Suzanne Collins’ novel Sunrise on the Reaping, the second Hunger Games prequel, is worth the wait. 

Since the previous novel in the franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, made its way to the screen, there has been much anticipation for Collins to tell the story of Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. 

This story follows 16-year-old Haymitch while he competes in the second Quarter Quell, or the 50th Hunger Games. Since it is a quarter quell, four tributes from the districts are reaped rather than two. 

The reaping for District Twelve is chaotic, leading to Haymitch being unfairly chosen as a tribute. He is joined by three others: Louella, Maysilee, and Wyatt. 

There are several plot twists that make the book hard to put down. Learning that there was a plot to rebel against the Capital since the 50th Games that revolved around Haymitch breaking the force field around the arena is fascinating.

Many familiar characters from the original novels are introduced throughout. Victors, Mags and Wiress are assigned to mentor the District Twelve tributes. Betee and Plutarch Heavensbee are the masterminds behind the plan to destroy the arena. 

A huge part of these Games is the alliance that Haymitch joins to help tributes defend themselves against the tributes from Districts 1, 2, and 4, known as the careers. But the arena itself is a bigger threat to Haymitch and his allies than the other tributes.

President Snow’s cruelty is portrayed very well, as he works on his goal of making Haymitch miserable for the rest of his life. 

The book gives great closure for all the unanswered questions about Haymitch’s backstory and the reason for his cynical outlook on the Games. 

A movie adaptation is expected in fall 2026.