On Mar. 18, Suzanne Collins’s sixth book, Sunrise on the Reaping, was released. The long awaited second prequel to the Hunger Games series received an immediate reaction from the public, readers, and fans alike. The book shows the perspective of Haymitch Abernathy, a character who could be easily misunderstood or disliked, for the first time, and adds to the complex world of the Hunger Games series.
For context, The Hunger Games is a televised event where two boys and girls, called tributes, from each 12 districts, compete to survive and win in a themed arena, to be the victor, who is granted rations of unlimited abundant food and a luxurious place to live, called the Victor’s Village, all set in a modern day, dystopian America divided into 12 parts, districts. The games are used by the Capitol to remind the districts of the consequences of rebelling against their power in a civil war, and the total obliteration of one district, District 13. In the original trilogy of the series, Haymitch Abernathy is a mentor to District 12’s tributes, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.
Sunrise on the Reaping focuses on the story of 16-year-old Haymitch. In the beginning, it’s Haymitch’s 16th birthday, and also the 50th Hunger Games Reaping Day, when the candidates for the games are chosen. He lives in District 12 with his mother and younger brother in “The Seam,” the slums, where the poorest of the district live. He tries to get away from his daily chores, filling the home’s water cistern, because first, it’s his birthday, and second, he wants to spend time with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove. This plot detail is only mentioned because it has importance later in the story, which I will leave the reader to find out.
She gives him a striker shaped like a bird merged with a snake, which has a metaphorical meaning and is the cover of the book. At the reaping, one of the tributes who was chosen tries to escape but meets his end at the hands of a Capitol official, called a Peacekeeper. Haymitch intervenes to protect Lenore from a Peacekeeper when she runs to the deceased boy’s mother, and as punishment, he is chosen to be a replacement tribute.
Haymitch, on the way to the Capitol, shows his defiance and rage at almost any chance he gets. Separated from his loved ones, he hates his situation. He becomes allies with Louella, a fellow tribute, whom he knows he can trust. Then, at the opening chariot parade, Haymitch gives the president of the Capitol, Snow, a gesture that shows his defiance. His hatred for the Capitol grows, and he wants to hold the Capitol accountable for the suffering they cause, similar to Katniss.
Haymitch’s mentors for the games are Mags and Wiress, also key characters in the trilogy . Soon, when he is in a training gym with the other tributes, he meets Beetee, also a mentor in the original series, and his son Ampert, a tribute. Beetee is made to mentor his son in the games as punishment for conspiring to use his gifted technology skills and knowledge. Beetee plays a huge part in the book later.
He is taken to President Snow’s mansion to speak with him. Snow threatens Haymitch because of his insubordination at the chariot parade, and has a surprise in store for him that he introduces.
Beetee tells Haymitch that he has a plan for him, and Plutarch, his mentor, claims to be in on it too by arranging a phone call with Lenore, who was arrested for singing seditious songs.
Each tribute has a session with the Gamemakers, the officials of the game, to determine the chances of them winning, on a scale of 1-12. Haymitch earns a one for insulting them.
He plays a part to earn the Capitol’s support and sponsors gifts that can be given throughout the games, and it works.
The games begin, and Haymitch catches on to the arena’s traps quickly, while working with Ampert to carry out Beetee’s plan. He teams up with Maysliee soon enough, who was a spoiled rich girl from his town, who is not who she seems to be. They quickly form a sibling bond and help each other through the trials of the arena, while investigating the boundaries.
He is soon one of the last remaining, and during a fight with another tribute, Haymitch makes a dangerous and rebellious decision that changes the course of the Games’ history forever, showing that the arena’s power can be used against what it was intended for.
I love the character of Haymitch. He is so loyal to his loved ones that it might be his fatal flaw, and he is a character who will stand for whatever he thinks is right, definitely risking his life and more in the process. He is one of my favorite characters of all time.
The intricate stories of each character are connected in this book so well, and there are so many metaphorical symbols that give more depth to the story, some that are obvious, but there are definitely some that I have no idea about, so this would be a good book for all readers, and especially those who like the action/mystery genre.
This book proves that a movement or idea can take time and generations to truly be impactful, and that there is more to it than just the surface. With the first three books, we see the surface-level story, but with the prequel books like this one, you can discover that there is more than what meets the eye. My favorite quote from the book is:
“And that’s part of our trouble. Thinking things are inevitable. Not believing change is possible.”
It’s my favorite because it shows a main theme of The Hunger Games series: if you make someone believe they can’t do something for long enough, they will believe it and never try. The power comes from the people; human connection and nature, and that’s the only way to actually make change. Every action has an impact, like a wave in the ocean, and if many people do the same, it can make a huge difference, taking either years or generations. It’s a simple concept but that’s what makes it all the more powerful. Overall, this is my favorite Hunger Games book of all time. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone! I would encourage you to watch the movie also, that comes out Nov. 20th!
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