Most Heartbreaking Hunger Games Yet? Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

My Rating: 5 Stars

"I left a simple district piglet and returned as the murderous beast that they always suspected lay in wait."

Oh Suzanne Collins, you have completely stolen and shattered my heart all over again.

Sometimes franchises just continually milk a series until there is no more story left to tell. [I’m looking at you Star Wars…] After A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I was scared that The Hunger Games series was entering this dangerously annoying and capitalistic territory (ironic). But alas!! Suzanne has redeemed herself a thousand times over with this heartbreaking masterpiece!!

Sunrise on the Reaping brings back the original suspense of the games, gives background story to beloved characters we already know, introduces new and memorable characters, and keeps you on the edge of your seat to a story you think you already know. 

In 2021, I found ABOSBAS to be an unsatisfactory and overall disappointing villain origin story to President Snow. However, SOTR is exactly the right story we needed to help understand our beloved, alcoholic Haymitch, as well as many other characters from the original trilogy (which I will not be naming so I don't spoil anything!).

SOTR takes place during Haymitch’s games on the 50th anniversary, meaning we have another Quarter Quell. Suzanne’s creativity once again stands out as she creates a clever and manipulative arena that challenge the characters…and readers! To quote our very own Beetie in Catching Fire, “There’s always a flaw in the system.” ;)

Suzanne does an incredible job of bringing in memorable tributes that you become emotionally attached to despite knowing their tragic, inevitable doom. Multiple characters even share important connections to tributes we already know and love. The depth of these characters becomes an essential part of the book as they help us as the audience remember the true meaning and harsh cruelty of the games…lest we become like the Capitol!!!

The best part of the book, by far, is the focus on how the manipulation and control of the Games. Haymitch’s games are not average and Haymitch is not your average tribute. More like Katniss than we ever knew, he sees through many of the Gamemaker’s tricks and proves to be a continuous challenge to their narrative. And we soon find out that the rebellion may have been brewing for years before Katniss came along...but so has Snow's excessive cruelty.

Ultimately, Sunrise on the Reaping brings the dynamics between Haymitch and Katniss into a sharper focus. From Haymitch’s home life in District 12, to his experience in the games, to the devasting repercussions he faces, we see clearly why Haymitch struggles in his relationship with Katniss. We see why he goes through deeply emotional stages of his initial bitterness, then his hesitancy, and ultimately his steadfast determination in helping Katniss not only win the games but overthrow the Capitol.

In conclusion: SOTR is a fantastic book that provides insight to Haymitch’s character arch, emphasizes the cruelty of those who seek power, and DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE POEM.