Haymitch Abernathy is a known and beloved character throughout the Hunger Games series written by Suzanne Collins. Throughout the series, Haymitch lived a very heartbreaking life after the games he participated in—the 2nd Quarter Quell, which took place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s turn in the original novel.
In the books, a Quarter Quell is held every 25 years, and President Snow adds a little spin, something “fun” and drastically different to the games. The spin this time was that there would be twice as many tributes to enter the Hunger Games as normal. So, instead of 24 tributes, there would be 48 tributes competing to fight to the death and win the Victor Crown. The two individual males who were reaped from District 12 were Wyatt Callow and Woodbine Chance. Shots rang through District 12, causing commotion. The Capital Official, named Drusilla Sickle, who reaped the District 12 tributes, was to act quickly. She saw someone causing a scene, so she pulled him and told him he was going to be a tribute. That unfortunate person, who would now take part in the 50th Hunger Games, was Haymitch.
As the story continues, beloved characters are mentioned from the original series like Mags Flanagan, Beetee Latier, Effie Trinket, Plutarch Heavensbee and Wiress. I loved the mention of their names because I can look at them through a new light and a new perspective, since it’s from Haymitch’s point of view rather than Katniss’s, and it was also fun getting to see them all much younger.
In every book, show or movie, there will always be characters who you grow attached to as they can have a relatable and deep outlook on the way you see them. You grow to love their character, and you feel a connection and a compassion for them. In this storyline, I especially loved each and every character as they’re all diverse and have personality, too. Such as Maysilee Donner for her sarcasm, Mags for her kindness, Ampert for his innocence, and Plutarch Heavensbee for his cunningness. This book has such heartbreaking parts, which are expected, as it is the Hunger Games. But even so, this book didn’t fail to bring tears to my eyes.
From junior high to the beginning of my freshman year, I was a big reader. Ever since, I have been in a reading slump for what seems like forever, and drained in general to have the desire to read. In my Hunger Games phase, which occurred in my 7th grade year, I researched all about Haymitch’s games because he was such an overlooked character, and I wanted justice for him. This book did just that. I loved this book and just how it all connects to the original series and even the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which she added as a sequel in 2020. I love how Suzanne Collins writes and how everything has a meaning behind her writing. I finished the book within 3 days, and I fully believe that I am out of my reading slump.
