For years, author Suzanne Collins has captivated teens and adults alike with her harrowing young adult dystopian book series, The Hunger Games. Her most recent addition to the world of Panem, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” which hit bookshelves on March 18, is another fantastically written prequel filled with memorable characters, heavy themes and impactful writing.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is Collins’ second prequel to the original three novels, with “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” being the first. The book takes place 24 years before the 74th Hunger Games in the first book. It follows a fan-favorite character, Haymitch Abernathy, at 16 years old as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games. With it being the Second Quarter Quell, double the number of tributes, meaning 48 teens are selected to fight for their lives in the treacherous arena. The games are filled with bloodshed, but there are also touching moments between the kids who are supposed to be pitted against one another. Along with the other tributes, Haymitch faces an array of violent mutations created by the Gamemakers while also attempting to go through with a plot to sabotage the Hunger Games. The book concludes with Haymitch being crowned the victor, which can be assumed since it’s previously known that he won the games.
Collins has artfully built the desolate world of Panem in every book, and she puts meticulous detail and focus into each character. She executes both of these points in “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Readers get to see Haymitch start as a young boy from District 12 who loves fiercely and constantly puts others before himself, and watch his story unfold as he faces violence, betrayal, manipulation and death. Collins does a beautiful job of tying together many loose ends from previous books and gives compelling reasons for why Haymitch acts and drinks the way he does in the original trilogy.
While Collins’ writing style and craftsmanship are impressive on their own, the heavy themes she wove into the book are equally as astonishing. “Sunrise on the Reaping” shows how the revolution against the capital didn’t just start with Katniss Everdeen 24 years later, but it began with Haymitch. He understands that to the Capital, he isn’t a child but a piece in a bigger puzzle being used to instill fear into the rest of the country, saying, “I’m entirely the Capitol’s plaything. They will use me for their entertainment and then kill me, and the truth will have no say in it.” This idea of using human beings as propaganda, much less children, is sickening, especially since things like this occur in today’s world as well.
However, there are also more heartwarming plots in the novel, like how Haymitch realizes that family isn’t just defined through blood but also through bonds.
Many readers have found themselves caught in a love-hate relationship with the novel because of how astonishing the writing is and because Haymitch’s story is just so devasting. On popular book-reviewing website Goodreads, user EmmaSkies posted a review saying, “I actually think I’ve dehydrated myself from the amount I’ve cried in the last 10 hours.” Another user, Hailee, posted, “Suzanne Collins gently kissed this brick before she launched it 100mph at my head.” Obviously, Hunger Games fans are considering this book one of the best in Collins’ universe, and there really is no question as to why.
Along with the heartbreaking book releasing this spring, a movie adaptation of “Sunrise on the Reaping” has already been confirmed to be in the works. The film won’t be in theaters until Nov. 20, 2026, so unfortunately, readers of the book will have to wait over a year for new Hunger Games content. Until then, rereading and rewatching the other movies will be the only option for avid fans who want to immerse themselves in this intense world.
