"Sunrise on the Reaping" is hands down my favorite in the series. Getting Haymitch's backstory finally was incredible, especially seeing him as a sharp, defiant 16-year-old before he became the bitter mentor we know from the original trilogy. Collins does such a good job making you feel the weight of what he loses, from Lenore Dove to his family, while never losing his wit and rebellious streak.
The Quarter Quell itself was brutal and inventive, with the larger pool of tributes from the 50th Games making everything feel even more chaotic and high stakes. I loved seeing younger versions of characters like Effie, Plutarch, and Mags, and the way Collins weaves in the bigger picture of Capitol propaganda and the cracks already forming in the system. The ending hit hard, especially knowing how it all ties into what Haymitch becomes by the time we meet him in The Hunger Games.
Overall, an incredible addition to the series that deepens everything that comes after. Easily my favorite of the prequels and maybe the whole series.