Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Collins Does It Again: A Nostalgic, Poignant, and Tragic Tale
If there’s one thing that Suzanne Collins excels at, it’s weaving a story that not only grips you from start to finish but also evokes deep emotions and leaves a lasting impact. Sunrise on the Reaping is no exception. I can’t believe the last time I read anything in the Hunger Games universe, I was in middle school. Now, picking up this book years later, I felt a rush of nostalgia. It took me right back to those early days, but it also introduced new layers to the Hunger Games world that were both heart-wrenching and beautifully written.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Before I dive deeper into the specifics of the book, a quick spoiler alert! If you haven’t read Sunrise on the Reaping yet, stop reading now. I promise it’s worth experiencing without knowing too much in advance!
The Tragedy of Haymitch Abernathy
One of my favorite characters in the Hunger Games series has always been Haymitch Abernathy. The man, the myth, the legend. He’s one of the most complex, flawed, and fascinating figures in the franchise. It was both thrilling and gut-wrenching to get a glimpse of his time in the Games.
In Sunrise on the Reaping, we learn more about Haymitch’s early years as a tribute. Seeing him in action as a young man facing the brutal reality of the Games sheds so much light on the person we meet in the original trilogy. His cynicism, sharp humor, and guarded emotions all make so much sense now. The trauma he endured during his Games and the burden of survival were masterfully depicted, and you can't help but feel for him even more after seeing the kind of emotional toll it took on him.
Haymitch’s evolution from a hopeful young man to the hardened, self-preserving mentor we know in the later books is heartbreaking, yet it gives us a deeper understanding of his actions and choices. It’s a story of survival, loss, and coming to terms with the harsh realities of a world designed to break you.
Lenore Dove's Tragic Death
But the tragedy doesn’t end with Haymitch’s own journey. His love, Lenore Dove, is a character whose death left me shattered. I knew this story wasn’t going to have a happy ending, but wow, it was worse than I thought. Lenore, who symbolizes hope and love for Haymitch, is taken from him in such a heart-wrenching way. Seeing Haymitch's bond with Lenore and the way she gave him a sense of purpose made it even more painful when she was lost. Her death wasn’t just another casualty in the arena—it was personal. It was the kind of loss that shaped everything Haymitch became.
But something to remember from the book is this line: “Nothing you can take, was ever worth keeping.” Haymitch makes it clear that the Capitol, or President Snow, didn’t take Lenore from him—she was worth keeping, and that’s something they can never take away. In the midst of such devastation, that realization becomes a small but powerful victory for Haymitch. The Capitol may have destroyed so much, but they couldn’t destroy the love he had for her, or the memories that will live on in his heart. They loved each other like all-fire after all.
A Glimpse Into Effie and Plutarch's Younger Years
One of the unexpected joys of Sunrise on the Reaping was seeing Effie and Plutarch in their younger years. As the reader, we know them as seasoned Capitol figures, but to see them in their earlier lives—before they became symbols of the Capitol’s manipulative ways—adds so much depth to their characters. I screamed with joy when I saw Effie come into the book.
And Plutarch—wow. As readers, we understand the immense struggle that’s ahead, and the fact that it won’t be until many years later that President Snow is taken down makes the entire journey feel that much heavier.
It’s heartbreaking because we, as readers, already know the outcome. The revolution is still a long way off, and the Capitol's grip on Panem is just beginning to tighten. These glimpses of Effie and Plutarch’s past make the eventual victory feel all the more distant, and that knowledge of what’s to come just makes the sadness of the characters' journey even more profound. But it just goes to show how much work and planning go into a revolution. As Plutarch mentions in the books, “It may take generations,” which, in fact, it does. But I am glad it’s during their lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Sunrise on the Reaping is an unforgettable addition to the Hunger Games universe. Suzanne Collins once again proves her mastery of storytelling, delivering a book that is as poignant as it is tragic. For those who grew up with The Hunger Games, it’s a deep dive into the world we thought we knew, while also offering new insights into beloved characters like Haymitch, Effie, Beetee, Mags, and others.
It’s a book that made me reflect on the power of storytelling and how the weight of history shapes who we are. It’s dark, emotional, and ultimately hopeful in its own way.
If you’ve read it, let me know your thoughts! And if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend getting a copy and starting!