A review by marylannireads
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

 

The second Quarter Quell–the fiftieth anniversary of the first Hunger Games–has finally arrived, and communities across Panem are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the four tributes from each district who will be forced to participate. In District Twelve, Haymitch Abernathy believes he has somehow avoided the inevitable, until a terrible incident drives Haymitch into the fray and makes him stand out in the eyes of the gamemakers. Thrust into a new world away from everyone and everything he has ever known, Haymitch must learn to play the game if he expects to survive. And with each new revelation, he discovers that the truth behind the Capitol’s shiny façade is more sinister than anyone realizes. 

This addition to the Hunger Games series transports readers back to the year in which the infamous Haymitch Abernathy finds himself as a participant in the games. Readers familiar with the original series will relish this expansion on the lore of the land of Panem, especially as the plot reveals the moments that transform Haymitch into the character he is later with Katniss Everdeen. Recognizable character surnames amplify the depth of the story while also reinforcing the fact that Panem is not as grand or large as it appears under the bright lights of the Capitol. As Haymitch works with his fellow tributes, his strength of character is on full display, which also grants him some empathy from readers familiar with his later outward persona. Strong writing and a compelling premise make this book an excellent addition to the Hunger Games series. This is a timely and relevant novel that is best suited to mature young adult readers, particularly those who have already experienced the initial Hunger Games trilogy.