Thoughtfully written but so bleak. A story that makes you realize you need something greater than fleeting pleasure and complacent living to escape nihilism.

Profound and impactful. A beautiful addition to the story we already somewhat knew. It expanded the world of Panem but also gave dimension to many known characters. This novel emphasizes the roles of propaganda, surveillance and a resilient love. Beautifully written and Collins definitely knows what her readers enjoy :)

Let me say I’m not being nice because I like Suzanne Colins, if I didn’t like it I’d say. First off it was surprising it extended the storyline of Haymitch and his past, now this book wasn’t “needed” per se nor did it add on That much lore but it was still a fun read, and it Still added onto Haymitch, Mags, Wiress, Beetee, Plutarch and Snow’s Characters. If you’re wanting to read this for character development I’d say it sorta lacks, it focuses on character relationships more, not that there’s 0 development it’s just less than Some of Collins’ work. It has a symbolic and bittersweet ending that I at first wasn’t exactly “happy” with it, but now I feel it was the perfect ending! Personally I think this, and catching fire are her better books in many terms, SOTR is in first person and I get that’s not everyone’s go to POV but it really worked and I enjoyed the book! I’m giving 4 stars because it’s not my favorite book in the entire world lol that prize goes to ‘The Outsiders’ by S E Hinton <3 anyways I recommend reading this Hunger Games novel if you’ve liked her previous work! Warning though there are pretty Gruesome and sad scenes so just bring a tissue or two 😉😓

I was very moved by Haymich’s journey. He went through a lot.

Got me into reading after 7 years. So captivating, I could barely put it down.

Being a long time fan of The Hunger Games and Suzanne Collins I can confirm that this book is amazing. Would recommend to anybody who likes the rest of The Hunger Games series.

Collins’s dystopian world is addicting, easy to become immersed in the unfolding gravity, and in this novel further weaving together histories and personalities from the main trilogy. However the long full Poe passages, repetitively dropped right in, for pages, seems like such a weird stylistic break. In Songbirds and Snakes at least the poetry was (it seemed) original. Here Collins has given up. It actually became annoying, reading and rereading Poe’s “The Raven” every time Collins wants us to know Haymitch is forlorn. Even though he’s established as only mildly bookish or poetic person, somehow he’s memorized this long complex poem word for word? Who would have known drunk broken Haymitch in the main serious U.S. actually just fully tortured my Edgar Allen Poe.

Must read again, the plot was insane.

A return to great form for Suzanne Collins after the Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds had a very disappointing 3rd act. This is one of the best Hunger Games books. Even though you know how Haymich wins his games, the excellent writing and pacing and characters keep you turning pages well into the night! I felt like Haymich’s arc here was way more realistic and believable than Snow’s in the previous book. There are some great new, unforgettable characters here that will earn special places in fans’ hearts. And the story fits quite well and appropriately into the Hunger Games history that I was extremely satisfied through and through.

Learning Haymitch’s story was incredible. Great story! Can’t wait for the film!