Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games) Hardcover – March 18, 2025

As a forever reader of the Hunger Games novels, to say I was excited for "Sunrise On The Reaping", would be a massive understatement. These are books that are just too hard to put down. Suzanne Collins just has a way in her story telling that locks you in. You can actually FEEL what the characters are feeling (or maybe that's just me lol).Now as far as this particular book. It answered SOOO many questions about why Haymich is the way he is in the original books. You get introduced to so many new characters, as well as some old ones from the original books (not just President Snow, obviously). You get to find out how several old characters get their starts. Not only was it informative, but it was so gripping, and kept you on the edge of your seat. The Arena and the things within it, is what threw me for the biggest loop.My only negative for the book, is I wish it was longer. I'm typically a Dark Romance girly, and I'm used to books being well over 400+ pages long. I felt the ending was a little....rushed. I personally would've LOVED to have a couple more chapters sprinkled in on the years leading up to Katniss and Peeta's reaping, as well as a little more time. Granted, Haymich spent most of his time, post 50th Hunger Games, consistently in a drunken stuper, I still would've loved more.All in all, I loved the book. Would definitely love some more like it, except directed more for other victors like Johanna Mason and Finnick O'dair, and their games.Hopefully if/when they make this into a movie, they do the book justice.

# Sunrise on the Reaping - Review"Sunrise on the Reaping" opens on the morning of the reaping ceremony where Haymitch becomes the tribute from District 12. What stands out most in this novel is the thoughtful character development of Haymitch, allowing readers to understand the man who later mentors Katniss and Peeta.The narrative structure follows a familiar path similar to the first Hunger Games book—progressing from the Reaping ceremony to training, then to the arena, and finally to the aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell (the 50th Hunger Games). As a follow-up to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," this book effectively demonstrates President Snow's increasing brutality and offers insight into how he maintains his iron grip on power.What's particularly noteworthy is how Collins reveals the origins of events that later unfold in "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." The author subtly illustrates how the seeds of a dictator's defeat are planted long before they bear fruit—a compelling theme throughout the series.This entry stands as one of the most compelling in the series, largely due to the deeper understanding it provides of Haymitch's character. Collins once again excels at demonstrating the substantial human cost of war, a consistent and powerful theme across her work.

Wow - what a read, Suzanne! This prequel to the original Hunger Games books has quickly become my favorite book in the series. Reading about Haymitch's involvement in the second quarter quell had me smiling, laughing, and ultimately crying in intimate moments that he has with Louella & Maysilee. Getting to see how woven the people are of District 12 and the previous connections that Haymitch had to Katniss's & Peter's parents, along with Effie, Plutarch, Mags, Wiress, and Beetee, truly had me so locked in while reading that I was forgetting the world around me, and that is how a truly well-done story should make you feel! Would recommend to anyone who loved the original books, as well as new fans. Very glad that Suzanne let us into the world of a younger Haymitch, and he was written beautifully, even better than I was hoping for.Amazon did a great job with delivering this on release day for me as well since I had pre-ordered the book a few weeks prior. I had a small dent in one of the lower-right edges of the front cover, but nothing that doesn't happen in typical transit.

While this is not my FAVORITE hunger games book, it is still incredibly good. Haymitch is my favorite character alongside Katniss/Peeta (obviously) so it was really cool looking into his backstory. The scene with the chariot/Luella was great. I also loved Maysilee. She's a queen. My biggest problem would be with just how many characters Haymitch ran into that re-appeared (SPOILER...like Mags, Wiress, Betee). I get maybe running into one, but especially the plot with Betee felt really...convenient? Or like it was just there so readers would be like "hey!!! I know him!!!" That said, this was a really, really minor issue on my part, and I could set it aside and enjoy the book plenty. This series is incredibly good, incredibly relevant, and Collins' ability to weave in commentary about propaganda and media was spot on. Two re-occurring characters who didn't feel as shoe-horned in were Snow and Plutarch. All in all, great "prequel." A couple areas that felt a touch like fan service, but I still didn't mind too much.