‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ continues excellence of ‘The Hunger Games’
"Sunrise on the Reaping," the newest novel in "The Hunger Games" saga, ties together loose threads from the characters' stories in the first series. The book follows the story of District 12's Haymitch Abernathy. Flynn Ledoux | Illustration Editor
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Suzanne Collins said she only writes when she has something important to say. In her newest prequel to her “The Hunger Games” trilogy, Collins reminds us that her renowned series still has lessons to teach.
In 2020, Collins released “The Hunger Games” prequel novel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which follows the story of President Coriolanus Snow, the series’ antagonistic dictator. This was a hit, followed by a movie adaptation just as popular.
The newest “The Hunger Games” novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” follows the long-anticipated — but never-told — story of District 12’s most tragic victor, Haymitch Abernathy. Collins follows through, refusing to disappoint the dedicated “The Hunger Games” fandom.
The franchise follows Katniss Everdeen in the former United States now known as Panem — an authoritarian nation where each year, two children from each district are chosen to compete in deadly games.
There’s something darker about “Sunrise on the Reaping” compared to the already dark “The Hunger Games” series. More authoritarian punishments and deaths are shown, loss is at its most raw and, for the first time in the franchise, our main character is left with nothing.
Katniss’ story follows Panem’s revolt against Snow and its eventual fall, but, in recent years, Collins’ prequels, such as “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” provide more context to the already powerful story.
In “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Collins introduces us to Lucy Gray Baird, Snow’s lover in his youth, and her “Covey” — a clan of traveling musicians. We see her and her family’s role in his story and rise to dictatorship.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” adds context to a different character: Katniss’ mentor, Haymitch.
In just the first chapter of the book, we’re introduced to a young version of Katniss Everdeen’s father and mother. It’s established that the Coveys and Everdeens are cousins, which explains how Katniss knows their songs. We meet a new Covey girl, Lenore Dove, reminiscent of Lucy Gray.
Haymitch fell in love with Lenore Dove but she was killed by Snow, alongside his mother and brother. This contextualizes Haymitch’s warning to Katniss in “Catching Fire” that her rebellion will have consequences.
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Most powerful, though, is Collins’ ability to deepen our love for Haymitch by showing his resilience. When first introduced in the original “The Hunger Games” series, he appears as an alcoholic, blunt and despondent man. Through his loving relationship with Katniss, we see his unrelenting ability to care, but we never learn how he became so dark.
In Haymitch’s story, he winds up in the 50th Hunger Games. Despite his hard exterior, he consistently finds himself as a caretaker for the other tributes, which dooms him to being hurt over and over again, as he cannot protect them.
Collins has a way of calling back to what readers already know. In “Sunrise of the Reaping,” she draws parallels between Katniss and Haymitch. In the original series, we see their father-daughter dynamic and how Haymitch ensures Katniss’ safety above all else, comforting her when no one else does. In the new novel, we see why.
Haymitch was just like her — he wasn’t selected into the games, but ended up there to protect someone he loves. He also had a younger brother, Sid, who mirrors Katniss’s sister, Prim. Katniss and Haymitch both rebel against the capitol and destroy their respective arenas. In “Sunrise on the Reaping,” it’s even said that the rebellion needed someone exactly like Haymitch, just with better timing.
Characters mirroring each other can be weak or repetitive. But, through Collins’ skillful writing, she makes the story take on more force, giving new meaning to Katniss’ win, her happy ending and the happy ending we see Haymitch eventually get. Her struggle against Panem may have been the last, but it wasn’t the first. Haymitch’s mentorship paved the way for her.
In the epilogue of the first series, Haymitch is settled, still struggling, but doing better while raising geese. Initially, this seems light-hearted and almost random, but with the added context of his backstory, it takes on a new meaning.
Given the state of the world, it’s more important now than ever to read books that cover the power elite and injustice — something Collins is well aware of. A movie adaptation of this novel is already in the works and is set to release in 2026, giving readers plenty of time to explore the new book and get excited.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” proves it’s possible to build on an already solid series without ruining it. If you’re a “The Hunger Games” fan, it is definitely worth a read.
