Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)
4.7 | 81,544 ratings
Price: 15.03
Last update: 12-28-2025
Product details
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : March 18, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1546171460
- ISBN-13 : 978-1546171461
- Item Weight : 1.74 pounds
- Reading age : 12 years and up
- Dimensions : 5.6 x 1.4 x 8.3 inches
- Grade level : 7 - 9
- Best Sellers Rank:#37 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Teen & Young Adult Survival Stories
- Teen & Young Adult Dystopian
- Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction Action & Adventure
- Customer Reviews:4.74.7 out of 5 stars(79,492)
Top reviews from the United States
- Amazon CustomerHighly impactful and well-writtenI went into this book with a bit of trepidation. The Hunger Games series is still one of my favorites ever and I didn't want to be disappointed. Collins writes such impactful stories, I admit I was a little scared this book would let me down. The prequel, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", was not my favorite. The writing was excellent, the story still strong with well-developed characters and a great lookback at President Snow's background. But it WAS about Snow and I couldn't make myself like it too much, lol.
However I did love this prequel. It was hard to read with well-placed moments of levity and heart wrenching ones. Toward the end I actually had to close the book at a moment when I realized what was about to happen... not many books make me do that.
Well written, wonderful characters, awesome social commentary.
Highly recommend it. - Arizona SunSuzanne Collins Hits Another Home Run!Great book, and it was nice to see the blanks filled in as far as Haymitch's character is concerned. That's the good thing about Collins, (well one of the many good things). She gives her readers plenty of background information regarding other additions of the series, but subtly. You'll be reading and instantly recognize something and say to yourself, 'so that's where that came from'. I also very much like Collin's specific style of writing. Her pacing is consistent, and smooth. Each page progresses the story, but not at lightning speed. We have time to absorb the story and the details but not get bored. Also, her characterization is always deep and adds more depth to the story. If she is going to continue the series, I would like to see Katniss and Peeta as the married parents they became and maybe have a story in that era. Perhaps the Capital rebels have been secretly working underground to throw over the new peaceful government, or Coin had a child nobody knew about who wants revenge on Katniss. I definitely think there's still stories to tell in Panem, and hope Collins plans on giving us more. She's just so good at what she does. Fingers crossed!
- Writer's CornerEnjoyable Read!Welcome to the second prequel of the Hunger Games series! “May the odds be ever in your favor.” In this novel, we learn about Haymitch's background and his experiences in the games. Or why is he the way he is? If you have watched or read the succeeding books, then you know what the results will be.
About the Book:
“As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.”
My Thoughts:
I looked forward to this novel because of my love for the Hunger Games series. The novel was predictable. There was pacing in the middle that slowed my interest in the novel. I know this novel is a prequel, but the amount of negative events at the end of the novel. These events gave me great clarity into Haymitch’s character, but were also hard to read. I will stand behind my recommendation to wait to view Hunger Games, the book or movie, until you have read this novel. I liked it, but the ending was hard for me. - Books are loveThoughts on sunrise on the reaping“Sunrise on the Reaping” takes readers on a journey through the past, revealing the untold stories of key figures from The Hunger Games universe. What stands out most about this prequel is how it adds layers of complexity to characters we thought we already knew. The book delves deeply into the lives of figures like Haymitch, Beetee, Wiress, and Mags, offering a fresh perspective on their struggles, hopes, and failed rebellions.
One of the most compelling aspects of this story is the full exploration of Haymitch’s character. In the original trilogy, Haymitch is often seen as a jaded, cynical mentor to Katniss. But in "Sunrise on the Reaping", his backstory adds a poignant depth to his character. His experience in the Games, and his subsequent efforts to navigate the political landscape of Panem, truly helps readers understand the man behind the bitterness. It also highlights just how much Katniss and Haymitch mirror each other in their desires for survival, though Katniss’ drive and self-belief seem to propel her further than Haymitch ever could manage.
The book also does an exceptional job of illustrating the insidiousness of President Snow. For the first time, we see Snow not as a shadowy figure in the background, but as the manipulative and ruthless tyrant he truly is. His actions against the rebels—and his cold, calculated ways of maintaining control—serve as a chilling reminder of how much power he wielded and how little he cared for those who sought to challenge him.
The inclusion of other characters, like Beetee, Wiress, and Mags, is also a major strength of the novel. Through their eyes, we see the tragic attempts at rebellion and the harsh consequences of failure. The motivations of these characters—be it their desire for justice, change, or simply survival—feel deeply personal. Their attempts to change the system show just how dire the situation was in Panem before Katniss even stepped onto the scene.
The writing is descriptive and immersive, with a strong sense of foreshadowing that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Suzanne Collins has a knack for weaving intricate political themes, subtle character development, and powerful emotional moments into a compelling narrative. This book isn’t just about survival or rebellion—it’s about the cost of wanting change in a broken system.
Plutarch, in particular, emerges as a surprisingly complex figure. While he was an enigma in the original trilogy, here we see his motivations and struggles in greater detail. The political machinations at play, and the ways in which love, loyalty, and desire for change intersect, are explored in ways that leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.
Overall, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is a thrilling, thought-provoking addition to the Hunger Games series. It not only expands the lore but also gives readers a deeper understanding of the political, personal, and moral forces that shaped the world of Panem. With its layered characters, gripping plot, and sharp commentary on power and resistance, this book is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.