The latest book in The Hunger Games series has been described as a “heart-wrenching” addition to the franchise by critics.
Sunrise On The Reaping, the hotly anticipated fifth book in the series, is a prequel set more than two decades before the original dystopian trilogy, which was made into the popular films starring Jennifer Lawrence.
It is the first published by American author Suzanne Collins since the prequel The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes was put out in 2020.
The new novel follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, one of the few Hunger Games winners from the same area, District 12, as Katniss Everdeen , who was played by Lawrence.
Haymitch, played by Zombieland actor Woody Harrelson , is first introduced to readers in the original trilogy as the alcoholic mentor to tributes Katniss and Peeta Mellark before they are sent off to fight to the death in a televised arena.
The prequel sees District 12 victor Haymitch drawn to fight in the 50th annual Hunger Games, a violent entertainment set up to control and maintain control in the fictional country of Panem.
Critics have praised the author for successfully reviving the world of Panem almost twenty years following the release of the initial book in 2008.
Philip Womack from The Guardian commented: "Collins is a remarkable author, with instances of unexpectedly lyrical passages that serve to temper the bleakness."
The success of these books was due in part to Collins’s masterful retelling of an age-old tale, the myth of the Minotaur, setting it in a future realm and granting power to the marginalized to rise against their oppressors.
Jennifer Harlan from The New York Times commented that it "is an engrossing, emotionally charged contribution to The Hunger Games series, providing valuable depth to the harsh universe of Panem".
"In broadening Haymitch's narrative, Collins crafts a sharp depiction of the workings of propaganda and the way authoritarian regimes establish themselves," she noted.
In the meantime, NPR’s Dhanika Pineda commended the author for maintaining their unambiguous approach towards "commentary on propaganda and censorship," noting that the newest book follows suit with this trend, offering "no exception."
The initial film of The Hunger Games series became a major hit franchise, co-starring with the lead from Bridge to Terabithia. Josh Hutcherson , who played Peeta.
The initial prequel delves into the early years of young President Coriolanus Snow, who serves as the villain in the series and was portrayed by the Canadian actor. Donald Sutherland , passed away at the age of 88 in 2024.
Collins mentioned that she felt relieved to adopt Haymitch’s voice and character following the necessity of writing from Coriolanus’s point of view.
"He possesses a far greater ability to feel hope, love, and joy compared to Coriolanus – not to mention Katniss," she mentioned.
Regrettably, as you conclude the book, you notice his deliberate attempt to remove everything that made it special. Consequently, by the time you get to the trilogy, his prose has lost the melodic quality of his earlier work.
“His urge to escape, coupled with decades of Capitols' television, nearly obliterated it. However, I prefer to believe that during his later years following the conflict, he managed to rediscover it. This resurgence becomes evident in the epilogue.”
After publishing Mockingjay in 2010, Collins appeared to conclude the series when she stated in 2015 that it was "time to move on to other ventures." However, she later returned with The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, which takes place 64 years prior to the events of her initial novel.
The follow-up was likewise turned into a film and featured English actor Tom Blyth portraying Snow opposite Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White, serving as a homage from District 12.
It was revealed during the summertime that "Sunrise On The Reaping" is getting a cinematic adaptation, scheduled for release in November 2026.
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