Official Cover and Synopsis Revealed for 'Sunrise on the Reaping' - Haymitch Abernathy Takes Center Stage

Sunrise on The Reaping Book Cover Reveal Attention, tributes! The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here. Revealed this morning on the Today Show, the official cover of Sunrise on the Reaping is out, and it's everything we hoped for and more! The newest installment in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games saga is set to hit bookshelves on March 18, 2025.

But wait, there's more! Alongside the stunning cover reveal, we've got the official book synopsis, confirmation of Haymitch Abernathy's point of view, and our first teaser quote from the man himself. Cue the screaming, crying, and throwing up!

Haymitch Abernathy's Story - Finally Told!

Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger GamesLongtime fans of the original trilogy will remember Haymitch Abernathy, District 12's sardonic mentor to Katniss and Peeta. He survived and won the 50th Hunger Games - the Second Quarter Quell - and now, he's stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist of this highly anticipated prequel. Scholastic confirmed in a press release that we'll finally delve into Haymitch's backstory.

Official Book Synopsis:

"Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena."

First Teaser Quote from Haymitch:

Our first quote from Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the ReapingAfter the cover reveal, the official Hunger Games social media accounts blessed us with the first teaser quote from the upcoming book:

"They will not use my tears for their entertainment."

Can we talk about how powerful this line is? It's giving us major chills and hints at the emotional rollercoaster we're about to embark on. Haymitch's defiance and resilience are already shining through, and we can't wait to see more of his inner thoughts and struggles.

The Haunting Tagline:

Adding more depth to the emotional landscape of the book, Scholastic released a chilling tagline that foreshadows Haymitch's upcoming journey:

"When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?"

First Look at the Cover Art:

We also got some intriguing insights into the cover art from Scholastic's press release:

Sunrise On The Reaping Book Cover

"The spiky sun rises on a symbol that will come to mean a lot to Haymitch Abernathy, as well as countless readers," said David Levithan, vice president, publisher, and editorial director for Scholastic.

"Artist Tim O’Brien has created yet another iconic Hunger Games cover—this one symbolically exploring one of the central themes of the series: how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source."

The cover features a radiant, spiky sun between two familiar symbols, hinting at the dualities and conflicts that will shape Haymitch's journey. It promises depth and symbolism—exactly what we've come to expect from the series.

The Cover Controversy:

While the fandom is buzzing with excitement over the synopsis, teaser quote, and Haymitch's confirmed role as protagonist, the cover itself has sparked some debate! Our Instagram poll shows a 75% positive vs. 25% negative reaction so far.

Some fans are absolutely loving the new design, praising its boldness and symbolic depth. Others are on the fence, hoping it will grow on them as more is revealed about the story and the meaning behind the imagery.

Let the Theories Begin!

We'll be diving deeper into a cover analysis and sharing all our thoughts on the synopsis, that heart-stopping tagline, and Haymitch's poignant quote in upcoming posts. But for now, we want to hear from you!

What are your initial thoughts on the cover?

How does Haymitch's teaser quote make you feel?

What emotions does the tagline evoke for you?

Are you excited to explore Haymitch's backstory?

What do you think the symbolism on the cover represents?

Drop your comments below or join the conversation on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. Let's get the discussion started!

Mark Your Calendars & Pre-Order Now!

Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on March 18, 2025. Secure your copy now by pre-ordering through the link below.

Pre-Order "Sunrise on the Reaping" HERE!

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes BOOK vs MOVIE: The Death Order

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes death order BOOK version. Click for FULL SIZEThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes death order MOVIE versionLike the previous Hunger Games films, the movie adaptation of Ballad stays faithful to the source material, right down to many of the iconic quotes from the book. But at 500 + pages, things had to be changed to fit the film's 2-hour and 38-minute runtime. (We're still holding out for that 4-hour cut! 🙏)

Coriolaus and Lucy Gray Baird in the arena

One significant change between the book and movie is the structure of The Hunger Games themselves, which affected the tributes' deaths. The deaths of Marcus (Jerome Lance), Bobbin (Knox Gibson), Coral (Mackenzie Lansing), and Jessup (Nick Benson) stay pretty consistent between the two mediums, though in slightly different order. Others like Reaper (Dimitri Abold), Dill (Luna Steeples), Wovey (Sofia Sanchez), and Treech (Hiroki Berrecloth), and Mizzen (Cooper Dillon) meet different fates in the movie compared to their book counterparts.

Lamina and Treech in the zoo

Coral and Reaper in the zoo

In the novel, mentor Gaius Breen is hospitalized after losing both legs in the arena bombing. He survives for twelve days before succumbing to his injuries. In the film, mentor Felix Ravinstill is hospitalized and dies after a few days, prompting Dr. Gaul to send the snake mutts into the arena.

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Dr. Gaul announcing Felix Ravinstill's death

In the book, Dr Gaul's snake mutts are deployed much earlier in the games - on Day 4. The snakes kill two tributes before Lucy Gray seemingly lures them to her and lulls them with her singing. The snakes die somewhat unceremoniously in the rain overnight. In the movie, they make a dramatic late entrance and play a pivotal role in concluding the competition, ultimately leading to Lucy Gray's victory.

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Lucy Gray Baird singing at snakes

In the book, it's Wovey who drinks from a poisoned water bottle that Lucy Gray leaves out for Coral, and Dill dies from complications due to tuberculosis early in the Games. In the movie, Dill drinks Lucy Gray's poisoned water, and the snake mutts overtake Wovey.

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Wovey, Lucy Gray and Dill enter the arenaWovey and Lucy Gray Baird

Lucy Gray and the poisoned waterIn the book, Mizzen falls to his death after being attacked by drones that Teslee hacked. In the film, he's one of the final tributes swarmed by Dr. Gaul's snake mutts. 

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Mizzen and the snake mutts

In the book, Reaper manages to evade Dr. Gaul's rainbow snakes, and the competition for Victor comes down to him and Lucy Gray rather than Lucy Gray and Coral. In their final confrontation, Lucy Gray tries to tire Reaper out, knowing he previously contracted rabies from Jessup. In the end, Reaper dies when he drinks water from a puddle, not realizing Lucy Gray had contaminated it with rat poison. In the movie, Reaper is given a more noble and dramatic death. He stays perfectly calm and lets the snake mutts overcome him. 

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Reaper's final moments in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes-

What's your take on the book-to-film changes in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes? Do you believe these changes enhanced the excitement of The Hunger Games or detracted from the narrative? 

Rest In Peace Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland has passed away at 88.Today, we mourn the loss of a legend. Donald Sutherland, the actor who brought our President Snow to life in The Hunger Games franchise, has passed away at the age of 88.

With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer Sutherland announced on X, formerly Twitter, “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.” 

We will forever be grateful to Donald for his brilliant portrayal of Snow in The Hunger Games franchise. He brought immense joy to the fandom, skillfully embodying the villain we loved to hate. 

Rest in Peace, Donald. 

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Character Speculation - 20+ Characters That Could Return

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping - Which characters could return?We only have a few clues about Suzanne Collins' upcoming Hunger Games prequel book, Sunrise on The Reaping. Still, they're enough to make us start speculating (obsessing?!) about what characters from the previous books might return and what surprises the new book might hold. 

Here are some of the potential returning characters and the intriguing reasons why they might appear in the new book. Remember, this is all in good fun, and none of these characters are confirmed to be in the story. 

Haymitch Abernathy: Haymitch is the victor of the 50th Hunger Games, which means his presence in Sunrise on the Reaping is almost guaranteed. We know from the book announcement that the story starts on the morning of the Reaping of the 2nd Quarter Quell. Catching Fire (book) includes a scene where Katniss and Peeta watch a recording of his Games.

Plutarch Heavensbee: Suzanne Collins said of the new book, "The story lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative." Who better to include in this deep dive into propaganda than the head of propaganda during the rebellion and the Secretary of Communications after? In an interview for The Hunger Games's 10th Anniversary Special Edition, Suzanne Collins revealed that Plutarch had been plotting as an underground rebel since at least Finnick Odair's Games (65th). The Second Quarter Quell could have been his awakening.

President Snow: By the 50th Games, Snow had already been president for a while, so he is another character likely to appear. The Catching Fire book featured a scene involving Snow announcing the 2nd Quarter Quell.

Tigris Snow: We don't know exactly what happened to Tigris between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and The Hunger Games, but SOTR may provide some insight. Katniss remembered Tigris as one of the most celebrated Hunger Games stylists, so we might see her in her prime during the 50th.

Click to read more ...

Everything We Know About the 50th Hunger Games: A Look at the 2nd Quarter Quell

The 50th Hunger Games/Second Quarter Quell - Let's Review!Get ready! Suzanne Collins' new book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is set to hit the shelves on March 18, 2025, with a film adaptation following on November 20, 2026. This installment takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), starting with the morning of the reaping. 

We have yet to uncover the secrets of the new book, so let's delve into everything we DO know about the 2nd Quarter Quell from the previous books! 

The Second Quarter Quell

A Quarter Quell is a special edition of the Hunger Games held every twenty-five years to mark the anniversary of the end of the First Rebellion. Each Quell introduces a twist in the reaping process, altering the selection of tributes in some way. 

In the Second Quarter Quell, as a reminder that two rebels died for every Capitol citizen, twice the number of regular tributes were sent into the Games for a total of 48.

The Reaping in District 12

In the book, an unnamed girl and boy were reaped along with Maysilee Donner, whose twin sister and a young Mrs. Everdeen were seen clinging to each other in the crowd. Haymitch Abernathy was the last tribute called. 

Did you know? Maysilee's twin grew up to be Madge Undersee's mother in Katniss's era. In the books, Madge was Katniss's school friend and was the one who gave her the Mockingjay pin (which originally belonged to her Aunt Maysilee!) before the 74th Hunger Games. So Katniss and Madge were friends, and Maysilee, Mrs. Undersee, and Mrs. Everdeen were friends growing up. The web of connections in the Hunger Games universe is truly fascinating. 

Caesar Flickerman: Rocking the blue suit since the 50th Hunger Games

Pre Games

By the 50th Games, Caesar Flickerman was the Hunger Games host, and he was wearing his famous twinkling midnight blue suit.

In his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Haymitch came across as snarky, arrogant, and indifferent. 

Caesar: "So, Haymitch, what do you think of the Games having one hundred percent more competitors than usual?"

Haymitch: "I don't see that it makes much difference. They'll still be one hundred percent as stupid as usual, so I figure my odds will be roughly the same."

Click to read more ...

NEW HUNGER GAMES BOOK and MOVIE On The Way! The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Lionsgate and Scholastic have just unveiled their plans for a new book and movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The ReapingGET READY FOR A THRILLING NEW CHAPTER IN THE HUNGER GAMES SAGA! Lionsgate and Scholastic have just unveiled their plans for a new book and movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping. Here's everything we know!

A new Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released on March 18, 2025Suzanne Collins announced today that a new Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released on March 18, 2025. 

The new book revolves around the 50th Hunger Games, revisiting Panem 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games books/films and 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It begins on reaping morning of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and the Games won by Haymitch Abernathy.

"The question 'Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day."Collins shared her inspiration for Sunrise on the Reaping:

"I was inspired by David Hume's idea of implicit submission and, in his words, 'the easiness with which the many are governed by the few. The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question 'Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day."

The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is already in the works.

The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is already in the works. Lionsgate announced today that it will be released on November 20, 2026! While the cast is yet to be confirmed, Francis Lawrence, the director of four previous Hunger Games films, is in talks to direct the screen adaptation for Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson's Color Force production company. We're hoping to see the dream team back in action!

Nina Jacobson and Francis Lawrence Suzanne Collins is thrilled about the new project. "From the beginning, Lionsgate has been a wonderful home and partner for the Hunger Games franchise, and I'm very excited to be collaborating with the team as we bring this next story to theaters in 2026," she said. 

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games (2012)

It feels like Lionsgate understands how much Haymitch's games mean to the fandom: "Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller and our creative north star," said Adam Fogelson, chairman of the studio's motion picture group. "We couldn't be more fortunate than to be guided and trusted by a collaborator whose talent and imagination are so consistently brilliant. The Second Quarter Quell is legendary and looms large over the history of the Games, even into the time of Katniss Everdeen a quarter-century later."

We'll keep you updated on all the news as we learn more!

Take advantage of the opportunity to be one of the first to read Sunrise on the Reaping. Preorder your copy HERE! 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Valentines!

Snow Lands on Top (of me and everyone else on the internet)Every year, I search the internet for Hunger Games-themed valentines, and they're always the same ones that have been around for over a decade. They're classic and fabulous, but we needed an update. I decided it was time to make my own. 

She's a victorBecause, really, what could be more romantic than disappearing into the woods while your lover loses his mind and hunts you down like a dog?! 

Brb, just running out for some KatnissI can actually hear itShe's too good for this worldMaybe wars are won with hearts after all, Dr. GaulWelcome home, Mr. SnowI volunteer as tributeYou're monsters if you don't send out these valentines, All of you!Lucky in love

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

I hope you're doing something (or someone) fun on this silly, goofy holiday. Which one would you send out?

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes - NOW On 4K Ultra HD/Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray combo pack, and DVD. Pictured are the standard Blu-ray, the Walmart Steelbook Edition, and the Target exclusive Blu-Ray packaging

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now available on physical media, including a 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray combo pack, and DVD. 

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray "Don't let me die in this arena tomorrow"

Tom Blyth behind-the-scenes of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Here are a couple of sneak peeks of the 8-part behind-the-scenes documentary in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 4K UHD/Blu-Ray special features focusing on Dr. Gaul's look and costumes, Rachel Zegler singing live on set, and Tom Blyth and Rachel’s close working relationship and friendship.

A deeper dive into all the special features available in each format can be found in this post. 

If you haven't ordered yours yet, the Amazon link is HERE.