A Hunger Games Prequel: Sunrise on the Reaping

*Mild spoilers but no major plot spoilers for this book*

*There are spoilers for the basic plot of The Hunger Games, but since this is a review of a prequel that is unfortunately hard to avoid.*

Note: Suzanne Collins books have long titles so I used some abbreviations in my writing.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (TBOSAS)

Sunrise on the Reaping (SOTR)

One of the first books that ever got me into reading was The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins. The intense action paired with heartfelt moments always drew me into the story. Additionally, as I got older I learned to appreciate the social commentary Collins always adds in her novels. For all these reasons The Hunger Games has remained one of my favorite book series over the years. Therefore, when I learned that Suzzane Collins was writing another prequel to The Hunger Games I was super excited! After reading it a few weeks ago I can say it definitely lived up to my expectations.   

Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel to The Hunger Games detailing the events of Haymitch’s games/The 50th Hunger Games. The story takes place about 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and around 24 years before The Hunger Games. As per usual, Collins starts her book out on Reaping day which readers also learn is Haymitch's birthday. In addition to Haymitch, readers are introduced to his mother, brother, and his girlfriend Lenore Dove. 

Slight spoiler maybe???

We also learn that Lenore Dove is a member of the Covey and there are a lot of connections to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. For example Lenore Dove is mentioned to be raised by her uncles Clerk Carmine and Tam Amber who are prominent members of the Covey in TBOSAS. Also Lenore Dove’s last name is revealed as Baird which is the same last name as Lucy Gray. This new information has led many fans to theories of Lenore Dove being Snow and Lucy Gray’s daughter. However, I think this is unlikely since TBOSAS is 40 years before SOTR. Instead, I think it is very likely that Lenore Dove is Maude Ivory’s daughter since she is the only other notable covey who died and Lenore Dove’s mother died in childbirth.

End of spoiler.

The 50th Hunger Games is called the second “quarter quell” because it marks two quarters of a century that has passed since the Hunger Games started. Every quarter quell (quarter of a century) a special change is made to the rules of the game. In the first quarter quell, the tributes were selected by the members of the district, In this quarter quell, double the amount of tributes are reaped. So, instead of there being 24 tributes in Haymitch’s games, there are 48. (Four tributes from each district) 

In a twist of events Haymitch ends up being reaped as one of the four tributes from district twelve. Him and the group of tributes travel to the capital and undergo normal Hunger Games events: Training, interviews, the chariot ride, and alliance forming. Although at first Haymitch does not want to team up with a lot of tributes, relationships and alliances soon form. 

One thing that I really enjoyed in this story is how many notable characters from the original trilogy make appearances. For example readers get to learn a little more of the backstories of President Snow, Wiress, Beetee, and Mags. 

Finally, the tributes enter the arena and endure various struggles from the arena itself to other tributes. A common theme during the games is the tributes subtly rebelling against the capital. Haymitch calls it “Painting their own picture.” This phrase represents the tributes turning the Capitals propaganda against them and using it as a symbol of their rebellion. In the end Haymitch returns home a victor but soon realizes that all victories have a cost. (This is not a spoiler since Haymitch obviously wins his games otherwise he would not have mentored Katniss and Peeta.)

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think it adds a lot of complexity to Haymitch’s games and it shows how Haymitch became who he is in The Hunger Games. However, despite the story on its own being amazing, I think my favorite part of this book is the critique on real world issues.

As I mentioned earlier, Suzzane Collins does an excellent job of reflecting real issues in her writing. In SOTR Collins seems to examine propaganda and its impacts. Throughout the story Haymitch tries to avoid becoming a capital “plaything.” At one point in the novel he says:

“Don’t let them use you. Don’t let them paint their posters with your blood. Not if you can help it.” 

However, when the games end and Haymitch is forced to watch them at his victor interview he realizes the capital still managed to edit out any rebellious acts. In fact, they fully rearranged parts of the game to reflect more positively on the capital. This reflects our modern society where it is important to think critically about our media. With AI developments people need to have much stronger media literacy in order to navigate the misinformation on the internet.

Additionally, the constant dehumanization of tributes was very interesting. Haymitch points out that the tribute's nails are referred to as “claws” and they use cattle cars as a mode of transportation. This reflects how in real life people will use derogatory or dehumanizing language towards others as a way of justifying the mistreatment of those people. For example, many anti-immigration politicians like Donald Trump, will refer to immigrants crossing the Mexico border with degrading language like "illegal aliens.”

SPOILER

Another thing I really loved about SOTR is how Suzzane Collins intersperses passages from Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven into the story. The poem depicts an unnamed man mourning the loss of his lover which perfectly reflects Haymitch after Lenore Dove dies. Additionally, the way the poem is interspersed and repeated multiple times shows Haymitch’s slow descent into madness. 

END SPOILER

The only critique I could give to this book is that the ending feels a little bit rushed. However, I think it is because Suzanne Collins needed to display a lot of time passing after the games to show Haymitches fall into alcoholism and numbness. 

Overall, I loved this book. I think this book is so entertaining and has so many foreshadowing moments that fans of the original trilogy and TBOSAS can pick up on. Although the story was very sad at times, I think each of the deaths played an important part in telling a story of rebellion. This book had all the aspects of the original books that I enjoyed: intense and action packed moments, the forming of deep friendships, emotional moments, and even a little romance. I am so excited for the movie to come out in 2026!

• Written by Julia

Other content about the 50th Hunger Games:

• Fanmade short film (This was filmed before sunrise on the reaping so it is not entirely book accurate but it is still a cool watch) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mUjssn86h4 

• Fanmade recapping story of the 50th Hunger Games (This was also created before this book was published but I find it really interesting. This creator also has made recaps/stories of all the other Hunger Games!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6PmH4CKvh8