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dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Almost speechless, honestly. How harrowing, chilling, revealing, unsettling, intriguing and captivating this novel is. For those who have already read the other four books in the Hunger Games series, this is an urgent must. Not only does the unraveling of Haymitch’s games answer questions and explain much of what happens later - but they establish such a fundamental understanding of his character and motives from there on out. Filled with poetic justice, subtle references, sweet side plots, satisfying Easter eggs and more - this is a shining “poster” on Collins’ wall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicide
In line with the level of content in other Hunger Games novels. Contextually graphic and severe. Vibrant descriptive imagery.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, War
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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
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.
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
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Miscarriage, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5 Stars
Normally, I don’t read spinoffs. I had zero interest in Suzanne Collins’ previous President Snow-focused prequel, and I can be frequently found at the movie theater complaining about the lack of options for people uninterested in franchise films and remakes. But sue me, I’ve always liked Haymitch and needed something to cope with the increasing amounts of fascism in our own real, non-Panem world. So that, and positive word of mouth from my many nostalgic YA-reader friends, convinced me to give Sunrise on the Reaping a shot.
Would I say it’s as good as the original trilogy, or as good as I remember the original trilogy being when I read it at 13? No. But it is still an insightful, solid entry in the Hunger Games series, managing to provide action, tragedy, and insightful political commentary in a fast-paced read.
Haymitch is a scruffy teenager resigned to his fate in impoverished District 12 under the Capitol’s authoritarian rule, even though his rebellious girlfriend, Lenore Dove, believes that change is possible. Much of Haymitch’s arc is him recognizing that the cruelty of his world is not inevitable, and that even in a fascist regime, ordinary people are capable of organizing and wrenching back power from their oppressors. Along the way, he joins an unprecedented alliance of non-Career tributes and agrees to help a covert group of victors sabotage his Hunger Games. While several of the characters die too early or don’t get enough on-page time to develop, I did really like Lenore Dove and Maysilee, a caustic but deeply loyal fellow tribute from 12, as well as Beetee, Mags, and Wiress, whose roles are expanded from the original series.
Of course, Haymitch’s mission to end the Hunger Games does not fully succeed, and plenty of people he has grown close to are killed or hurt by the Capitol’s machinations. Collins does a good job at balancing the story’s tone– she does not hold back from portraying the wrenching brutality of the Games and the seeming failure of Haymitch’s plan, but she also allows the reader to understand this story as a stepping stone towards the better future that we know is coming for the people of Panem. The story is propulsive, not dragging in pace even when the Games do not appear until mid-way through the book. The events out of the Arena feel just as weighty and dangerous as the deadly games within.
I did dock a bit off the review because at some points, the book did experience some negative effects from being a YA spinoff. The beginning especially is very infodump-y, and the writing at times is more juvenile and simple than I would like. The series has never been particularly subtle (see: kids fighting to the death on live TV), but some stuff did make me roll my eyes a little bit. While I loved Lenore Dove as a character, her being named after "Nevermore" was too much, in my mind.It was also super obvious that she was going to die, just like her namesake in the poem. Additionally, I struggled to deeply connect with the very emotional end of the book, in which Haymitch experiences several successive tragedies caused by the Capitol that eventually turn him into the cynical alcoholic we know from the original novels.
The heavy political themes also at times feel at odds with the somewhat perfunctory-feeling tie-ins to other Hunger Games books, ex. Encountering the previous owner of Katniss’ mockingjay pin, finding the origin story of how her parents met, and vague references to District 12’s only other winner, who we know is Lucy Gray from the other prequel series.
If you were to read any of the Hunger Games books, I would still stick to the original three. But Sunrise on the Reaping still offers the blend of immersive worldbuilding, gripping plot, and surprisingly heavy political themes that should satisfy long-time fans, even if it is at times undermined by its prose or nature as a spinoff work.
Normally, I don’t read spinoffs. I had zero interest in Suzanne Collins’ previous President Snow-focused prequel, and I can be frequently found at the movie theater complaining about the lack of options for people uninterested in franchise films and remakes. But sue me, I’ve always liked Haymitch and needed something to cope with the increasing amounts of fascism in our own real, non-Panem world. So that, and positive word of mouth from my many nostalgic YA-reader friends, convinced me to give Sunrise on the Reaping a shot.
Would I say it’s as good as the original trilogy, or as good as I remember the original trilogy being when I read it at 13? No. But it is still an insightful, solid entry in the Hunger Games series, managing to provide action, tragedy, and insightful political commentary in a fast-paced read.
Haymitch is a scruffy teenager resigned to his fate in impoverished District 12 under the Capitol’s authoritarian rule, even though his rebellious girlfriend, Lenore Dove, believes that change is possible. Much of Haymitch’s arc is him recognizing that the cruelty of his world is not inevitable, and that even in a fascist regime, ordinary people are capable of organizing and wrenching back power from their oppressors. Along the way, he joins an unprecedented alliance of non-Career tributes and agrees to help a covert group of victors sabotage his Hunger Games. While several of the characters die too early or don’t get enough on-page time to develop, I did really like Lenore Dove and Maysilee, a caustic but deeply loyal fellow tribute from 12, as well as Beetee, Mags, and Wiress, whose roles are expanded from the original series.
Of course, Haymitch’s mission to end the Hunger Games does not fully succeed, and plenty of people he has grown close to are killed or hurt by the Capitol’s machinations. Collins does a good job at balancing the story’s tone– she does not hold back from portraying the wrenching brutality of the Games and the seeming failure of Haymitch’s plan, but she also allows the reader to understand this story as a stepping stone towards the better future that we know is coming for the people of Panem. The story is propulsive, not dragging in pace even when the Games do not appear until mid-way through the book. The events out of the Arena feel just as weighty and dangerous as the deadly games within.
I did dock a bit off the review because at some points, the book did experience some negative effects from being a YA spinoff. The beginning especially is very infodump-y, and the writing at times is more juvenile and simple than I would like. The series has never been particularly subtle (see: kids fighting to the death on live TV), but some stuff did make me roll my eyes a little bit. While I loved Lenore Dove as a character, her being named after "Nevermore" was too much, in my mind.
The heavy political themes also at times feel at odds with the somewhat perfunctory-feeling tie-ins to other Hunger Games books, ex. Encountering the previous owner of Katniss’ mockingjay pin, finding the origin story of how her parents met, and vague references to District 12’s only other winner, who we know is Lucy Gray from the other prequel series.
If you were to read any of the Hunger Games books, I would still stick to the original three. But Sunrise on the Reaping still offers the blend of immersive worldbuilding, gripping plot, and surprisingly heavy political themes that should satisfy long-time fans, even if it is at times undermined by its prose or nature as a spinoff work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, War
Minor: Child death, Rape, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another strong addition to the Hunger Games universe. Compared to the last installment, this one feels more like the original trilogy, especially with its focus on the Games. (Not that I disliked the last book. It just didn’t quite feel like a Hunger Games story.) The pacing is tighter, the stakes are higher, and the tone is darker. Romance takes a backseat.
President Snow is back in control and just as terrifying. There’s plenty of fan service, but it’s handled well, with nods to both the original trilogy and the Ballad. It made me want to reread the whole series. Like Ballad, this book weaves in folk songs. It’s also fascinating to see how the Capitol’s propaganda and technology keep evolving.
The ending is brutal, and the epilogue is bittersweet. I appreciated that the story chose a sad ending over a neat, happy one.
President Snow is back in control and just as terrifying. There’s plenty of fan service, but it’s handled well, with nods to both the original trilogy and the Ballad. It made me want to reread the whole series. Like Ballad, this book weaves in folk songs. It’s also fascinating to see how the Capitol’s propaganda and technology keep evolving.
The ending is brutal, and the epilogue is bittersweet. I appreciated that the story chose a sad ending over a neat, happy one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Violence, Vomit
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
This is Lenore Dove’s work. Her sign. Her message to me now. Her reminder that I must prevent another sunrise on the reaping. And it says “You promised me.” With that, she condemns me to life.
Sunrise on the Reaping is a fluent read that expertly develops Haymitch’s character. Something that particularly impressed me about this book is how frequently and cleverly Collins subverts expectations and assumptions I had about its plot and that of the whole series. SotR shows us the true extent of collective trauma between many of the characters, adding much more depth to previous installments. Some of the character appearances did feel a bit fan service-y/gimmicky, but they definitely made me want to return to the original trilogy.
While on the other books, I will say that I don’t think the political message hit as hard in this one. Based on how it was advertised, I was hoping for a more explicitly philosophical novel, but I think The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was more original in this regard. There is also a lack of subtlety - I understand why, but in my opinion, it’s not always to good effect. I did however love all the Haymitch/Katniss and Haymitch/Snow parallels and the reveal of Haymitch being the spark to Katniss’ fire . The musings on the longevity of rebellion and the value of small acts of resistance are probably my favourite theme of the book.
Overall, I‘m glad to say that this book does add something to the series and that I “enjoyed“ reading it (but oh, the pain!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yikes! Sure did destroy me! There is so much to process from this book I feel the need to go back through it and stop every sentence and connect it back to the entire overarching plot of the series. And reread them in chronological order rather than release order even though release order should always be the go to for the first read through with a new book/series. Holy shit. The characters had so much depth, more so than in the first book in my opinion. Seeing the connections between the characters throughout the series was really satisfying and devastating all at once. I’m grateful for the epilogue because connecting Haymitch back to Katniss really drove it all home for me. It gave me some closure but also hurt even more knowing for so long he never had that depth to Katniss and Peeta. Somehow Plutarch knew him best for the most of his life, and somewhat Effie given she realized the full extent of everything and saw past the propaganda. How quickly Haymitch went from a part of his community (which was in much better shape in his youth than in Katniss’s) to being so alone and a drunk is a punch to the gut. And that’s only how Katniss knew him. He was never Uncle Haymitch. The anger and injustice I feel knowing how much of the Games were cut up and the Capitol and Districts didn’t see the truth of Haymitch’s actions is insurmountable. But I guess that’s what keeps the books so powerful; Suzanne Collins doesn’t give us that happy ending. It stays grim and full of trauma and despair. She gives us a future but she doesn’t pretend that the characters aren’t permanently broken from what they’ve been through. I just want the truth to have been plastered across all of Panem so everyone knew what really happened and who Haymitch really is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment