Chapter 04: Sunrise on the Reaping - The Prequel I Didn't Know I Needed (Book Review)

Hey! Hi! Hello! In this episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re heading straight back into the reaping bowls of Panem long before Katniss ever volunteered as tribute. I (Courtney, your paranormal mystery author bestie) am diving into Suzanne Collins’ newest prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which spotlights the 50th Hunger Games, aka the trauma stew that made Haymitch Abernathy your favorite grumpy mentor.

I’ll break down why I was highly skeptical about this book (because seriously, how many prequels do we need?), how Collins absolutely proved me wrong, and what both readers and writers can learn from her razor-sharp style. We’re talking pacing that cuts like a scythe, worldbuilding through whispers, not lectures, and characters whose flaws make them unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll nerd out over Collins’ surprising background, the fandom wildfire she sparked with The Hunger Games, and why dystopia still matters so much today.

So grab your mockingjay pins and emotionally prepare yourselves! We’re heading back into the arena. 🎯

Chapter Sections:

• 00:00 - Welcome & why my side-eye was strong for this prequel

• 02:28 - The Set-up: Is this story actually needed?

• 03:37 - A quick tour of Suzanne Collins’ career (spoiler: it’s wilder than you think)

• 05:51 - Into the 50th Hunger Games

• 08:09 - How Collins built a multi-generational fandom

• 10:28 - Evaluating Sunrise on the Reaping

• 13:08 Until the Next Chapter...

💌 Links & Extras📚 Check out linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles to explore my own paranormal mystery, The Missing Reflection + all my socials are in the episode description.

🎧 Want to scream your book opinions at me (lovingly)? DM me on Instagram or comment on YouTube.

📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading

• The Guardian: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins review – second Hunger Games prequel is not for the faint-hearted

• Polygon: The legacy characters in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are so much more than fan service

• People: "Sunrise on the Reaping" Review: Return to Panem for Haymitch Abernathy's Quarter Quell

• Suzanne Collins’ Official Bio: suzannecollinsbooks.com

• Wikipedia (Suzanne Collins): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Collins

• Wikipedia (The Underland Chronicles): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Underland_Chronicles

• Wikipedia (Sunrise on the Reaping): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_on_the_Re