Jacob

Wow. This book completely puts Haymitch in a new light. The story stands well on its own, returning to the Arena and Hunger Games in a big way with a character I can get behind. Like Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it is a slow-motion tragedy that builds up momentum to a terribly heart-wrenching climax that leaves the reader ready for the arrival of a Mockingjay. While telling Haymitch's story, the book connects well with the prequel and sets up characters and stories for the later trilogy. Satisfying in its own right, I'd call Sunrise on the Reaping an essential part of the story of the Hunger Games.

A fine, less-than-thinly-veiled story. While I always enjoy the mixture of contemporary and magical elements, the focus on prejudice and modern conflict pulled away from the wonder and simple joys the story offered. The resulting whiplash didn't spoil the story, though, and I found it enjoyable regardless. As someone who was looking for a cozy fantasy, this book did the job. Given the choice, though, I'd probably pick up Legends and Lattes over House in the Cerulean Sea.

Downright delightful. I loved the setting, the conflict, the mixture of magical, historical, and technological fantasy, and how all the flavors worked together.

I don't know why all of Sanderson's amnesia-style characters go through a cop phase (see Warbreaker), but it was fun to see a cop with augmentations figure out how to use them as he figured himself out. The way he rebuilds himself is something that I particularly enjoyed about this book.