Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Review)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Blurb

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

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour 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.

Review

I had this book preordered from the day it was first announced and I was so excited for it to arrive. Thankfully my waiting was rewarded with an absolutely amazing read. It was so good to be back in the world of Panem.

This book answered all my questions regarding Haymitch. Haymitch was always a favourite of mine in the Hunger Games books and I always wanted to know about his story. In this book we find Haymitch as a teenager who is just hoping to survive the day of reaping and then spend the rest of the day with his girlfriend Lenore. However, things don’t go according to plan and Haymitch finds himself shipped off to the Capitol with 3 other tributes from District 12.

Haymitch soon realises that District 12 is set up to fail but a part of him decides to fight the odds. I loved the story being told from Haymitch’s point of view and found him quite different from Katniss. Haymitch is very quiet, he watches and plans, he weighs up his options. Katniss was very in your face rebellion and didn’t always see everything that was going on but Haymitch notices everything.

I adored the District 12 tributes but my favourite after Haymitch was Maysilee. She was so badass but was never rude. She was very stuck up but she was determined that people would see District 12 tributes as refined and not the animals people from the Capitol thought they were. She even ate sandwiches with a knife and fork! Maysilee was determined to rebel but in her own unique way.

I also loved meeting younger versions of the characters I came to love in the Hunger Games books. Mags was brilliant and the kindness and care she showed Haymitch was exactly what I expected after meeting her in Catching Fire.

I loved this book and it has made me want to reread all the books again as it has been a few years since I read them. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Suzanne Collins (born August 10, 1962) is an American television writer and author. She is known as the author of The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games trilogy.

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WWW Wednesday: 14/5/2025

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?

Hello!

I have had a good day of teaching and reading during my breaks which has been lovely.

What I am Currently Reading

I just started Under the Dome today and so far it is very different from the TV series but I am enjoying it. Starshine is going really well.

What I have Recently Finished Reading

I just finished this today so my review will be posted soon hopefully.

What I Think I will Read Next

I am currently obsessed with sci-fi at the moment but if my mood changes I will probably go to another genre so one of these books might be a contender for my next read.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Top 5 Tuesday: Books with a star on the cover

Top 5 Tuesday was created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, and now being hosted by Meeghan reads.

Hello!

I thought it was high time I took part in another Top 5 Tuesday as I haven’t done one in ages. I’m currently reading a lot of sci-fi so this topic is perfect.

Four of these books are sat on my TBR pile but I have just recently started Starshine and so far I am really enjoying it.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Goodreads Monday: 12/5/2025

Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club. All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.

Happy Monday Everyone!

I have had a wonderful day of reading today. Usually I am teaching but because of SATs there are no music lessons in my school so I have had a day off for reading and walking.

My chosen book to feature this week is another recent addition to my TBR pile and one I plan on reading over the summer.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Weekly Brief

Hello!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I’ve done quite well this week with my blogging and reading but I am still way behind with my book reviews.

Blog Posts

Currently Reading

Starshine has been sat on my Kindle since 2018 so I thought I would give it a read. I’m finding it a little bit confusing so far but quite interesting. Tuf Voyaging is going well and I am loving all the cats!

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Stacking the Shelves: 10/5/2025

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It is all about sharing the books that you have recently added to your bookshelves. These books can be physical books, ebooks and of course audiobooks.

Hello!

I am in full holiday planning mode and this means loading up the old Kindle with some lovely books. I got my Kindle in 2018 so it is getting rather old and cranky but I’m hoping it will be ok for another holiday in the sun.

Kindle Books

I found a Murderbot short story which I knew I needed to get as I love the Murderbot books. I have also always wanted to read a book by Isaac Asimov so I have gone with this one to see if I like it. I’m sure I will load some more books on the Kindle before the holiday but I think these are a good start.

Physical Book

We are going to Rhodes in the summer so I thought I better get a book to do some research and get planning!

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Void by Veronica Roth (Review)

Void by Veronica Roth

Blurb

An intergalactic luxury cruise to a distant port is a world unto itself in this piercing short mystery by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth. Traveling faster than light, the transport ship Redundancy is cut off from communication as effectively as an ancient ocean liner. The isolation suits crew member Ace Vance just fine—she’s got nowhere else to be. But when a wealthy passenger turns up dead during a routine voyage, Ace will have to connect with the passengers and crew to uncover the truth. Tragedy will strike again—it’s only a matter of time. Veronica Roth’s Void is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Review

Wow, Veronica Roth can write a short story!

This is the second book in the Far Reaches series and a far better story than the first in my opinion. I really struggle with short stories because quite often an excellent writer struggles with producing a good short story but this was not the case with Roth. This was an amazing murder mystery set in space. Instead of a locked room mystery it is a ship in space with no communication with anyone else.

A lot of the workers on the Redundancy are there to forget something and because of how time works eventually the people they knew on their home planet are long dead whilst they are still young. This is just fine for Ace Vance and she likes her life working and living on board. However, when a murder happens on board there is nobody there to investigate so Ace takes it upon herself to solve the murder.

I was really impressed by the characters within this book. Usually in short stories you don’t get a sense of the characters but in this story you get a real idea of each character’s personae and how they work together as friends and colleagues. The other element I loved was the science included and how this linked in with the story so the ending all made sense.

I read this short story in one sitting and absolutely loved it. I will be definitely reading more Roth in the future as I now know she can write brilliant books and short stories. I give this story 5 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

About the author

Veronica Roth is the New York Times best-selling author of Arch-Conspirator, Poster Girl, Chosen Ones, the short story collection The End and Other Beginnings, the Carve the Mark duology, and the Divergent series. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and dog.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

WWW Wednesday: 7/5/2025

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?

Hello!

I have had a very busy day of teaching but I have managed a tiny bit of reading as well. I have also started planning my holiday reading and I am keeping my eye on kindle deals for some new holiday reads.

What I am Currently Reading

I have started to get back into this book but I will be honest I am really not getting on with the main character Tuf.

What I have Recently Finished Reading

This took me a while to get into but once I got half way through I couldn’t put it down. Review will follow soon.

What I Think I will Read Next

I think I know which book I want to read next but I can never be sure as I am such a mood reader.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

May 2025 TBR

Hello!

I have had a great day of reading and teaching today. My planned reading for April did not go according to plan and I only read one of my planned reads. I’m really hoping I can do better in May.

I am really keen to read Under the Dome and I think that will be my next read. It is a huge book so it might take me most of the month to read but hopefully I will manage to read some other books as well.

What is on your TBR for May?

Happy Reading!

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Goodreads Monday: 5/5/2025

Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club. All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a good start to the week. I have had a lovely day of reading, cooking and packing Etsy orders.

My chosen book to feature this week is a recent addition to the Goodreads but one that I am very excited to read.

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Time isn’t just running short. It’s running out.

On a beautiful autumn day, a small New England town is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into the dome and rain down flaming wreckage. A gardener’s hand is severed as it descends. Cars explode on impact. Families are separated and panic mounts.

No one can fathom what the barrier is, where it came from, or when – and if – it will go away.

Now, a few intrepid citizens, led by an Iraq War veteran turned short-order cook, face down a ruthless politician dead set on seizing the reins of power in the town. But their main adversary is the dome itself . . .

Happy Reading