This past summer I’ve gotten back into reading and finally read the entirety of the Hunger Games series. I’ve loved all the books so much. They’ve been equally heartbreaking and entertaining. With the movie coming out this Fall, I’d like to discuss my thoughts on the last book of the series. Spoilers ahead!!
Sunrise on the Reaping is the twisted tale of Haymitch Abernathy, who we meet in the very first book of the series. This is the origin story of him and his games. Before reading the book, I wasn’t completely hooked on his character. While I liked him in the original trilogy, he wasn’t one of my favorite characters. This book changed that for me. You fall for this character and have so much sympathy for him throughout the book. We learn more about his past and, indirectly, about the past of Panem before the rise of Katniss Everdeen.
The plot does a great job of allowing there to be mystery and suspense even when we know what is going to happen. In the second book of the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire, we learn the details of Haymitch’s games and how he won. Even though we know what will happen, the story is still captivating. Even during Haymitch’s reaping and games, Collins adds details that make the book seem brand new. Subplots and secret details aid in creating a new story that isn’t redundant. It was well written with a heartbreaking and haunting tone.
Haymitch and his story is so powerfully written. We are with him through everything including his rise, his ultimate failure, and then his peace in the epilogue. We can feel every one of his emotions so vividly. I felt like I was right there with him in the arena, in the heartbreak, and in the bloodshed. We see him hopeful to stop the games for good, as Katniss will in the future. He tries so hard to put down the Capitol and dismantle the arena, but eventually fails which leads to more losses. We can feel his defeat once he realizes most of his efforts were for nothing. Even once he leaves the arena victorious, he returns home to more turmoil. Long after the games are finally condemned, we do see an old Haymitch find tranquility with the help of Katniss and Peta. We can feel the melancholy in his peace. The nightmares he still has despite being free. He’s an outstanding main character.
The other characters surrounding Haymitch added so much to the reading experience. Some were endearing, sassy, funny, bold, and definitely terrifying. I love what they did to Snow’s character. It wasn’t the harrowing elder we saw from the trilogy nor was it the budding young man in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. He was this ruthless man in his prime with nothing to lose. It was really disturbing to see. Bringing in other characters we know like Plutarch, Beetee, Wiress, Mags, Ceasar, and Effie was a great touch. It helped integrate you back into the world and brought back a feeling of home with these familiar characters. The new characters such as Haymitch’s family and the tributes made such an impact on me as a reader. It impresses me how Collins balances expanding on old characters while creating just as likeable new ones.
I wasn’t as engrossed with Lenore Dove and Haymitch’s love story. Although I appreciated it’s slight parallels to Snow’s relationship with the covey’s Lucy Gray in The Ballad of Songbird’s and Snakes. Lenore Dove being covey was an excellent way to tie the prequels together. The covey’s presence helps reinforce the prequels and makes them flow together like a fluid story should. I was startled yet weirdly content with Lucy Gray’s end. While many theorize that the headstone could be fake, I believe the detail is crucial in stating she is genuinely gone. Her grave was among her fellow covey, right where she belonged. And out of reach from Snow’s deadly clutches.
The gore and brutality was so shocking, but as a horror fan I was all in. I would say that this is the most gruesome of all the books. Which I know is a bold statement, but I stand strongly beside it. Collins has truly outdone herself on this piece. I felt like she pushed herself further on this book to create a chilling and vicious atmosphere. In my opinion, with the trilogy we sometimes lose the unsettling fact that everyone who participates in the Hunger Games is a child. In this book, Collins shines by grounding us to this idea. There are many young kids who do get slaughtered in graphic detail. However, this isn’t without intent. It strengthens the hate and resentment readers feel towards the Capital. It brings us back to the main mission of the trilogy which was to expose and stop Snow and the Capital. Haymitch is a great character to help send this message due to his consistent rebellion against the Capitol and Snow. Haymitch tries tirelessly to destroy both but all attempts become futile. This resonated with me as a reader.
One final thought, while reading I was trying to figure out what the title meant. “Sunrise on the Reaping,” I had no idea what it could mean. When I think of sunrises, I think of happiness which is not what the story was showing us. As you read on, it does get explained. Lenore Dove’s last words to Haymitch are: “Don’t let the sun rise on the reaping.” Which made everything fit into place for me. Lenore Dove’s wish is for there to never be another reaping and in result, end the Hunger Games. Which Haymitch does do through Katniss. I thought it made the title and the meaning ten times more powerful.