Sunrise on the Reaping

Suzanne Collins

Trevor Dunning

Suzanne Collins' fifth entry in “The Hunger Games” world, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” discusses the use of propaganda in government, urging its readers to read between the lines. “Sunrise” is the final book to focus on the victors from District 12, centering around Haymitch Abernathy in the 50th Hunger Games. While we got the chance to view Haymitch’s games through Katniss’ eyes in the original trilogy, Collins reveals that propaganda lies in everything the Capitol touches. 

Collins’ writing style continues to appeal to young and old readers alike, with its directness and tone. Despite being a prequel, she manages to add stakes to the story in clever ways. 

Amongst Haymitch, one standout is Maysilee Donner, another District 12 tribute. Maysilee stands out for her personality and unwillingness to back down from a fight, both verbal and physical. 

Collins’s ability to expand on the world is what makes this book special. It offers insights into characters both new and old, serving as the perfect bridge between “The Ballad of Song Birds and Snakes” and the original trilogy. 

Despite the book's strengths, there was one character that did not service the overall plot. While meant to show the effects of propaganda, her story played too similar of a role in the original trilogy. Her inclusion does not affect the grander scale of the book, but it does take away from the scope of the world.

Suzanne Collins delivers a book that criticizes government use of propaganda and urges its readers to think intuitively on what it is they are seeing. The themes are more overt than the original but in a way that highlights its characters' personalities. “Sunrise on the Reaping” continues to carry on “The Hunger Games” legacy as perhaps one of the best entries in the series.