Fresh off the shelves, the bright purple book was the first I picked up at Barnes & Noble. It was perfectly placed on the center tables, designed to catch everyone’s attention. On the cover lies the famous font of The Hunger Games and a ring with two heads–each side a different animal: snake and Mockingjay–both mutations, or mutts, created by the Capitol. The Hunger Games is based on a dystopian world set 300 years into the future, after global wars and the collapse of governments lead to the rise of Panem, the formation of districts, and the Capitol. The districts range from 1 to 12, with District 12 known for its coal mining industry.
The Hunger Games was created as an annual punishment imposed on the 12 remaining districts of Panem by the Capitol after their defeat in the first rebellion. With two candidates selected each year and one past victor as a mentor, onlookers in the Capitol bet on girls and boys they expect to win. The original series begins with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for the 75th Hunger Games. Following their story, many readers began questioning the backstory of their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. Sunrise on the Reaping follows Haymitch’s games and his victory.
Young Haymitch Abernathy is a moonshiner’s apprentice from District 12 when he is suddenly reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell—where twice as many tributes are selected from each district. The narrative follows Haymitch’s journey through the Games, exploring themes of love, loss, and the fight against an oppressive regime.
Seeing this book at Barnes & Noble instantly brought me back to the days when I obsessively read The Hunger Games, living in the world of the Districts. Every page in this book leads to a new plot twist, heartbreak, or a moment that makes me smile. As a long-time fan of this series, being brought back to the world that Suzanne Collins can artfully craft is truly an unforgettable experience, immediately plunging me back into the tension, the excitement, and the complex emotions that make the series so impactful. The world feels just as vivid, the stakes just as high, and the characters as compelling as ever. This return to Panem is both a nostalgic journey and a thrilling new adventure—one that reminds me why The Hunger Games has stayed with me all these years.
Hunger Games fans—who have also called themselves tributes—make connections between this book and previous ones. For example, the quote by George Orwell, author of 1984 and Animal Farm: “All propaganda is lies, even when one is telling the truth. I don’t think this matters so long as one knows what one is doing and why.” Many readers made the connection between Orwell’s 1984 cover of The Eye and the eye-shape of the arena. Others noticed familiar faces and names from other Hunger Games novels, such as the Covey family, Effie, and the Everdeens.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this novel was the incorporation of songs from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Lyrics from Lucy Gray’s songs, such as “Nothing you could take from me was ever worth keeping” struck a chord with avid fans.
Overall, this book was a highlight of spring break for me, and I highly recommend it to all existing fans. For anyone who has read and loved this book, I would also highly recommend Red Rising, Legend, or even Six of Crows. To those who have not yet learned to love the characters, it is worth the read, and I would love to hear reviews!
