I finished this book. In one day. I am not okay. This was everything and it broke me and I honestly think it altered my brain chemistry. I may never love another book again. This book is burned into me and all day I've felt myself zoning out just thinking about it and the whole series.

This book was everything we needed it to be. It was the glue on the series. It was the missing piece that I didn't know was missing. It explained so much, portrayed so much, and it was pain. The pain of knowing what was coming and still wishing for something different (both Haymitch and the reader). The gaslighting, the indoctrination, the dig at AI, the manipulation of history - this book shows us what really happened in the past when we think we already know the full story. It gives us such a clear and different picture.  I loved seeing beloved characters from the future. I loved all the nods and ties to THG trilogy.

This is the story that we don't usually see in dystopian fiction - the try to fight and seeing failure instead of triumph.

I loved it so much even though it might be the MOST painful book I have ever read.

Audiobook note: DO IT! IT'S SO GOOD, RAW, EMOTIONAL.