Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Rachel Ziegler who played Lucy Gray Baird in the film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tweeted in 2021 “girls don’t want boys. Girls want Suzanne Collins to release a Haymitch Abernathy origin trilogy.” I can attest – Rachel was not wrong.
I have spent every year of my life since the release of the original Hunger Games hoping and praying for a book on Haymitch’s games – the 50th Annual Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell. Suzanne has been quoted saying that she only writes when she has something to say, and boy did she have something to say with this one. Genuinely, she starts the book with a page of quotes that are beyond timely right now (e.g. “a truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.” – William Blake).
If I could give Sunrise on the Reaping 6 stars, I would. I absolutely loved Haymitch’s story, as tragic as it is. Getting to dive back into this world and see characters we already know from the original trilogy, as well as the prequel is so rewarding and lends so much context to the Greater Panem Lore™.
The Second Quarter Quell calls for double the number of tributes to be reaped. Meaning instead of two kids from each of the twelve districts, four are being chosen. Because ya know, what says celebrating a war victory like putting twice the normal amount of literal children into a death arena to fight to the actual death? There’s just nothing like fascist logic.
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We knew Haymitch loved Katniss, but we learn throughout the course of the story just how kindred Katniss and Haymitch really are. I mean, Haymitch’s best friend at sixteen is Katniss’s future father. Burdock Everdeen, the man that you are! Their backgrounds are eerily similar (Haymitch is the eldest sibling doing his best in a poverty-stricken district to provide for his single mother and younger sibling after his dad tragically died – sound familiar anyone?) and yet Katniss manages to succeed where Haymitch, tragically, did not.
I missed the dystopian genre, but more than that I missed this District 12, I missed the Covey, and I missed the rebellious spirit that can only be fostered in that “ghastly wilderness.”
*Spoilers Ahead*
A moment of silence for the incomparable Maysilee Donner (the original owner of the infamous Mockingjay pin and altogether fiercest girl in 12), Ampert (my sweet baby you and your father deserved better), Wyatt (the kindest oddsmaker, against all odds), Luella (my sweetheart), Lenore Dove (Lucy Gray would’ve adored you) and so many more. Knowing what would happen to them didn’t make me love them any less.
This was 100% worth the wait and the hype. As a society, we don’t deserve you, Suzanne, but if you feel like you ever have something to say again, please let it be about Finnick’s games. Consider this a personal appeal.
