Finished Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

Earlier this year, I read the other prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and liked it. In Sunrise on the Reaping, we follow Haymitch Abernathy. In the original trilogy we see Haymitch as a drunk, abrasive, loner who won the Games in the past and now "mentors" District 12 tributes. We know he's not evil, but he's difficult to like, so instead we pity him.

Sunrise on the Reaping takes that pity and transforms it from a default state to well-earned by having us experience the Second Quarter Quell through him. We watch as this teenage boy ends up as one of the District 12 tributes. Not from the random draw, not from volunteering, but because he cannot stand by while Lenore, his love, is assaulted by Peacekeepers. From there on we watch in horror as Haymitch's tragedy unfolds.

Haymitch isn't the only character who gets re-contextualized. Plutarch Heavensbee is also prominent throughout the book in a similar role as the original trilogy. Do we trust him? Is he actually helping? Or is he just pretending and actually on Snow's side? Speaking of Snow, we see him in his full power in this book. He looms large over Panem, the Capitol, and the Games. Snow haunts Haymitch in every decision he makes in the arena. But we also see the physical frailty in glimpses.

The other supporting characters, especially Maysilee and the District 12 tributes, are fantastic. They remind us Haymitch is just another kid. Maybe a bit smarter and a bit older than some, but just a kid. Effie, Beetee, and the Coveys help remind us that Haymitch is not so far removed from the 10th Hunger Games that lead Snow to power or the 75th Hunger Games that see him fall.

The last few chapters are rough. The fallout from the games and what happens after—it's hard to read. But the epilogue keeps the book from being overwhelmingly dark.