Review by sweetheart_ok - Sunrise on the Reaping

sweetheart_ok 's review for:

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

5.0

adventurous emotional funny 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

A prequel basket of Easter eggs and pure Panem magic—Suzanne Collins has done it again. Sunrise on the Reaping pulls us right back into the chilling world of the Hunger Games, this time through the eyes of a young Haymitch Abernathy.

As a longtime fan of the series and a lover of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I dove into this book the moment I could—and it did not disappoint.

The story opens with teenage Haymitch, living with his mother and younger brother Sid in District 12. He’s in love with Lenore Dove, a rebellious Covey girl with a poetic soul (yes, she’s a nod to "The Raven"). Haymitch is reaped under unjust circumstances after an act of protection gone wrong—and what follows is a heart-pounding descent into the 50th Hunger Games.

This book is a masterclass in tension, grief, and rebellion. Haymitch is caught between the conformity he’s been raised with and the whisper of resistance, inspired by both Lenore and his late father. As fans already know his fate, the emotional weight of each choice hits even harder. And the ending? Devastating, yet beautifully crafted.

I adored the entire cast—from sweet Louella and Lou Lou to the sharp-edged Maysilee. And Collins fills the pages with subtle nods to the original series—connections to Katniss, tributes, Capitol corruption—that had me gasping and grinning in equal measure.

This prequel is action-packed, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Whether you're a Hunger Games superfan or just love smart, gripping YA fiction with themes of justice, sacrifice, and survival—Sunrise on the Reaping belongs on your TBR pile.

Content Warnings