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A review by rachrreads
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It’s been so hard for me to rate this one! I am so happy to have gotten this book and learn more about Haymitch’s back story. At the same time, there were some points that had me scratching my head. I do believe everything was tied together nicely at the end and overall I really enjoyed this book! I’d rank it above TBOSAS and behind the original trilogy.
We all thought we knew exactly what happened with Haymitch’s games— I mean Katniss and Peeta saw the videos in Catching Fire—but we actually knew nothing at all! The Capitol edited his Games to tell the story they saw fit. This book was a great commentary on propaganda and implicit submission. The book even has a few quotes before the opening page, one of which I’ll add below:
"Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular." - David Hume
I won’t go into further details as to not spoil, but essentially the Capitol is dead set on hiding what it can about the 50th Games. Further, they still seem to be trying to convince the Capitol citizens that the Games are needed.
“NO PEACE, NO PROSPERITY! NO HUNGER GAMES, NO PEACE!”
It’s so interesting to see how drastic the change was from the 10th (TBOSAS) to the 50th (SOTR) and then to the 74th (THG) Games. The district citizens are still seen as animals at this point, but the Tributes are now being fed and trained.
Maysilee Donner quickly became a favorite character of mine. She starts off seeming prissy and rude, but you quickly come to learn that she is unwilling to take shit from anyone. She will not be treated as less than simply because she’s from District 12.
Haymitch has been through so much, be prepared to sob with this one! The ties to the original trilogy will have you laughing and crying.
THE GEESE!!!
“I love you like all-fire”
We all thought we knew exactly what happened with Haymitch’s games— I mean Katniss and Peeta saw the videos in Catching Fire—but we actually knew nothing at all! The Capitol edited his Games to tell the story they saw fit. This book was a great commentary on propaganda and implicit submission. The book even has a few quotes before the opening page, one of which I’ll add below:
"Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular." - David Hume
I won’t go into further details as to not spoil, but essentially the Capitol is dead set on hiding what it can about the 50th Games. Further, they still seem to be trying to convince the Capitol citizens that the Games are needed.
“NO PEACE, NO PROSPERITY! NO HUNGER GAMES, NO PEACE!”
It’s so interesting to see how drastic the change was from the 10th (TBOSAS) to the 50th (SOTR) and then to the 74th (THG) Games. The district citizens are still seen as animals at this point, but the Tributes are now being fed and trained.
Maysilee Donner quickly became a favorite character of mine. She starts off seeming prissy and rude, but you quickly come to learn that she is unwilling to take shit from anyone. She will not be treated as less than simply because she’s from District 12.
Haymitch has been through so much, be prepared to sob with this one! The ties to the original trilogy will have you laughing and crying.
THE GEESE!!!
“I love you like all-fire”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder