Today’s review is about SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins. It’s a prequel to the original The Hunger Games trilogy, so naturally there are spoilers for those books.
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games, #0.5
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publish Date: March 18, 2025
Print Length: 400
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Sunrise on the Reaping Synopsis
Synopsis
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 honor 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.
Sunrise on the Reaping Review
SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is a prequel installment of the original The Hunger Games trilogy. It follows Haymitch play the games during the second quarter quell, or 50th anniversary of the games. Overall, I thought this was a solid book. It was interesting to learn about Haymitch’s life prior to being a tribute and winner of the 50th games. There are some familiar characters to the original trilogy that Haymitch interacts with. Some may consider this fan service, but I liked it and it made me feel more connected to the story.
However, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in SUNRISE ON THE REAPING as I seem to remember feeling when I read Katniss’s story. I think part of this is because I already knew Haymitch would survive and become the champion of the Hunger Games. This kind of dulled the suspense for me. There also wasn’t a lot of time spent on the page for Haymitch to reflect about how he feels, so I didn’t feel as connected to him as a character. There was an opportunity to do that after Haymitch returns to District 9 when it’s all over. But instead the reader just sees Haymitch become an alcoholic. While not unexpected, it doesn’t offer any insight into the turmoil in his head.
Finally, I thought Collins spelled things out a little too much for her readers. This made the writing feel more simplistic. On the other hand, this is a YA dystopian story, so it’s probably important to make sure the younger reader understands aspects of corruption.
Even though I wasn’t as sold on this book as many others, I still think it’s a solid story in The Hunger Games world. I also found the author’s note interesting where she explains the origin of some of the songs used in SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. So, overall, I’d recommend this to fans of the original trilogy as well as dystopian fiction. Just don’t expect anything novel.
Rating: 3.75
Content warnings: violence, gore, blood, death of a child
Reading format: Library hardback
I haven’t read this yet, but i think I would have similar feelings knowing Haymish survives. On the other hand, I have read some glowing reviews from other readers, so I’m very curious!
I think it’d be a quick read for you if you want to pick it up before the movie comes out!
You make some reasonable points in your review, but maybe I rated this book higher because I wanted this book and my expectations were met. That being said, I had to remind myself that I was reading a prequel to a popular Young Adult book series (hence all of the many descriptions of certain parts of the narrative).
Yea, that’s what I kept telling myself too…that it’s a YA prequel to the popular series.
Im sorry this one didnt end up being as successful for you as other books in the series. You’re not the first person I’ve seen say they didnt find it as emotional but as you said I suppose knowing the ending is going to have an impact. I loved this one but I can see where you’re coming from too. I’d still happily read many more books within the world though 😂
It’s ok! It was at least an entertaining read! I still plan on reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, though, to get all caught up.