Suzanne Collins’ upcoming Hunger Games novel is set to release in just a few short weeks, and in preparation for Sunrise on the Reaping‘s publication, the author has dropped several sneak peeks into the narrative — including a first-look excerpt published in People Magazine. This is the first time readers will get to experience Haymitch’s point-of-view, and the story will kick off as he prepares for the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also the Second Quarter Quell. Haymitch’s Games have long been recognized to be the bloodiest Hunger Games in history, requiring double the amount of tributes to be reaped.

While very little of his Games has been revealed thus far — apart from what Collins’ details in Catching Fire — Sunrise on the Reaping will finally portray Haymitch’s character as he was before the Hunger Games dismantled his life. Knowing how his Hunger Games story ends, I have long anticipated Haymitch’s novel to break my heart. However, a newly released quote officially confirms just how devastating the new Sunrise on the Reaping prequel will be.

Sunrise On The Reaping’s New Haymitch Quote Confirms The Book Is Going To Break My Heart

Haymitch’s Optimism Is Such a New Concept

While we already knew how sad Sunrise on the Reaping would be thanks to all Catching Fire told us about Haymitch’s Games, experiencing the novel from Haymitch’s perspective is bound to make it even more tragic. The new Sunrise on the Reaping quote, as seen below, doesn’t provide much context for where it may show up in the prequel, but its sentiment is clear. Depending on the context, the quote, presumably said or thought by Haymitch, could either be a heartfelt goodbye before he leaves for his Games or a reᴀssuring thought he holds onto after he experiences the deaths of his loved ones.

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It’s clear the quote is depicting an emotionally charged farewell, but also gives readers much insight into Haymitch’s character. Where he’s rather closed off and aloof in the original trilogy, this quote proves how much hope he carried when he was young — either in a goodbye before the Games or after the loss of all his friends and family. My heart already breaks for his character knowing this, and it makes me sadder to know that the hope that this quote portrays is later lost when the narrative picks back up in Colllins’ first Hunger Games novel.

Who Haymitch’s Quote Could Be Directed At & What It Means For The Hunger Games Prequel

There Are Several Characters He Could Be Speaking To

While I’d like to believe that this quote was pulled from a simple farewell between Haymitch and his family or girlfriend, I feel it would be naive to do so, especially knowing how Collins has set up Haymitch’s story to play out. From Catching Fire, we know that Haymitch loses everyone he loves because of his Games, and I think it’s likely the quote is in reference to someone’s death. The statement is reminiscent of a last goodbye, one that would fit with the many deaths that are to come in the Hunger Games novel.

There are several characters that are suspected to be on the receiving end of this quote, including Haymitch’s mother and brother, his girlfriend Lenore Dove, his ally Maysilee, or his unnamed childhood friend — all of whom Collins has previously confirmed will be ᴅᴇᴀᴅ by the end of the novel. Seeing Haymitch cope with so much loss is going to be absolutely devastating, and if this quote is anything to go by, I think it’s safe to ᴀssume the upcoming release of Sunrise on the Reaping will be Collins’ most heartbreaking Hunger Games novel yet.

Source: People