‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Cover And Synopsis Revealed

Suzanne Collins’ fifth Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping, just revealed its cover and official synopsis. 

Four years after the release of her last instalment in the Hunger Games franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, teen dystopian author Suzanne Collins is back for a fifth entry in the franchise. Sunrise on the Reaping is a follow-up to that book, but a prequel to the first three Hunger Games books that followed Katniss and Peeta. 

Sunrise on the Reaping will take place during the fiftieth annual Hunger Games and during the quarter quell. This is the Hunger Games that Haymitch Abernathy (played by Woody Harrelson in the Hunger Games film saga) won, and this Hunger Games has the unique characteristic of having four tributes per district.

The official synopsis for the upcoming Scholastic book reads:

“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.”

A cover for the upcoming instalment was also provided via TODAY. The art was created by Tim O’Brien, who has previously worked on the novels graphically. The art features a ring-like construct, with a songbird on one end and a snake on the other, symbolising a connection between the two creatures. You can see the full cover below:

A film adaptation was previously announced for the film, something we have previously theorised as being a reason for the development of this novel. That movie is directed by Francis Lawrence and is slated for a November 20, 2026 release via Lionsgate.

Sunrise on the Reaping is written by Suzanne Collins and published by Scholastic. The novel is set to be released on March 18, 2025.