Sunrise on the Reaping is the most recent book by Suzanne Collins. Set in the Hunger Games universe, it takes place 24 years before the events of the main series. The book follows Haymitch, the future mentor to Katniss, as he faces his own arena. It’s set during the 50th Hunger Games, and as the fiftieth anniversary, there are double the amount of participants.
The book itself is bleak, fans of the series come with the knowledge that Haymitch wins and that something tragic then happens, leading him to a life of alcoholism. For Haymitch, it’s futile, he tries to overcome President Snow every chance he gets, ultimately failing, and losing everything he loves. With every attempt, his actions are censored from the public.
But it’s not a hopeless book, as his work with the rebels pays off when Katniss comes along. Suzanne Collins revisits the Hunger Games from a new lens. The fascism and propaganda reflect the fascism and propaganda of the real world. While the original trilogy is about rebelling against this, Sunrise on the Reaping shows how easy it is to control people, especially when they are complacent.
It’s not as exciting as the original trilogy, and certainly not as hopeful. Sunrise on the Reaping offers a modern interpretation of the Hunger Games. A movie adaptation is coming out this winter, directed by Francis Lawrence. Hopefully it upholds the themes of injustice and propaganda.