Fans of the dystopian Hunger Games series can rejoice. Author Suzanne Collins has announced the release of a new novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” scheduled for March 18, 2025. This will be the fifth book in the bestselling series and will act as a prequel to the original trilogy. A movie by the same title shall begin production in 2025 too.
Suzanne Collins returns with New Hunger Games Novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping”
“Sunrise on the Reaping” takes place 40 years after the events of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the most recent Hunger Games story. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was released in 2020 and later adapted into a film in November 2023.Collins has revealed that the upcoming novel draws inspiration from philosopher David Hume’s concept of “implicit submission.” This suggests the story might explore themes of control, manipulation, and the ease with which the powerful govern the masses.
Readers can also expect a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power it holds in shaping narratives within the oppressive nation of Panem. In a statement, Collins herself said, “‘The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day,'” hinting at the blurring lines of truth and manipulation in the story.
While film rights for “Sunrise on the Reaping” haven’t been officially announced, the success of previous adaptations suggests a movie adaptation is likely. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” performed well at the box office, grossing $337.4 million globally. The original trilogy, starring Jennifer Lawrence, achieved phenomenal success, grossing over $3.3 billion and propelling Lawrence to international stardom.
With “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Suzanne Collins promises to take readers back to the brutal world of Panem. This new story delves deeper into the foundation of the nation’s oppressive control and the struggle for truth in a world of carefully crafted narratives.
