“Sunrise on the Reaping,” a new adaptation of the “Hunger Games” franchise by Suzanne Collins, was released on March 18. Fans gathered outside stores for the midnight release, and within the first week, the book sold 1.5 million copies worldwide, marking the biggest debut for any “Hunger Games” book. It is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and online platforms such as Audible and Kindle Store. Some editions include special features, such as posters and in-depth conversations between the author and publisher.
This book is a sequel to the original “Hunger Games” trilogy and serves as the second prequel, following “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” released in 2019. It explores the early life of Haymitch Abernathy, a fan-favorite character, illustrating the cycle that shaped teenage Haymitch into his adult self and summarizing the journey that led to his becoming the well-known alcoholic often referenced.
The layout of the book closely resembles that of the original trilogy, with Haymitch referring to himself in the first person, diverging from the third-person perspective used in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The story begins on the day of the 50th annual Hunger Games Reaping in Panem, which coincidentally is also Haymitch’s birthday. It depicts his daily life and highlights the struggles he faces living in poverty. When he attends the reaping, the tributes selected to fight in the Hunger Games arena are introduced, and the narrative explores the mystery surrounding the true events of Haymitch’s own games.
This story ignites the rebellion that is constantly referred to in the previous stories, showing the fierce and passionate tributes who disagree with the Capitol of Panem, attempting to change the laws forever, creating peace throughout.
With a 4.8 out of 5 stars, many loved this addition to the series, feeling as if adding to Haymitch’s character improved the understanding of the previous books. Learning about his childhood experiences offers new insight into his behavior and fosters empathy for him, enriching the overall narrative.
However, some readers were disappointed with the book’s writing, criticizing Collins’s choice to include many characters from previous books. Many describe it as almost “fan fiction,” an unofficial story written by a reader that references characters from earlier works. This led some to feel the book is less authentic and not a true addition to the series.
Many agreed that the already-seen characters were unnecessary, and including new characters who shaped Haymitch would have enriched the story. Conversely, others believed that the existing characters were essential for developing Katniss’s background—the main character of the original books—and for revealing the backstories of the people she met. These characters helped connect the dots and added depth to the series as a whole.
Many readers also try to seek out the true theme that Collins is trying to present. As a dystopian book, it is obvious that this book portrays what a corrupt government can become, but there are also details demonstrating how such things can happen. Propaganda is portrayed throughout the book, showing how easy it is for the media to twist the truth. It appears multiple times, even tricking the reader into believing the wrong thing at points, proving how destructive propaganda can be.
With the criticism of the book, fans have begun questioning the quality of the movie adaptation, which is set to be released in November 2026. Although the Hunger Games movies are often said to be fairly accurate to the novel, if the film itself is flawed, it may detract from viewers’ enjoyment.
The cast of this movie is gradually being revealed, and fans have expressed both excitement and discontent regarding their expectations for each actor’s portrayal of their characters. Joseph Zada will play Haymitch, while Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird.
If you’re planning on reading this series, reading from published order rather than chronological order is recommended, as it’s the best way to watch the stories unfold.
This book has fans twiddling their thumbs, waiting for Collins to add more titles to the collection, such as “Finnick Odair’s Games,” “Annie Cresta’s Games,” “Life Before the War,” and many other character stories.
