Spoiler alert, but not at all surprising, Suzanne Collins has a lot to say about the current real-world state in her newest novel.
“Sunrise on the Reaping,” which was released on March 18 this year, sold millions of copies worldwide within its first week — a record-breaking milestone for the entire series.
Collins’ new novel features the teased past of Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor of the series’ iconic characters Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. He is reaped for the the 50th annual Hunger Games and the second quarter quell, a unique time where twice the number of tributes’ names aged 12-18 are randomly drawn.
As I love “The Hunger Games” series, I waited in anticipation to receive my weeks ordered-ahead exclusive novel from Barnes & Noble with the hope of learning more about the story’s world and the beloved characters.
Before diving into the story, I was presented with an array of quotes curated by Collins’ herself, such as from influential figures George Orwell and David Hume. As many know, authors like her only write when they have something to say, and her displayed quotes tell about propaganda and implicit submission.
Through Haymitch’s story, readers are given a much deeper understanding as to how truly corrupt the games are in favor of the Capitol, the ruling, highly-privileged class of people subjugating the 12 Districts. Although he tries his hardest to alert people to the deception and end the Games, the sinister President Snow completely controls the narrative and distorts all images to paint a rosy picture of the Games.
The detail that I really enjoyed, which connected to the theme of media distrust and submission, was the arena itself. A paradise where everything natural is poisonous, telling readers to be wary of what they consume or misinformation will poison them.
Throughout the story we are met with many familiar faces: former victors Mags, Wiress and Beetee from the “Catching Fire” novels.We meet Katniss’ deceased father and her younger mother, Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee and the bedazzling Effie Trinket. The novel also makes a show of referencing Lucy Gray Baird, the only other victor of District 12, and who mysteriously disappeared in the prequel novel.
While reading the novel, I found myself particularly adoring new-face Maysilee Donner, a fellow District 12 tribute who is sassy and fashion-centric. Although she could be particularly critical, I appreciated her heart of gold and rebellious nature.
By the end of the novel, I was sniffling and crying like a baby, feeling so heartbroken for Haymitch and his circumstances. My tears were littering over the post-Mockingjay novel epilogue which provides readers with a bittersweet ending, telling everyone to never give up hope for a better future.
