Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
Suzanne Collins has written two prequels toThe Hunger Games,and the release of Haymitch’s story begs the question: which is better,Sunrise on the ReapingorThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?The Hunger Gamesbookshave become modern classics, as well as the standard for young adult dystopian fiction — and new additions to Collins' world are always greeted with enthusiasm. However, 2025’sSunrise on the Reapingis a far cry from the author’s first spinoff, which follows Coriolanus Snow rather than one of the franchise’s heroes.
Despite being set 24 years before Katniss' story inThe Hunger Games,Sunrise on the Reapingfeels like a return to form for the franchise after exploring President Snow’s backstory.Both Haymitch’s book andThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeshave their strengths, with both offering different perspectives of Panem and distinct commentary on oppression. But while each of Collins’Hunger Gamesprequels serves a purpose, there’s one that comes out on top when comparing the two stories.
Haymitch Abernathy vs. Coriolanus Snow: Who’s The More Compelling Main Character?
Haymitch Is More Sympathetic & Interesting To Follow
To anyone familiar withThe Hunger Gamesfranchise, it will come as no surprise thatHaymitch is a more compelling main character than Coriolanus Snow. Although Snow offers a fascinating perspective inThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes— it’s certainly the darkest and most twisted POV Collins gives us — it’s hard to understand or relate to him. To be fair, we’re not supposed to. Snow’s prequel is meant to raise discussions about nature vs. nurture, examining how and why he chooses selfish ends and ambition over and over.
Haymitch gives readers a far more sympathetic POV character inSunrise on the Reaping,and his younger self is actually more interesting than Snow’s.
Haymitch gives readers a far more sympathetic POV character inSunrise on the Reaping,and his younger self is actually more interesting than Snow’s. You’d think a younger Coriolanus would be vastly different from the President Snow we meet during Katniss' story. However,The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’lead has thought processes and reactions that make it obvious how he jumped from one point to the other. Surprisingly,young Haymitch feels like a totally different person compared to his adult counterpart, and that makes it feel like meeting him all over again.
Why President Snow Really Lets Haymitch Live In The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping
Leaving Haymitch alive after Sunrise on the Reaping seems counterproductive, but President Snow’s actions after the 50th Hunger Games make sense.
It also makes Haymitch’s backstory far more tragic, allowingSunrise on the Reapingto elicit emotions that Coriolanus simply doesn’t inspire. Being at a distance from the main character may be the point ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,but it doesn’t always work in the book’s favor. The 2025 prequel proves more successful, as it follows a character readers care about and want to connect with.
Lucy Gray Or Lenore Dove: Which Hunger Games Prequel Has The Better Love Interest?
Lucy Gray Has A Larger Role In Her Book & The Franchise
Both Coriolanus and Haymitch have Covey love interests inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise, and Lenore Dove is undoubtedly a highlight ofSunrise on the Reaping.But while she’s a great addition to Collins' world,she simply can’t compare toThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’Lucy Gray Baird. Lucy Gray has a much larger role in both the 2020 novel and the franchise overall, with her presence looming over the story even inSunrise on the Reaping.
Lucy Gray benefits fromThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’main character problem, since she gives the audience someone to latch onto.
And Lucy Gray benefits fromThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’main character problem, since she offers the audience someone to latch onto. With Coriolanus being so unlikable, Lucy gives readers someone to root for during the10th Hunger Games tournament. She also proves a bit more memorable than Lenore Dove. Even though both characters are singers, Lucy is a performer through and through. She leaves a lasting impression, partly because she’s inBallad’s Hunger Games and partly because she’s more vibrant.
The Characters From Haymitch’s Games Are More Memorable
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesmay boast a better love interest thanSunrise on the Reaping,but the 2025 prequel has a better supporting cast. A few side characters greatly improveThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes— Tigris and Sejanus immediately come to mind — but there aren’t a ton of memorable ones. The prequel adds some interesting villains from the Capitol, butSnow winds up overshadowing them all. And the tributes competing against Lucy Gray feel, unfortunately, forgettable, as the book doesn’t spend as much time in the arena as the others in the series.
10 Moments From Sunrise On The Reaping That I Can’t Wait To See In The Next Hunger Games Movie
Sunrise on the Reaping is set up to be a horrific and heartbreaking movie, but there are some moments viewers will enjoy for their sense of hope.
By contrast,the supporting characters inside and outside the arena inSunrise on the Reapingall leave strong impressions. ThereturningHunger Gamescharactersin Haymitch’s story are all a joy to see again. Mags, Beetee, Wiress, and Plutarch all get their own backstories in the 2025 prequel, and their journeys add devastating new layers to the original series. Additionally, thenew characters inSunrise on the Reapingfeel far more fleshed out and sympathetic, making it more difficult to watch them perish in the arena.
Haymitch’s Backstory Is A More Enjoyable Read
In terms of structure and messaging,The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesandSunrise on the Reapingare both strong additionstoThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. It’s difficult to choose one over the other, as both prequels attempt to unpack different themes and achieve different ends. Even so,Sunrise on the Reapingproves the more enjoyable read. This could be chalked up to the better protagonist and cast of characters, as well as all the callbacks to Katniss' story.Balladisn’t too far beneath it in terms of storytelling, but it is harder to get into.
Expanding The Hunger Games World: Which One Of Suzanne Collins' Prequels Does It Better?
Sunrise on the Reapingmay be the better story, butThe Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesexpandsThe Hunger Games’world in more fascinating ways. Since the 2020 prequel takes readers further back in time, it offers a view of Panem we’ve never seen before. Haymitch’s Games are different from Katniss', but the advanced nature of the arena, organized preparation of the tributes, and Capitol’s calculated cruelty all make the world feel incredibly familiar.
Lucy Gray’s Hunger Games tournament shows what the competition was like right after its inception, and it’s far more intriguing.
Which Prequel Story Connects Better To The Original Hunger Games Trilogy
Haymitch’s Story Is The Perfect Segue Into Katniss Everdeen’s
AlthoughSunrise on the Reapingdoesn’t feel as much like a history lesson asThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,itdoesoffer the ideal segue into theHunger Gamestrilogy. Obviously, both prequels are connected to Katniss Everdeen’s story.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesgives readers insight into why President Snow behaves the way he does, and it shows how the Games evolved before Katniss and Peeta entered the arena. However,Sunrise on the Reapinggoes much further, planting the seeds of rebellion decades prior to the Mockingjay.
I’ll Never Look At Haymitch’s Nickname For Katniss In The Hunger Games The Same Way After Sunrise On The Reaping
Haymitch calls Katniss “sweetheart” from the very beginning, but Sunrise on the Reaping explains she’s not the first he’s bestowed it upon.
Not only doesSunrise on the Reapingmake sense of certain interactions and decisions inCatching Fire,butit offers a new spin on Haymitch’s motivations in the trilogy. Theend ofSunrise on the Reapingalso sets the stage for Katniss' revolution and gives a glimpse of her life with Haymitch and Peeta afterMockingjay.Fans ofThe Hunger Gameswill feel the nostalgia deeply in the 2025 prequel, which isn’t as true withThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Sunrise On The Reaping Is The Better Hunger Games Prequel
Haymitch’s Story Is Almost On Par With The Original Books
Lucy Gray is a highlight ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,and it makes for a fascinating study of the Games' evolution — but ultimately, it’s the weaker of the twoHunger Gamesprequels.Sunrise on the Reapingcomes out on top, packing a heavier emotional punch and delivering a more gripping, fast-paced reading experience. It’s easier to fall into, and it serves as a reminder of what madeThe Hunger Gamesso great in the first place. Haymitch’s story is almost on par with the original trilogy, whileBalladfeels slightly too removed, as great as it still is.
