Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)

As for Amazon it came in amazing shape. No damage at all!Book Review (Spoiler Free!):Girl, I’m still trying to collect myself after finishing this book. Like, why does Suzanne Collins always do this to us? I swear, every time we get attached to a side character in The Hunger Games universe, it ends in pain. And this time, it was Haymitch’s turn to break our hearts.Let me start by saying… this book was good. Like, 4-star good. Collins gave us everything we wanted and more: the backstory of a fan-favorite character, the brutal reality of another Hunger Games, and that sharp, unflinching look at the Capitol’s cruelty. We finally see how Haymitch won the 50th Games, how he went from a cocky, clever teen to the broken, haunted mentor we meet in The Hunger Games. And whew, it was rough.Haymitch was that boy; smart, resourceful, and playing the game like a chess master. He figured out the arena’s secrets, outmaneuvered his opponents, and won in a way that made the Capitol hate him. But as always, winning the Games doesn’t mean survival. What happens after? That’s where the real tragedy sets in. The Capitol never lets a victor be free, especially not one who makes them look stupid. And when I tell you the fallout of his win hurt, I mean it left me sitting in silence, staring at my wall, questioning why I put myself through this.This book really made me love Haymitch even more, but it also made me grieve him in a way I never had before. Because knowing why he drinks, why he acts the way he does—it just makes everything in the original trilogy hit even harder. And that’s what sucks about these prequels. You get so close to these characters, understand them on a deeper level, and then you have to sit with the fact that their story is already set in stone. We know exactly how it ends for Haymitch, and there’s no rewriting it.I will say, I didn’t give it 5 stars because parts of the story dragged a little, especially in the buildup before the Games. But once it got going? Oh, it went. And even though I’m emotionally wrecked, I love that Collins still has the ability to make us feel everything, the hope, the fear, the anger, and the heartbreak.Now if you’ll excuse me, I need some time to recover. Again.

Haymitch was born on Reaping Day! What a birthday present! On his sixteen birthday - which is the Second Quarter Quell-chaos ensues and after an effort to protect his girlfriend he gets illegally reaped. He becomes one of the four tributes (instead of the normal two) to represent District 12. From the moment he arrives in the capital things go wrong. He attempts to make The Capital pay for all of these atrocities! He does not expect to be a victor, so doesn’t have anything to lose.This book was long anticipated and boy did it meet the hype. It definitely tied up some loose ends. I loved it so much. If I could, though, I would have taken 1/2 a star off for a couple of things that were put into the storythat felt unnecessary. It felt like the author was checking boxes for the publisher. Otherwise it was superb! I love that Collins switched back to the first person pov for this book. At first it made me question why Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was written in third person, but by the end of the book I had a lightbulb moment. It is another great style move by Collins. I am so glad we got Haymitch’s story. Now the series feels complete! There are some really cool classic literary references that add new layer of depth to this book. There is so much more that the English teacher in me would love to explore, but I am just writing a review and not teaching so I will stop. 🙂 Side note: I listened to the audiobook, it was in my opinion, well done.If you enjoyed the rest of The Hunger Games Series then this is a must read for you. If you love middle grade and young adult dystopian novels then this book is for you. If violence is triggering, especially, deaths of teens maybe skip this whole series.

Sunrise on the Reaping was highly emotional and devastating from start to finish. The deaths of Ambert and Wellie were horrific. "Pearly white bones" and a decapitated head?The way Lorene Dove dies at Haymitch's hands when he fed her the poisoned gumdrop was devastating and messed up snow did that. What happened to Mags and Wiress for being his mentor was messed up. It explains why Wiress went insane and Mags could barely talk by the 75th games.Also making Beetee mentor his child and watch him die the way he did as punishment was also messed up. The book made me cry a lot. He didn't even get to see his mom and brother before they died either.Snow doesn't "land on top" he just destroys everything in his path. At the end of the day he's just a heartbroken paranoid little boy that is so destructive. Probably thinks all of 12 is out to get him.Maysilee had mockingjay potential too. I was loving Haymitch's, Amberts and Maysilees defiance against the Capitol.Theories:☆Prim was Reaped on purpose either because Haymitch was friends with her dad or the Rebellion reaped her knowing Katniss would volunteer making it more interesting. Ways snow could know Katniss was strong was he could've put up cameras around the places Lucy, him and the covey spent their time in district 12.☆100% sure Katniss wasn't the only one reaped purposely for the 75th games. Beetee, Finnick, Wiress and definitely Haymitch. Definitely Haymitch. We all know why now.☆Haymitch was a "failed" mockingjay. It was just the wrong time and the way it played out. Before reading one my guesses was there was a failed Rebellion.☆My theory that Lenore Dove was Covey was true. But was her mom Lucy or Maude? Lucy possibly could have came back and lived her life out in the woods in that cabin by the lake and had a baby.Would I recommend? 100% yes

Engaging story and very in-line with the rest of the Hunger Games series. Loved learning about Hamish's backstory.

One of the most intriguing characters in the series is finally getting his story told. We love Hamish as he is in HG, CF, and MJ. Even with his story arc in those three books they’re always seem like more to him and I am so happy that we get to explore more of the history of Panam and more of his backstory along with other amazing characters. This book pulls no punches and does not hold back. I think it’s important to reflect on the violence that is ingrained within this world and how people cope in many different ways and for Hamish Abernathy he lives in a constant state of trying to numb himself from thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I love that we get to see a glimpse of other well loved characters as well. Suzanne Collins did an exceptional job with this book and it really is a gut punch and a beautiful resolution to so many unanswered questions.

Twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping details sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy’s fateful experience during the 50th Hunger Games (the second Quarter Quell).Before proceeding please note that this review contains major spoilers for The Hunger Games Trilogy so if you haven’t read those books yet, and plan to, my advice is to give this review a wide berth until you have.Just like The Hunger Games this one also opens on the day of the reaping in District 12. And because it’s a Quarter Quell instead of two children, four will be reaped from each district (2 boys and 2 girls), 48 tributes across all districts. Just like the other two games we’ve read about, we get to know a selection of brave tributes that I grew to love and respect, all the while knowing that those characters weren’t long for their world.When we were first introduced to Haymitch in The Hunger Games he was damaged and broken with zero attachments to anyone or anything, and used alcohol to numb his pain and escape from reality. Having now finished Sunrise on the Reaping, and filling all the holes in his past, I now have a complete picture of the horrors, loss, despair, and betrayal he endured. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone that this is not a happy story. Haymitch’s story was heart-wrenching, bleak, appalling, frightening, and cruel. As a reader though it was immersive, addicting, fast-paced, and action-packed, and I loved learning all the new details relating to this universe.Aside from Haymitch several characters from The Hunger Games novels appeared in this book. And, if you are anything like me and have a bad memory, or if it’s been a hot minute since you’ve read The Hunger Games, listed below are a reminder of the roles those characters played in the trilogy, and if it’s not too much of a spoiler, their part in this one.Wiress – District 3 Victor of the 49th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games.Beetee Latier – District 3 Victor of the 34th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games.Mags Flanagan – District 4 Victor of the 11th Hunger Games and tribute in the 75th Hunger Games.Effie Trinket – Escort for the District 12 tributes for the 74th and 75th Hunger Games.Plutarch Heavensbee – Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games.President Snow – President of Panem in The Hunger Games and in this book.Caesar Flickerman – Presenter of the 50th, 74th and 75th Hunger Games.I was ecstatic to be given more backstories and insights and motivations regarding these returning characters. One in particular was so heartbreaking and horrific, and another’s answered a question I had from Catching Fire.I was lucky enough to get my hands on the audiobook for a very reasonable price of NZD $1.74, and Jefferson White completely and utterly captured Haymitch’s voice. My only slight irritation was with all the poems, which were more prominent in the audio, and if I had of been reading an e-book or physical copy, I would’ve likely skipped over them.Because I’m in the zone, and haven’t yet read The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes, I’m going to move straight onto that one. Although, word of warning, there is a massive spoiler for that novel in this one, so I did kind of ruin it for myself. Completely my fault for reading out of order. I’m still as excited to read Ballad as I was to read Sunrise on the Reaping, and if it’s as phenomenal and memorable as this instalment then I have nothing to complain about.

I enjoyed so many things in this book, but my favorite is the world. I’m hungry for more about Panem and when Suzanne Collins obliges her readers with more, it doesn’t satiate my hunger, it just makes me want more!I would recommend this book to at least people 13+ as long as you love the Hunger Games. Do not read this book without reading the rest of the series.The fans of the Hunger Games have been asking for Haymitch Abernathy’s story for quite some time, and Suzanne did not disappoint! Sunrise on the Reaping is filled with characters we know from the original trilogy, more information on the evolution of the Hunger Games, and it’s chock full of despair, hope, and helplessness for a character that is so beloved in this world.True to my word, after reading this book, I want more from Suzanne Collins! A never satisfied fan of her work. Please write about Finick Odair next!

Haymitch Is a HeroHaymitch is a hero. He courageously never succumbed to the lure of the Games—to become a killer, to scrounge for life at the cost of principle and morality. In doing so, he thwarted the Capitol’s agenda to show the districts that they are no different from them. That it’s just survival of the fittest—and the Capitol happens to be stronger for now.This is the kind of courage the Jewish people showed during the Holocaust. My Rebbe used to say that Hitler wanted to reduce people to animals—strip them of their dignity by forcing them to scrap for food and disregard their humanity. But, as the vast Holocaust anthology of biographical and historical record shows, they continued to keep the Torah and mitzvos, and treated each other with kindness and altruism, even in the darkest conditions.President Snow is disproportionately disquieted by Haymitch’s defiance because he understands this is the seed of a true rebellion: the idea that one can make a statement—to oneself and to others—that they are not evil. That there is good in the world, and it’s worth the sacrifice.Haymitch had a different agenda: to destroy the evil—not those who were duped by that evil into playing its game.One of the clearest ways he showed this was by refusing to be bullied or blackmailed, even when Snow threatened to kill his family. It is not his fault that his family died—Snow is responsible. Had Haymitch given in, he would have become a shell of himself—a puppet, a kind of whore dancing to the Capitol’s will.The fact that he blames himself for their deaths is belied by his actions: he continues on his mission.His depression doesn’t come from failure, but from his predicament. As Victor Frankel in Man’s Search for Meaning asserts, in the midst of destruction, one still needs to be a hero. Evil can control your circumstances, but not your reaction to them.Even Yirmiyahu, who followed God’s command to the point of extreme danger to himself, wished that he was never born (Yirmiyahu 15:10)—not because he failed, but because of the crushing weight of his situation.Lenore Dove’s character wasn’t fully developed, making it hard to relate to her or be deeply affected by her death. However, the author connects her to Lucy Gray—buried in the same place—hinting that President Snow’s relationship with Haymitch may run far deeper than revealed.Even though Maysilee had a platonic relationship with Haymitch, their bond was transformative. Her character served as a tautological anchor for him—a living reminder of his resistance and values. Through her deeds, actions, formality, and presentation, she taught him that one can resist manipulation and avoid devolving into savagery. She modeled dignity, kindness, courage, and strength—even in her final breath. She wraps her pinky around his to remind him of their mission: to bring down the Capitol, even if it seems impossible.Lucy Gray seals this aspiration in her dying moment, pointing at the sun and telling Haymitch not to let it rise on the Reaping. Hence, the title of the book.In my opinion, the author’s intention is to give the reader insight into why Haymitch becomes an alcoholic. He is trapped in depression.Snow’s evil machinations have plunged him into a world of immense suffering, with all his family and loved ones lost. He refuses to take his own life because, deep down, he knows that would give Snow the ultimate victory. But at the same time, he doesn’t want to live. So, he escapes—until he is ultimately released by Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.I know this is a stylistic issue, but it would’ve been fascinating to see more from the Capitol’s and Snow’s perspectives. Clearly, this mini-rebellion caused major disruption, and it’s unclear how much damage control had to be done to smooth out the propaganda.

Haymitch was always more than a grumpy drunk forced into mentoring Katniss and Peeta. Being a victor wasn't a prize for Haymitch, found out the hard way when you win one thing you give up another. His unlikely team would help him overcome his lone wolf approach to end tyrrany through love, trust, and mutual respect albeit a bloody trail. If evil was human then the enemy was well funded from the capital, and its President, Snow villian origin story started in district 12 and knew all too well that love was a weakness that he would use to rule. Using his pain and anger he would keep the hunger games going until all of his past catches up with him. Haymitch, an unlikely hero changes the course of the hunger games, with the purpose to end them once and for all, that would be the best birthday gift.

I have somewhat composed my thoughts...SUZANNE WHY?!HOW?!I KNEW HOW THIS BOOK ENDS WHY WAS A STILL SOBBING THROUGH THE LAST CHAPTER AND THE EPILOGUE?! I have not ugly cried that hard at a book since ACOWAR! Like that right there was just cruel and torturous.This book made me do something that I haven't done to a book in years, I annotated as I read. Back in the day I used to heavily annotate my physical copies as I read, I haven't done that since I got back into reading unless I was rereading a book (which even then I'll reread listening to the audiobook). I got 100 pages into the book and had to put it down and go back and annotate what I had already read and then carry on reading.I loved seeing familiar faces and seeing how they played into everything that had happened during this book and then later on in the series. I found the comparison of District 12 in the book and then 12 in the original trilogy and how things were both better and worse at the different times depending what aspect you were looking at.SO MUCH LIQUID IMAGERY! Collins has such an amazing way with words like AAHHHHHH! All this liquid descriptors and imagery and knowing Haymitch becomes an alcoholic god it was so well done and hurt so bad.I can't believe I'm saying this but... this has officially beaten out Catching Fire as my favorite book in this series. Never thought I'd see the day, especially after the amount of heart break I suffered reading this. DANG YOU SUZANNE!

When I received the notice, "Sunrise On The Reaping," was coming out in a couple months, I preordered it!First off...NO SPOILERS, you have to read the book yourself.As a recommendation, I highly request you go back and read "The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes," again. This story is about Haymitch Abernathy and his reaping, you're instantly drawn in and I couldn't put the book down. There are some references in this story of characters and what they said, that you will try to remember reading in The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes. This is why I recommend you read that book again. I'm pretty sure after you've finished reading Sunrise On The Reaping...you're gonna go back and read Ballad Of Songbirds, anyway.I know many family and friends who constantly asked me how I knew more information about the Hunger Games Saga. I told them, don't just watch the movies (they're good in their own way) you should read the books. These last two books by Suzanne Collins have changed The Hunger Games meaning for me. At first, I believed it was all about Katniss and Peeta. Now I totally understand The Hunger Games Saga in a truly deeper way. This gave me so much more meaning to this saga I love.I'm sure I've said enough without saying anything, hahahaa. I highly recommend this book and I'm adding the audiobook to my collection as well. The audiobook allows me to listen to the story again while I'm doing something else. Bravo Susanne Collins!

WARNING: Spoilers aheadKay, let's get this review started.First with the negative:Really there are none, the only thing that made me sad was the price of the ebook ($18 for an ebook??? - though it did force me to buy the hardcover which I'm very happy about lol) and the fact that the story wasn't as mindblowing as everyone says it is. This might be because I put my expectations too high after hearing everyone talk about it for a month.POSITIVE:It was - actually - a really good book. Definitely very excited to watch the movie.The easter eggs were really fun to read. I loved learning more about Brodick (I didn't even know that was his name) and Asterid. Though I still don't know how to feel about Asterid. Like she honestly failed Katniss in so many ways, I'm honestly kind of mad at her. As soon as I felt she was being a better mom, Prim dies, the war ends, and she just dumps Katniss (after she has MULTIPLE huge traumatic experiences happen) and leaves to go heal other people. Like... ma'am?? You know you have another daughter right?? At least Peeta picks up her slack but still. (How did this become a rant about The Hunger Games??)ANYways, this book didn't really help her character, except to give me more insight into her childhood, make me love her and Brodick's relationship, and make me feel even worse about Brodick's death.I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Effie. She's awesome; (ignoring the fact that she does in fact wholeheartedly supports the Hunger Games, but we don't talk about that). She's honestly so fun, and positive, and bubbly. She's also the only thing I didn't see coming in the book (maybe I should add that to the negatives).I did find this book more political than the others, which I didn't mind. I found it interesting.Loved his district team. I love the growth between all of them, especially with Maysillee. Her characer arc, or at least the understanding that grew between her and Haymitch were amazing to read. I loved the quote, about what it means to have a sister ("you fight with each other and for each other" bit).HOW could they do that to Louella though? She honestly didn't deserve that. I loved that he called her "sweetheart" though and loved the connection to I did grow fond of Lou Lou though, and honestly felt so bad for her.The end fight was kind of gory though. The part with the intestines and Silka slowly dying with an ax in her head made me feel kind of queezy. I kind of liked that feeling (not during, but after) though because it reminds me of the horrors of murder and how thankfully I haven't been dessensitzed to it. No one should be used to that feeling.Okay, now to Haymitch...MY POOR BABY! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU! *wails*His character wasn't what I expected it to be. I don't even know how to describe his character.The ending was traumatic, I am traumatized. Literally, the whole book was fine, like "cool they're killing each other, that's fine I guess", BUT THEN when he comes home and his literal family is BURNING! STOPP. I 100% didn't expect that. I thought they would have been killed beforehand or something and people would have just told him "oh sorry, your family's dead, they were hanged", BUT NO cuz Snow is so much smarter than that, so he's going to make it look like an accident and nobody will know excpect HAYMITCH. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh.OH AND THEN Lenore Dove dies AND I LITERALLY DIED. I AM DEAD. LIKE HOW CAN SNOW DO THAT TO HIM!?? LIKE NOOOOOOO. NOT LENORE!! SHE'S NOT LIKE LUCY GRAY AT ALL??!! AND THE FACT THAT HAYMITCH LITERALLY KILLS HER HIMSELF IS SO. MUCH. WORSE. *cries herself to sleep*.The ending explains Haymitch's character so well in the "next" books, why he is alone, drunk, and irritable.It also makes so much sense that he was drunk during Katniss' reaping. It's his birthday and a reminder of everything he lost.Anyways, good job to Suzanne Collins, for another amazing book.Also, thank you for the epilogue, I would have died without it 🫶🏻.I really hope they will bring in the original actors for the epilogue or something because if they just bring in a random girl with a braid, I'm going to throw hands.

I am addicted to the Hunger Games. I’ve read the original trilogy multiple times, and watch the movies pretty much whenever they’re on TV. I’ve read The Ballad of Songs and Snakes. I assumed that Sunrise on the Reaping would be much like The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. And granted, since it tells the story of the Second Quarter Quell, the Hunger Games that Haymitch Abernathy “won,” there were bound to be similarities. But there were also surprises. I will try not to give too much away, but I must warn you, some of what I want to share might be a spoiler to you. So, if you’ve been meaning to read the book but haven’t yet, you might want to click away from this review for now.I tried to picture a young Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, and I just couldn’t. This Haymitch is a sweet guy.We meet him on the morning of his sixteenth birthday. It’s also the day of the annual reaping for the Hunger Games. In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Games, instead of the usual two tributes from each district, there will be four—two girls and two boys, sentenced to kill each other in the arena. The last one alive will be the victor. While Haymitch’s mother and brother and girlfriend and boss each have a gift for him, and the promise of a celebration later in the day, the shadow of the reaping hangs over everyone.One of the big differences between this book and the ones in the original trilogy is the sheer ineptitude of the Capitol forces. During the reaping in District 12, one of the chosen boys runs for it, and a Peacekeeper shoots him. Haymitch, who shields his girlfriend from an attacking Peacekeeper, is forced to replace the dead tribute as his punishment. Later, during the Parade of Tributes, an accident kills one of the tributes before she even makes it to her public interview.One of the delights of Sunrise on the Reaping is that we learn the backstory not only of Haymitch, but also of several other characters from Catching Fire. I won’t tell you who. But I will tell you that there is already an active resistance, some 24 years before the events of Book 1.The tributes form two major alliances, and it’s interesting to observe their efforts to support and protect their allies. Also, to see how they strategize.We also find out why Haymitch became such an alcoholic after the games. You’ll also find the full text of “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe, a few verses at a time.Sunrise on the Reaping is a smart book. It’s full of suspense, and will keep you emotionally and intellectually engaged from beginning to end.

I pre-orderd this book when first I could. I kept up on the release date and tried to keep my mind off of it when the hunger to read it would claw up my brain like days of old when it was Harry’s adventures I was seeking. I ordered the hard back, the kindle and the audible version at the same time. I’ve been reading and listening to The Tragedy of Katniss Everdeen on repeat for the last few years having avoided it when it was at his height in popularity for no particular reason. And while “There are worse games to play” sets my heart to aching in a similar way to “…all was well.” I thought I was prepared for this book to be a fantastic look into my 2nd favorite character in the story, I wasn’t prepared to see my 1st favorite featured before his game maker days…I wasn’t prepared to see Wiress articulate and alert or Mags or Beetee…I thought I was prepared to glean insight into how when and why. I wasn’t prepared at all. And now I’m stuck here in the old therebefore with the rest of you. Aching and empty as only my favorite stories leave me. I hate endings because they make me feel like this. Hungry for more and starving for it because it’s a hollow day now that I’ve read it. Back to listening to the 74th hunger games I guess the repeat will ease my pain. A thank you to Suzanne Collins for being one of my favorite authors on this planet, you just broke my heart again, but it is worth the pain. Also please write about Finnick….please break my heart with his story. I’ll wait as long as it takes, right here in the old therebefore.

First thing I'd want everyone to know? Excellent book! Read it!I'm not a fan of sequels. I cringe when I hear one is coming out; especially if it is a follow-up to a book or movie I REALLY enjoyed. I had the same reaction to the Hunger Games sequels when they were announced even though I have no doubts about the talents of Suzanne Collins. It would not have been the first franchise that went to the well too often, as the saying goes.The first sequel/prequel, BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, was a good book, but not a favorite of mine. I had no empathy or a great deal of interest in how young Snow became what he was by the time of the original trilogy. The ugliness and brutality of the games' origins before their evolution to the pomp and pageantry of the later games was fascinating and unexpected. It was the final chapters and the epilogue when the characters eventually grabbed me the hardest.On the other hand, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, earned my investment in the story and the characters from the start. Part of that was probably my existing empathy for the character of Haymitch. While avoiding spoilers, on a wide scale, the book made a beautiful bridge between the 10th games in THE BALLAD and the era of the 74th and 75th games of Mockingjay Trilogy. At a personal level, the tragedies of Haymitch's story were revealed. Haymitch's story gives the character so much more dimension; and some other characters we've met before.Readers will see the Haymitch of the Hunger Games trilogy in a slightly different, more painful light without retconning the character. Once again, the epilogue in SUNRISE added insights and heartfelt "Oh, Wow!" moments for me.The original characters will always be my favorites and the focus of the Hunger Games. SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is a fully actualized story that could stand on its own merit, but it just finds its own place in the series so perfectly, without creating inconsistencies (as we have seen with so many other prequels and sequels) or diminishing the central characters of the original trilogy that made the stories so popular in the first place. (Yeah, lookin' at you, Terminator)I hope the upcoming movie lives up to it.Highly recommended.