A review by izzyvb023
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I wish I could write something long and poetic about this book (and maybe someday after a re-read, I will return to do so), but I honestly have no words.

(Well, I have a few words). Suzanne Collins has done it again. Absolutely gut-wrenching. Destroyed me in the best possible way.

I encourage everyone who enjoyed this book to recognize the parallels to your own life and to your own government. As with the original Hunger Games Trilogy, Collins is practically begging readers to see what’s right in front of them—To open your eyes and realize you are FAR closer to living in the Seam than you ever are to enjoying the fruits of The Capitol. 

Some people are arguing that the character inserts and name-dropping were fan-serving and gratuitous, but I actually disagree. I thought they made sense and only added to the original characterizations. This book really developed Haymitch as a likable and empathetic person for me. It makes his actions in THG trilogy all the more devastating and compelling. 

I loved the Edgar Allen Poe references and how Collins shows Haymitch actively becoming the protagonist of The Raven through his own demise.