Author's Preface

I must admit, I was extremely skeptical when I was first handed a copy of the novel, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins late last summer. The plot seemed interesting, but I still hesitated. Eventually, after enough poking, prodding, and nagging, I finally cracked the cover and was thrust into the dystopian future of Panem, a world I would never, ever leave and would come to change my life.

Never before had I been so focused on finishing a series of books. Finding time to read became the highlight of my day and I would regularly go without sleep till one or two o'clock in the morning just to see what would happen to Katniss Everdeen next.

In just two short days, Hunger Games was done. Finding myself on a business trip of sorts where I was unable to purchase Catching Fire, I was able to extort it from a co-worker who brought it along. That novel fell in just over twenty-four hours. Finally, with no hard copies available of Mockingjay, I did something I swore I'd never do, download it as an e-book onto my smart phone (I strongly prefer the feeling of paper in my hands when I read). I just couldn't stop. That book was done in a mere sixteen hours.

I became an ambassador of these stories, plugging them to anyone and everyone lucky enough to be in my path …not exactly an easy task considering my line of work (not to reveal too much about myself, but let's just say Ares Snow and I have something in common).

After the books were finished, I found myself completely unable to let these stories go. Something captivated me about the world and characters that Suzanne Collins masterfully created. I thought about it when I was awake, and dreamed about it in my sleep…and I wanted more.

I had been introduced to fan fiction a few years before, but never wrote it seriously, choosing to focus more on original work as an amateur (actually very amateur) writer, but then the idea to write a story that took place in Katniss and Peeta's world hit me like a pile of bricks. I just had no idea what it would be about.

Suddenly, after contemplating for over a week, I realized what was so important to me about The Hunger Games Trilogy…they were about love. No, not just love between Katniss and Peeta, or even Katniss and Prim. They were about the love of everything: love of friends, love of one's country, love of freedom, even learning to love one's self. That is the moment that Ares Snow was born in my mind. He was a man full of pain and guilt. A man very few people ever wanted to see survive, but through the power of love…he found a reason to fight.

So, last October, I sat down in front of a computer screen and started furiously pressing keys. Three months later, by some miracle, three complete novels were in my hard drive. As some of you already know, I previously published these stories through and was soon overwhelmed by the amazing amount of positive reviews and feedback I received. Nothing makes me feel better as an aspiring writer than to hear words of support from anyone who enjoyed, or was even mildly amused by my stories.

Now, in honor of the release of The Hunger Games feature film, I wanted to re-release the Ares Snow Trilogy as a complete set. If you are reading them for a second time, thank you so much. I'd love to hear from you again. If you are reading them for the first time, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and then please let me hear from you for the first time. You'll meet some old characters and a whole lot of new ones (all of whom I hope you'll like just as much). Even if you hate this series, let me know that too. I just want to know what people think.

A special, amazing, and unending thanks to Suzanne Collins for giving all of us little people the world of The Hunger Games universe. If you think I don't really mean that, check out the picture on my profile. I'll have the Mockingjay with me for the rest of my life…now both inside and out.

Oh, and one more thing:

May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

-Ironsides