Sunrise on the Reaping (the Hunger Games)

🌾💔 I’ve been a Hunger Games fan from the very beginning. I read every book the week it came out and I was at the theater on release day for every movie. Now I’m in my thirties, still re reading the trilogy every few years because something about Suzanne Collins’ writing never loses its magic. Sunrise on the Reaping reminded me exactly why Panem has stayed with me for almost two decades now. Going into this, I expected to understand Haymitch better. I did not expect to feel this much. There were moments where I had to set my Kindle down because my chest hurt. Collins writes him with so much depth that his choices, strengths, bitterness, and heartbreak feel almost personal. I laughed at his defiance and cried at the moments where he is forced to grow up all at once. It surprised me how heavy some of it stayed with me after I closed the book. What really impressed me is how beautifully this fits into the entire Hunger Games universe. Between the original trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and now this book, Collins has created one long, seamless story with no real plot holes. The way she threads themes, symbols, and character echoes from one book to the next feels intentional and incredibly satisfying. There were a few quiet easter eggs in this one too, and if you’ve read all five books, you’ll spot them. They aren’t loud or forced. They’re subtle, emotional, and clever in a way that makes you appreciate how much care she puts into this world. This book also made me rethink Ballad. Seeing how the Capitol operates in Haymitch’s Games, contrasted with Snow’s early years, ties everything together in a way that feels almost chilling. It’s rare for a series to still be revealing meaningful layers after five books, but Collins manages it without ever breaking her world’s rules or tone. That’s something only a master storyteller can do. And with the new movie trailer everywhere right now, reading this hit even harder. It’s surreal to have grown up with these characters and still feel so connected to them in adulthood. Collins writes with the kind of emotional clarity that reaches you no matter how old you are. I didn’t expect a prequel to make me reflect on the original trilogy with even more understanding, yet here we are. If you love the Hunger Games series, this book is going to matter to you. It’s emotional in the ways that count and thoughtful in the ways longtime fans appreciate. Sunrise on the Reaping doesn’t just expand the story. It enriches it 📚🤍 It’s powerful, heartbreaking, and crafted with the same level of care that made the original trilogy unforgettable. As someone who has carried these books through different stages of life, reading this felt like returning to a familiar world with new eyes. I’m grateful we got this story and even more grateful for how beautifully it connects every piece of the series together.

WARNING: Spoilers ahead Kay, let's get this review started. First with the negative: Really there are none, the only thing that made me sad was the price of the ebook ($18 for an ebook??? - though it did force me to buy the hardcover which I'm very happy about lol) and the fact that the story wasn't as mindblowing as everyone says it is. This might be because I put my expectations too high after hearing everyone talk about it for a month. POSITIVE: It was - actually - a really good book. Definitely very excited to watch the movie. The easter eggs were really fun to read. I loved learning more about Brodick (I didn't even know that was his name) and Asterid. Though I still don't know how to feel about Asterid. Like she honestly failed Katniss in so many ways, I'm honestly kind of mad at her. As soon as I felt she was being a better mom, Prim dies, the war ends, and she just dumps Katniss (after she has MULTIPLE huge traumatic experiences happen) and leaves to go heal other people. Like... ma'am?? You know you have another daughter right?? At least Peeta picks up her slack but still. (How did this become a rant about The Hunger Games??) ANYways, this book didn't really help her character, except to give me more insight into her childhood, make me love her and Brodick's relationship, and make me feel even worse about Brodick's death. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Effie. She's awesome; (ignoring the fact that she does in fact wholeheartedly supports the Hunger Games, but we don't talk about that). She's honestly so fun, and positive, and bubbly. She's also the only thing I didn't see coming in the book (maybe I should add that to the negatives). I did find this book more political than the others, which I didn't mind. I found it interesting. Loved his district team. I love the growth between all of them, especially with Maysillee. Her characer arc, or at least the understanding that grew between her and Haymitch were amazing to read. I loved the quote, about what it means to have a sister ("you fight with each other and for each other" bit). HOW could they do that to Louella though? She honestly didn't deserve that. I loved that he called her "sweetheart" though and loved the connection to I did grow fond of Lou Lou though, and honestly felt so bad for her. The end fight was kind of gory though. The part with the intestines and Silka slowly dying with an ax in her head made me feel kind of queezy. I kind of liked that feeling (not during, but after) though because it reminds me of the horrors of murder and how thankfully I haven't been dessensitzed to it. No one should be used to that feeling. Okay, now to Haymitch... MY POOR BABY! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU! *wails* His character wasn't what I expected it to be. I don't even know how to describe his character. The ending was traumatic, I am traumatized. Literally, the whole book was fine, like "cool they're killing each other, that's fine I guess", BUT THEN when he comes home and his literal family is BURNING! STOPP. I 100% didn't expect that. I thought they would have been killed beforehand or something and people would have just told him "oh sorry, your family's dead, they were hanged", BUT NO cuz Snow is so much smarter than that, so he's going to make it look like an accident and nobody will know excpect HAYMITCH. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh. OH AND THEN Lenore Dove dies AND I LITERALLY DIED. I AM DEAD. LIKE HOW CAN SNOW DO THAT TO HIM!?? LIKE NOOOOOOO. NOT LENORE!! SHE'S NOT LIKE LUCY GRAY AT ALL??!! AND THE FACT THAT HAYMITCH LITERALLY KILLS HER HIMSELF IS SO. MUCH. WORSE. *cries herself to sleep*. The ending explains Haymitch's character so well in the "next" books, why he is alone, drunk, and irritable. It also makes so much sense that he was drunk during Katniss' reaping. It's his birthday and a reminder of everything he lost. Anyways, good job to Suzanne Collins, for another amazing book. Also, thank you for the epilogue, I would have died without it 🫶🏻. I really hope they will bring in the original actors for the epilogue or something because if they just bring in a random girl with a braid, I'm going to throw hands.

*Caution! Though rare, it happens and it happened with this book. 40 pages were missing and chapters were duplicated. It was a gift so the return window had closed before I found out. PAGE CHECK YOUR BOOKS WHEN YOU RECEIVE THEM. If I had done that, I would have seen the break in the page numbering sequence.* Now, back to the book! First thing I'd want everyone to know? Excellent book! Read it! I'm not a fan of sequels. I cringe when I hear one is coming out; especially if it is a follow-up to a book or movie I REALLY enjoyed. I had the same reaction to the Hunger Games sequels when they were announced even though I have no doubts about the talents of Suzanne Collins. It would not have been the first franchise that went to the well too often, as the saying goes. The first sequel/prequel, BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, was a good book, but not a favorite of mine. I had no empathy or a great deal of interest in how young Snow became what he was by the time of the original trilogy. The ugliness and brutality of the games' origins before their evolution to the pomp and pageantry of the later games was fascinating and unexpected. It was the final chapters and the epilogue when the characters eventually grabbed me the hardest. On the other hand, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, earned my investment in the story and the characters right from the start. Part of that was probably my existing empathy for the character of Haymitch. While avoiding spoilers, on a wide scale, the book made a beautiful bridge between the 10th games in THE BALLAD and the era of the 74th and 75th games of Mockingjay Trilogy. At a personal level, the tragedies of Haymitch's story were revealed. Haymitch's story gives the character so much more dimension; and some other characters we've met before. Readers will see the Haymitch of the Hunger Games trilogy in a different, more painful light without retconning the character. Once again, the epilogue in SUNRISE added insights and heartfelt "Oh, Wow!" moments for me. The original characters will always be my favorites and the focus of the Hunger Games. SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is a fully actualized story that could stand on its own merit, but it just finds its own place in the series so perfectly, without creating inconsistencies (as we have seen with so many other prequels and sequels) or diminishing the central characters of the original trilogy that made the stories so popular in the first place. (Yeah, lookin' at you, Terminator) I hope the upcoming movie lives up to it. Highly recommended.

Wonderful book and was a joy to read, I couldn't put it down! To see how Haymitch and others lives tied into the original series was amazing to see unfold, I cried at the ending. Suzanne is an amazing writer and I hope she has more planned for this series. Can't wait for the movie later this year as well!

Twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping details sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy’s fateful experience during the 50th Hunger Games (the second Quarter Quell). Before proceeding please note that this review contains major spoilers for The Hunger Games Trilogy so if you haven’t read those books yet, and plan to, my advice is to give this review a wide berth until you have. Just like The Hunger Games this one also opens on the day of the reaping in District 12. And because it’s a Quarter Quell instead of two children, four will be reaped from each district (2 boys and 2 girls), 48 tributes across all districts. Just like the other two games we’ve read about, we get to know a selection of brave tributes that I grew to love and respect, all the while knowing that those characters weren’t long for their world. When we were first introduced to Haymitch in The Hunger Games he was damaged and broken with zero attachments to anyone or anything, and used alcohol to numb his pain and escape from reality. Having now finished Sunrise on the Reaping, and filling all the holes in his past, I now have a complete picture of the horrors, loss, despair, and betrayal he endured. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone that this is not a happy story. Haymitch’s story was heart-wrenching, bleak, appalling, frightening, and cruel. As a reader though it was immersive, addicting, fast-paced, and action-packed, and I loved learning all the new details relating to this universe. Aside from Haymitch several characters from The Hunger Games novels appeared in this book. And, if you are anything like me and have a bad memory, or if it’s been a hot minute since you’ve read The Hunger Games, listed below are a reminder of the roles those characters played in the trilogy, and if it’s not too much of a spoiler, their part in this one. Wiress – District 3 Victor of the 49th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games. Beetee Latier – District 3 Victor of the 34th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games. Mags Flanagan – District 4 Victor of the 11th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games. Effie Trinket – Escort for the District 12 tributes for the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. Plutarch Heavensbee – Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games. President Snow – President of Panem in The Hunger Games and in this book. Caesar Flickerman – Presenter of the 50th, 74th and 75th Hunger Games. I was ecstatic to be given more backstories and insights and motivations regarding these returning characters. One in particular was so heartbreaking and horrific, and another’s answered a question I had from Catching Fire. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the audiobook for a very reasonable price of NZD $1.74, and Jefferson White completely and utterly captured Haymitch’s voice. My only slight irritation was with all the poems, which were more prominent in the audio, and if I had of been reading an e-book or physical copy, I would’ve likely skipped over them. Because I’m in the zone, and haven’t yet read The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes, I’m going to move straight onto that one. Although, word of warning, there is a massive spoiler for that novel in this one, so I did kind of ruin it for myself. Completely my fault for reading out of order. I’m still as excited to read Ballad as I was to read Sunrise on the Reaping, and if it’s as phenomenal and memorable as this instalment then I have nothing to complain about.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” takes readers on a journey through the past, revealing the untold stories of key figures from The Hunger Games universe. What stands out most about this prequel is how it adds layers of complexity to characters we thought we already knew. The book delves deeply into the lives of figures like Haymitch, Beetee, Wiress, and Mags, offering a fresh perspective on their struggles, hopes, and failed rebellions. One of the most compelling aspects of this story is the full exploration of Haymitch’s character. In the original trilogy, Haymitch is often seen as a jaded, cynical mentor to Katniss. But in "Sunrise on the Reaping", his backstory adds a poignant depth to his character. His experience in the Games, and his subsequent efforts to navigate the political landscape of Panem, truly helps readers understand the man behind the bitterness. It also highlights just how much Katniss and Haymitch mirror each other in their desires for survival, though Katniss’ drive and self-belief seem to propel her further than Haymitch ever could manage. The book also does an exceptional job of illustrating the insidiousness of President Snow. For the first time, we see Snow not as a shadowy figure in the background, but as the manipulative and ruthless tyrant he truly is. His actions against the rebels—and his cold, calculated ways of maintaining control—serve as a chilling reminder of how much power he wielded and how little he cared for those who sought to challenge him. The inclusion of other characters, like Beetee, Wiress, and Mags, is also a major strength of the novel. Through their eyes, we see the tragic attempts at rebellion and the harsh consequences of failure. The motivations of these characters—be it their desire for justice, change, or simply survival—feel deeply personal. Their attempts to change the system show just how dire the situation was in Panem before Katniss even stepped onto the scene. The writing is descriptive and immersive, with a strong sense of foreshadowing that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Suzanne Collins has a knack for weaving intricate political themes, subtle character development, and powerful emotional moments into a compelling narrative. This book isn’t just about survival or rebellion—it’s about the cost of wanting change in a broken system. Plutarch, in particular, emerges as a surprisingly complex figure. While he was an enigma in the original trilogy, here we see his motivations and struggles in greater detail. The political machinations at play, and the ways in which love, loyalty, and desire for change intersect, are explored in ways that leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. Overall, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is a thrilling, thought-provoking addition to the Hunger Games series. It not only expands the lore but also gives readers a deeper understanding of the political, personal, and moral forces that shaped the world of Panem. With its layered characters, gripping plot, and sharp commentary on power and resistance, this book is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

If you have read the other books be prepared to love this one. The characters you are so invested in, make you want to get to the end so fast, even through the tears of how tragic the story is. Overall this is a beautiful book a wonderful way to tell Haymitch's back story and given even more depth to District 12.

First let me say that I love The Hunger Games books. Suzanne Collins has an amazing gift for conveying both imagery and emotion. You truly see me feel every word. That being said, I don't feel that anything will match the original books. I did, however, like this prequel far more than the last. Haymitch is such a loved character and to now have so much more insight into his experiences, pain and identity brings new depth to the original books. So many pieces suddenly fit together. For me, and without any spoilers, I did feel the ending chapters of the book became somewhat muddled, for lack of a better word. Huge moments where somewhat rushed andalmost uneventful and then so much emotion was just relayed in poem/song after poem after poem. I found myself longing for her usual writing and for the first time ever, wanting to skip portions of the text. I thought the recap the end, in later years, was absolutely beautiful. Was it my favorite of the series? No. Was it my favorite prequel? Yes. Would I recommend the book? Absolutely. Even with the somewhat critical feedback I had regarding the end, I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn this story.

Come da aspettative

Fav read of all time, arrived in very good condition as well

Arrived in pretty good condition, slightly rigid edges and was a little dusty, but other wise pretty good. The book it self was amazing and would recommend reading it to anyone!!

Great book. Arrived as promised. Hard back copy. Well worth it.

Fast delivery but book came without a plastic wrap. Stains visible over the cover and the side of the pages. However, pages content looks fine and serves its purpose.