Tea & Tales

By Suzanne Collins.

17 May 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen enters the arena, Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he’s reaped for the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell. Packed with political tension, brutal arena challenges, and emotional depth, this novella fills in key pieces of the Hunger Games timeline while staying true to the dark, gripping tone of the series.

Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent, physical violence, death and murder (graphic, on page), gore, blood, violence, mentions of suicide, poison

• Vibes: Dark, tense, classic Hunger Games atmosphere with strong emotional pull.
• Plot & Pacing: Familiar Hunger Games structure, but intentionally done to mirror Katniss’ journey. Steady pacing with solid build-up.
• Characters: Excellent development for Haymitch. Familiar faces like Wiress, Beetee and Mags added nice depth, even if slightly unexpected.
• Writing Style: Classic Suzanne Collins — emotional, politically charged, and very readable.
• Emotional Impact: Nostalgic, gripping, and perfect for fans invested in the Hunger Games world.
• Continue series/ read more from this author? Always.

This was such a great addition to the Hunger Games universe — I’d easily give it 4.5 stars. The atmosphere was dark and tense, exactly as you’d expect, but it felt like it served as the missing link between Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the original trilogy. It tied the eras together really well.

Haymitch was always a fan-favourite, so this extra insight into his backstory was something I was really excited for. Suzanne Collins did a fantastic job with his character arc — you can fully understand how he became the Haymitch we know and love. It was also fun to see familiar faces like Wiress, Beetee, and Mags, even though their presence was slightly surprising at first. I made a conscious choice not to overthink the timeline logistics — I trusted Suzanne to handle it, and she delivered.

The pacing worked really well, giving just enough backstory before launching into the Games themselves. Structurally, it felt very similar to Katniss’ first Games, but that parallel seemed intentional given the similarities between Katniss and Haymitch as characters. The familiar beats were comforting rather than repetitive.

Emotionally, it hit me in all the nostalgic ways. As a huge Hunger Games fan (and someone who still hasn’t forgiven Suzanne Collins for the trauma of the original trilogy), this scratched exactly the itch I hoped it would. Definitely a read to enjoy with snacks and a milkshake alongside a fellow fan.

Who I’d Recommend it to:
Anyone who loved the original trilogy or Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Definitely not one to start the Hunger Games world with, but absolutely essential for existing fans.

Summary:
✨ Dark and emotional — classic Hunger Games atmosphere.
✨ Excellent character development for Haymitch.
✨ Familiar structure done intentionally; satisfying pacing.
✨ A must-read for existing Hunger Games fans.

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