The Hunger Games first became famous in the early 2000s when author Suzanne Collins released her original trilogy of novels following young heroine Katniss Everdeen on her journey in the dystopian world of Panem. Through her immense bravery, what started as an act of selfless love towards her sister, she became the symbol of the rebellion that earned her the name “Mockingjay.” The trilogy became one of the greatest YA dystopian hits of all time. The movie adaptations became beloved right along with the books, the final film releasing in 2015. In 2020, Collins surprised audiences by diving back into the world of Panem with a book set during the 10th hunger games following a young Coriolanus Snow, the villain from the original trilogy, and 16 year old Lucy Gray Baird, who in many ways made Snow who he was. The film adaptation was released in 2023 and was a success, giving readers a cinematic version of the prequel novel, A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, starring Tom Blyth as young Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray. 

Now, 2 years after the film was released, Collins has done it again with another compelling prequel novel, this time following a 16 year old Haymith Abernathy. Haymitch, the drunken but beloved mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original trilogy, is known as the winner of the 50th Hunger Games, but the details of his games have always been somewhat of a mystery. Fans knew that he won the second quarter quell, in which there were double the amount of tributes (48) and that he somehow won by using the force fields that surround the arenas, but beyond that we’ve never known how he did. Fans also know that something tragic happened after his games, but the details are murky. In the original trilogy Haymitch isn’t exactly eager to talk about his life details, especially his games. When Collins announced her brand new novel would be about 16 year old Haymitch in the second Quarter Quell or the 50th annual Hunger Games, audiences were more than excited. 

The novel was released March 18th, 2025, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, a title that will hit different for fans when they learn the meaning behind it, and is already a #1 bestseller. I loved the original trilogy and Collins’ prequel, A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, so I read the book as soon as it came out, considering myself a genuine fan of the world and Collins’s writing. Collins most certainly delivered. Without giving any major spoilers away, the book can be characterized by having the perfect mix of compelling storytelling and lore dropping lines that will shock readers who are very familiar with the world. Though expected, it was also incredibly sad, at times so heartbreaking it was hard to read. That being said, it was impactful and artfully written. Fans of The Hunger Games franchise must read this if they haven’t. I will say that those who haven’t read the original trilogy should read those three books first, and then re-enter the world with either this novel or Collins first prequel A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I suggest starting with the latter, so easter eggs and hidden callbacks to the Covey Girl, Lucy Gray, aren’t missed when reading Sunrise on the Reaping. All in all, the book will get you feeling all the feels, and is some of the best work out of Collins yet. 

Naturally given the success of the franchise, the movie adaption is already being casted and planned by Lionsgate. The release date is set for November 20th, 2026, with original director Francis Laurence back. The casting team behind the movie adaptation has been releasing the major roles cast over the past month, and fans are more than excited. In a very dramatic fashion, the social media team behind the movie has been announcing the actors on all their platforms. The cast includes well known names like Mckenna Grace as district 12 tribute Maysilee Donner and Ralph Fiennes as 58 year old President Snow, but also welcomes lesser known actors Joseph Zada as 16 year old Haymitch and Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird. Fans so far have been more than happy with the cast, every character seemingly casted perfectly. The only problem for fans is how far out the release date is! 

With the release of the novel, and the movie becoming more and more anticipated, fans of the franchise are excited for the future. There is hope of more prequel novels, fan favorite ideas including novels about Finnick Odair or Johanna Mason’s games, but for now fans will be looking forward to the movie adaption of Collins’s Sunrise on the Reaping.