The novel focuses on Haymitch Abernathy's experience in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, which had a twist of sending four tributes from each district. It explores themes of oppression, propaganda, and resistance, drawing inspiration from David Hume's philosophy on societal control. 

Suzanne Collins has once again captivated readers with her latest installment in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. As the fifth book in this globally beloved franchise, this novel serves as a prequel, set 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy. Focusing on the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell—Collins takes us back to a pivotal moment in Panem’s history, offering fans a deeper look into the world of the Capitol and the districts. The story is centered on Haymitch Abernathy, a character well-known to fans as the gruff, alcoholic mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original series. In Sunrise on the Reaping, we finally get to witness Haymitch’s own harrowing journey as a tribute in the deadly games that shaped him into the man we meet later.

Plot Summary Setting the Stage: The Second Quarter Quell Sunrise on the Reaping opens on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, a milestone event in Panem known as the Second Quarter Quell. The Quarter Quell occurs every 25 years and introduces a unique twist to the standard Hunger Games format to amplify the spectacle and suffering. For this particular Games, the twist is brutal: twice as many tributes are selected, meaning four from each of Panem’s twelve districts instead of the usual two. This increases the total number of tributes to 48, setting the stage for a more intense and deadly competition.