ISLAMABAD: Suzanne Collins’ latest installment in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping, released on March 18, 2025, offers a haunting exploration of propaganda and despair through the story of Haymitch Abernathy.
Set 24 years before the original trilogy, this prequel delves into a brutal Hunger Games where tributes face double the usual challenges, intensifying the stakes and cruelty.
Emotional Depth and Complex Narrative
Sunrise on the Reaping acts both as a prequel to the original trilogy and a thematic sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020).
The novel intricately examines how the Capitol’s propaganda manipulates and controls narratives, devastating Haymitch’s life. With raw and refined prose, Collins vividly portrays Haymitch’s descent into a broken, alcoholic rebel—contrasting with Katniss’s fiery uprising.
The story occupies a dark space between budding rebellion and outright revolution, delivering an emotionally charged experience. A film adaptation is already underway, promising to bring this powerful narrative to the screen.
Familiar Themes and Fanservice Drawbacks
Despite its emotional strength, the novel revisits familiar territory, echoing plot elements from earlier books which may feel repetitive to longtime readers.
The frequent appearances of characters from the broader series, including nods to Katniss’s father, offer fanservice but do little to expand the world of Panem.
Additionally, the inclusion of musical interludes, carried over from the previous prequel, disrupts the pacing and may challenge readers’ engagement. Still, these flaws are overshadowed by the novel’s brutal honesty and gripping conclusion.
