The Hunger Games is a series that most teens have grown up reading or watching, including me. Author Suzanne Collins’ most recent release, Sunrise on the Reaping has a movie adaptation coming out on November 20, 2026: so what sets this book/movie apart from the others?
Sunrise on the Reaping goes back in time, following Haymitch Abernathy (Katniss & Peeta’s mentor) as he navigates life after being reaped for the Hunger Games. What makes this year of games special is that it’s a “quarter quell”. Because it’s the 50th year of Hunger Games in the fictional union of Panem, the games will feature 48 tributes rather than 24.
The book immediately begins with Haymitch being illegally selected for the games. He saw his girlfriend being attacked for protecting a classmate, and he stepped in. As punishment for interfering with a Peacekeeper (Panem’s military), he replaced the selected boy to go to the Hunger Games.
The novel is called “Sunrise on the Reaping,” because Haymitch is urged not to let the sun rise on another reaping day. His goal is to find a way to end the games once and for all. He attempts this by trying to destroy the arena, and defy Capitol manipulation, but ends up falling short.
Haymitch goes on to win the games despite there being double the amount of tributes, but his story doesn’t end there. The book dives into the cost of winning the games, the propaganda surrounding the dystopian land, the power and oppression under the Capitol’s rule, and how he came to be the reserved, unhinged character he is in the later novels. “The emotional depth of Haymitch’s relationships and the underlying themes of survival, loss, and rebellion resonate powerfully with the readers,” says a review from the Massachusetts Daily Collegian.
This book did a really beautiful job of telling Haymitch’s story, it features him having to leave behind past relationships, but also asking for new ones in the games which I enjoyed. One aspect that stuck out to me was how different he was before his trauma at the games compared to after. If you’ve seen any of the original movies or read the books, you know that Haymitch is a big drinker. But, when he was 16 in this book, he says he has no desire for alcohol, even though he is employed as a liquor maker. The novel shows how experiences shape a person, for better or for worse.
“Francis Lawrence will return to direct Sunrise on the Reaping. His time with the franchise has been extensive, having directed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, Mockingjay Part 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” says People Magazine, regarding the making of the movie adaptation. Francis Lawrence says it was difficult to find an actor to play young Haymitch, as he had someone as unique as Woody Harrelson to play him in 2012. Despite challenges, Haymitch will be played by Joseph Zada, actor best known for his role in the Amazon Prime series “We Were Liars”.
The book is a great pick if you’ve read any of the previous Hunger Games books, or just love a good dystopian novel. I advise readers to read with caution; it will definitely pull on your heartstrings!
