wonder how many even made it off their disk things :'( )
I really love Collins' use of the arena this time around. I sat there trying to figure out what was going on myself. Really great stuff!
But honestly, and I may be the only one here, I was bummed that Peeta didn't die right there. It could've propelled so much anger from Katniss that I would've loved to see. I really just don't like Peeta. He never struck me as an awesome character, though he does have some moments. Like in the first book, he seemed a lot more like a plot device where, though it was undeniably real, he adored Katniss. I predicted his love for Katniss way too easily and I thought, "oh of COURSE you like Katniss. You'll be staying alive." I hate the forced relationship too. It's too unnatural to me. =/
Props for the Red gif at the end. I felt more suspense xD
See? It's a gender flip. Usually we have male characters and the woman serves no purpose except that her death propels the dude to move forward. So I kinda really really like that a guy can fulfill that role this time around.
I dunno, from what we know of Katniss's character so far, I feel like she wouldn't be angry by Peeta's death…I feel like she'd just be Done. Clocked out. Not giving a fuck about anything anymore. I could be totally wrong, but for some reason that's the kind of reaction I imagine her character having.
I have a confession to make:
Mags <3
Also, the cliffhanger:
<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l9qobyVxbV1qzzud0.jpg">
Not only a cliffhanger, but we have to wait TWO days for next review! Why do we suffer so…
That picture is utterly terrifying. O.O
I love that she is in an arena of death and she STRAIGHT DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK.. MAGS IS LOVE. PLEASE DON'T DIE. HEY COLLINS MAKE HER THE MAIN CHARACTER Y/Y? Joking, Joking.
Oh Peeta I love you forever. It's nice that even in the worse you are still you <3 . And the meat thing was really cool, Y R VERY CLEVER PEETA. Finnick is awesome. Period. And I think his intentions really are good, and he's just trying to help Kat, I mean why would have Haymitch trust him if it was any other way? And I think he's hiding something, something BIG, and I need to know NOW. Please Finnick backstory Kthxbye.
Team Haymitch for LIFE. That's all.
Should we just tell Mark now that Katniss and Peeta die and Mockingjay is ALL ABOUT MAGS?
BUT THAT MIGHT SPOIL HIM!!!!! 😛
Yo Mark, You're unprepared so EPICALLY. I mean, even I was unprepared.
Oh look, I'm positive again!
[thank you anonymous thumbs-up-pressing-people; you make me happy.
This is the moment where I go, “Okay, Katniss, get with the program. You’re in love with this boy.” One thing that kind of irritates me about her, even though I love her, is that she’s so goddamn oblivious to herself. But this scene is one of my favorites.
FINNICK. <3 He is, by far, my favorite non D12 tribute. Actually, he's probably my third favorite character. This moment is so confusing though. Like, what the fuck are you doing. I imagine the Capitol residents being like 'adsfadsgada what just happened?'
Yeah I really doubt a tribute has ever brought another tribute back to life! In previous hunger games they were probably just like "one down, [however many] to go!"
No, the capitol would be too busy drooling over Finnick kissing Peeta.
HOT.
Peeta = Harry Potter. Dead at the end of one chapter, alive at the beginning of the next.
Katniss makes up a lie about her reconstructed ear and being able to hear the fence and it’s actually a pretty good lie.
Ha ha ha, I forgot about Katniss's BIONIC EAR! That was fun times.
OH WELL, MORE ENTERTAINING FOR YOU, RIGHT??
Oh, very much so. Hee.
OH SHIT THE FUCKING FOG OH MY GOD I HATE THAT GODDAMN FOG HOLY CRAP.
(On the other hand, it gives Katniss the opportunity to yell, "I've got blisters on my fingers!")
Yay Peeta is alive! Basically I would have accepted any explanation for him not being dead (Ha, ha, just kidding Katniss. I'm really good at holding my breath. And my heart ) But this was hilarious. I guess Katniss' kisses kept Peeta alive last time but only Finnick's are potent enough to bring back the dead. No wonder Haymitch wanted him on team Katpee.
This guy should totally be cast as Finnick
<img src="http://smallscreenscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lee-pace-pushing-daisies.jpg" />
Or not. And how does he know that pregnant women often turn into crazy emotional wrecks? Occupational hazard? I can't reconcile earlier chapters Finnick with current Finnick. One of those must be an act.
Whoa, sorry, that picture turned out gigantic. *facepalm*
Hmmm, I see that dude as Peeta in his early 20s.
It's the pie thing. I can totally see Peeta opening a pie shop.
this is not some "guy" this is Lee Pace, Badass motherfucker and all around kick ass man. this "guy" was making pies BEFORE YOU WERE BORN.
Sorry I didn't mean to offend! I was just trying to play off of how Ned brought stuff back from the dead. As a joke. Guess it didn't work. :$
Oh Piemaker, Piemaker, make me a pie.
Or get in my bed. Either one.
Preferably the later.
Agreed! Although this guy in this picture…eh. Not so much. But it's Finnick or Gale I'd really like in my bed. I'm loathe to get in the way of KatPee, after all.
Pat a cake… pat a cake baker man. Bake me a cake… no, no bake me a pie. Do delight my eye! And I will sigh if the crust be high!
Sorry, it's what you reminded me of.
I've always seen Aidan Turner of Being Human as Finnick in my head:
<img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AidanTurner.jpg"/>
I always see Aidan Turner in my head. But yeah, he'd make a GREAT Finnick.
I couldn't even comment last chapter because I wanted to scream, "NOOOoo, Peeta's really alive, you'll see!" So, I'm glad this review is up already.
I'd almost forgotten that Katniss thought Finnick was making out with Peeta. Of course she wouldn't easily recognize CPR. XD Annd as usual Mags is awesome.
There is actually ALMOST NO fanart of the CPR scene! I am outraged by this.
There is this piece, called "CPR? Oh, please…" by Chii-Kawaii-Chan on DeviantArt, though.
<img src="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2010/265/8/3/cpr__oh__please__by_chii_kawaii_chan-d2z9kdy.png">
COME ON HUNGER GAMES FANS, STEP UP THE SMUTTY FANART.
Also, you will never ever ever ever guess what is going on with the Arena. Siriusly. Not prepared whatsoever.
Heehee, MOAR PLZKTHNX. But…that is not at all how I imagined Finnick. His hair is "bronze", not red.
I KNOW! I actually went looking for fanart this time, expecting the mother lode, and there's almost nothing! THG fandom isn't nearly bananas enough, I'm sorry to say. I did learn that bronze = flaming red to some people, so it was educational.
Um… why are Peeta's pants coming off? Is it like an electrical thing? You know, sometimes it blows your shoes off, but in this case it pulls your pants down to right above the genital level. Good work electricity. Make sure you get the shirt off next time too.
Wellll and then there's that whole part where you don't lift someone off the ground to give them CPR haha
Oh yaoi, where are you when you are needed? Nice find!
"But I am also furious because it means that I will never stop owing Finnick Odair. Ever. So how can I kill him in his sleep?"
And that right there is why Katniss is totally a Slytherin.
You are right! She is totally a Slytherin!
Oh my god, so right!
There's probably some crossover fanfic to support this
I have Peeta and Prim pegged as Slytherins. Maybe they become BFF with Hannah Abbott, and so become a regular guest for tea at the Longbottoms' house.
I still think she's a Gryffindor *shrug*
She's a Slytherpuff. On one hand, she's trying to think of the best way to kill people, but at the same time she wants to be fair about it.
I do like this chapter a lot, it has many awesome things in it. But the one over-riding thought I come away from it with each time?
"Oh look, another person who is magically brought back to life by CPR. It's funny, I seem to remember that being NEVER HOW IT WORKS in real life."
ARGHH it's the most annoying and ridiculous trope to me – CPR on its own brings people back to life like…1% of the time. All CPR does is keep the body ticking over until the heart gets started again – YOU NEED A DEFIBRILLATOR OR SOMETHING TO DO THAT. PUSHING SOMEONE'S CHEST IS JUST NOT GOING TO RESTART THEIR HEART.
/rant over
I am glad that Peeta came back to life. But MAN nothing pisses me off more than this trope.
Uh…uh….uh….THE STATIC FROM THEIR UNIFORMS SPARKED IT BACK TO LIFE. THE FRICTION FROM THE PUSHING CAUSED IT TO BUILD UP.
AH OF COURSE THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING! IT WAS THE STATIC! XD
They should have just shocked him with the force field again.
"CLEAR!" *dzzzzt*
Oh my god I found this hilarious for some reason. *snorts*
Ohmygosh, I can totally see Finnick holding Peeta upright, shouting "CLEAR!" and then shoving him into the forcefield! xD SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE THIS!!
You're correct. To further help explain your train of thought; whether you need a defibrillator or not depends on the cause of a person losing consciousness. With a simple respiratory arrest, CPR alone can help save a person. In Peeta's case, the shock from the forcefield caused him to enter cardiac arrest. To be precise, a defibrillator doesn't actually restart the heart; a defib overrides the electrical activity of the heart. By overriding aberrant electrical activity, you give the pacemaker cells of the heart a change to resume normal activity.
I suppose that in lieu of a defibrillator, Finnick could have tried throwing Peeta into the forcefield again? But Katniss would have definitely killed Finnick then. lol
yes! a defibrillator never actually brings someone back to life. If you put the sensors on and there's no heartbeat, you have to go back to doing CPR until there is some kind of beat. The shock just works to correct an irregular, erratic beat.
And THAT is one of the five reasons why I HATE Casino Royale.
Finnick probably should have done hands-only CPR. But I still don't really find this that unbelievable.
I wondered if anyone was going to bring that up. My brother in law has to do CPR occasionally for his work. The last five times he's done it he's ended up with five dead people with broken ribs. 🙁
At least everything else about the arena is the opposite of real life, too.
Also, I love what TV Tropes has to say about this:
In fact, a 1996 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that CPR success rates in television shows was 75%.
[…]
the resuscitated character, if of the oppositive gender, will often react by kissing their rescuer passionately. This is as opposed to the more realistic reaction of throwing up, groaning and feeling like hell.
Hee hee.
I, too, hate magical CPR and defibrillators. If Peeta's heart had stopped completely (in asystole), even a defibrillator wouldn't help him. CPR would have kept him around long enough for one of these scenes
<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_les5jnXCit1qf252qo1_500.png">
…but epi syringes falling from the sky would be too convenient.
haha, you don't put epinephrine in someone's CHEST, you might kill them. It goes in the outer thigh. 🙂
No fun! Besides, Peeta's already been pantsed once in this series.
Defibs don't restart the heart, they shock the heart out of an abnormal rhythm. And CPR works, that's why we do it.
That being said, I do know what you mean about this particular trope, and man, do I get pissed when shows/books just slap a defibrillator on a shock. But I think the author used it correctly in this one (I haven't read this scene for a while, but I don't remember it striking me as incorrect).
I love that Finnick totally defies the capitol and the gamemakers by bringing back Peeta. No matter what his actual intentions are this is a massive anti capitol thing to do. He is not playing by their rules and that rocks!!!
And I am beyond relieved that Peeta is back. I am still worried though because Peeta's character has always reeked of death. He is truly good and sacrificing which puts a huge target on him in fiction. So while I am relieved I still have a heavy heart when it comes to him. I tried not to get too attached but I already am. I am not sure if this helps soften that target or if our hearts are just being toyed with by Collins. I will be devastated if he dies just like I was for Cinna who wormed his way into my heart.
Hooray Peeta! As for Finnick, I can see two possible motivations. Obviously, if he were legitimately playing the games, bringing back Peeta might seem to be counter-productive. If you think of the results, though, it strengthens his alliance and pretty much eliminates the possibility of him getting killed in his sleep. Also, he doesn't really seem to take Peeta seriously as a competitor, so keeping him alive might seem a small price to pay for a little security.
As to why he did it, it could be because he's a great guy, with no intentions of actually playing the Games as intended. In that case, he has no intentions of betraying his allies, and is currently trying to figure out how to get out of this mess. On the other hand, he could just be really tricky. Katniss+bow-and-arrow is a really impressive ally, and saving Peeta will keep her on his side till the end. Or until he betrays her. I personally think Finnick's awesome, so I'm hoping he's not plotting Katniss' death.
I guess all that horrific emotional stress right before the Games sort of worked to Katniss advantage, though. She totally seems like a crazily hormonal girl right now, which must keep the pregnancy story alive and well in the Capitol. I thought her ear lie was a pretty good idea, though. I wonder if those doctors are being interrogated by frantic government officials right now.
Also, creepy fog that blisters exposed skin. Maybe mustard gas? RUN KatPeeMagsNick!
Magick Katpee.
Oh, I like that one better. I think I'll call the alliance Magick Katpee from now on!
Magick Katpee is awesome!
That is the BEST NAME EVER.
BLISTERING MIST RUN!
<img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x374/eeshannon/Gifs/cory.gif?t=1295026331">
But, Peeta is alive!
<img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x374/eeshannon/Gifs/loveactually.gif?t=1295026362">
What's gonna happen?
<img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x374/eeshannon/Gifs/idunno.gif?t=1295026426">
(Well, actually I do know, but whatever :D)
Gahh I am so excited for you to read this book. Shit gets so real.
A+ Love Actually gif
😀 Ikr <3
My interpretation of Mags and the nuts in this chapter:
Katniss: It could be poison!
Mags: I survived to be 80 years old in this fucked up society. Your argument is invalid.
Also, Mags is 80. This is the 75th Hunger Games. Does she remember anything from her childhood about life BEFORE the Hunger Games? I crave serious backstory about how Panem got this way, I mean I know they explain the purpose of the Games, I JUST WANT MORE.
ooooh that is interesting!
I always wonder that, too – Mags would have been a bitty little thing, but she still would've been around before this madness started. It's a really interesting thing to think of 😀
Mags = Ultimate BAMF. I love how she's basically in the arena going "What? Screw this, I'm going to enjoy myself – ya'll can panic, but I'm gonna have me some lunch and a nap." XD
You mentioned fanart?
<img src=http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/208/2/4/Fangirls_by_likeasombodee.jpg>
THE BEST FRAME IS MAGS
Finnick…is…sparkling *twitches*
Razmatazz. rofl
SEXY razmatazz
This is the best fanart of all time. MAGS!!! HAHAHAHHAHHAHA. Upvotes forever!!
I am in love with this fancomic. WIN.
I love it!
THIS MAKES UP FOR THE LACK OF CPR FANART. Also, I don't think anything could top this. XD
Can anyone else just hear Finnick's deep yet OH-YOU!-sounding voice saying "Mags I heard that! :D"
If so, can you hear Katniss facepalm-ing?
Oh.My.Gee. Where did you get this and where can I find more??? I'm like silently crying over here trying not to bust out laughing and waking every one up!!
~Mandii
Reviews and stuff at: http://thelifeofmandii.wordpress.com/
dude, the Capitol is probably so pissed that Peeta didn't die
<img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/Sparks_and_Sunshine/GIFs/tumblr_lb61fyHmqd1qacbaw.gif" border="0" alt="firefly – boo Pictures, Images and Photos"/>
BUT I'M NOT
<img src="http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/Outinthe_black/firefly%20gifs/jaynewhimperface.gif" border="0" alt="Jayne whimper Pictures, Images and Photos"/>
but seriously, who is this Finnick guy? Is he Jesus? I DEMAND AN ANSWER IMMEDIATELY
<img src="http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/Outinthe_black/firefly%20gifs/malcloseupgun.gif" border="0" alt="Mal close up gun Pictures, Images and Photos"/>
BUT WHY ARE THEY BLISTERING WHYYY
<img src="http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss23/tanukichu/GIF/4xZg38YX0jc0ytjglMKzCJsfo1_500.gif" border="0" alt="Doctor Horrible Pictures, Images and Photos"/>
JOSS GIFS TO EXPLAIN THINGS.
THANK YOU FOR THESE GIFS. I've been needing some Jossgif in my life.
JOSS GIFS. Firefly + Dr Horrible = Happy Evey 😀
(Also, that last gif is really hypnotizing…)
Yeah, it is… B)
I can't believe Katniss didn't recognise the kiss of life. Her mother is a doctor! But I guess Katniss didn't really like to stick around while mom was doing her thing. Idk, it's just that the kiss of life is such a recognisable thing for me, I thought it was obvious from the second Finnick started pinching Peeta's nose what he was doing. It's probably not that odd that she didn't know what was going on, and that's just me.
From the chapter: "Once in a blue moon, I've seen my mother try something similar, but not often. If your heart fails in District 12, it's unlikely your family could get you to my mother in time, anyway."
There you go!
Haha, that gif is excellent. My thoughts exactly, Red.
Also: between the seasoned killers, and the bells, and the confusing layout…this arena is definitely creepier than the first one. When I first read this I could not even begin to guess what would happen next.
Peeta was only mostly dead! Huzzah!
And I love Finnick so much for bringing him back. I mean, it confused the hell out of me. There is no logical reason to save the life of someone that you're involved in a fight to the death with. And yet, he does it. With no hesitation. Yeah, this is the chapter Finnick won me over.
Peeta is alive and Mags is a BAMF!
All is well in the world.
If this were HP, a whole new ship would've been "canon". But this is the Hunger Games and nobody cares about Finnick kissing Peeta, they care about who wins the friggin' games! xD
<img src="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/253/3/3/finnick_peeta_by_hetalialuver123-d2yg90c.jpg">
<img src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/257/9/b/hg___finnick_and_peeta_by_tasha_hamelin-d2yqove.jpg">
there's some PeetaxFinnick at the meme's, but they're spoilerish so I can't post them. Le sigh.
I got the impression that the animal Katniss caught and ate was a koala, actually. It makes sense that Katniss wouldn’t know what they were, and koalas totally do drink water out of the inside of trees…
How awesome would it be if there were kangaroos or other freaky Australian wildlife showing up in the arena?
Hmm I was thinking it was a sloth…
Trying this again (maybe this time the table will be right side up).
I kinda want to reformat this to include more information.
<img src="http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m593/the_mauve_avenger/HG75Day1.jpg">
So, at the end of day one: eight dead (only three of whom are named); Brutus's flotation device is damaged, presumed defunct; Peeta's weak from electrocution; and Gloss was stabbed in the leg by Katniss.
DId I miss anything before the
end themeanthem?Was there really someone named Woof? Man, why wasn't he in last year's Games? He'd be the perfect muttation!
I…I have a guess as to what's going on. I haven't read the books. But I won't comment in this post just in case I'm right, which might promote spoilery comments. I'll wait for Monday, where I think all will be revealed.
For most of this chapter, I was so amazed that nobody realized that water was in the trees. Then it took them forever to figure out the gift Haymitch sent….
But really, i like this alliance, especially Mags. 🙂
Yes, my first thought as soon as they showed that there were no other ponds or lakes except the salty one was that the only other option was for the water to be IN the trees or plants. I was gritting my teeth just willing Katniss to figure that out and was relieved when she finally did. 😀
I dunno, when they got the spile I was completely stumped as to what it might be. Maybe it's just because I live in the city, and to us 'getting liquids from trees' is having a drink from a drinking fountain… 😛
The same for me. The only time I'd heard about 'the getting sap from trees' thing was when I was six and read all the The Little House on the prarie books
AHAHAHA I LOVE THIS BOOK. <3 Also, I love this arena. I remember being so confused and WTF about what was going on and then when they figure it out, well…. you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?
Still not prepared.
Weird fog that gives you blisters? Um…RUN?!
Also…only because you asked for it, Mark:
<img src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/265/8/3/cpr__oh__please__by_chii_kawaii_chan-d2z9kdy.png">
Credit: CPR? Oh, please. by Chii-Kawaii-Chan on deviantart
I realize upon rereading this chapter that the whole thing with Peeta's heart and CPR is a little unlikely – that is, more unlikely than you'd originally think. I was under the impression that CPR usually can't actually restart a heart – we were told in lifeguard training that you need a defibrillator for that. I'm only going off of hearsay, though Wikipedia does back me up, and I'm sure there's exceptions, it's just that it's one of those things that's inaccurate but used in television/movies/books all the time.
DON'T BRING SCIENCE INTO THIS
I was confused too, but only because it didn’t make sense to me that CPR would help someone who got electrocuted. I was actually a little dissapointed that Peeta lived. Katniss’s constant denial of her love for him is annoying and also Peeta’s devotion to keeping Katniss alive is annoying.
boiling, sugary fog? you've got to be kidding me.
What I don't understand about the arena is why the Gamemakers built it so small. If Katniss climbed up a mid sized tree and was able to see from one edge of the arena to the other, that means it has to be reasonably small. What would be the benefit of that? Were they hoping that if the tributes survived the initial bloodbath they would walk straight into the forcefield and electrocute themselves? The whole thing seems fishy to me.
Maybe to prevent tributes (like Katniss did last Game) getting far enough away to buy themselves some time?
I guess, but since everyone knows that Haymitch has actually been paying attention to Katpee, Snow should assume that Haymitch told them about finding the edge of the arena and how he used it to his advantage. Although maybe that was the point. Snow assumed they would go looking for the edge and this time he would use an electric fence which would kill Katpee. Either Snow is tricky or I'm overthinking it.
But remember, Snow doesn't design the arena; the GameMakers do (think the berries fiasco- the GMs actually have a lot of power in this).
I think a smaller arena=all the tributes in close proximity to each other=Snow wanting the Games over ASAP.
Yeah I agree. Maybe he doesn't want the Capitol to get so reattached to all their favourite victors that they stop enjoying it… And he doesn't want to give the Capitol residents a chance to get angry with him over the whole 'pregnancy' thing? I don't know why it is but I definitely agree that he wants it over quick.
(I should probably mention that I've not actually read on yet, so none of my crap theories are spoilers or anything!)
Oh Mark.. dear, sweet Mark…………… AHH SHUTUP ME!!
Anyways, my favorite Finnick line was when they first saw the silver parachute and at first no one reaches for it.
"No telling," says Finnick. "Why don't we let Peeta claim it, since he died today?"
And being a Katniss/Peeta shipper, I guess I'll point out how much I loved Katniss' reaction to when she realizes that Peeta is alive. It's like a rush of emotions and she just starts sobbing and doesn't really know why.
Oh my god I was going insane trying to figure out the various aspects of these games: Finnick, the arena, everything – I think my brain was hurting during this whole portion of the book. Seriously, Collins might not be the best author ever to author (what?), but damn, that woman knows how make me crazy 😮
Mags is such an awesome character. I love how her simple little actions add a lightness and ease to the otherwise terrifying and traumatizing circumstances that they've found themselves in. I have epic and eternal love and respect for Mags – she's the ultimate BAMF!
Oh god, Mark. Just…not prepared. Not prepared at all. How you can do this chapter-by-chapter is astounding to me (I know I say that in just about every comment I leave, but it's true). I think you're so unprepared that I'm not prepared to face your unpreparedness.
It took me most of the day to work up the courage, but I gotta say that I'm enjoying these games much more now that Katniss is involved in an alliance. We have a nice balance of characters here, and the group is JUST large enough to ward off most of the awkward romance.
The only thing that could make this any better is if––wait, what's that!? Can it be!? It seems that Haymitch has refurbished an old pirate ship, and is banging a gong to announce his arrival!
"Arr! Avast, Peg-leg Peeta! Gather yer crew, for tonight we set sail through the sugary mists! Yaaar, har-har!"
Peeta as a pirate would pretty much be the best thing ever. Granted, he can't swim, but hey, historically most pirates couldn't either.
Ha,ha-ha. Didn't you find that great comic for this chapter? If an artist ever makes 'pirate Peeta' happen, you must promise to bring it to us! 😉
Haymitch rescues everyone, the victors escape Panem, and they go sailing on a pirate ship and discover/raid the other countries that have survived the apocalypse? There is not enough yes in the world for this. No, seriously. I've decided this is how the series ends. Thank you.
(Finnick is their mascot, and Mags gets a parrot, FYI)
Oh man, that would be amazing. Finnick could just affix himself to the bow of the ship as the figurehead, dazzling any other crews they encounter. And Katniss could, uh…put on an eyepatch and tie knots! Yes!
Can I just stop reading now and ASSUME all of this happens?;)
YES YES YES YES YES.
This gets better the more I think about it. Figurehead Finnick especially. Johanna is the first-mate, because everyone else is afraid to challenge her.
I'm totally for that reading strategy.
The fog is like something from every horror movie ever fucking made. Oh God.
Have you read 'The Mist'? I'm pissing myself with worry that it will be like the mist in that!
Like, the rape trees in Evil Dead? Oh god.
I have this really strong feeling that there are a BUNCH of people that want to comment on this review, but the threat of spoilage at this point in the book is UTTERLY FREAKING HIGH. I think the people that have read this book knows what I'm talking about, haha.
Congrats, this made me erupt in half-insane laughter. 😀
yes. haha. I'm not gonna comment on anything but the most inane stuff.
best gif ever at the end, soooo funny.
I actually searched for fanart of Finnick x Peeta. Deviantart has failed me. I've only found This:
http://hetalialuver123.deviantart.com/art/Finnick…
The other one had them in cat ears.
now I want to see the one with them in cat ears^_^
WHY MUST FOG BE EVIL. I LOVE FOG.
Ok, all I can say, other than express my confusion when I first read the book, is that everyone is a certified BAMF. Seriously, Finnick and Mags built a freaking HUT and CONTAINERS and god knows what else with LEAVES. THIS IS THE BEST SKILL EVER. I think I would like to live in District 4, if it wasn't so fucked up of course.
And I don't even care if Peeta should have died because CPR wouldn't have worked or whatever, Katniss describing the "kiss" was the best moment ever. Also, I would like to see more fanart of that scene.
Mags and Finnick are great allies, but at this point I'm wondering what ever happened to Wiress and Beetee. Once the six of them come together, no one else will stand a chance!!!
The part that mentions Cecilia's death made me so sad. Why? Because she left behind three kids who will never get to see their mom again. MY HEART IS BREAKING. THANKS, COLLINS. ;_;
Also, I approve of the FinnickxPeeta (or not, haha) scene. I wish I could find fanart, but I'm pretty sure I won't find anything. Which is good and bad if you think about it.
I present…
The death toll, day 1
<img src="http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp356/Sabelyn/Deathtoll.png">
And also, CECELIA! She had three kids at home guys. Three young kids. WHY COLLINS WHY?!?
HEY! Don't disrespect the "some drunk" character. Remember Haymitch at the beginning of THG? 😉
MOAR FINNICK!!!
Oh, and because this needs to be said too– I love Mags being all nonchalant in the arena of death, and just taking the time to enjoy eating nuts and weaving.
OMG, I absolutely love these posts. So funny! This series is awesome.
[Chibis: IDK, my BFF Finnick? – Regendy]
<img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/210/6/2/Chibis__IDK__my_BFF_Finnick__by_Regendy.png" alt="" />
I AM SO IN LOVE WITH FINNICK
NEVER STOP BEING AWESOME
for some reason, he reminds me of the Weasley twins. (I think it might be the fanart I posted -with the red hair…)
But, yes,he's awesome.
In fact, THG is filled with AWESOME characters.
[random question: I wonder if Collins has ever alluded to who her favourite character is?]
I've heard things that she's SUPPOSEDLY said at fansignings, but can't say if any of those are truth or not. I'd guess she really likes Katniss, as that's her main character? (despite all the horrible things she puts Katniss through)
MARK YOU SHOULD READ GRACELING BY KRISTIN CASHORE.
I know you probably get ten million recommendations but I am SRS BSNS about this.
Also. I remain steadfast in my belief that Mags is the best at ~all the things.~ She's so badass.
There is a suggestions link at the top of the page. 🙂
Mags is jawsome.
If he does read Graceling, make sure you also suggest Fire, also by Kristen Cashore. (It's better than Graceling!)
I hate weekends, I miss mark reading/reviewing!
I know. It'sgoing to be a long weekend.
WHY MUST PART OF ME WISH IT WAS MONDAY?! This is not normal
I'm having the same feeling! I've actually been checking all morning and I've been wondering why he's so late with his post. Then I realized it's Saturday and I am all 🙁
Dangerous fog? There will be dementors.
It's pretty funny because Mark was so unprepared for everything so far, and we've all witnessed him bashing his keyboard to smithereens, but now we're all excited to read his reactions to EVEN CRAZIER SCREWED UP TWISTS THAT HE STILL ISN'T PREPARED FOR! I mean, really, Mark. You think you're a little prepared now with the Quell and all, but you're so unprepared. SO unprepared.
The day Mark is prepared is the day he's reading Twilight.
Felt this one was just as exciting as the first. I love the games in this one because of all the new challenges that they had to face. Some scary stuff.
And the evil genius of Suzanne Collins rolls on. What the hell is this fog?
You're killing your keyboard NOW?
Just you wait Mark… just you wait…
you are so not prepared AT ALL. If you thought you weren't prepared when you found out that Katniss was going back into the arena you will shit a brick at what's coming for you;)
Okay what I loved most about this chapter (and the previous one) is the fact that Finnick keeps on pulling the "pregnant" card for Katniss. I don't know what it is about this, but I find it extremely hilarious/endearing at the same time. And even though it's all fake, it still makes me loathe the Capitol EVEN MORE. It's pretty unlikely that in the previous years there would be a pregnant girl in the arena, but in this year where THEY ARE ALL ADULTS it is TOTALLY A POSSIBILITY FOR REAL. Obviously, we haven't heard about anyone being pregnant for real but Katniss proved that THE CAPITOL WOULDN'T CARE AT ALL. What if someone really was pregnant? They would still have to go in to the arena (and probably die). That is just too cruel.
Tributes are 17 and 18, it's very possible.
The capitol can go die in a fire *Evil Glare*
you know, prior to Catching Fire and Peeta's "revelation", I'd always thought that part of the prep that the girl tributes went through included getting like a hormone shot that would preclude them from having their periods in the arena (like how the boys supposedly have something done to them so they don't grow facial hair – can't remember where that's mentioned). But I guess it's not that it's not possible for kids to get pregnant, just that no one ever did? huh.
because, ok, how about this, if some girl did show up pregnant, they would have probably tested all girls SINCE her for pregnancy (and probably aborted the baby, hey it's the Capitol and they're evil) or let it ride, and as far as we know, Katniss didn't mention any such tests either time she went into the arena
oh god
the possibilities are endless I need to stop
A thing we need to keep in mind is that this all takes place in Panem. All the districts (the exceptions being the Career districts) live in poverty and are malnourished. Wouldn't that affect female tributes' (teenage girls) periods?
most likely but not for certain. It doesn't always (and not everyone's affected the same way).
Prepare to be just totally mindfucked, I will say that much. Your brain will just be blown to bits by what happens in the arena, later. YOU WILL NOT SEE IT COMING AT ALL.
I didn’t. ahahaha
I read this book in a matter of hours because I just could not put it down and it is just so mindblowingly awesome. I finished this while on break at work and decided that I had to go buy Mockingjay so I drove to Wal-Mart at midnight after my shift was over. xD
I don’t see how you can read this chapter by chapter. I would be dying of suspense. haha
I am. I'm seriously considering finishing it today instead of waiting for Mark, but there is something exciting about devouring the book chapter-by-chapter and getting everyone's thoughts before moving on. UGH, DECISIONS!
I read the whole trilogy before he even started. It's still fun to read his reviews and discuss, it just makes it a bit harder to control what I say to keep out spoilers, and to frame discussion of what MIGHT happen and not what I know did. But that's still fun on its own, makes me think more about Panem.
I think every chapter, a few more people give in and read the whole thing.
I honestly could not have read this chapter by chapter. Noooo way. haha
It was just too interesting. And like, if you think that shit's gotten real already, just wait til you get to the end of the book. Shit gets like infinity and beyond times more real.
II do think this is a really cool thing to do though.. I've already finished all the books but I went through and read all of Mark's posts for The Hunger Games and all the ones he's done on Catching Fire so far and it makes me notice a few things I might have missed while reading the books themselves. Plus I just like to see the reactions. I think it's great and I also must give Mark props for having the patience to read this chapter by chapter.
I was just rereading old Mark Reads Hunger Games, and saw this in the comments of chapter three.
This is what Mark thought of Haymitch:
"I DON'T LIKE HAYMITCH AT ALL and perhaps I am not commenting on him because in my head, if I ignore him, he will go away."
And now every other chapter ends in "MOAR HAYMITCH!"
Yeah, that's what I was like too when I first read it, but now he's one of my favorite characters (second only to Cinna).
ahhhhhhhhhh I was right about the trees! o.o Also the force field +returning, kinda! WILL THERE BE HAZARDOUS SPONSOR GIFTS? SECRET TUNNELS TO DISTRICT 13? MAYBE wait…. PREDICTION TIME
1. Anti-sponsor gifts. Not letting that go. They've been set up as positive for so long, it would be like Collins to flip that.
2. TUNNELS TO DISTRICT 13 with boss rush mode beforehand to kill off Katpee's allies.
3. SECTIONS OF THE ARENA WILL DROP OFF/BE BLOCKED OFF TO DEMINISH IT. I mean, it's like a wheel, right? Maybe sections of it will be blocked off, gradually forcing the tributes toward each other. Maybe whomever is caught in those disappearing sections will die horribly.
4. uhhhh remaining morphling has Obfuscating Stupidity?
5. SHARKTOPUS. Or, the miniocean is deadly after the initial dipping.
6. FOG. THE ARENA IS TURNING INTO SILENT FUCKING HILL. ONLY INSTEAD OF SIRENS, IT'S BELLS TOLLING FOR THEE. HOLES APPEAR AND VANISH. RADIOS GO WONKY. FINNICK TURNS INTO A DEEP ONE wait
This weekend has been torturous without any new chapters! Baaah..!!!
I loved how this chapter ended all WTF?!?!?!? Of course I couldn't put it down!!
Once again Mark, you're so unprepared! Which reminds me…there was some strange preview before The Green Hornet and it just kept flashing on the screen "You are so unprepared" "You were never prepared"…made me think of this site haha
In other news kids! I finally did my dreamcasting for THG, you can check it here: http://thelifeofmandii.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/6…
Little preview:
<img src="http://i52.tinypic.com/nlwl84.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">
~Mandii <a href="http://thelifeofmandii.wordpress.com/” target=”_blank”>http://thelifeofmandii.wordpress.com/
I’m not even reading this review yet because I haven’t re-read chapters 19 and 20.
I just came across http://www.jamesvandermemes.com/ and thought you people would like to be made aware.
You’re welcome.
Here we are again, my initial thoughts upon reading this chapter:
Finnick’s CPR on Peeta is perplexing. First of all, he’s district 4, and there’s a very good chance Peeta killed BD4 last year at the bloodbath. Maybe Finnick wasn’t the mentor last year, but still, that was a boy from his District. Secondly, what did that accomplish except to make it necessary to kill one more tribute in order to win? Is he devious enough to do it JUST to make Katniss have to owe him for something?
I had to look up “spile” to see if it was a real object. I wonder how much it cost? It seems to be more of a convenience than a necessity – they could probably cut deep enough into a tree to access the water with the tools they already have, so the only reason for sending it is to tell Katniss “THERE’S WATER IN THE TREES YOU IDIOT.”
Mags is very useful. She seems to be taking it for the team as a poison tester. What is her ulterior motive???
What’s with the bell? Is it related to the fog? The bell scares me more than Fog of Death, which is pretty scary by itself.
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RIP Cecelia and your totally normal name. I kind of wonder why Katniss doesn't seem at all bothered by how many arrows she's used. In THG, she was so conscious of how many she had left and here, she's just shooting into air. I'm really glad Beetee and Wiress made it out alive the first day. Let's hope Katniss finally gets that alliance she wants and they find a way to break the force field and flee into the sunset.
Last but not least: FINNICK!!! YOU DO NOT PUNCH PREGNANT WOMEN!