Book Review – Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

I’ll admit that this was the first Hunger Games novel I’ve read. I’ve seen the films, but until now hadn’t read the books. And I can honestly say I’m a huge fan now.

This book follows Haymitch as he is forced to participate in the Hunger Game. On his birthday, no less. He meets new people who want the games to end and he agrees to try and blow up the arena. He fails but manages to win the games. Of course he does since this is book five in a series where his older self is living in three other previously written novels.

What I love about this is the world building. We aren’t told how the war happened or why, only that the districts may pay the price annually for their rebellion. A constant kick in the balls when you’re already down. A harsh world, but also one filled with love and beauty and witty characters who know only survival against all odds.

The author’s writing grows with the character. As Haymitch learns, as he moves through a gameshow where he much do unspeakable things, as he manages to stay true to who he is, the book matures with him. By the end, it is poetic and sad, much like the man drowning out his sorrows during his self imposed loneliness.

Familiar names bring the story as a whole to life. While I’ve not read the other books yet and I only have the movies as a reference, I’ll say that Effie is far softer a character here in her youth. President Snow, though, is still ruthless. And I can hear Philip Seymour Hoffman’s voice whenever Plutarch speaks in this book.

Guess I need to read the other books in the series now, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy more books.

5 out of 5 stars. I don’t give out five stars often, but this year, the books are cooking.