...and ummm...hoooooly crap!
I saw it coming:
As soon as "Quarter Quell" the extra-special Hunger Games was brought up my thoughts went like this...
Oh fuck. They're going back.
...and hellllo book's plot.
I saw bad shit coming and I still freaked out. Badly. Really badly. And I'm sick with a cold folks:
Darius
I knew shit was happening to him when he was nice to Katniss in the Hob, but I thought it would stop at Thread whacking him when he stuck up for Gale. When he showed up as Red-haired girl's fellow red-headed Avox...!!! AGH!
Cinna
I mean, since The Hunger Games I've suspected he would be punished for his rebellious clothing design. But right before Katniss was ejected into the Arena?! Beaten to a bloody pulp before her eyes!!! GAH!!!
I didn't see it coming...AND I FREAKED OUT MORE THAN EVER:
Gale being whipped! And Katniss' reaction! I WAS DEAD.
(i.e. I had to impose a long amount of time away from the book before I was recovered enough to read again. But I did not throw it across the room like I did that time with The Disorderly Knights. Although to be fair, the situ where I chucked Katie's old worn torn paperback at my sliding glass door all the way across the living room from the recliner (where I am currently reclining) was a lot worse than whipping and I was a couple of books more invested in the love of my life character.)
Surprise Delight (kind of like Turkish, but less rose-flavoured):
FINNICK. Love love love. "I trade in secrets." Sinuous swimmer. Loves a crazy girl. That's what I'm talking about. And he is so unlike the minor guy characters I am usually in love with. It's so new and refreshing! If only I could find it IRL!
Always knew:
Haymitch is awesome.
And so not Dumbledore!
Finally...YAY GALE!
He is the one I ship with Katniss. I love Peeta. Peeta is great. But there is something so unequal about his relationship with Katniss and tho' she is awesome I want there to be someone even more awesome who I know must be out there for Peeta. I mean, I got Finnick. Collins has got to have more up her sleeve.
Edited to Add...(I don't know how I forgot this)...
My favorite scene aka The One I Can Just Read Over and Over and Over Again:
When Katniss sees Gale in the woods for the first time for real and she jumps on him and absolutely cannot control her reaction of laughing/sobbing and he holds her until finally she's hiccuping like a craze and has to let go. I love hugs. Especially tacklehugs. They are my favorite physical form of affection. Closely followed by holding hands. (I'm not even kidding. I'm not a kissing person. Weird, I know. Welcome to Nicole.)