Like many of you, I was extremely excited when this past week the newest addition to the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins series was released on March 18, 2025. The fifth installment in the Hunger Games universe and second chronologically, follows Haymitch Abernathy during his games. In the original trilogy, Haymitch serves as a mentor to the protagonists Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as they navigate their own 74th and 75th games. He is portrayed as a short-tempered alcoholic who at first seems to offer little to the pair. However, as the original trilogy progresses, Haymitch does his best to impart knowledge to Katniss and Peeta and eventually plays a crucial role in the rebellion.
In this newly released book, Haymitch has just turned sixteen on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games or Second Quarter Quell. The reader is quickly introduced to a very different Haymitch from the one portrayed in the original books. Not only is he a caring son and brother, but he even has a love interest named Leonore Dove. For those who have read the first prequel A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Leonore is related to the female main character Lucy Gray Baird, which was a nice connection between the prequels. What shocked me was that Haymitch was not initially selected for the 50th Hunger Games; the story describes an uprising where a boy is killed while trying to escape something, leaving Leonore in trouble.
Haymitch is immediately cast as a boy willing to risk anything for his family and for the greater good. However, it is clear that he is also good at putting on a show to first gain the favor of the capitol and later to face his likely death in the most rebellious manner possible. This is the beginning of his rascal act that we see continued in the original trilogy. Compared to Haymitch’s depth of character, Leonore’s fell flat. Her character was underdeveloped and seemed too similar to Lucy Gray. While I do understand why we see little of her, with most of the book spent describing preparation for the games and the games themselves, this left me largely unattached to her. There are, however, some very interesting side characters from District 12 that come to the games with Haymitch. My personal favorite was a girl named Maysilee Donner who herself undergoes a great character arc. At first, she appears arrogant and condescending as one of the wealthier from District 12. However, her thoughtful and compassionate nature is revealed throughout the novel and she became one of my favorite characters.
I enjoyed how the tributes, other than the “careers,” formed an alliance. This demonstrates how the strength and unity of the rebellion in the districts in the first trilogy was already starting to form 25 years earlier. I also appreciated being introduced to a couple of characters that come into play in Catching Fire including Beetee and Mags. It allowed me to get a better sense of their journeys. Beetee even helps Haymitch to form a plan to destroy the arena and hopefully stop the games. Although we did get strong side characters from District 12, I could have used a little more development of the other tributes. The careers are mainly displayed as strong and empty-headed, as is typical in this series. Those from the outer districts are characterized as brainy albeit weak, and lacking individual identities.
Once Haymitch entered the arena, I was enthralled by the setting. The arena for these games has its own distinct flare. Although it appears idyllic and utopian with clear streams and frolicking animals, everything is actually either poisonous or carnivorous, providing for some exciting action scenes. Once we are immersed in the games, I loved the pace and thought the moments of action were well planned. Haymitch even attempts to stop the games by planting a bomb in the lower level of the arena, which is ultimately unsuccessful. Before the games commenced, the tempo was a little plodding but I understand why it was necessary to get to know Haymitch and grow empathetic towards him.
Ultimately the other tributes are killed and there is a brutal final fight between Haymitch and a career, concluding with Haymitch winning the games. Unfortunately, he is then treated as a prisoner and toted around the capital before being returned home. Collins did an excellent job at displaying Haymitch’s emotional and mental state during this time. For example, describing the passage of time as disjointed when Haymitch is under the influence of high doses of drugs.
Once Haymitch returns home, he finds his family killed in a fire and shortly after Leonore is poisoned by President Snow. This was a devastating ending. It felt like Haymitch had survived the games for nothing. He doesn’t even have time with his loved ones before they are killed. These events do explain his behavior in the other books. He drives others away to keep them from facing the wrath of Snow. The only solace that the ending provided was that the reader realizes he finds some peace in helping Katniss and Peeta end the games like he promised Leonore he would.
Overall, I would recommend Sunrise on the Reaping to everyone who enjoyed the original trilogy. It provides great background for the series and is a relatively quick read. For those who have not read the other books, you could still savor this action packed read, but you might not get the full experience. To all of those who enjoyed the book like myself, get excited for the movie which is coming out Nov. 20, 2026! If it is anything like the others, I am sure it will be a blockbuster.
Emma Robinson is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at erobinson@cornellsun.com.
