Book Review - Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Title: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games # 0.5)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2025
 
Description: As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
 
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is truing not to think too hard about his chances. All eh cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
 
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can fell all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that want to fight… and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
 
Review: If there was one book I was looking forward in 2025, it’s “Sunrise on the Reaping”. In preparation of this, I reread the original trilogy and also read “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. I was so excited to finally pick up Suzanne Collins’ newest story in the Hunger Games universe. And it did not disappoint. It exceeded every expectation I had.
 
In “Sunrise on the Reaping” we start on the day of the reaping, for the 50^th annual Hunger Games: the games Haymitch Abernathy was in. We already got a glimpse of these games in “Catching Fire”, but in this book we get all the details. And just when you thought these books couldn’t get any darker, Suzanne Collins makes it even more horrific and emotional.
 
When we first meet Haymitch, in “The Hunger Games”, we learn he is a grumpy, bitter man. Drinks a lot, has lost his lust for life. And now I know why. Of course, we knew that he won the 50^th Hunger Games, but we never learn what he had to go through.
 
You would think that, with a book where you already know who the winner is going to be, there will be little surprise. Well, think again. Collins manages to surprise and shock us many times. Just the way Haymitch had to enter the Games alone was a twist.
 
There are many familiar characters in this book, which I will not discuss here. But Collins also introduces us to a bunch of new characters as well. Some of them with links to well-known characters. I especially loved Ampert, Maysilee Donner and Lenore Dove. Great characters, that you really care about. But the star is Haymitch, who was already one of my favorite characters in the series (maybe only Finnick beats him). It’s such a clever idea to focus on his story in this book. And I was invested from start to finish. And you really understand older Haymitch so much better now.
 
I somehow knew that I was going to enjoy “Sunrise on the Reaping” but I never thought I would be so consumed by this book. I loved everything about this, it broke me mentally and emotionally. We experience love, grief, loss, gain, hope, helplessness and so much more in this book. Suzanne Collins did it again and shows us that this series is not dead yet. Far from.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Book Review - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games # 0)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2020
 
Description: It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
 
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment to mentoring the female tribute from District twelve, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
 
Review: This is the first book in the Hunger Games series that I haven’t read before. In “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”, we meet a young Coriolanus Snow, before becoming the relentless President of Panem that we know from the original trilogy. It takes place 64 years before “The Hunger Games”, at the start of the 10^th annual Hunger Games.
 
It’s a villain origin story and we follow it through Coriolanus Snow’s perspective. How was het as an eighteen-year-old? What made him into the merciless President that we know so well?
 
You learn how certain elements of the Hunger Games, that we already knew about from the original trilogy, were introduced in this prequel. In the earlies stage of the games, things were much more primitive. Tributes were thrown into a cage right after they were chosen at the reaping, and treated poorly. They were starving them and some of the tributes wouldn’t even make it to the arena.
 
When we enter the Hunger Games, we see it from a different perspective. We see what Snow sees, because he’s the main character and not one of the tributes. That is also interesting.
 
I don’t think we’re meant to feel any sympathy for Snow, especially because we know what he would do in the future. Even though Snow did know hunger, poverty and love in his younger years, you can already see that he has certain priorities. He really loves to be loved and doesn’t want anyone to know that his family is not rich anymore as when his parents were still alive.
 
The best part of the book was the middle, the Hunger Games. Before and after that I was a bit bored at times. Mainly because I didn’t really care about Lucy Gray Baird or about her relationship with Coriolanus. I felt no connection to either of them.
Although I do believe that this villain origin story is interesting to tell, I expected more from it. I don’t think that what happened to Coriolanus in this book was enough for him to turn out as evil as he did. I enjoyed it enough, but I will probably not ever reread this.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (REREAD)

Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games # 3)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2010
 
Description: Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.

 
Review: It’s the last book in the original trilogy. The second book topped the fantastic fist book. When I read it the first time, I really liked it, but it was clearly my least favorite of the three. And I still feel the same way about it.
 
Katniss knows her life will never be the same. And things seem to get worse. People seem to rely on her, she is the face of the rebellion. The story is intense and this is very action packed. It has some emotional moments, Katniss grows even more as a character.
 
I was upset that Katniss ended up with Peeta, the first time I read it. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore, even though I’m still team Gale (unpopular opinion), I feel Peeta was the better choice for Katniss.
 
I had such a good time rereading the original Hunger Games trilogy. Now I’m going to delve into the prequels and I’m most looking forward to “Sunrise on the Reaping”.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (REREAD)

Title: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games # 2)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2009
 
Description: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Review: When reading this book for the first time, it was my favorite of the original trilogy. I still feel that way. Following a book that was so successful, it seems almost impossible. But Suzanne Collins did it.
 
The book starts off right after Katniss and Peeta have won the 74^th Hunger Games. Katniss believes she can pick up her life again, forget what happened and move on. But nothing is further from the truth. She has to re-enter the arena, she and other previous winners of the games. And the Capitol is more relentless then before.
 
“Catching Fire” is, even while rereading it, is exciting and I’m constantly on the edge of my seat. I just couldn’t stop reading. The build-up is fantastic and when they are entering the Hunger Games again, it’s so action-packed and thrilling. It’s even harder for Katniss now, because she knows the people she’s battling now.
 
The arena in this book is fantastic, clever, so original. And the ending was really good. In a way you just have to pick up the next book right away.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Book Review - The Hunger Games (REREAD)

Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games # 1)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian/ Young Adult/ Reread/ Science Fiction
Published: 2008
 
Description: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying Districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing  them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
 
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
 
Review: Deciding to dedicate the month of April to rereading the entire “The Hunger Games” series, before diving into the newest book, is the best decision. I read it first in 2011, I believe, and I really loved it. But I have never read it since. And, from chapter one, I remember why I loved this series so much.
 
Panem is what used to be North America. It was divided into 13 District, with only 12 left. The Capitol is holding all the Districts under a strict regime and they make each District send one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and eighteen, to compete in the Hunger Games. A game, on live TV, that makes 24 youngster fight to death, until there is only one left. Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 and sees her sister Primrose being the chosen one for this year’s Hunger Games. But out of love for her young sister, 16-year-old Katniss volunteers to take her place to fight in the 74^th annual Hunger Games.
 
I remember, when reading it the first time, Katniss won me over from the start. She is a strong character, easy to relate to and to root for. And I believe that she still is, for people reading it now for the first time.
 
The story deals with serious issues like political corruption, violence, survival, love and sacrifice. The world Suzanne Collins created is really dark, it feels like there is no hope whatsoever. The story is compelling, exciting, tense, dark and it’s really a book you can’t put down. It kept me reading for hours that first time and it did it again while rereading it.
 
I’m so happy that I reread it and that I will be immersed into this world for the entirety of April. It’s such a good series, and “The Hunger Games” is an amazing first in that series.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

50 Books Challenge 2012 - # 50: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games # 1)

Title: The Hunger Games ("The Hunger Games # 1")
Author: Suzanne Collins
Story: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Prim, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Start: november 29th 2012
End: november 30th 2012
Comment: Because this is a reread and I reviewed the books last year, I'm not going to write another one. Here's a link to my review: Review "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: "The Hunger Games" Characters

"The Hunger Games" has been a thing this week. It was the subject of my item "In the Picture" and I bombed you with pictures of Liam Hemsworth, one of the actors in the film, in my pic spam. So this weeks top 5 is also about "The Hunger Games" (book and movie) Here are my favorite characters from the first installment.

5. Haymitch Abernathy
Haymitch doesn't look like a reliable man when you first meet him, but once you get to know him he turns out to be the best mentor you could wish for. He has a certain sense of humor that not everyone understands, he's drunk or under the influence of alcohol almost all the time and always bickering with Effie.

4. Rue
Rue is one of the youngest tributes of the Hunger Games. People underestimate her becausse she's so young a small, but she is very clever. When Rue died, I cried.

3. Cinna
Cinna was the first person Katniss met that she experienced as 'normal'. He made her feel comfortable in a scary situation and Cinna was the last person Katniss saw before she was sent of for the Hunger Games.

2. Gale Hawthorne
Gale is Katniss best friend and hunting buddie. He takes care of her family when she has to enter the Hunger Games. Gale is loyal and kind and I seriously think he's the guy for Katniss.

1. Katniss Everdeen
It's very hard to not like her. Katniss doesn't like to be in the center of attention, but will do everything for her sister Primrose. She has a strong will, is very intelligent and has a good instinct. Katniss is one of the best movie/ book characters ever written.

They almost made the top 5: Effie and Primrose Everdeen

50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 49: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Story: Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12.
Start: september 10th 2011
End: september 16th 2011
Comment: The last book in "The Hunger Games" series. The second book topped the fantastic first installment, so I was really excited to read this one. When Katniss thinks it's finally all over, everything gets even worse. She isn't safe yet and neither is her family and all the people who are close to her. The story had a different take, Katniss grew in her personality and became an even stronger young woman. She fought even harder than in the first two books. It didn't suck me in as much but it had some surprising moments. It was intense and again a lot of action. I wasn't pleased with the ending. Not the epilogue, because I loved that, but just who Katniss ended up with. I never liked Peeta and I never will. I do love that you feel connected to the characters, some more than other, and that you can feel their sorrow if they go through another dramatic moment. Suzanne Collins managed to write a great series, but this is the least favorite of the three. Still a great one though!
Rating: 4/ 5

Preview: "The Hunger Games"

Let's talk about the upcoming and highly anticipated book to movie adaptation of "The Hunger Games". It's set to be released march 23rd 2012. I haven't read "Mockinjay" yet, which is the third book in the trilogy, but I loved both "The Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire". I'm very excited to see this be turned into a movie and I would like to share my thoughts with you.

Gary Ross is going to direct the movie. He also wrote and directed "Seabiscuit" and "Pleasantville" and he wrote the screenplay for "Big". "The Hunger Games" is going to be something completely different for Ross and I can't really say how he's going to do it. I don't know that much about him

Jennifer Lawrence is going to play the role of Katniss Everdeen, the heroin of the story. I haven't seen her in many movies, but I loved her in "Winter's Bone". She has great acting skills and she was even nominated for an Academy Award. After seeing pictures of her as Katniss, I just knew that they made a good choice by making her Katniss.

Josh Hutcherson is Peeta Melark. I didn't like Peeta that much in the book. But I do like Hutcherson, especially in "The Kids Are All Right" and "Bridge to Terabithia". He wouldn't be my choice, but I think he will do just fine.

I was much more excited about Gale Hawthorne's character. If I'm going to choose teams, I will have to go with team Gale. Liam Hemsworth is going to portray him in the movie and I have to say, he looks a lot like I pictured him. First I thought, 'hey, he's the guy from "Thor"'. Uuuh, wrong. That's his brother. I seriously never saw him in a movie. I saw pictures of Hemsworth as Gale, very nice.

Haymitch Abernathy is going to be played by Woody Harrelson. I think he's awesome, especially in "Zombieland". He will be a good Haymitch.

Elizabeth Banks is going to be Effie Trinkett. I love Elizabeth Banks. She was in "Spider-man", "Knocked Up", "The 40 Year Old Virgin", "Definitely, Maybe" and "Zack & Miri Make a Porno". She can play very diverse roles, so I think she can pull this off as well.

The role of Caeser Flickerman, the Capitol's favorite television host, goes to Stanley Tucci. How great (and creepy) was he in "The lovely Bones" and I liked him "Captain America: The First Avenger", which I saw recently. He can be that charismatic and rambunctious personality.

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. Hell yeah! Totally how I would picture him. When I read the book, I was thinking of actors. Kravitz was the first one I thought of for the role of Cinna. I really don't know why, maybe because he's a bit excentric. I'm just a bit worried about his acting skills, don't know much about that.

Donald Sutherland is going to be portraying the role of President Snow. We all know how good he is while playing an evil, sleezy scumbag. Good choice.

I think I'm pretty happy with the casting, but still they have to prove it. There's no trailer yet, but here's a link to The Hunger Games Official Website . Check it out, it's very cool. Here are also some production stills.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

Two photos of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Melark

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne

My favorite picture so far, Katniss and Gale

I hope they stay close to the actual story and that they keep the crucial storylines in the film. I can't wait to see this movie, so far it looks very good. First, we have to wait for its trailer, I will probably comment on that if I get to see it.

50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 31: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Story: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.
Start: june 1st 2011
End: june 4th 2011
Comment: When the first book in a series is so succesful, it's hard to follow it. Suzanne Collins made it happen, because she succeeded to write an even better sequel. "Catching Fire" starts right after Katniss and Peeta won the Hunger Games. Katniss thinks she can pick up her normal life again, but instead she has te re-enter the arena. And this time the Capitol is even more relentless then before. The first was good, but this book was on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting. Again every chapter ended with a cliffhanger, so you just had to keep reading. Katniss' view on the games changed, because it's a lot harder to kill someone if you know that person already. I still like Katniss for her strength, bravery and loyalty. As for Peeta, I'm not a fan. He has his moments, but I like Gale more. His relationship with Katniss is far more true and believable. The ending was super good. I love it when books or movies have an open ending. Especially when it's a series, because now I just have to read "Mockinjay".
Rating: 5/ 5

50 Books Challenge - # 15: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Story: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Prim, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Start: march 12th 2011
End: march 18th 2011
Comment: This is one of those books I would probably never read if I didn't hear so many great things about it. I normaly wouldn't pick up a sci-fi novel, but I'm open minded so I did. And I'm glad. The story is very well written, though easy to read. Every chapter leaves you in suspense which makes it almost impossible to put it down. Especially the parts during the hunger games were exciting and you just want to continue reading. The novel deals with serious issues like political corruption, violence, survival and hunger. Katniss is a very strong character, someone who will fight for her own life but also sacrifices a lot for others. I liked the world Collins created, so dark and grim. I could totally imagine how it would look in real life. But I think it's pretty intense for people younger than 16. I will probably continue to read the rest of the series, because it was good book with a creative plot. And I just read that they're going to do a movie version, with Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.
Rating: 5/ 5