Sunrise on the Reaping

Set twenty-four years before The Hunger Games, this novel explores the turmoil of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, focusing on Haymitch Abernathy as he confronts loss and the desire to fight back.

Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth installment in the Hunger Games series, transports readers back to the world of Panem, twenty-four years before the events of the original trilogy. The story unfolds on the morning of the reaping for the Fiftieth Hunger Games, which is also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This year, in a cruel twist, the rules dictate that twice as many tributes will be selected from each district, heightening the atmosphere of dread and despair that envelops Panem.

The narrative centers on Haymitch Abernathy, a resident of District 12, who grapples with the weight of impending loss. As the day progresses, he attempts to remain hopeful, focusing on his love for a girl back home. However, when his name is drawn, his dreams shatter. He is whisked away to the Capitol alongside three other tributes: a close friend who feels like family, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the town’s most arrogant girl. Haymitch quickly realizes that the odds are stacked against him, and the situation feels hopeless.

Despite the overwhelming sense of defeat, a spark ignites within Haymitch, compelling him to fight—not just for survival but to make his struggle resonate beyond the confines of the arena. This installment promises to explore themes of resilience and rebellion, setting the stage for a gripping tale that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the indomitable human spirit. With a film adaptation on the horizon, Sunrise on the Reaping is poised to further enrich the legacy of the Hunger Games saga.