For those who got into reading in the 2010s, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series is one of the most recognizable and nostalgic works. The work was one of the first major young adult dystopian novels that would become the iconic staple of the era. Nearly ten years after the first novel was published, Collins returned with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel novel that followed the origin story of the main series’ villain, Coriolanus Snow. On March 18, 2025, Collins returned to the world of Panem once again with Sunrise on the Reaping, which tells the story of the fiftieth Hunger Games competition where Katniss’ mentor Haymitch Abernathy claimed his victory. Although seemingly unplanned, later published prequels or sequels often seem to be more of a cash grab than an actually useful contribution to the narrative, but Sunrise on the Reaping defies this poor trend. With its incredible characterization work, gripping twists, and haunting political commentary, Sunrise on the Reaping is a must read for all Hunger Games fans. 

The most successful part of the novel is its characterization, especially of the main character, Haymitch. Collins’ decision to tell the novel from his perspective in first-person is highly effective. His tone of voice is distinct, and his sarcastic manner comes across clearly to the reader. The almost informal sentence structure and vocabulary encourages the reader to feel sympathy towards Haymitch and be genuinely motivated to root for him. Given the novel’s plot that the characters are fighting to the death and the knowledge that Haymitch appears in the original Hunger Games series as a former victor, the reader goes into Sunrise on the Reaping knowing that the tributes Haymitch meets in the arena will not survive the book. Still, Collins’ expert use of unique dialogue for each character compels the reader to care for each of them to the extent that they still will likely experience an emotional reaction to their deaths.  

Additionally, though the reader may think they know the Sunrise on the Reaping story, there are plenty of jaw-dropping twists waiting within its pages. Knowing the victor of the Games does not make the book demand the reader’s attention any less. I found myself reading multiple chapters at a time, unable to pull myself away from the action. The numerous subtle connections to the original series add new depth to the story as well, which makes the book even more rewarding and nostalgic to read.  

Finally, Collins adds moments of thought-provoking political commentary into Sunrise on the Reaping. It should be noted that some more specific topics seem brushed over too quickly, almost giving the reader whiplash – such as when one character “sighs when he mentions the tools that were abolished and incapacitated in the past, ones deemed fated to destroy humanity because of their ability to replicate any scenario using any person.” This critique of what I interpreted as the use of artificial intelligence to create false images and videos seems to be mentioned and forgotten too quickly to have any lasting impact on the reader. More general commentary on the nature of rebellion and social change, however, succeeds in leaving a lasting impact on the reader. In the opening chapter of the novel, which, much like in the original The Hunger Games, takes place on Reaping Day, Haymitch’s girlfriend Lenore Dove tells him that “…that’s part of our trouble. Thinking things are inevitable. Not believing change is possible,” Haymitch responds that he “can’t really imagine the sun not rising tomorrow.” To this, Lenore Dove responds, “Can you imagine it rising on a world without a reaping?” This exchange is one of the many thought-provoking and elegantly written conversations about social change in the novel (and the source of its title!).  

Overall, Sunrise on the Reaping is another testament to Suzanne Collins’ talent. Its well-developed characters, shocking twists, and engaging philosophy make it the perfect prequel to the hit series. If you are or ever were a fan of The Hunger Games, Sunrise on the Reaping is a must-read return to the world of Panem.