How can a book you know the ending too (it’s a prequel) be so compelling? But that’s how I found Sunrise on the Reaping (Scholastic Press, 2025) by Suzanne Collins.
Set in The Hunger Games world, it’s about Haymitch–yes, the drunken mentor! This story takes place when he’s young and has to go through the trials himself. Haymitch isn’t selected as tribute from District 12, but when the boy tribute does a runner and is killed, Haymitch is shoved into his place and forced to reenact his “choosing” as if his name was really drawn. It doesn’t get better from there.
Seeing the contrasts and similarities between this time period and other other books set in the world is fascinating. Living with Haymitch’s experience is very different than “knowing” he went through it. And, yes, if you haven’t heard, there will be a movie. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about read The Hunger Games.
Read some of the bestselling author’s thoughts on this book here. Here is a link to her other books and Suzanne’s bio.
Grace and Fury (Little, Brown and Company, 2018) by Tracy Banghart is a tale of two sisters who got the opposite of what they expected. And each have to survive the world she’s suddenly been thrust into.