The Hunger Games Universe Expands: "Sunrise on the Reaping" Promises a Deep Dive into Haymitch Abernathy’s Past
Get ready to return to the dystopian world of Panem. Suzanne Collins is releasing a new "Hunger Games" prequel, "Sunrise on the Reaping," reigniting the passion of longtime fans and inviting a new generation to experience the brutal reality of the Games. This time, the story centers on Haymitch Abernathy, the sardonic mentor of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, offering a glimpse into his life before and during the 50th Hunger Games.
Set to launch on March 18 in print, digital, and audiobook formats, "Sunrise on the Reaping" delves into Haymitch’s personal history, exploring the events that shaped him into the cynical yet strategic survivor we know from the original trilogy. Jefferson White, known for his role in "Yellowstone," will lend his voice to the audiobook narration.
The novel takes place 24 years before the events of "The Hunger Games," plunging readers into the morning of the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell year. For those unfamiliar with the nuances of Panem’s cruel traditions, the reaping is the annual process of randomly selecting tributes from each of the twelve districts to compete in the Hunger Games, a televised spectacle where children fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol.
Every 25 years, the Games take on a special significance with the Quarter Quell, introducing unique and often more brutal twists to the competition. In Katniss and Peeta’s Quarter Quell, the 75th Hunger Games, former victors were forced to re-enter the arena. In Haymitch’s Quarter Quell, the 50th, the Gamemakers doubled the number of tributes from each district, creating an even more chaotic and deadly arena.
An excerpt from the first chapter reveals Haymitch’s state of mind on the morning of the reaping, which also happens to be his 16th birthday. Despite the looming fear, he attempts to focus on enjoying the day with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove. "No point in worrying, I tell myself, there’s nothing you can do about it," Haymitch narrates. "Like two Hunger Games in one. No way to control the outcome of the reaping or what follows it. So don’t feed the nightmares. Don’t let yourself panic. Don’t give the Capitol that. They’ve taken enough already."
The excerpt also introduces us to Haymitch’s family: his 10-year-old brother, Sid, and his 35-year-old mother. His father’s death in a coal mine fire mirrors Katniss’s own loss, highlighting the harsh realities of life in District 12’s Seam, the poorest neighborhood. When Haymitch is chosen as tribute, he is sent to the Capitol alongside other tributes: “a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck up girl in town.”
Collins’s intention with "Sunrise on the Reaping" goes beyond simply recounting the events of the 50th Hunger Games. She aims to explore deeper themes of propaganda, control, and the power of narrative. According to Scholastic, Collins said she was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission, specifically "the easiness with which the many are governed by the few." She added that the story allows for a "deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”
The book’s cover, featuring a dueling songbird and snake above the spikes of a sun, holds symbolic significance, according to Scholastic VP, Publisher and Editorial Director David Levithan. The image represents "how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source." This duality likely reflects the complex choices Haymitch faces and the moral ambiguities within the Hunger Games themselves.
The original "Hunger Games" trilogy offered glimpses into Haymitch’s past, particularly in "Catching Fire," where Katniss watches footage from the 50th Games. We know that Haymitch was one of four tributes from District 12, including Maysilee Donner, a friend of Katniss’s mother and the original owner of the mockingjay pin. Maysilee’s niece, Madge Undersee, gave Katniss the pin in the first book, a symbol of rebellion and hope.
Haymitch’s victory in the 50th Hunger Games was controversial. He cleverly used the arena’s force field as a weapon, discovering its properties when he threw a rock and it bounced back. In the final showdown, Haymitch positioned himself near the force field and dodged his opponent’s axe, causing it to rebound and kill her. This unconventional tactic infuriated the Gamemakers, who never intended for the force field to be used in such a way.
In "Mockingjay," Haymitch reveals the devastating consequences of his victory. President Snow, angered by his defiance, had his mother, younger brother, and girlfriend murdered in retribution, highlighting the Capitol’s ruthlessness and the heavy price of rebellion.
Lionsgate is already planning a film adaptation of "Sunrise on the Reaping," set to be released on November 20, 2026. Casting details are yet to be announced, leaving fans to speculate whether Woody Harrelson, who portrayed Haymitch in the original movies, will reprise his role.
The "Hunger Games" franchise remains a box office phenomenon. Last year’s "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," starring Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth, was a hit, and the entire film series has grossed over $3 billion worldwide.
"Sunrise on the Reaping" marks the fifth book in the "Hunger Games" series, which began 17 years ago. There are currently five "Hunger Games" movies, with the sixth, the "Sunrise on the Reaping" adaptation, on the horizon.
