Book Review

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Published March 18, 2025 by Scholastic Press

This book was everything I had hoped The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was going to be. While I enjoyed learning about President Snow's backstory, that book didn't deliver nearly as many easter eggs, references, or cameos as Sunrise on the Reaping. I was left with more questions than answers. This book gave me everything I wanted, and so much more!

The surprises and reveals start early, with the first few chapters alone packing enough emotional weight to make the inevitable heartbreak worth every moment. Collins masterfully takes us back to the beginning, introducing us to characters we never got to meet in the original trilogy. We also get to see beloved characters we already know and love, and learn more about their heart wrenching stories.

Out of all five books in the series, this one ranks second for me, slightly below Catching Fire. And one of my favorite moments? The epilogue reveal explaining why Haymitch always calls Katniss "Sweetheart." Oh, my heart! This book was absolutely fantastic.

Rating: ★★★★★