I’ve really been enjoying reading this series. I love the insight into Haymitch & Effie, and the believeable way you tell the story before the first book in the series. Only one thing — Johanna won the 71st Hunger Games at the age of 18 (I think), but in your story you have her winning the 69th Games (I’m assuming she’s 16). You’ve stuck so close to canon with every other detail of your stories, so I just don’t really understand why you changed that. Anyway, on to the next one! Thank you for dedicating so much time & energy into creating such a lovely set of stories.

Two interesting things about this chapter I just picked up on that might have the potential to be there own one shot stories. Berenice and paulin seem unsurprised when a mutt kills there tributes in the 66th games and references are made to trains being late in six, implying that snow targeted the tributes from 6 that year. Might be interesting to see Berenice or paulin pov, being stoned and mentoring two kids they know won't make it no matter what they do, while also knowing this isn't something they can just say in public.
You mention that gloss tried to shield cashmere from the cameras. You also say that she was reaped. This may have been a slip of the key, but it implies that cashmere had no choice but to go into the arena, likely to give snow an opportunity to pimp her out if/when she won. Might be interesting to see all of that throug the pov of gloss, cashmere or one of there parents.
P.S. Still waiting/hoping for you to put more of your livejournal stories on stops in the way to the end of the world and then put stops on the way to the end of the world here on . Really would make the process of reading and reviewing a lot simpler, or ulf for me anyway.

Another request for a future one shot (assuming you ever do any of mine); a story following the girl from nine in the 63rd hunger games and her quest for avenge her district partner, possibly also showing the reactions of the district 9 mentors when they realize they have there first contender in years, and any effort they make to help her through sponsors.

A very interesting interpretation of Haymitch and Effie's relations. Probably, the only fic about this couple that I enjoyed reading. As I started reading, I kept seeing Elizabeth Banks, that is a much more sympathetic, humane, and overall, smarter version of Effie. However, you balanced this with a very canon-like Haymitch, who is simultaneously very flawed and charming in his own way. I really like your version with anti-depressant drugs as the reason that turned Effie into a glamorous mannequin that she is in the first book.
I like how you showed their relations developing slowly and them not actually going all the way. As their life experience and background are so very different, it just feels both more real and interesting with them not being lovers at this point and gradually getting closer in spite of these differences and all the risks.
Other characters are also very believable, and I particularly enjoyed how attentive you are to the little details from life of the Capitol and District 12. You're also good at describing the flawed system that leads to the permanent trauma not only among the victors, but among all the population - from the districts and the Capitol (especially those who like Effie are sensitive and smart) alike.
I was really glad to discover that you have more fics that expand on Haymitch's life.

I'm not sure I ever mentioned it before, but I really did like all of your versions of Haymitch's doomed tributes, as well as there interactions with Haymitch and Effie (who made a good POV character here). Maybe my favorite scene in this story is how Butterfly finally softens up to Effie and has a civil, a somewhat emotional conversation with her after seeing Effie Effie compliment her strength and spirit on the news.

I never quite had gotten why Carolyn Odair hid from the cameras, but now that I know she's Gia, it makes a lot of sense. Also a little surprised to learn through Challenges that she really did kill Glass, hope the SOB was still alive and conscious when she carved her message onto him.

Ahhh this story was AMAZING. I'm off to read the sequel now.

How observant/intuitive of Finnick to see that there's more to Johanna than what she's putting out there! I'm excited to see you write her games.

Finnick, so sad. Seeing him being forced into glorified sexual slavery is so sad. Everything is so depressing, from all these kids dying, to Haymitch becoming more and more drunk, to Effie needing pills. I'm very excited to see Johanna.

The society you've painted of the Capitol is so... sad. Effie's speech about how nothing is permanent, the marriage contracts, Effie bio father being all "I'm thinking of getting married again now that this marriage contract has expired since I do enjoy being a father" and Effie reacting like it's all normal. It really makes you realize how hollow the Capitol is.

Ah so this is where the rebellion begins. I'm loving this early Plutarch. I wonder if Haymitch already has an idea brewing or if it's Plutarch's? I love that Effie wants peace but also realizes, after Haymitch's comment, that this isn't true peace. I'm hoping we'll get to see Johanna's games too

I love love love love that you wrote Finnick's game in full detail. I love that he grew colder as he kept getting rejected. I love that initially he was only fighting out of self defense. Him getting the trident at the end was something I had been looking forward to.

These games are killing me. I'm glad you decided to go more in depth into Finnick's year.

Helen of Troy! Plutarch appears! It's Finnick's year! I'm more and more excited.

Ah more details about how subtly the Capitol controls its citizens. Like how almost everyone except for the government isn't allowed a cell phone or how travelling to and from the districts is restricted both ways. What I've been wondering since the first chapter when Effie met Mayor Undersea is whether Effie eventually does pull Madge's name and ends up naming someone else...