Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Source: Goodreads

Hi everyone, 

I'm back with the reviews on singular books. I won't be doing this for every book; just the books about which I feel like I have some thoughs. And let me tell you I have some thoughts about this first book. I can't stop thinking about it to be honest. I keep seeing it everywhere, and then it occupies my mind for the reminder of the day. This review may contain minor spoilers, even though I do everything I can to not write any spoilers into the review. Just to be cautious this little warning.

I'm obviously talking about Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, an addition to the original The Hunger Games-trilogy. This is the book that teenage me wanted after reading the books for the first time; the closest she got to this book was reading fanfiction. Now that is no longer necessary the book is here, and the film is in production. 

What is this book about? It follows Haymitch during his Games, The Second Quarter Quell AKA the 50th Hunger Games. We get to know a young Haymitch as his live is turned upside down. He is taken away from his friends, family and love, to fight for his live in an arena filled with double the usual amount of tributes. What happened that made him the man we know from the original trilogy?

When I started reading the book I instantly got sucked into the story. The fast-paced, gripping writing got a hold on me very quickly. The first chapter made me already gasp. It is a tragic story, that you are not prepared for even expecting the worst. From the start there are connections to the original series making you're inner teenager Hunger Games fan very happy. We see a familiar storyline for Haymitch that really connects him to Katniss' story. 

Before the publication of this book we knew some small things about these Games. But this book shows us so much more about how the Games evolved over time. How it went from punishment for the districts to pure entertainment for the Capitol. We see signs of rebellion, and we get reminded about how evil and cruel President Snow is. It shows what he is capable of when you are in his way, and it doesn't leave anything up to the imagination. 

Besides that, we see some familiar faces, and get to know them so much better than we ever did before. They show up in ways we never expected, and connecting what we know now about Haymitch, these familiar faces, and the 50th Hunger Games, a lot about the original trilogy started making so much more sense. It is like we've now got an extra layer on top of the original trilogy.

As I'm posting this I am still 100% submerged in Hunger Games fandom. All the new edits, theories and fancasts are making me so excited, and honestly I want to reread the book as soon as possible. I'll likely keep that reread waiting, though, till right before the announced film will be released. I simply can't wait.

Love,

Kirsten