We know that Sunrise On The Reaping came out months ago. However, we finally read it, and we have a lot to say about it. It’s essential to note that Suzanne Collins only writes Hunger Games books when she needs to say something about the current state of our world. With that being said, welcome, tributes, to our Sunrise On The Reaping book review… May the odds be ever in your favor!
In past books, we got to know Katniss and young President Snow’s stories, as well as Peeta and Lucy Gray’s. However, in this brand-new book, we get to learn about our beloved character, Haymitch Abernathy. Before reading the book, we had questions about why Haymitch is the way he is, basically, a sour person who doesn’t let anybody near him or his heart. In Sunrise of the Reaping, we get the answers to those questions. Additionally, Collins provides further insights into the beginning of the revolution that unfolds in Mockingjay. Of course, we can’t forget that the book also features characters such as Mags, Wires, Beetee, and a fan favorite, Effie.
Book Overview: Sunrise On The Reaping
Content Warnings: Graphic violence, gore, blood, murder, physical violence, drinking, weapons, serious injury, harm towards children, oppression (Please read at your discretion!)
Summary: Haymitch Abernathy lives a normal life in District Twelve: he has a job, hangs out with his friends, spends time with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove, and every night goes back to his mother and little brother. However, this is Panem, and in the 50th Hunger Games, Haymitch gets picked as a tribute. But these games are different, and soon Haymitch will realize that there are no winners, only survivors.
The Plot
It’s the 50th Hunger Games, and for such an occasion, the Capitol has decided that instead of sending only two tributes, they are going to send four. When it’s finally the turn of District 12, the cameras shut down, and the people of District 12 realize that the Capitol just cheated. Instead of sending a random boy, as they had every year, they decided to send Haymitch Abernathy. The reason behind this is that the peacekeepers were mistreating his girlfriend, Lenore Dove, and the original boy tribute got shot for trying to run away. Of course, everyone outside District 12 never knew this.
In Sunrise of the Reaping, we don’t only follow Haymitch through his games. We also get to know the beginning of a revolution that would happen 25 years later. The book centers on Haymitch, but also explores topics such as propaganda, which is the primary tool the Capitol uses to maintain control over Panem.
The Characters
Of course, the main character is Haymitch. He started as a sweet boy whose whole life was dedicated to protecting his family and girlfriend. However, how did Haymitch turn into the alcoholic and rude man that we saw training Katniss and Peeta? To understand Haymitch, we must recognize that his character is deeply driven by grief. Haymitch won the games, but the aftereffects of these were what really built his character. The propaganda that the Capitol creates around him is basically a fake persona based on edited clips of the games. These portrayed Haymitch as a selfish boy who didn’t care about murder. In reality, Haymitch wanted to protect all the little kids in the games. He would even sacrifice himself if that meant ending the games forever.
Some Old Faces Came Back!
For some, having characters such as Mags, Wires, Beetee, and Effie was pure fan service. However, we think that having them in the book and all of them being connected somehow with Haymitch only brings more sense to the revolution. Most of these characters, excluding Effie, were first introduced in Catching Fire, and they know Haymitch. It makes sense to have them in Haymitch’s story in order to have a good storyline that follows the original trilogy. And not only that, but we need to know their personal motives for why they hate Snow. In Sunrise on the Reaping, we get to know these motives, especially Beetee’s motives.
We don’t want to spoil the whole book, but we must say that in the current state of our world, there are hundreds of Beetes who are witnessing their children being taken to be part of wars instead of enjoying their childhood. Also, have you ever wondered why Plutarch is part of the revolution, given his high rank in the Capitol? Collins has the answers to all those questions.
Mayselee Donner
We could talk endlessly about the characters from the book because even the tributes from District One are especially well-written. However, we think that Maysilee might be one of Suzanne Collins’s best characters. Mayselee is a girl from District 12 who grew up with privileges that kids like Haymitch could only dream of. She is well-mannered, smart, and sarcastic, and those characteristics were what made her stand out in the arena. We see Mayseele as the rock on the shoe of the Capitol. You would expect her to be amazed by the Capitol; however, she doesn’t get blinded by the shiniest diamond. That’s her main weapon, showing the Capitol that they won’t be able to buy her and that even though she will die, she will do it with honor.
The Writing
Suzanne Collins never fails to amaze us with her writing. The book is written from Haymitch’s perspective, which allows us to get closer to him and even feel like we are with him in the arena. Each character is introduced through Haymitch’s POV. In fact, we start to like them at the same time that Haymitch does.
Collins is absolutely clever in the way she gives little hints of how our world could turn out. For example, when Plutarch explains why the Capitol doesn’t use IA! It’s a little hint that makes us wonder what could happen if we keep letting AI control the way we create things.
The Propaganda
Once again, we must discuss the propaganda in the book. It’s horrific to read how the Capitol manipulates all of Panem through propaganda to control them. You don’t have to read The Hunger Games to see how propaganda is a weapon used every day. Read the news, go on social media, and be cryptic about what you are reading. In the games, the propaganda portrays the games as something positive, suggesting that the Capitol and Snow have control over everything. In reality, everything is a big mess. From what happened to Louela to how they portrayed Haymitch as a monster, every single detail from the games is propaganda that only the citizens of the Capitol truly believe in.
Overall, Sunrise of the Reaping is the perfect example of what a dystopia should be: social criticism that reflects what would happen to our society if we don’t change. We even dare to say that this book is one of Collins’ best. Giving depth to a character like Haymitch is a challenge that she nailed perfectly. We can’t wait to see Joseph Zada’s interpretation of him in the movie adaptation!
Which character is your favorite from the book? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram!
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