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A review by fleeno
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Sunrise on the Reaping takes place about 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before the first The Hunger Games novel. This story follows a 16-year-old Haymitch as he is reaped (on his birthday!) for the 50th annual Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell year. The Quarter Quell's always have special rules and this year the districts are required to send two boys and two girls, twice as many tributes, twice as much carnage. This book not only enables us to know who Haymitch is and understand him so much more, it also brings in characters from all the novels and connects their stories. Although we know from the beginning Haymitch wins, knowing the outcome makes this story hit even harder. Everytime he promises to keep someone safe we know it won't happen, every plan he has we know will fail. Early in the book Haymitch says he isn't a drinker, he had such hope and love, and it is all ripped apart by the Capitol. It's interesting that at the begining the book Haymitch's personality so closer to Peeta, sweet, forgiving, generous, and by the end he is Katniss, prickly, alouf, difficult. Not only that we learn how much of Haymitch's story in the Hunger Games isn't true and how much the the Capitol (ie the media) has lied. Although this is a theme in the other books, media bias and distortion is front and centre in this book, with a great commentary on how history is not always remembered or retold accurately. History of course is told by the victors.
Of course this is brilliantly written with strong political themes. It is heart retching not just because of what is written but because you realise the revolution had been burning for such a long time before the Mockingjay. The only thing I would have loved to see was more of Haymitch post games, and his side of Katniss and Peeta's game, his relationships with the other victors, and his part in the revolution. I loved this book and it made me appreciate why people say they want a story of every games.
Of course this is brilliantly written with strong political themes. It is heart retching not just because of what is written but because you realise the revolution had been burning for such a long time before the Mockingjay. The only thing I would have loved to see was more of Haymitch post games, and his side of Katniss and Peeta's game, his relationships with the other victors, and his part in the revolution. I loved this book and it made me appreciate why people say they want a story of every games.