ŷ������

so you know how in Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban, Ron says "you're gonna suffer, but you're gonna be happy about it?" he was actually talking about me reading this book

changed my mind after my immediate reread. this was 5 stars. not 4.5

4.5, rounded up. I read this in under 24 hours, so I will be rereading immediately and then I will write a nice long review, because I def missed some stuff - but my thoughts at this moment are: this isn't as good as snow's book, but still incredible, I love haymitch, and i know ill be drooling over him when the film is released next year

all in all, this was amazing and I cant wait to drool over shirtless haymitch in the movie!!! the scene where he shows his abdomen scar is gonna be unreal ....

alright, ive finished my immediate reread, and I have gathered thoughts from my updates and notes. so, upon first finishing this, I kind of thought that ballad was written bc Suzanne had more to say and this one was written as a fan service, but I no longer think that - I just think this had more fan service than ballad, but even then... the connections made this world so much more special. I loved meeting Katniss's parents!!!!! I adored young haymitch!!!! and I loved the message that change takes time and armies and dedication.

I loved the snakes and songbirds allegory - it takes both violence AND love to make real change. straight peace will never bring about change. I loved when the prep team (I think?... or maybe it was Drusilla) mentioned that a university student dyed all the fountains pink due to outrage because of face cream, but called woodbine chance ruining away from death a "riot".... it rang too true for events that weren't all that long ago

I adored haymitch's character - I loved how he was Katniss with more hope and personality, and that that collins's reader really gets to see the consequences of intergenerational trauma and starvation - Katniss has such little personality, hope, and music compared to haymitch, because life just continued to get worse in district 12

I think there was some meaning in magno (kept reading that as mango) being an addict, but I couldnt quite decipher it...so if someone could let me know that would be great

I loved the prep team worrying about their grades, because they appear clueless and superficial, but I know ive spent nights stressed about grades, completely unaware of my privilege in that being my only worry. they weren't being superficial - they were just privileged. I would love another book about Effy and haymitch's blossoming friendship....

I loved masilyee, and the importance in understanding that everyone loses under an oppressive government, even those who seem to benefit. I loved that the arena was beautiful and stunning on the outside, but poisonous on the inside. it reminded me of people who seem to thrive under oppressive regimens, but only because theyve been brainwashed (especially due to propaganda...)

some of my fave revelations:
- Katniss descending from burdock who descended from Maude ivory
- Lenore gray descending from Lucy gray, meaning that she wasn't killed by Coryo (which ive been saying for FIVE YEARS NOW)
- forgot that ceaser flickerman wore the same suit every year
- heavensbee staircase....hope.... for a better place (?maybe idk)

this was such an incredible, impossible to put down, all consuming read. Suzanne collins gets me to fall in love with every damn male character she writes. and im manifesting books about finnicks and mags starting now...