The Brutal Backstory of Panem's Favorite Messy Mentor

Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel)

So, Suzanne Collins is back with another trip to Panem, and this time we get the story we’ve always wondered about: what the heck happened to Haymitch Abernathy to make him the cynical, drink-slinging mentor we met in The Hunger Games? Sunrise on the Reaping takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games—the second Quarter Quell—where a young Haymitch’s name is called, and his life is shattered .

Suzanne Collins reading excerpt from Sunrise on the Reaping

Let me just say, if you’re a fan of the original trilogy, this book is a wild and heart-wrenching ride. It’s a total nostalgia trip, full of clever callbacks and cameos from characters we know (hello, Katniss’s parents!) that make the world feel even more connected . The big twist this time is that the Games feature twice the number of tributes—48 kids in the arena—which immediately cranks up the brutality and the stakes .

The coolest part of the book is getting to know Haymitch before the Capitol broke him. He’s not the jaded drunk yet; he’s a clever guy who deeply loves his family and his girlfriend, Lenore Dove. Seeing this version of him makes his eventual downfall hit so much harder . Collins doesn’t hold back on putting him through the wringer. The alliances he forms, particularly with the sharp and savvy Maysilee Donner, are highlights, but you know going in that nothing good lasts in the arena . The story makes you feel every bit of his anger and loss, and by the end, you completely understand how the hopeful boy we meet at the reaping becomes the man we know .

That said, the book isn’t perfect. Some folks might find the structure a bit familiar—it follows the same train-training-interviews-Games pattern—and since we already know Haymitch wins, some of the immediate suspense is gone . A couple of reviewers felt the ending was a bit rushed and that the political themes, while present, weren't as sharp as in the original books . Also, if you’re not already invested in Panem, this might feel more like an expansive fan-service lore drop than a necessary standalone story .

But honestly, those are minor quibbles. The general consensus is that Collins has delivered another propulsive and brutal winner . The emotional stakes are sky-high, and it adds fantastic depth to the Hunger Games universe .

Verdict: Definitely pick this up if you loved the original series. It’s a heartbreaking but essential piece of Haymitch’s puzzle. Just maybe keep some tissues handy .