1 week Ago By Theresa Bourke
BRAINERD — I’m not sure I’ve ever been as excited about the release of a book as I was with “Sunrise on the Reaping.” It’s the fifth glimpse into the dystopian world of Panem, created by Suzanne Collins in her “Hunger Games” trilogy. After Harry Potter, it’s my favorite literary series, and Collins keeps reeling me in even farther with each new installment.
ADVERTISEMENT The original trilogy — “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” — were published from 2008-2010, with four movies following beginning in 2012. In 2020, Collins elated readers with the news of a prequel. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” takes place 64 years before the first book in the trilogy and follows the rise to power of President Coriolanus Snow, beginning with his mentorship in the 10th Hunger Games.
The latest addition to the series is “Sunrise on the Reaping,” and it’s the book so many readers have been asking for since the original trilogy. Fans have craved more information about Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed in the movies by Woody Harrelson. Collins delivered, and she could not have done it any better.
The movie version of “Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to release in November 2026. It’s Reaping Day for the 50th Hunger Games, and it’s also Haymitch Abernathy’s 16th birthday. This year’s games promise to be especially brutal, as they mark the second Quarter Quell, a special version of the event celebrated every 25 years as a dark reminder of the districts’ unsuccessful rebellion against the Capitol.
The twist is twice as many tributes. Two boys and two girls from each district, 48 kids in all, will fight to the death on live television. Only one can claim the title of victor.
Those familiar with the series know the basics of what will happen in this book. Haymitch’s victory in the games is revealed in the original trilogy, as are snippets of information about the Capitol later taking everyone dear to him. How he got to that position, though, has been a mystery until now.
ADVERTISEMENT Readers now get a story through the eyes of teenaged Haymitch, growing up in the poor Seam of District 12, making bootleg liquor to support his mom and 10-year-old brother after a mining incident killed his dad. The parallels to Katniss Everdeen’s story are unmistakable. He’s got the love of his life, a vibrant Covey girl named Lenore Dove, and the best friends a boy could ask for.
A trip to the arena is not in his plans. The chaotic circumstances of Haymitch’s reaping is nothing compared with the nightmare that unfolds once he gets to the Capitol. District’s 12 vain and cruel escort Drusilla is joined by cameraman Plutarch Heavensbee, who’s tasked with capturing video footage of the reaping and the tributes’ journey to the games.
The future head gamemaker drops clues to the role he’ll eventually take in the rebellion decades later. An array of other characters from the original trilogy come to life with more detailed backstories, including past victors and key players in Katniss Everdeen’s life. Reading a book that I already know the ending — but not the middle — of is an interesting experience.
There’s a lessened element of suspense and more of a sense of putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Knowing the ending, though, did not make my experience any less exciting. I felt Haymitch’s love, terror, courage and loss to the full extent as I powered through the book, finishing it about 32 hours after starting and thanking my lucky stars I had the following day off of work.
My “Hunger Games” fever has returned, and I would now like to beg Suzanne Collins to please, please, please grace us with a book about the 25th Hunger Games. We know the cruel twist in the first Quarter Quell required district residents to vote on the children who would compete in the Hunger Games, and now we know the event didn’t go as planned. ADVERTISEMENT I need more details.
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at [email protected] or 218-855-5860.
Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .
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