Overview

• Suzanne Collins' new Hunger Games prequel, 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' released on March 18, 2025, has received widespread acclaim for its exploration of Haymitch Abernathy's backstory during the 50th Hunger Games.
• The novel delves into themes of propaganda, trauma, and rebellion, revealing how the Capitol manipulated the narrative of Haymitch's victory and the personal losses he suffered as a result.
• Key connections to the original trilogy include the origin of Katniss Everdeen's Mockingjay pin and appearances by her parents, Asterid March and Burdock Everdeen.
• An epilogue updates fans on Katniss and Peeta, with Haymitch confiding in them about his past, further bridging the prequel with the original Hunger Games series.
• A film adaptation of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026, with casting for a young Haymitch Abernathy officially underway.