Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel)

TL;DR: Movie fan thinks it’s worth the $20 price of admission. I’ve recently gotten into the habit of reading. Sunrise on the Reaping marks my second book of the year—and my first dive into Suzanne Collins’ work. A weird jumping-on point for her series, I know, especially since I’m usually an “I’ll check out the movie” kind of guy. But after hearing all the buzz following The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I found myself eagerly awaiting this release. That movie was so phenomenal, it made me rethink my feelings on the world Collins built—Panem. I’ve always loved world-building and dystopian futures. While I was a little disappointed that the book didn’t dive deeper into the other districts or give us a broader view of Capitol life, I still found myself glued to the atmosphere. It’s immersive, and I couldn't put it down. Minor spoilers ahead: A few characters from the original trilogy return—and for me, it was a bit hit or miss. Some fit naturally into the story. Others felt shoehorned in with a “Hey, remember this character?” energy. As someone who comes from the movie side of the fandom, I mostly shrugged those off. But I suspect longtime book fans will welcome them back like old friends—nostalgic, even if a little unexpected. The action is well-written and easy to follow while maintaining an “anti-violence” tone. I really appreciated that. It’s hard to strike a balance between depicting action and making it feel like tragedy rather than spectacle. Collins nails it—chef’s kiss. She stays on-message where many don’t. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a good story with a clear theme. I did feel like I lost track of Haymitch, our main character and narrator, toward the end. That said, it’s impressive how Collins captures years of self-destructive behavior and still makes it feel believable. I just wish the pacing had slowed down a bit near the end, especially to show more of how Haymitch coaches his tributes—how he schemes, strategizes, and subtly resists the Capitol as a mentor. Look at me, asking for more. That’s a good sign. As a movie fan, this $20 “ticket” was absolutely worth the price of admission.

This book provided an enjoyable and suspenseful insight into the mentor of the original Hunger Games trilogy, Haymitch Abernathy. His story is more than just a man facing PTSD due to his hunger games containing double the tributes, forcing him to forget in the form of alcohol, but a story of loss and torment inflicted by the all powerful President Snow. The book does a lot of things right, such as filling you with the unyielding urge to keep reading during the arena section, as with every hunger games book, as well as tying in new characters, that ultimately prove vital, to hunger games lore. Maysilee Donner is my favorite. However the fan service disillusioned me from the world, hence the -1 star. I understand the need for Collins to reuse characters to make the book feel more immersive, however this trope was overused and repetitive. One example being, Haymitch apparently being best friends with Burdock Everdeen, Katniss’ father, since youth. However this was never mentioned in the original trilogy, hence the disillusionment. Other than the constant fan service, it’s a book I found myself thinking about long after finishing it, craving more. I also wish Collins would have went more in depth into Haymitch’s life post victory. Such as his battles with addiction while essentially sending in tributes to die every year, as he was forced to mentor them.

Couldn’t put it down, loved the interweaving of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven into the story. Huge fan.

I feel like Collins has regressed in quality that it feels like it’s her debut novel. Snow’s standalone was a whole lot better than the rest of the other four books. It’s a bummer that I get bored of Haymitch.

Loved it do not recommend

I can’t stop rereading it and can hardly put it down. This book is by far my favorite of the Hunger Games series and is a must read for all Haymitch fans. Truly devastating and poignant.

Just as impactful and devastating as it’s predecessors. A perfect addition to bring the series full circle.

I grew up reading the original trilogy. Years later, when we need her the most Suzanne delivers her best book yet. Truly beautiful yet gun wrenching must read!

Seeing old faces in their early years was a treat only to be spoiled by the many tragic moments that awaited Haymitch. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions as we follow Haymitch from beginning to end.

The 50th hunger games always interested me ever since they talked about it in catching fire. This not only gives more of a look at the arena, but you find out way more about Haymitch and why he is the way he is. It had a beautiful story telling of his thoughts and how he feels, along with plenty of surprises that didn’t step on the story that was already told.