On March 18, 2025 Suzanne Collins released the second prequel to The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. This book was narrated from Haymitch’s point of view, from the fiftieth annual Hunger Games. The Quarter Quell edition of the Hunger Games is held every 25 years, and is responsible for twice as many tributes to be selected to participate.
Sunrise on the Reaping is focusing on Haymitch’s experience being torn from his family and being sent to the capital with three other tributes. The tributes include a young girl considered family to Haymitch, an out of control bettor, and a stubborn girl.
Since the book’s release, it has already become a bestseller. The New York Times stated, “A propulsive, brutal Hunger Games prequel is here. And it’s great.” The book has 4.5/5 stars on goodreads, where readers state the writing is “… haunting, poetic, and absolutely gut wrenching.”
On June 6, 2024 the book was officially announced along with a movie. The cast was released on social media throughout 2025, with Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. The movie adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping is going to be released November 6, 2026.
With the trailer releasing on November 20, 2025, the second quarter quell arena is a deadly meadow of poisonous flowers. This arena designed by the capital is formed in the shape of an eye, which symbolizes the constant surveillance of the capital on the districts.
In an interview from Holly Beech (9th) I asked if she has read The Hunger Games. She responded with, “Yes, I have read The Hunger Games series and Sunrise on the Reaping.”
Beech stated that, “My expectations for the movie are high considering the budget and accuracy of the past Hunger Games movies.”
Next, an interview from Adele Biedendorf-Tumolo (9th). Biedendorf-Tumolo said, “I have read The Hunger Games series and I am halfway through reading the new book.”
Biedendorf-Tumolo stated that she has enjoyed the book so far. She also said, “I am pretty excited for the movie, since the book is really good”.
Overall, it seems that Sunrise on the Reaping has become a highly anticipated movie, with a reported budget of over $150 million dollars, since the book release. Many readers have high expectations for the movie after giving the book great reviews and positive feedback.