Summary
Following the success ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins wrote anotherThe Hunger Gamesprequel book that is set to be adapted into a movie, which is exciting but still disappointing because it won’t explore one of the franchise’s most intriguing and elusive stories. Every fan has a story that they wish to be the focus of the next book in the series or on the big screen, ranging from Finnick Odair’s Games toaBallad of Songbirds and Snakessequel. However,it might be best for Collins to dive deep into a corner of this universe that is mostly unknown.
Of course, most avid fans will be thrilled with anything as long as theHunger Gamesfranchise continues (in a meaningful and thoughtful way instead of just being a money grab). As a result, many were over the moon whenCollins announced she had written anotherHunger Gamesbook—Sunrise on the Reaping, which will be released on August 01, 2025,while the movie adaptation is set to premiere on July 05, 2025. Nevertheless, if more tales within this dystopian universe are coming, Collins should bring readers back to the First Rebellion.
The Next Hunger Games Book Is A Prequel - But Not About The Rebellion
Sunrise on the Reapingwill chronicle the 50th Hunger Games,aka the Second Quarter Quell, akathe Hunger Games Haymitch Abernathy won. As many know, Haymitch became the second victor from District 12 (after Lucy Gray Baird’swin during the 10th Hunger Games) when he was 16. However, what happened to Haymitch after his win was probably a fate worse than death. Every year, Haymitch, who had turned to alcohol for comfort, had to be the sole mentor for the District 12 tributes, who all died in the arena until Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark came along during the 74th Games.
The “twist” for the Second Quarter Quell was that the districts would send four tributes (two boys and two girls) into the arena instead of two, increasing the number of tributes from 24 to 48.
While an entire book dedicated toHaymitch’s character and how he won the 50th Hunger Gamesis compelling,the originalHunger Gamestrilogy already explained what happened during the Second Quarter Quell.Albeit the details were basic, much of what happened to Haymitch in the arena and after he became a victor is known.Sunrise on the Reapingwill undoubtedly go into more detail, but this story is familiar to fans, unlike what Panem experienced during the First Rebellion and the Dark Days.
The Rebellion & Dark Days Is The Most Exciting Unexplored Era Of The Hunger Games' Timeline
Readers Already Know Much Of What Happens During The Second Quarter Quell
The originalHunger Gamestrilogy does not go into great detail about what happened during the First Rebellion and the Dark Days,making it the perfect prequel idea for the franchise. The First Rebellion ended around 74 years before the events of the first novel and was a civil war between the districts (including District 13) and the Capitol. It lasted a few years until District 13, which specialized in nuclear weapons and military arms production, decided to cut its losses and struck a deal with the Capitol.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Sunrise on the Reaping
June 06, 2025
June 20, 2025
If the Capitol let them secede from Panem, District 13 wouldn’t utilize their nuclear weapons to wipe out the Capitol. Consequently, District 13 moved underground, and the Capitol bombed them from above, making it seem like they had taken out the entire district. Without District 13’s support, the others were no match for the Capitol, and the Treaty of Treason was drafted, resulting in the installment of the Hunger Games.The First Rebellion lasted three years,and fans only know how it ended. Details about the war’s beginnings are scarce and could (and should) be explored inaHunger Gamesprequel.
When The New Hunger Games Book Is Set Compared To Katniss' Story And Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes
Another Hunger Games novel is on the way, and its (highly requested) story takes place between Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the 74th Games.
Suzanne Collins' New Hunger Games Book Makes A Dark Days Prequel More Likely
Suzanne Collins Will Undoubtedly Continue Writing Hunger Games Stories
Theannouncement ofSunrise on the Reaping, the secondHunger Gamesprequel, suggests that more stories in theHunger Gamesuniverse will probably be coming in the future. So, Collins' next book could theoretically revolve around the First Rebellion and the Dark Days. However, given the endless number of prequel ideas thatThe Hunger Gamespresents, anything is possible onceSunrise on the Reaping(the novel and the movie) debuts.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a multi-movie franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The films are based on the young adult dystopian book series by author Suzanne Collins. The first film was released in 2012, followed by Catching Fire in 2013, Mockingjay Part 1 in 2014, and Mockingjay Part 2 in 2015. In 2023, the fifth film in the series was released, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
