Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games)
£9.00
“Sunrise on the Reaping is a propulsive, heart-wrenching addition to The Hunger Games, adding welcome texture to the cruel world of Panem … This is the project of dystopian fiction: to shine a light in tyranny’s greasiest corners and show how people — ordinary, determined human beings — might take it apart” – New York Times
“Collins is an excellent writer, and there are moments of surprising lyricism … Sunrise on the Reaping contains enough both to snare new readers and to satisfy the most bloodthirsty fan” – Guardian
When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour 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.
- Four books, five films and one worldwide phenomenon, The Hunger Games original trilogy changed the face of global YA and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was an instant number one bestseller (Nielsen Bookscan, May 2020).
- All four of the Hunger Games novels have been made into major feature films, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Peter Dinklage.
- A feature film for Sunrise On the Reaping – the fifth book in the Hunger Games series – is slated for November 2026
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
- The Hunger Games
- The Hunger Games illustrated edition released in October 2024
- Catching Fire
- Mockingjay
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (18 Mar. 2025), Scholastic |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 6.7 MB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Print length | 400 pages |
by June
Sunrise on the Reaping is Haymitch’s story of how Katniss’ rebellion first began to brew. It’s a necessary story of even if we can’t win against oppression and media control today, there will come a day when we will – and that’s a vital one in the current state of the world.
It’s a difficult book because we already know how the story ends and where Haymitch ends up, and despite that, we are invited to love characters. Maysilee, in particular, won a special place in my heart. However, we do have easter eggs to other hunger games books, which are all lovely tie-ins and fun to try and spot.
However, despite that, I would say I’m hard pressed to love this book. Haymitch’s story is a sad one, and even an epilogue can’t quite heal the bitter ending of how he gets to where he is at the beginning of Katniss’ story. We know from the original trilogy that he’s an alcoholic and the events that lead him to it are heartbreaking and far from an easy read.
My final feelings are that this is a necessary addition to the universe. Yet not one that leaves me wanting to pick it up again and again, either for analysis or enjoyment, the way other books in the series have done.
by Lola
This is the perfect example of a good prequel. Adds so much to the story and gives even more life to its universe and characters. Being a big fan of the books – and even though this might be caused by recency bias – I would say this was my favorite of the series. Strongly recommend.
by Wendy Be
A phenomenal journey back into these beloved characters’ lives. This books has everything from societal parallels to heartbreaking character development and enticing action. Collins has found a wonderful way to incorporate characters and moments from the original trilogy and prequel and answering long-standing questions, while also masterfully gifting us with new information and tidbits that we could never have guessed beforehand. The character work speaks volume: its’ ability to take someone we thought we knew and throw everything back in our face. Haymitch is such a well rounded character to follow throughout this book- funny, kindhearted, smart and of course: devasting.
5/5 For sunrise on the reaping. A simultaneously joyful and painful experience.
by sam tidy
The physical book is gorgeous and undamaged, the content of the story is an utter masterpiece (honestly, would we expect anything less from Suzanne Collins?)
by Emma King
This book has been so long awaited within the Hunger Games fandom, but it has truly exceeded all expectations. Suzanne Collins has connected the whole series perfectly, bringing in beloved characters in the most beautifully heartbreaking way. The parallels to the rest of the series, the foreshadowing, and the symbolism is done in the most incredible way. 3 days on and I’m still realising connections that I missed whilst reading. As per usual, the political commentary and message in this book is incredibly well written.
Truly the final piece missing from the rest of the series, and I would even go as far as to say the best book in the series so far.
Thank you Suzanne for another work of art.
by Ayla Morris
SPOILERS UNDER SEE MORE
I couldn’t put it down, it’s an absolutely phenomenal work from Suzanne Collins; the symbolism is spectacular, the character voice is unbelievably clear – she’s made Haymitch simultaneously stand out more than ever; while staying true to him as we saw in the trilogy and as a mirror of Katniss.
The themes and motifs are incredible – it’s kept the mythological depth of the series going and brought its own themes to the table, to the point where it’s in my opinion surpassed its predecessor books.
Spoilers below:
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Spoilers :::::
– The inclusion of characters from Hunger Games such as Effie, Mags, Wiress, and Beetee will definitely be divisive, especially considering the film entries into the series being very popular, I personally liked it, especially Beetee’s inclusion and his son being in the games really made his willingness to commit to the rebels and devise brutal tactics and weapons hit differently.
– The Covey inclusion and confirmation of Katniss relation to them really made this feel like part of a bigger world – something which I felt could only have happened after SBOSAS was so well recieved; I don’t know if Collins had more books in mind when writing THG, I suspect not – but she did a amazing job of linking them all together to make a greater whole. Not just thematically, but even tiny stand out sentences like “pearly white bones” and small links like both Haymitch and Katniss both having Avox nightmares. You feel like Collins has genuinely mulled over every word, but it flows like water throughout.
I think it’s genuinely incredible how now every future reading of the series has greater depth in a way that feels as if it was always there. Characters barely mentioned in THG now haunt the narrative and remain good, well rounded characters in the story (my beloved Maysilee and poor lost Lenore) despite the ending for them being a foregone conclusion.
It’s also incredible how Collins has made this literally part of the book’s underlying message – oh you thought you knew what happened in Haymitch’s games? No, you saw the curated version because Of Course you did! Every book has mentioned that they splice and edit to their heart’s content; but this one makes it real and awful, in a fantastic nod to growing modern day distrust of journalistic media.
The horror elements of this book do not hold back, with Lou Lou’s entire presence and Ampett’s and Willie’s death chilling me in a way that no other death in the series has managed. This book has made me genuinely re evaluate how I’ve glossed over dystopic elements of the series as a whole.
If I had to make negative remarks, it would be that in the arena between Maysilee and Haymitch, it felt very much sometimes like she’d gone back specifically to insert dialogue – in scenes which didn’t really call for it – which we’d seen from THG so readers couldn’t compare the two side by side and call her out online – which was one of the only points of the book I felt pulled away from it.
Also, Snow’s characterization as so openly and actively vindictive and willing to reveal information felt a bit strange considering it’s 40 years on from SBOSAS and I thought if I were going to see him it would be more similar to Katniss’ view of him as the controlled master manipulator. It worked in universe though, considering Haymitch had actively been involved with the Covey so Snow was carrying on a very personal vendetta.
Overall, this book is possibly the most powerful of the series and the political commentary hits like bricks in this day and age. I loved it and can’t wait to digest it and reread. Could not recommend more.
by RoseOnTheGrey
Another amazing glimpse into the world of Panem and the background to a fan-favorite character. It maintains the same poignant and solemn tone of the other HG books, but manages to not seem terribly repetitive. While it’s written in first-person perspective like the original trilogy, Collins is able to give Haymitch his own distinct voice and personality. Anyone who has read the original trilogy knows the gist of how his journey goes, especially the ending, but the book still keeps the reader on their toes as to how the story will twist and turn. We see other well-loved characters make cameos, and our heart aches for them all over again. I found myself rooting for characters who I knew wouldn’t have happy endings, despite myself, and read the whole thing in one six hour session. Heartbreaking, inspirational, tragic. A look into how Katniss’ story could have gone without the help of people who surrounded her, and a glimpse into the twisted past of one of those people. A must-read for any Hunger Games fan.
by Billy
Absolutely fantastic, another trip into panem and I’m left needing more as usual. Beautifully written I just wish there was more so off I go to read them all again 😢
by Billy
The 50th Hunger Games & the 2nd Quarter Quell is upon us & we finally read Haymitch Abernathy’s Games in full for all their brutality that they are.
It’s a tough, imaginative & engaging read from start to finish & Suzanne Collins has done it again, I cannot wait to see how this is adapted to the Silver Screen next year.
The Games themselves are brilliantly created as always yet everything is deadly by default such is the Gamemakers/Captiols cruelty.
Haymitch is front & center every time & rightly so, I’ve always wondered how his Games played out so to read this story is full on yet I couldn’t put it down.
Including, Beetee, Effie, Mags, Plutarch & Wiress was excellently done whilst making total sense.
This was tense yet uncompromising…no wonder Haymitch becomes the broken man we witness when the 74th Hunger Games swings round.
I really hope we get to read maybe Finnick or Joanna’s Games in future novels as well some day, until then…
“May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour”
by Olivia king Ellis
Finished in 24 hours, literally couldn’t put it down! It really makes you understand Haymich and there are many references to other tributes we know and love!
by jayamama
Geweldig boek! Het is een achtbaan van emoties en Suzanne Collins is een meester verteller. Het zit zo goed in elkaar. Net uit maar ik wil nu alweer opnieuw vooraan beginnen. Ben heel benieuwd wat de film gaat halen want er gebeurt zoveel.
by Katie Morgan
Fabulous!! Couldn’t put it down. Soooo many Easter eggs. Stephanie Collins is either a genius or president snow herself!! That was a very personal read for fans who’ve read the other books. Sharp, sadistic, wonderful, moving, thought provoking! Can’t wait for the film. In this day and age we need more posters.