Most wars end with peace treaties, but the war in Panem left behind a more haunting legacy: The Hunger Games, where the memories of the war are etched into every reaping. With Sunrise on the Reaping, author Suzanne Collins takes us back to the legacy of the Hunger Games, stripping the layers from postwar Panem to expose the origins of cruelty woven into the reaping ceremony. Taking place over two decades before the rebellion of Katniss Everdeen, this novel takes a deep dive into the developmental days of the Games. Throughout this chilling story, Collins takes us through the 50th annual Hunger Games through the eyes of District 12 mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. This novel is not just a retelling of another Hunger Games, it is a story about how propaganda, trauma, and compliance place the foundation for a nation built on silence and spectacle.
On March 18, 2025, Suzanne Collins released her fifth addition to the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. The book sold over 1.2 million copies within its first week of release (Daily Collegian). It performed two times better than The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, in 2020 and three times better than Mockingjay in 2010 (Daily Collegian). The story takes place at the time of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell. Every 25 years, a Quarter Quell is held, which means the games look a little different and contain a new set of rules. For the 50th Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes (48 in total) were reaped (chosen) to participate in the games. 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy finds himself being reaped to compete. Through Haymitch’s eyes, we observe not only the brutality of the arena but the unforgivable way in which the Capitol enforces the norms of violence and suffering. A reviewer from Publishers Weekly says, “It is a brutal tale of compassion and rage, and a frank examination of propaganda and tragedy, that will satisfy longtime series fans and newcomers alike.”
Jenna Piotrowicz with The Everygirl says, “This book was quite literally the missing puzzle piece in the Hunger Games world.” I could not agree more with this statement. Not only did it give us more insight into Haymitch and give us a deeper understanding of him as a person, but it also helped put more pieces together for each character throughout all five books. There was quite a bit of controversy surrounding this book. Many people thought it would not be entertaining because we already knew how it would end, obviously, Haymitch had to have won the games. Despite us knowing the ending, Collins managed to deliver an exciting and interesting, yet heartbreaking novel.
There were many similarities between Sunrise on the Reaping and previous works in the series. This was something I enjoyed while reading because I was able to make connections and place the missing pieces of the puzzle together. Many references to Lucy Gray Baird from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes were included, such as the songs she sang throughout the novel and various references to her still living family members. There were also similarities between this book and Katniss’ books. For example, Katniss and Haymitch both tried to destroy the games from inside the arena. Learning more about Haymitch was probably my favorite part of the book. I felt like I was able to connect with him as a character more in this book because he was not as closed off and ill-mannered as he was in previous books. You learn about everything he has gone through to shape him into the person he is in the original trilogy.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy (along with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). If you have not already read The Hunger Games, I would recommend reading the series in release order because I think this novel hits harder emotionally when you know the events of the first three novels. If you were a President Snow lover/enthusiast after reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I would advise you to read Sunrise on the Reaping with caution, because despite his humble beginnings, he is truly and entirely evil. I would also suggest you have a box of tissues handy because this one gets heavy and emotional.
Sunrise on the Reaping reminds us why The Hunger Games series has been captivating audiences since 2008. With the film adaptation already in the making, it is clear that Haymitch’s story is making an impact on Hunger Games fans, new and old. Whether you have been reading for a while or you are just now discovering the world of Panem, the novel is an emotional and influential piece in the past and future of the series. While it may just be another prequel to non-readers, longtime fans see it as the beginning of the rebellion.
