Familiar names keep popping up. I assume Arachne Crane is related to Seneca Crane and Hilarius Heavensbee to Plutarch Heavensbee, for example. A few such lovable characters are Tigris and Lysistrata; compelling characters with moments that at least hint at un-Capitol opinions on The Games. Or at least a sadness over the lost of certain tributes and a recognition of their humanity. I also liked Clemensia although she wouldn’t feed Reaper, because her storyline was so intriguing to me. She experienced the snakes and their aftermath first-hand and knew what it was like to be afraid for her life the way the district tributes did. The scene where she and Coriolanus turned the paper in to Dr. Gaul was actually my favorite scene, because I enjoyed the slow, dreadful dawning of what was about to take place in the snake habitat. And of course, Sejanus Plinth. He was too good and too gullible. I loved when he broke into the arena to sprinkle the bread on Marcus’ body, but I wish he’d died there so that his end didn’t have to hurt so much. For true fans of The Hunger Games, Collins shines most as she weaves in tantalizing details that lend depth to the gruesome world she created in the original series and Coriolanus's place in its history." -- Time

The Covey - A nomadic singing group. They were forced to settle in District 12 after the war, and all who resisted were killed. Most of the remaining members are related to one another and make money singing at events or at the local bar. Galuppo, Mia (2022-06-15). " 'Hunger Games' Prequel Enlists 'West Side Story' Star Josh Andrés Rivera". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2022-06-15. Lots of drinking by those about to graduate and go to university. They drink posca at school functions, something described as fairly weak wine. Soldiers do the heavy drinking, trying moonshine and whiskey when they go out and spending weekends hung over. A teacher is addicted to something called "morphling," which sounds like it's morphine.Anyway, let's go along with it: mentor=more entertaining Hunger Games. Okay, so why am I meant to believe that the same people who are working extra hard to make the Hunger Games more interesting would let the tributes starve for a few days in a zoo cage? So they can collapse and die as soon as they enter the arena? Why even bother with the mentors then?! It was quite clear that the only reason why the tributes end up in a zoo cage is to remind us readers that to the 'civilised' citizens of the Capitol, District people are less than 'animals'. Corny philosophising aside, the writing was weighed down by obvious statements which made the characters seem rather simplistic. Worst still we have cheesy gems such as “you’re mine and I’m yours. It’s written in the stars”, “although he didn’t believe in it, he tried to channel her telepathically. Let me help, Lucy Gray”, “The cabbage began to boil, filling the kitchen with the smell of poverty. ” Livia is one of Coriolanus’s classmates. She’s assigned the District One boy and, to Coriolanus’s disgust, she openly gloats about it—District One tributes are usually favored to win. She pouts later when her tribute… Mayfair Lipp is Mayor Lipp’s daughter. She’s generally disliked in District 12, as her father allows her to run wild. After she began seeing Billy Taupe romantically while Billy Taupe was still seeing Lucy…

The characters in this novel are clownish. They have wannabe-Roman names, they speak in clichés and come out with uninspired maxims. The mentor for the District 11 male tribute. A popular student who dramatically falls afoul of Volumnia Gaul.

Did we miss something on diversity?

Its astonishing that I've managed to avoid spoilers for 3 years. All I'm hoping for is that Collins doesn't give Snow a redemption arc. Let me hate him in peace Some of you might recall that I did an audiobook re-read of "The Hunger Games" trilogy late last year. Well, the whole purpose of that was to prep myself for reading this book. Lamina is the female tribute from District Seven; Pup Harrington is her mentor. She sets herself apart early in the Games by climbing the structure Marcus is hanging from and killing him as a mercy… Mayor Lipp is the mayor of District 12. He has one daughter, Mayfair. At the reaping, he hits Lucy Gray across the face after Lucy Gray puts a snake down Mayfair’s dress. He… It added to and expanded the Hunger Games series - giving some much needed insights to the origins of the Hunger Games.