This is an excellent start to a new series by Tana French. The two main characters: mysterious teenager Trey Reddy and retired, emotionally scared Cal Hooper are especially appealing. At first Cal doesn't know what to make of Trey. He isn't even certain if she is male or female. She dresses in androgenous clothes and reveals nothing about her life. All he knows is Trey is persistent. Once she learns he was a detective, she is determined to enlist Cal's help in finding her beloved older brother, one of the few people in Trey's life who has shown her kindness. The novel shows the insularity of rural Irish life where villagers close ranks even when something very bad has occurred. This is a wonderful mystery which slowly develops the friendship and trust between Trey, whose home life is blighted by a mother who can barely cope and an absent, ner'do-well father. The ending and the reasons for the "murder" are beyond tragic. The prose is poetic and fitting for the lyricism of the Irish countryside.

I have loved this series since the first book, and this novel deepens the reader's understanding of this brutal, extravagant, spectacle of a Rome in its last days society. Haymitch Abernathy is a fascinating character, part good, part bad, a true chiaroscuro of morality. In this novel, we see him younger more idealistic, before loss and alcoholism ate away at him, and yet at the kernel we see the beginnings of his pragmatic, blase outer shell. There are numerous parallels to the first Hunger Games novel and here we meet young versions of Effie Trinket and Caesar Flickerman, along with a young and tragic Maysilee Donner. The writing pulls the reader in from the first page and keeps you turning the pages right up until the tragic end that explains the mystery of why Haymitch behaves the way he does as a mentor to Peeta and Katniss. Excellent addition to The Hunger Games pantheon!

I did not like Ripley as a character and she didn't see any need to change until the very last second and then she was still irrating after learning.

A hilarious book with goofy graphics and a great storyline. But what happened to the pirates was a little dark

I don’t like the mean goblins

I enjoyed Mia and love hearing more on nell's growth still didn't like Ripley but it would have been better if the final battle was more then 1 spell.

Good

Very great early reader books. Provides a little lesson in the beginning to prepare the reader for all the words used in the book including the characters names. I like that they include sight words and simple words that cab be sounded out. I like the questions at the end which allow you to engage with your child.

I love that it’s encouraging people to change their lifestyle instead of slouching on the couch the whole day

This novel introduced the reader to the gruesome and brutal world of the Hunger Games. It focuses on the dynamics of the Capitol immediately following a devastating civil war, where the leaders decide to punish the rebellious districts by demanding female and male tributes in a manner reminiscent of the ancient Greek Theseus myths. What is most fascinating in this novel is the origin story of the series most sadistic villain: Coriolanus Snow. As I read, it surprised me how much Collins can make the reader understand his overarching ambition, his continual fear of losing status and his single minded determination to regain the wealth and prestige his family enjoyed before the predations of the war. As Corio continually reminds himself: "snow always lands on top" no matter what. His dynamic with Lucy Gray is simultaneously repellent and intriguing. He is attracted to her free spirit even as he considers himself her superior in every way. This is a must read novel to understand the origins of the Hunger Games universe.