Hi all! 

Today I am sharing my spoiler-free review of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. This is THE book of 2025. With everybody talking about it, I had to throw my two cents in as well. Make sure you check out my Drag King transformation of Haymitch Abernathy here. There is a lot to say, so without further ado, let’s get into it! 

THE PLOT 

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour 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 three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive odds-maker, 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.

THE CHARACTERS 

If you weren’t already rooting for Haymitch Abernathy before Sunrise on the Reaping, you certainly will be after reading his story. This character may just have the worst luck in history. Every single event that occurs throughout his past, explains his tortured vibe in The Hunger Games. You can’t help but love him for everything he is and everything he does. If you are not crying by the epilogue, I would be checking your chest cavity for a heart. I did not expect to sob as much as I did. Outside of our protagonist, it’s very difficult to get invested in the other characters, because we already know the majority will be killed in the arena. What you can’t prepare for however, are the multiple, unpredictable deaths that catch you off guard. I became emotionally attached, whether I wanted to or not. The tributes that stole my heart were Maysilee Donner, Louella, Ampert and Wellie. Outside of the arena, super-fans will be overjoyed to reunite with many a familiar face from the series. There are Easter Eggs galore and multiple nods to A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and even Mockingjay. For this reason, I do recommend watching all the adaptations first – even better, reading the books. You’ll get the full experience that way. 

THE WRITING STYLE 

I truly commend Suzanne Collins for not disappointing readers in the slightest with such a long-awaited prequel. I can’t imagine the exorbitant amount of pressure to deliver something fans have been asking for since the inception of The Hunger Games. To provide such a successful backstory, after all this time, is beyond impressive. Before its release, Haymitch’s story was pretty well-known. He discusses his time in the arena in both the book and film. As an avid-lover of the franchise, I was confident I knew where things were going. How wrong I was! Suzanne fills in the gaps with so much intensity, heart and purpose. She doesn’t waste a single page, nor miss opportunities to connect readers with the past and present of Panem. She’s a master at breaking you into a million tiny pieces with a single sentence. The arena itself is brutal and unforgiving. You’ll be holding your breath from the moment Haymitch enters, until the moment he leaves. How she manages to keep creating these worlds, I’ll never know. 

STAR RATING 

I gave it 5/5 stars. It was truly worth the wait. 

Thank you so much for reading! Have you read Sunrise on the Reaping yet? 

Peace & Love xoxo