Reading it from Snow's perspective was really off-putting at first, but then I started reading his internal monologue as if it was Joe Goldberg from YOU and it became more palatable. I hated the character but also really liked learning about the evolution of the Hunger Games. It was a confusing emotional journey.
Re-read on audiobook. I remember hiding in the library at school reading this in 4th grade, being absolutely shocked about bras and periods (we didn't have the internet back then, friends!). I did not, however, remember the very frank discussion of religion. She's “no religion” and goes on an exploration tour through Judaism, Christianity, and catholicism to see what feels right to her. For a YA book from 1970, I am impressed.
Extremely vulnerable woman finds herself manipulated into becoming a shareholder of a multinational conglomerate. She “falls in love” with the CEO, a billionaire who grieves the fact that he can never be a normal guy as he flies off to the Hamptons in his helicopter. Don't even get me started about how he makes life decisions for her without her knowledge or consent, and we're expected to view it as chivalrous. The power imbalance feels icky.
However: if this book were rewritten from the point of view of Smuckers the Dog, I would give it 100 out of 10 stars.
I hated this and feel like my life is worse having read it. The plot was so disjointed and didn't make any sense. The logic they use to solve clues is insane. I groaned and rolled my eyes constantly. The pop culture references so endearingly sprinkled into the first book were now gratuitous and contrived. The characters I loved and rooted for in the first book were so unlikable in the sequel that I honestly did not care what happened to them and kind of hoped they'd fail at their quest. And while I'd braced myself to be disappointed by a tidy ending, the actual ending made me feel gross and almost violated. This was awful and it has ruined the first book for me. How am I supposed to root for Wade and his pals to win the contest in the first book, knowing what a garbage human he becomes? I regret reading this book.