Released on March 18, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is the latest installment in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, with the original book being written 13 years ago. This installment dove into Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games, how he won them, and his slow descent into hermetism. 

  The book starts by setting the stage of this year’s special Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, which involves four tributes from each district being selected. Haymitch is described as a hardworking, yet charming boy who puts his family first. Haymitch, originally avoids the reaping, but as a scuffle ensues and he is caught in the madness, he replaces the previously killed tribute. 

  Haymitch then plans to escape the Hunger Games and be the one to break free from the system’s shackles, but his plans continue to be foiled by the intelligent Capitol forces. After several failed attempts, Haymitch is locked into a duel to win, and ends up winning by cleverly using the arena. 

  Though Haymitch believes his nightmare is over, President Corialanus Snow ensures that it is yet to start. Snow humiliates Haymitch and kills everyone that is close to him, which is the original catalyst of his hermetism. 

  Collins’ has always been adamant that she would not write more Hunger Games books unless she felt that she had something to say. In this book, Collins wanted to highlight themes of implicit submission and the effect of propaganda, which she did very effectively. 

  Overall, this book was a beautiful addition to the Hunger Games series. Collins managed to take a previously somewhat benign character and sensationally develop his backstory while minimizing any fallacies or inconsistencies from the main trilogy, an even more impressive accomplishment considering the first book came out more than a decade ago.