Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Review by Tracee Orman
WOW.
That was my first reaction as I began reading and continued throughout the book. I can honestly say that this might be my favorite book in the entire series. I know it's hard to beat The Hunger Games, but this one may have done it. I am still processing everything, but if you have not read this book yet and are a fan of the series (obviously you are if you're here, right!?), go READ IT NOW! And stop reading this review because the rest will contain SPOILERS!!
Again, if you do not want the book spoiled, stop reading now!
⚠ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠
OK, you have been warned! Here we go...
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
One of the best things I loved about this book is that it answered so many things that were left up in the air in the other books. And we didn't even have to wait for them--chapter one brought us Katniss' parents' names! I don't know why this always bothered me in the books, but leaving the characters unnamed made them seem less personal, less important. But now I see that the naming of them in Haymitch's story makes them much more personal to him. Burdock, Asterid...and the fact that Lenore Dove is related to Katniss! We get all of this within the first few pages. My mind was reeling from the very start.
But not just those! We get Tam Amber and Clerk Carmine from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, who raised Lenore Dove after her mother (presumably Maude Ivory!) passed away in childbirth. And Burdock (Katniss's dad) is Lenore Dove's cousin...so, YES, Katniss is related to her AND she was related to Lucy Gray Baird since Lucy Gray was a cousin to Maude Ivory.
But the Easter eggs don't stop there. From Peeta's dad's name (Otho), to Plutarch, Wiress, Mags, Beetee, and Effie, the origin of the mockingjay pin, and so many more. Every bit of this book deepened the connections to the other books. I honestly cannot wait to reread this entire series with the new knowledge I have with Haymitch's backstory. And isn't that what a prequel is all about? Suzanne Collins created a masterpiece, weaving these relationships and giving us so much context, making Haymitch's character more and more complex.
One question I had was whether Lenore Dove's namesake was from Edgar Allan Poe's works. The answer, of course, is YES! "The Raven" is featured quite often in the book and will certainly make for excellent literary comparisons and symbolism. It's an English teacher's dream.
EMOTIONAL COMPLEXITY
Another thing I love about Sunrise on the Reaping is the emotional complexity it brings to the series. Everyone Haymitch has ever loved is gone, which we learned in Mockingjay. But now we get to meet these people. And grow to love them. Then watch them die.
Going into the book, we knew Haymitch was a drunk with no friends, living by himself in Victor's Village. But what we didn't know is why he is this way. Katniss sees him as a disgraceful, disgusting person, but what she didn't know is that he was best friends with her dad. That he had to push Burdock away to save his life. At least until President Snow decided a mine explosion was necessary. Was this further punishment for Haymitch? Was the Blair he was also best friends with in that mine explosion? It seems highly likely. Blair could have been Gale's father for all we know.
Beetee, Ampert, Mags, and Wiress also add another level of emotional complexity to the story. Beetee's punishment of watching his son die in the arena is absolutely horrific. Mags and Wiress being punished for Haymitch's rebellion during the Games, awful. Knowing that Wiress was so young when he wrecked her...gut wrenching. It brings a deep level of empathy for these beloved characters that we met in Catching Fire and loved because they were quirky. But now...my God. There's no question that President Snow is truly evil.
One of the more emotional aspects I wasn't expecting was the geese. We learn at the end of Mockingjay that Haymitch chooses to raise geese. In that moment, it's worth a chuckle because it's the last thing anyone would expect him to do. But now knowing that Lenore Dove raised geese...oh my heart.
REBELLION CONNECTIONS
In the original trilogy, we never suspect that Haymitch was ever part of any rebellion or rebellious acts (besides figuring out the forcefield in the arena--which was not exactly the truth, either). We were led to believe that he was just a drunk who has lived a miserable life mentoring District 12 kids for 24 years by himself. But when Katniss volunteers in the 74th Games, we now know that Haymitch knew who Katniss is. So when he tells the Capitol cameras in The Hunger Games that she has more spunk than them, it truly hits harder knowing he is a rebel himself. We just never knew how deep his connections to Plutarch, Beetee, Mags, and Wiress were until this book. (Even Effie, albeit reluctantly.)
What is remarkable about this is that we can reread the original trilogy with a completely new lens: Haymitch as a rebel who has been trying to end the Games for years as a promise to his true love. It's now clear that he was most likely in contact with Plutarch during The Hunger Games, even though it's never mentioned. I know when I reread the series, I will find so many more connections and clues.
OUR FAVORITE SYMBOLS
Some of our favorite symbols get a backstory, as well. We learn about Katniss's mockingjay pin, which we already knew belonged to Maysilee. But we find out it was designed and created by Tam Amber, a member of the Covey. It also had a sister pin–a hummingbird–that belonged to her twin, Merrilee. The fact that Maysilee flippantly disregarded the pin initially, then promises Haymitch that she'll give the pin a second chance if she survives enhances the meaning of it. It's not only a symbol of the rebellion, but a nod to both Maysilee and Tam Amber.
The three-fingered silent salute makes an appearance at the funeral for the fallen tributes, as well as Haymitch's mom and brother. It's a poignant moment in the book, but also makes you think back to when Katniss was the recipient of it during her reaping and Haymitch saved her from crying. It hits harder knowing that gesture alone holds so many emotions for him, and yet he still tries to save Katniss from showing her tears. He is already helping her, coaching her, and she has no idea.
The lines from "The Hanging Tree" song make a reappearance in this novel, but with Lenore Dove telling Haymitch the song is about mockingjays. He begins to realize while on the train ride home from the Games that it was actually about rebels. Later, he pieces everything together that she was the one painting the rebellious graffiti in the alley "NO CAPITOL, NO HANGING TREE!" It may have taken 25 years, but Haymitch finally fulfills that promise of no more sunrises on the reaping.
A PERFECT CONCLUSION
I feel like this book perfectly concludes the series. If we never get another one, I will be satisfied. Don't get me wrong, I will love and welcome any other works Suzanne Collins writes, but I don't feel as though they are necessary. I think she has wrapped up so many loose ends at this point. Sure, I'd love a Finnick backstory and more about Tigris and President Snow. But will they measure up to this masterpiece? Probably not. The gift she has given us with this book is enough, as it will keep on giving with every reread.
If it isn't evident by now, I give this book five stars. If I could give it a million, I would. It may just inch out The Hunger Games as my favorite in the series.
I have no idea if Ms. Collins has ever read this blog or even knows of its existence. But if there is a slight chance that she is reading this, I just want her to know how much this series has meant to me. Being able to share her work with hundreds of students over the years has been a true delight. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have to end this post now, but I know there's so much more to talk about. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Feel free to reach out, message me, or join in the conversations on my posts.
