I think I may have tossed the book across the room.

I felt like doing that! And the thing is, I actually like the way the scene was written, and I admire Collins for being so hardcore (I can just imagine that the Hollywood adaptation will not be so hardcore), and it's not like it was completely random, as we knew Prim was being trained to be a medic, so there's a deliciously horrible irony at play, especially given that this entire goddamn series was kicked off by Katniss's trying to save Prim's life, and now Prim dies in the rebellion Katniss inspired.

But seriously. Jesus Christ.

I totally agree. I also really admired her for just not being afraid to kill her off. IT did makes sense, Prim was in training to be a medic, and she would have wanted to be there to help. And the fact that it's the double-exploding bombs that Gale and Beetee had been designing that got her, just...... ouch. Although, I know that Katniss doesn't even decide herself at if she thinks Coin or Snow who authorized that attack. They were certainly both capable. I know I have my opinion on that front, but, I was shocked that she went there. It's incredibly harsh, but I sort of appreciate when writers don't pull punches, which is probably why I liked this series so much.

And the fact that it's the

Oh crap, I didn't even pick up on that, holy shit. I couldn't figure out who the hell authorized the attack either, and I gather by your response it's not supposed to be clear? Because the Peacekeepers were surprised, which implies that either it was the rebels or that Snow is a giant asshole who likes blowing up kids for no reason, but the rebel medics went in immediately, which implies that they were standing at the ready to provide medical attention after they blew up a bunch of kids. I don't know why Snow would blow up the kids, and I don't know why the rebels would have sent the medics in if they were responsible since they would have known the bombs were going to go off again. Incredibly poor communication/planning? Coin doesn't give a shit about anyone anymore? But it must have been the rebels, if they were the bombs Gale and Beetee designed.

It's incredibly harsh, but I sort of appreciate when writers don't pull punches, which is probably why I liked this series so much.

I can appreciate it too, but I don't have to enjoy it.

Right, I don't /enjoy/ it in the traditional sense, but.... appreciate is probably a much better word. I obviously don't enjoy the tons of dead people in these books. That's no fun. And regarding what I said in my last post, it's definitely supposed to be unclear. Gale and Beetee were talking about designing a bomb that did that, but you can infer whatever you want from it, I think. It's not like either side wouldn't have had the technology to do it.

Steph, I'm over half way with Mortal Coil, and OMG I don't think I like where this is going. I can only read 5 or 10 pages a day 'cause it's my lunchtime reading but man, I'm afraid!

Be afraid. I'm still kind of bug-eyed over a thing. I can't wait until you finish it!

Be afraid

Crap! If it goes where I think it's going, then CRAP! And if so, then Derek Landy is hard core!

If it goes where I think it's going, then CRAP!

Where do you think it's going? I will neither confirm nor deny or even hint. In fact, I will just reply with a post consisting of "Huh." I'm just curious.

Well, I finished the Hunger Games trilogy - emotionally wrenching, to say the least.

Question re Beetee - does he like echidnas?

Where do you think it's going

One of two ways remnant in Val = Darquesse or remnant in Val's reflection but I'm not sure how that could happen. Just seems like that's where it's going. And either way, it's not good.

One of two ways

Huh. (Just like I promised!)