Book Reads And Analysis

but mike only just realized his own feelings

Mike needs to be needed. He wants to lead, to protect, and to support. He couldn’t do that with Eleven: She doesn’t need him. That was his insecurity in that relationship. This relationship made him no longer the Dungeon Master

But Will needs Mike. Mike makes him feel normal, and sane, and gives him courage. Mike makes him feel wanted and loved. And the moment Mike is told by Will (even if it’s in disguise as El’s feelings), Mike becomes the Leader again; the one making plans, the one leading the group and protecting everyone. Will makes Mike his best self by needing him

Will needs to be supported. He needs affection, and love, and to be believed in. His darkest moments are when he’s alone, he’s scared, and is being told he isn’t capable and not important

But Mike believes in Will. Mike believes Will is magic, that he can fight back if he finds the strength, can be a spy if he finds the will. Mike telling Will he believes in him allows Will to unlock his powers, to take control of the hive mind, to save everyone. Mike makes Will his best self by supporting him

Season 4: Mike tells El he loves her, and then Max dies and the Upside Down merges with Hawkins, starting the apocalypse

Season 5: Mike tells Will he could be a sorcerer and then Will unlocks abilities and saves everyone by remembering childhood memories with Mike and accepting who he is

And hear me out

Mileven on again off again season 5. Byler yearning. Right as Will confesses his love to Mike, Mike is brutally murdered before he can answer

Will and El grieve him together. And because Mike didn’t get to answer Will, we have 0 clue if he felt the same way

No one is happy. Who Mike truly loved is open to interpretation forever

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes, a perfect 5 stars. This is the best Hunger Games book

Characters

This has reminded me why Haymitch has always been my favorite character. He is so much more complex than some people gave him credit before this book. He was never just a “drunken asshole” who had a soft side, he is a deeply traumatized person who closed himself off due to all his loved ones being killed. Seeing Haymitch before his trauma was devastating, especially because he has such a big heart (which I’ve been saying but some people didn’t listen!). He loves his ma, brother, and girlfriend so much. He grows to love his fellow tributes so much. He even decides the bunnies are his allies! Then the last 40ish pages destroyed me because we saw him break in real time and turn to alcohol to deal with his grief. His PTSD is so bad, it’s genuinely some of the worst PTSD I’ve ever encountered in a book before. Haymitch is the best Hunger Games character

The side characters were also outstanding. The ones that stood out the most to me were Maysilee, Lou Lou, Wellie, and Ampert, and all of their deaths hit me. It was like Haymitch had multiple Rue’s. Maysilee had so much unexpected depth; helping the tributes with their tokens, despite being the most stuck up girl in town, wanting to make the Capitol pay for what they’ve done. She was an outstanding character. Lou Lou is a tragic character. We don’t even know her real name or personality, that’s how deeply horrible her story is. Wellie stuck with me because of how much and deeply she bonded to Haymitch. The scene of her and Haymitch in the tree with chocolates is one of the most memorable parts of the book for me. Ampert is another one whose story is just so tragic. He was punished for his dad’s defiance

Of the returning characters, I was most moved by Mags. Even though her role in the story was small, she left such a lasting impact on Haymitch. Even in the arena, he thought it’s okay to cry to her. Wiress was also a lovely surprise, as was Beetee. Plutarch finally became a character I care about and remember. The seeds of the rebellion being planted was fascinating, and I appreciated the acknowledgement the rebellion didn’t start and end with Katniss; people had been trying for years, she was just the spark

Plot

On the surface level, this book is about Haymitch’s games and how he doomed his family and girlfriend during it by trying to break the arena. Now, in Catching Fire it is shown that Haymitch finds a force field at the end of the arena, and then we he fights the other last tribute, he accidentally uses it to fling her weapon back at her. But it’s implied there’s more to the story. Why did this get his whole family killed? Katniss’ stunt with the berries didn’t get her whole family killed, and that was intentional! It’s been implied forever there was more to Haymitch’s games year, and now we finally get it. It wasn’t just the force field, Haymitch had defied the Capitol every step of the way as soon as he landed in there. And he suffers the worst consequences one can think of for it. While the whole book was great, the moments that stick out the most to me are:

Haymitch being threatened by Snow. Every part of this scene, from Haymitch drinking the milk to try and stop Snow from being saved, to Snow projecting onto Haymitch, to saying Haymitch should be thanking him for giving him the option to choose how he dies, to the horrifying Lou Lou reveal. Every part of this scene was written in a way that is so horrifying it sticks with you the rest of the book

The last 40ish pages, or as soon as Haymitch wakes up in the hovercraft to the end of the book. This sequence felt like it was out of a horror movie. Haymitch waking up chained and watching a snake eat a bunny, to being isolated with nothing but milk and rolls. He was shown disturbing footage of old Games, handcuffed and taken to his Victor Party where he sees the other Victors who helped with this plot have been tortured. Snow threatening him again, and him being locked in a cage at the party and treated like an animal. Haymitch had to ride home knowing Maysilee, Louella, and Wyatt’s bodied were right next to him. He got home to his family being burned. Then gave Lenore Dove the poisoned gumdrop. Haymitch’s PTSD during all of this is so genuinely devastating, he is having nightmares, and shutting down, and terrified. This is the best written part of the book, and the best written part of the whole series

Themes

On a deeper level, this book is about implicit submission, propaganda, why do we let the few control the many? It’s about abuse of power, corrupt governments, and all the usual Hunger Games themes like how American capitalism is evil, classism is evil, we are desensitized to violence. This book explores these themes in both subtle ways and big grand ways. These are obviously very worthwhile themes to explore, and this book does so with care. Haymitch wondering who is he, to take down the Capitol. But little does he know how much trouble he is causing it. Plutarch asking why didn’t you just have a rebellion in the training room? Why don’t the districts rebel?

Will is going to save himself from Vecna in Season 5

Many people know Vecna targets Will in season 5, but the general opinion seems to be that Eleven will save him from Vecna. But I think Will is going to save himself. Going into season 5, we already know that Will is the main character. The Duffers have said it numerous tines at this point, and here they say:

Will is used to being the one that’s “protected.” This implies part of Will growing up will be learning how to protect himself

We also know Vecna targets Will this season. In the marketing leaks, Vecna says to Will, “We are going to such beautiful things together, Will.” And he calls Will his “vessel,” “spy,” and “builder.”

So what if when Vecna targets Will, either in similar ways he targeted Max and his other season 4 victims, or more like how he targeted Will in season 2 and attempts to use him as vessel again, I think Will is going to save himself, and his connection to the Upside Down will he a big reason how

Episode 3 of season 5 is called, “The Turnbow Trap,” while it’s unclear exactly what this means, it probably either a trap the characters lay for Vecna, or, like my opinion, a trap Vecna lays for the characters, or also in my opinion, specifically Will. Because then episode 4 is titled, “Sorcerer.”

As we all know, Will’s DnD character is a wizard, and sorcerer is literally another name for wizard. I think episode 3 is going to be Will falling into Vecna’s trap, the other characters going to save him, but before they can, Will saves himself. It would fit that Will is used to being the one that’s protected, but now he can save himself. And I think because the next episode is called, “Sorcerer,” Will’s connection to the Upside Down will play a role in how he saves himself, and this episode he’ll be trying to learn to control and use this connection against Vecna and the other monsters

Season 1

How does Will survive a week in the Upside Down?

Barb was taken to the Upside Down, in a really similar way to Will, she died instantly. But Will somehow survives a week, despite being apparently attacked and taken there by a demogorgan, and the Upside Down is toxic and filled with monsters and parasites. How did he survive?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

We know that season 5 is a Will centric season and there will be flashbacks to season 1, so I’m going to say yes, this gun will go off

Hopper gives up Eleven to save Will

In 1x08, Hopper gives up El’s location to Brenner. The deal Hopper makes with Brenner is that in exchange for letting him and Joyce save Will from the upside down, he will tell him where Eleven is, and that he can’t hurt the boys if they try to protect her

Since this season, Hopper has adopted El and they’ve become father and daughter. Eleven still doesn’t know Hopper gave her up to Brenner in season 1

Will this gun go off in season 5?

At this point, I don’t think so. I think if it was going to go off, it would have in season 4. With Brenner now dead, I don’t know how El will find out now unless Hopper tells her, and I don’t see him ever doing that. He was ashamed of this, and part of the deal was that no one would ever get told. If he hasn’t told her yet, he’s not going to, so I’m going to say this gun will not go off

Eleven recognizing Will

In 1x02, Eleven points to the picture of Will in Mike’s basement, and recognizes him. She knows he was taken into the Upside Down. But how can she know this? Will was attacked by Vecna/Demogorgan in season 1 and taken immediately to the Upside Down from his shed. During this, Eleven seemingly was busy escaping the lab. How did she recognize Will?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

This is another one that I think has passed its due date. If they were going to give us an explanation, 4 seasons later is kind of insane, especially because El and Will have interacted before this. I think this is another one that would’ve gone off in season 2 or 3 if it was going to, so I’m going to say this gun will not go off

Will’s kidnapping seems like a Vecna kidnapping

When will is taken to the Upside Down, there are clock chimes, and the door to his house is unlocked by what looks like telekinesis. Was it really a demogorgan that kidnapped him, or was it Vecna?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

Well, I think it’s a yes. It’s been leaked that Vecna calls Will his “vessel” and “builder” which implies that Vecna personally chose Will to be his vessel, which would, of course, mean Vecna is the one that took Will

Season 2

The tunnels

In season 2, we learn there are Upside Down tunnels under Hawkins… and they haven’t been mentioned since this season. How did they get here? Why did they form?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

We have a bts photo of Will giving what appears to be a presentation. There is speculation that he is giving a presentation on the tunnels from season 2, but that’s just speculation, not confirmed. However, I am going to say this gun will go off

Why did Vecna choose Will?

Obviously, Will is the first victim of Vecna. When Will is in the Upside Down and gets found out in his hiding spot, he miraculously doesn’t get killed immediately, but rather implanted with vines and parasites, which he coughs up in the real world after being saved, which creates Dart, aka, a demogorgan in the real world. Will also gets possessed by the Mind Flayer/Vecna and becomes the access point to the real world. Why Will though?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

Again, we know season 5 is Will centric, and that Vecna calls Will his “vessel” and “builder.” So it looks to be a definite yes, this will he answered

Kali, 008

Aka, another girl who was experimented on by Brenner. She appears in one episode, and then is never mentioned again basically. But why introduce her to never see her again?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

I hope not. This is the first episode I didn’t like, and still one of the only ones I don’t like. But also, I think they seemed to retcon her in season 4 when we see lots if other kids in the Rainbow Room and they all have telekinesis so I’m going to say no

Season 3

Will still has a connection to Vecna/The Upside Down

In the season 2 finale, Will is supposedly released from the Hive Mind of the Upside Down. So why then, can Will still sense the Mind Flayer/Vecna in seasons 3 and 4? Will’s connection is so strong in season 4, he can confirm Vecna isn’t dead and that he’s just hurt, and that he won’t stop. That connection sounds strong to me. Why does this connection remain when Will has been freed of the Hive Mind?

Will this gun go off in season 5?

Again, this is a clear yes, I think, for all the reasons I’ve already said

Season 4

Jonathan’s college lie

Nancy and Jonathan have plans to attend the same college, but Jonathan instead wants to go to a community college that he has already been accepted into. When Nancy asks if Jonathan got any letters from college yet, instead of having a conversation about his feelings and new intentions, he decides to lie to her and say he hasn’t gotten any letters

Will this gun go off in season 5?

This is another definite yes, because this very well be the deciding factor of if they are endgame or not. It all depends on how Nancy takes being lied to

Nancy’s lingering feelings for Steve

In season 4, Nancy and Steve become a pair again after being separated for season 3 and most of season 2. Nancy seems to still like him, even being cut off/interrupted when he asks her if she does. At the end of the season, even Jonathan clocks this when Nancy tells him Steve has “grown a lot.” Why include all this? There must be a purpose…

Will this gun go off in season 5?

It’s honestly hard to say. I don’t think they’d get Stanch back together just to break them up again. If they get back together in season 5, they’re endgame. And again, they had to include this for a reason, otherwise why not just not do all that? But honestly, I’m going to say no, this will not go off. I still think Jancy is endgame

Max’s letters

Before Max’s first Vecna attack, and she was certain she would not make it, she wrote everyone a letter. These letters have still not been read

Will this gun go off in season 5?

I know a lot of people think the answer is yes, but I’m going to say no. I don’t think it would play any huge role in the plot, not with the big time jump, and if it is written into the story for them all to read their letters, it would be emotional purpose only

Will’s painting lie

Will painted Mike their party attacking a three headed dragon, and with Mike at the center of the attack. Will gave Mike the painting when Mjke was feeling insecure about his relationship El. Will lied to Mike, saying El commissioned the painting and made his own feelings seem like El’s feelings to give Mike confidence about their relationship

Will this gun go off in season 5?

This is another clear yes, because this honestly may prevent Mileven from being endgame. Mike only re-gained his confidence around El because of Will’s feelings that he said were really El’s. And I’m sure about one thing, if this painting lie goes off, Mileven is in no way endgame

Will’s in love with Mike

This goes hand in hand with the above. At the end of season 4, we learn Will is not only gay, but in love with Mike

Will this gun go off?