‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Review: Good, but Was It Necessary?

Suzanne Collins first put a nation of young readers under her spell 17 years ago, when “The Hunger Games” and its protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, hit shelves. Since then, the dystopian world of Panem has swelled to include four bestselling novels, and now, a new book has been added to these ranks — “Sunrise on the Reaping,” a novel focused on Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss’ mentor throughout “The Hunger Games.” This novel details Haymitch’s stint in the Hunger Games as a youth, revealing how his experience was a precursor to Katniss’ rebellion and giving more context to his personality and traumas. Per usual, Collins is a master of pacing and character building, crafting a fast-moving, emotional tale. Yet, thematically, the novel fails to pack the same punch as the rest of Collins’ iconic series, leaving the book feeling somewhat unnecessary.

As always, Collins’ greatest strength in “Sunrise on the Reaping” is her ability to keep the plot moving — the book has deft pacing that adapts to the needs of each scene. Collins got her start in television writing, and this training is evident in her novels. Each chapter of the book follows a neat arc that propels the reader into the next one, like a succinct episode. Cliffhangers are used appropriately to set up the next chapter and it’s nearly impossible to put the book down once readers settle into its rhythm. At the same time, the book also slows down appropriately during emotional moments — when Haymitch takes care of a deceased tribute’s body, for example, the story pauses to focus on the pain and injustice of the moment. The novel’s ability to both entice and give space to reflect on key moments allows it to feel addictive and participatory for its readers.

Beyond pacing, the novel is also successful due to its unique point of view and strong character building, which make Panem feel realistic and lived-in. Haymitch resides in District 12 like Katniss, but his understanding of his surroundings is obviously very different from that of his eventual successor, reducing redundancy between the novels. While Katniss was generally aromantic until her star-crossed lovers routine with Peeta, Haymitch has his girlfriend Lenore Dove — an obvious relative of Lucy Gray from the first prequel in the series, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” — to worry about from the start, adding an extra layer of drama and some humanity that isn’t evident in the original trilogy. Readers also get insight into how Haymitch is wired for rebellion against the Capitol, which gives context to his schemes in Katniss’ two trips to the Hunger Games. Characters who populate the second book of the original series, “Catching Fire,” like Mags, Beetee, and Wiress, also appear in the novel and are given more dialogue, motivation, and personality. In sum, the Haymitch-centered point of view differentiates “Sunrise on the Reaping” from the other novels in the series while also providing information that sheds light on the events of the 75th Hunger Games — making the story feel almost like a prequel to “Catching Fire.”

“Sunrise on the Reaping” is technically well done, but its biggest flaw lies in its relationship to the other novels in the series. While fans of Haymitch and his story are sure to enjoy the detailed new installation, “Sunrise on the Reaping” does not exist in a vacuum and fails to cover new thematic ground, leaving it reliant on the other novels in the series. The book hones in on the concept of propaganda and fear — key aspects of President Snow’s rise in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Similarly, the idea of rebellion against the government, which is Haymitch’s primary focus, is clearly established in the first “Hunger Games” novel. While the ending is emotional — since audiences have come to love Haymitch over the course of this book and the original trilogy — there is little information shared that will actually enhance readings of the other books. In short, “Sunrise on the Reaping” just feels unnecessary in the grand scheme of Collins’ universe. It’s a treat for fans, but on its own doesn’t have much new to say, and its redundancy threatens to weaken the overall impact of the series.

Collins is a talented author, and “Sunrise on the Reaping” puts all of her trusty style and skill on display. The book will be intriguing for those already invested in the world of Panem, but it also raises the question of whether Collins should finally move on from the world of “The Hunger Games.” Emotional beats in “Sunrise on the Reaping” are mostly impactful due to the reader’s pre-existing knowledge of Haymitch and the world of Panem, leaving the novel feeling fun and ultimately unnecessary. The novel is a must-read for fans of Collins, but hopefully, this will be our goodbye to Panem — a tearful one, as all final goodbyes should be.

—Staff writer Hannah E. Gadway can be reached at hannah.gadway@thecrimson.com.