So Suzanne Collins’s rent was due, because why did she have to go so hard and rip my heart out with “Sunrise of the Reaping?” It has been 17 years since “The Hunger Games” came out and she came back swinging, because who needs peace anyways?! I will be spoiling the book up ahead, so skip this and come back once you have put yourself through emotional damage. Last warning, this article is not about the plot per se (because I expect that you have already read the book) but what I think about the book. 

The new book revolves around Haymitch’s story. Haymitch Abernathy, another tribute from District 12, beat all odds and won the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell. For all of you who refuse to read or don’t know, the Quarter Quell is an especially cruel and very celebrated event held every 25 years. It is a huge deal, so much so that there is a special twist that is added to enhance the games. Haymitch’s game included double the number of tributes, making it a particularly grueling event. 

I was worried that this book would flop and be bad. I am so sorry I ever doubted you, Suzanne. I also have to say that I am now emotionless and numb. Why did you have to be so cruel and heartless, Suzanne? A theory I have is that Suzanne is watching from the shadows; she saw us thirsting over Snow and perhaps has seen the Snow edits, which is why she made sure to pull us back to Earth. Snow is not a good guy. Did you see what he did to Ma, Sid and Lenore Dove?! The gumdrops?! Now THAT was insane. Another level of madness is making Betee mentor his child and then watch his child die. The way that Haymitch understood and promised that Ampert’s death would be quick and painless made me sob so hard. Ampert is just a little guy; why, Suzanne? WHY? 

Now about Haymitch; he is such a lover boy. All he wanted to do was enjoy his birthday and see his Dove. It’s cruel that for his birthday EVERY YEAR he is gifted with a set of tributes to mentor to the death. The sun rises for him every year because he couldn’t stop it. Gut wrenching. Haymitch is also so smart, because what do you mean he figured out about Snow and Lucy Gray all on his own?! Even after Snow made sure that Lucy Gray’s game was erased from history. Also, the slight backstory on Mags and how Haymitch was able to cry around her. The woman you are, Mags. 

I must pick a bone with you, Suzanne. Why can you not allow Haymitch to be happy? I know that he has devoted himself to Lenore Dove, but she would have wanted him to be happy and move on. Why are Haymitch and Effie not endgame?! That is all we are missing from Haymitch’s story. Please let him be happy. Though I am glad that even after all he has suffered, he was able to live on. He managed to find someone to stop the sun from rising, someone who was lucky enough to.