Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is the long-awaited second prequel to the iconic Hunger Games series, following The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This book takes us back to the brutal world of Panem, set decades before Katniss Everdeen’s fateful Games.
A time when the games were still fresh, raw, and filled with endless cruelty. Set around 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins, it’s an emotionally-charged exploration of the young Haymitch Abernathy’s experience in the 50th Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell. And believe me, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
A lot of the buzz around Sunrise on the Reaping was focused on how we already know the end, so the story won’t be as gripping, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, knowing where it was all going and what is coming makes it hit even harder.
From the very beginning, you’re plunged into Haymitch’s youthful optimism, and you just feel the impending loss hanging over him like a dark cloud. Seeing that hope, knowing it will soon be crushed, is emotional torture. You know how it all ends, but the journey to get there is still an emotional rollercoaster.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping About?
In Sunrise on the Reaping, we follow a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12, who is unexpectedly reaped for the 50th annual Hunger Games during the Quarter Quell. This year, in honor of the event, double the number of tributes are chosen.
As Haymitch is thrust into the brutal competition, he is separated from his loved ones, including his sweetheart, Lenore Dove. While preparing for the violent battle ahead, Haymitch finds himself entangled in a web of rebellion against the Capitol, realizing that the Games are not just about survival but may offer an opportunity to strike back.
However, knowing that the Capitol is set against him, Haymitch still attempts to undermine the system.
This book intricately weaves together Haymitch’s past and the events that shaped him into the cynical mentor we meet in The Hunger Games trilogy.
A New Perspective on Familiar Struggles
Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth book in the Hunger Games series and the second prequel.
The story centers on Haymitch Abernathy, a beloved character from the original Hunger Games trilogy, the cynical and often drunk mentor we all know from Katniss’s journey—before he becomes the reluctant guide to the future Mockingjay.
What struck me most, though, is how familiar yet fresh this world feels. Suzanne Collins takes us back to District 12, but through Haymitch’s eyes, we see it through the lens of someone who knows the Capitol’s cruelty all too well.
You might think you know the story of Haymitch’s victory in the Quarter Quell from Catching Fire, but Sunrise on the Reaping shows us the raw, heart-wrenching reality behind his win—a victory that wasn’t earned through ruthlessness, but through rebellion.
Not Just Another Hunger Games
While it’s easy to compare Sunrise on the Reaping to its predecessors, this book isn’t simply another retelling of the same formula.
Of course, the plot mirrors Katniss’s own experience in many ways – Haymitch volunteers for the Games to protect someone (Lenore, his girlfriend, much like Katniss did for Prim), faces incredible challenges in the arena, and suffers a great deal of loss. However, the stakes are elevated in a way that resonates on a deeper level. This book digs into the theme of personal sacrifice, examining the ways in which love and rebellion can drive someone to the breaking point.
The Heartbreaking Tragedy of Haymitch’s Victory
Haymitch’s victory isn’t a simple win—it’s a tragic rebellion that costs him everything. After surviving the arena, he’s forced to watch the Capitol take everything from him.
We already knew from Catching Fire that Haymitch’s mother, brother, and girlfriend would die at the hands of President Snow, but to experience those deaths on the page is a gut punch. These are not faceless characters—they are real, they are people we’ve come to care about, and losing them is just as painful as any of Katniss’s losses. The emotional toll that this exacts on Haymitch is palpable, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.
The Propaganda Machine and The Power of Memory
One of the most thought-provoking aspects of Sunrise on the Reaping is its exploration of propaganda—the way the Capitol twists the truth to suit its agenda.
The Capitol has mastered the art of manipulating reality for its own benefit, and this deftly shows how Haymitch’s story is altered by the Capitol to control how he’s perceived.
Specifically, the way they edit footage of Haymitch’s victory, mirrors the world we live in today, where media is often used to skew and present perceptions and reinforce power structures. But there’s something deeply powerful about remembering the truth, even when it’s painful.
As Haymitch spirals into self-destruction after his victory, he’s haunted by memories—memories of the friends and loved ones he’s lost, memories of the past he can never forget.
In one of the book’s moments, Haymitch reflects on the lines of Poe’s The Raven—a poem passed down through generations—and realizes that forgetting is never really an option. It’s a lesson that echoes throughout the entire Hunger Games series: the fight against injustice is not just about surviving—it’s about remembering, even when the world wants you to forget.
The Final Word
While Sunrise on the Reaping is undeniably captivating, it’s not without its flaws. One of the most glaring issues is the pacing. For a book that promises a Hunger Games experience, the arena is actually absent for much of the story, and when it finally arrives, it feels rushed. This book spends a lot of time setting the stage, but when it comes to the Games themselves, they’re almost an afterthought.
Despite these hiccups, Sunrise on the Reaping still delivers a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a powerful reminder of the cost of rebellion, the pain of survival, and the importance of remembering the past.
If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games and you’ve been eagerly awaiting this prequel, you won’t be disappointed. Sunrise on the Reaping is a fitting addition to the saga.
Sunrise on the Reaping Book Blurb
When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.
As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
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