Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games)

Love this POV… super graphic

I was so happy she added Haymitch's backstory to this series I hope she continues this back story she could DEFINATELY continue this story and Snow's!

“I'm Haymitch Abernathy from District Twelve. I shouldn't be here. I was reaped illegally, but no one cares. My neighbor, Louella McCoy, was the only person here I gave a hang about, but you killed her and brought in a body double. So, that kind of frees me up to win these Games…and get back to the girl I risked everything for and the family I had a touching good-bye with.” Haymitch’s risk is the greatest because he has the most to lose. President Snow “tries to strip him of everything: family, friends, lover, job, community, liberty, happiness, and the freedom to love anyone. His personal stakes couldn’t be higher.” But before he goes, his love Lenora gifts him with a token of luck and love, “pretty with a purpose…It's a thin strip of metal, shaped like a C. My fingers naturally grip the curved back as I examine the colorful animals facing off at the opening. The head of a snake hisses at the beak of a long-necked bird. I flatten out my hand and see that their enameled scales and feathers travel around the piece until they merge and become indistinguishable. Two small rings are welded on, one behind each head. For a chain…The smooth steel edge isn't solely decorative. ‘It's a flint striker’...It takes a lot to break these two. They're survivors. I love it...And I love you like all-fire." "From the Capitol's perspective, the Games are the best propaganda we have. You tributes, you're our stars. You carry it out. But only if we control the narrative. Don't let us…No more implicit submission for you, Haymitch Abernathy. Blow that water tank sky high. The entire country needs you to." “Maybe it does make a difference if I resist as best I can. Maybe this is where I paint my own poster.” Implicit submission, the uncertainty of inductive reasoning, propaganda, love. “Barbaric. Brutal. Bloody…Tear-soaked, blood-soaked, misery-soaked…Mad cheers and hot tears.” Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping is triumphant.

Not s bad addition to the Hunger Games world that gives an insight into many characters history. It was exciting when a character from other books in the series made an appearances and good to start to piece together all their stories. Took a little while to get into and there is a lot of pining from Haymich about his love interest. Would have been interesting to have had more info about what was happening in the arena. Overall a nice, easy read.

What a compelling and brutal prequel Hunger Games story. We got a little of Haymitche's story in the previous books but this was so emotional, I don't know if I will be recovered by the time the movie comes out. Like when he said "They will not use my tears for their entertainment." You knew it was going to be bad. It kept my attention and pulled at my heart. It was interesting to get how it tied in the previous prequel Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the Hunger Games trilogy. When I read these books I always try to think if I would be able to survive in Panem.