6/10
Suzanne Collins’ release of The Hunger Games in 2008 was nothing short of revolutionary, captivating readers with its brutal and thought-provoking dystopia. Following the series’ success, Collins expanded the universe with four more novels. Her latest novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, revisits the world of Panem through the eyes of fan-favorite character Haymitch Abernathy before he became Katniss Everdeen’s mentor.
The story begins 14 years prior to the original trilogy, during the 50th Hunger Games. Collins introduces Haymitch’s loving relationships with his mom, brother Sid, and girlfriend Lenore Dove, as well as his growing dislike toward the Capitol, its leaders, and the nobles of Panem. These early dynamics shape his motivations for the rest of the story.
After the reaping of the tributes from District 12, chaos erupts when the final tribute is suddenly shot. Lenore helps the tribute’s mother but is attacked by Peacekeepers. Haymitch steps in to defend her, and as punishment, the Capitol drafts him as the replacement for the fallen tribute.
His resentment for the Capitol deepens when cameramen working for the Capitol force him to reenact his reaping on-camera in order to cover up the chaos and maintain their illusion of control. During this staged performance, Haymitch defiantly refuses to display any emotion, declaring, “They will not use my tears for their entertainment.”
Seeing figures like Plutarch, Beetee, Wiress, Mags, President Snow, and Effie from the original series interact with Haymitch during his games adds depth to their relationships in the original trilogy. These early encounters reveal the roots of Haymitch’s mistrust of Snow, his quiet respect for past victors like Mags, and his complicated, often tense dynamic with Effie. These relationships explain Haymitch’s actions in the original series, adding nuance to his character and making the book more engaging for fans.
After learning about Haymitch’s past relationships, his dialogue and actions in the original series gain emotional weight. His nickname for Katniss, “sweetheart,” takes on new significance when we learn he once used it for Louella McCoy, a tribute he deeply cared for. Katniss’s braids reminded him of Louella, giving him an immediate soft spot for her.
Stylistically, the book is slow and unexciting because the major plot points, including the conclusion, are covered in the rest of the series.
Leading up to and during the Games, Haymitch’s shifts from simply surviving to resisting. The Capitol’s attempts to use him as a tool for propaganda ultimately fuel his desire to put an end to the Hunger Games once and for all.
Previous books made clear that Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games during the Second Quarter Quell using his knowledge of the arena’s force field to outsmart his final opponent. Peeta even reveals in Catching Fire that President Snow was furious at Haymitch for mocking the Capitol by outwitting the system, which led to the murder of his mother, brother, and girlfriend.
This is the most surprising element of the story: Catching Fire had not mentioned Haymitch’s plan to put an end to the Hunger Games. During Katniss’ rebellion in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games, there had been no mention of previous uprisings. It had seemed as though Katniss Everdeen had started and ended it all. Sunrise on the Reaping leaves open the possibility that there were others like Haymitch who tried to put an end to the Games but whose rebellious actions were censored and erased by the Capitol.
The novel leaves Haymitch as he is introduced in The Hunger Games: numb from constant alcohol abuse and with little will to go on. This information is both interesting and devastating from a fan’s point of view, but it raises the question: was this book necessary?
Haymitch’s point of view is compelling at times, but because the parallels between him and Katniss are so clearly drawn, his perspective often feels overly familiar rather than fresh.
References to future characters, lines, and symbols from the original series are often clearly fan service. After two allies are slain, Haymitch and his ally, Maysilee, mourn their loss. Haymith’s silently mouthed comment, “We sit down in the clump of katniss,” echoes hollowly. Bringing up Katniss had no meaning, taking one out of the novel.
For fans of The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping is an enjoyable read that does a compelling job developing Haymitch’s character. Still, the book is unnecessary. Unless you’re deeply invested in the Hunger Games universe and its characters, it isn’t an important read.
