Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Okay, Ms. Collins, I have been sat.

Writing quality 4.75/5
Honestly, Suzanne can do no wrong for me. However, I’m deducting .25 (and I couldn’t decide if it should be in this category or characters) solely because I had a hard time reading Haymitch’s voice. I caught myself a few times re-reading phrases and sentences as I wasn’t sure if there was a spelling or grammar mistake or if it was his idiolect.

Characters and characterizations 5/5:
Haymitch deserved to have his story told and Suzanne did not disappoint. You may think you know Haymitch but this was a deep dive I needed to fully understand him. I also loved seeing the younger versions of multiple characters we see in the original trilogy and their stories.

Overall story 5/5:
A Heart wrenching and devastating love story, a piece on propaganda, making a stand against the man no matter the outcome. Did that sentence make a lot of sense? Probably not. So just read it so you can understand.
The last few chapters and epilogue had me on the verge of a mental b. I felt the trauma and grief.

Plot 5/5:
Suzanne did it again. Though we know the ultimate outcome of Haymitch and all the characters in the arena (and those we see outside) this plot is still riveting until the end.

Post reading rating 4.75/5
I’m wrecked. I’m emotionally damaged. 0.25 off because I’m sad and wish Haymitch could have had a better life.

Overall rating: 4.9

Content Warnings

calcijade's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

briannapollard's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Wow, Suzanne Collins does it again. Her storytelling is incredibly compelling. In the current environment, this book (while excruciatingly tragic) is well needed. Sunrise on the Reaping demonstrates the power and pain of resistance, and it focuses in on the fact that revolution can take decades of action- big and small. This one will stay with me.

Content Warnings

khloereads86's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Crying so much for the end of this book. Gives great perspective on Haymitch from the original trilogy. I didn’t find myself glued to the book quite as much as the originals but still very good. Also super meaningful read given all that’s going on in the world right now, from the AI mention to all of the propaganda and the many governed by the few comments.

Content Warnings

ljwashere's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

vicken's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was so devastating. Beyond middle grade. Suzanne stuck the tip of a knife in the reader at the beginning, slowly pushing it in further, until the last several chapters, when she twists it over and over.
This book does a fantastic job bridging the gap between aBoSaS prequel and the Hunger Games series, showing how we got from point A to point B without over explaining. Miss Collins delivers information so beautifully without spoonfeeding the reader.

Content Warnings