I fear I don’t have words for how much this book broke me and got me fully immersed back into the life of panem 😭 I adore young haymitch as much as older haymitch - and boy did this hit the spot!

from the synopsis and few details received about haymitch’s games in the first hunger games, I knew it was going to be trauma-filled, but hot dang suzanne collins really outdid herself! this is her most emotional, bloodiest, most political chapter yet!!!!

there were so many lovely callbacks to the original series as well as snow’s book, and I love that collins took the time to connect the dots - it truly felt like an avengers assemble moment 

and while that was a highlight for me, I also adored all of the newer faces that brought new meanings into haymitch’s past. maysilee is 100% a new fan favorite for me - we have to stan using snarky comebacks and dark humor to disguise trauma and pain 😗✌🏼

the concept of the games themselves was the backdrop of the story, but it was truly a character heavy plot and story that was just beautiful and heartbreaking to watch 🫶🏼 

rating: 5 stars 
wine pairing: plum wine