The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is one of the biggest book releases of 2025, and readers will be eager to know when they can get their hands on it. Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games prequel debuts on March 18, and it will return readers to the world of Panem, this time for the 50th annual Hunger Games tournament. These are some of the bloodiest Games in Panem’s history, so there’s little doubt that Sunrise on the Reaping will be one of the darkest additions to Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series.
Thanks to the events of Catching Fire, readers already have some idea of where Haymitch’s Games will go — though there are likely to be surprises in store, just like there were with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Needless to say, Hunger Games fans are going to want to pick up the newest addition to the series as soon as possible. Fortunately, there will be midnight release events held for the book, and Spotify already has a countdown to its debut.
Sunrise On The Reaping Physical Copies Release At 12:01 a.m. ET (But Only For Event Attendees)
Readers Can Purchase It When Bookstores & Retailers Open In The Morning
Just like Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm, Sunrise on the Reaping is debuting with midnight release parties at participating bookstores — and those attending these events will be among the first people to receive copies of the new Hunger Games book. Many Barnes & Noble locations are hosting these celebrations, though there are a few independent bookstores joining the festivities as well. Readers can find locations near them on Scholastic’s website. The events are ticketed, so only those who reserve a spot can attend.
The start times for the midnight release parties vary from location to location, and the activities featured at each event may also differ. However, regardless of when the festivities begin, the book’s release time at each location should coincide with its 12:01 a.m. ET debut. Outside midnight release events, the new Hunger Games book will become available to purchase on the morning of March 18. Readers should be able to find it at all bookstores and major retailers. There are also quite a few exclusive editions of Sunrise on the Reaping to watch out for.
What Time Does The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’s Audiobook Release?
Spotify’s Countdown Reveals When It Will Be Available
The audiobook for Sunrise on the Reaping will also debut on March 18, and Spotify’s countdown reveals when it will be available to subscribers. According to the app, the new Hunger Games novel will be available to listen to at 12 a.m. PT, or 3 a.m. ET. In the U.K., the audiobook should release on Spotify at 8 a.m. GMT.
There’s no confirmation about when The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping audiobook will drop on other platforms, though it shouldn’t be too far off from Spotify’s release time. Audible typically releases new books around 3 a.m. ET, or 12 a.m. PT, so hopefully it will do the same for Haymitch’s prequel story.
What Time Does The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Release On Kindle?
The Prequel’s Kindle Release Time Isn’t Confirmed
While Spotify offers insight into the drop time for Sunrise on the Reaping‘s audiobook, the Kindle release time isn’t yet confirmed. The prequel will be available on Kindle on release day, but it’s unclear when preorders will be delivered — or when readers can have new copies instantly sent to their devices. Kindle preorder deliveries depend on the тιтle, but with the audiobook coming out at 3 a.m. ET, readers shouldn’t need to wait too much longer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. And they can keep an eye on the publisher’s announcements to learn of any other updates.
Source: Scholastic, Spotify