Welcome to another book review, readers! This is a slightly controversial post about Sunrise On The Reaping, the newest installment to The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins!

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Blurb

When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

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Personal Review

⭐️⭐️

Let me preface this by saying that I didn’t really enjoy the original Hunger Games trilogy. I found it kind of boring and I prefer the movies. On the other hand, I LOVED The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, probably because it was set outside of the arena and had more going on.

I was very disappointed by this book. With all the hype surrounding it, I imagined it would be amazing, but it wasn’t.

First of all, Haymitch had no personality. I felt like he was just getting pushed around by the plot and what the author wanted him to do. I don’t remember there being much internal conflict at all. Which you’d think there would be, considering we know his future from the original trilogy.

It’s the same with all the other characters, except maybe Maysilee, who was spunky but didn’t get enough page time. Plus, all the character cameos felt very forced and unnecessary, like Collins was trying to prove that this story really did tie into the others.

And don’t get me started on Lenore Dove. She was like a duller version of Lucy Gray. I didn’t connect to her at all.

The plot was somewhat interesting. It was relatively fast-paced, mixed with some slow parts. The first part was nearly the same as the first Hunger Games. I found the whole arena portion extremely boring, especially since he was traveling alone for the most part. I read for interactions between characters, not monotonous and lonely traveling.

All that to say, I really did not enjoy this book. After being wowed by The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, I expected so much from this one… only to be extremely disappointed.

Tropes

• Dystopian World
• Arena Battles
• Rebellion

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Content Review

Spice

🌶️

A few kisses.

Language

💬💬💬

Mild words but used every once in a while. There is one chapter towards the end that uses the same cussword several times. I don’t remember for sure if they took the Lord’s name in vain, but probably.

Violence

🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

Lots of killing, mostly kids vs other kids. Moderate-graphic descriptions of wounds. I never felt uncomfortable personally, but I’m sure someone definitely could.

Religion

There is talk of an afterlife when people are made into ghosts. I can’t remember if anything else was discussed.

Positive Messages/Influences

Strong group of allied kids. Fighting back against an oppressive government.

Negative Messages/Influences

The oppressive government pushes lies and propaganda. Kids pit against each other.

Age Rating: 15+

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Thank you for reading my controversial review! Have you read Sunrise On The Reaping? Did you like it? How did you feel about the characters and the plot? What book should I review next?

Have a blessed day!