Haymitch’sHunger Gamesprequel,The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,is likely going to emotionally devastate me by breaking one series trend 17 years after the trilogy’s debut. The announcement ofHunger Games’Sunrise on the Reapingand the hints we have gotten so far have already highlighted thatthis latestHunger Gamesprequel will be one of the most trying yet, as audiences explore Haymitch’s time as a Tribute.Even so, considering the reputation of the series,Sunrise on the Reapingwill likely follow quite a few of the series' beats.
The Hunger Gamesseries is known for its emotionally devastating moments and its darker plotline, which made it a staple of the dystopia genreback when it was first published.Sunrise on the Reapingcould continue that trend, especially as the book is set to take place during a particularly dark time in the Games' history that Haymitch was unlucky enough to witness firsthand. That being said, I am not prepared for Haymitch’s book to break the one trend that held me together through each installment: the hopeful ending.
Haymitch’s Hunger Games Prequel Will Be The First Book That Doesn’t Have A Hopeful Ending
Haymitch’s Original Characterization Proves His Book Ends Darkly
Sunrise on the Reapingwill most likely be the first book that does not have a hopeful ending inThe Hunger Gamesseries due to Haymitch’s disillusioned and depressed characterization in the original trilogy. Though they covered very dark topics and had a largely tense storyline,The Hunger Gamesbooksoften ended on a hopeful note.The originalHunger Gamestrilogy ended with Katniss winning each time with her successful berry ploy, her extraction from the arena, and her final happy ending with Peeta respectively, making each section of the series easier to read.
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The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesalso ends hopefully for Snow and the audience, as Snow gets what he wants and the final fate of Lucy Gray is left unknown, allowing us to assume that she is still out there somewhere. However, even if Suzanne Collins finds a way to put a hopeful spin on the tragedies Haymitch experiences, his overall ending will still remain bleak, considering how shattered we know he becomes. Despite knowing that Katniss helps him later on,Sunrise on the Reapingis still going to be a tough read if this trend gets broken.
Sunrise On The Reaping Breaking This Series Trend Will Make It A Much Tougher Read
Adding A Bleak Ending Will Further Darken The Book’s Plot
By breaking this trend,Sunrise on the Reapingwill become a much harder read as that lack of a hopeful ending will add to the suffering Haymitch is set to experience despite knowing his fate in later books.Haymitch was the victor of the 50th Hunger Games, which was the Quarter Quell that had double the tributes and was Haymitch’s first act of rebellion before the main series. We know those events are going to leave lasting scars because we have seen them, such asHaymitch sleeping with a knife inThe Hunger Games, so having a bleak ending will simply drive that home.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, ultimately, will be the tragedy of Haymitch, with the book set to remind us every page how truly tragic he was before the original trilogy.
The foreknowledge that Katniss and her journey allow him to heal and get justice through the rebellion does not help either.Haymitch’s suffering will be playing out in real-time and will end with him staying in that headspace for years to come,so knowing that it does get somewhat better for him is not likely to ease the ache, especially as we will be in his perspective.The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,ultimately, will be the tragedy of Haymitch, with the book set to remind us every page how truly tragic he was before the original trilogy.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Cast
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping explores the dystopian world of Panem 24 years prior to Katniss Everdeen’s story. This prequel focuses on the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, unveiling the origins of crucial events and traditions in the series.
