Sunrise on the Reaping

Just as good, if not better than, the original trilogy. This prequel featuring Haymitch had me locked in from page one. It's SO GOOD! And it explains so much about how he got so jaded and critical in The Hunger Games. I read this in one day, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Obviously I went into this book knowing that he would win (because he's a mentor), but wow - his journey is insane. And the ending. My heart could hardly handle it. SO SO GOOD! 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

WOW! I didn't know if I would love this but I was hooked in the first chapter. I was drawn back in so quickly it was like I never left Panem! I didn't think I would care for a story that centered on Snow the future president; but really it was fascinating. He's a teenager when the 10th Hunger Games takes place and he's assigned as a mentor to a girl from District 12. Readers get SO MUCH backstory on the games, the war, and the slow and steady rise of the capital. Snow is from a great family but dirt poor - having his champion, Lucy Gray, win the Hunger Games could secure his spot in University - tuition free. Snow always land on top. Things get a lot more complicated when he starts to fall for Lucy Gray, how could they ever make romance work though - she's from the districts?! Filled with so many unforgettable characters; this book will make readers want to re-read the entire trilogy. My true rating 4.5. Excellent, unexpected prequel!