Hey! Hi! Hello! In this episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re heading straight back into the reaping bowls of Panem long before Katniss ever volunteered as tribute. I (Courtney, your paranormal mystery author bestie) am diving into Suzanne Collins’ newest prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which spotlights the 50th Hunger Games, aka the trauma stew that made Haymitch Abernathy your favorite grumpy mentor.

I’ll break down why I was highly skeptical about this book (because seriously, how many prequels do we need?), how Collins absolutely proved me wrong, and what both readers and writers can learn from her razor-sharp style. We’re talking pacing that cuts like a scythe, worldbuilding through whispers, not lectures, and characters whose flaws make them unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll nerd out over Collins’ surprising background, the fandom wildfire she sparked with The Hunger Games, and why dystopia still matters so much today.

So grab your mockingjay pins and emotionally prepare yourselves! We’re heading back into the arena. 🎯

Chapter Sections:

• 00:00 - Welcome & why my side-eye was strong for this prequel

• 02:28 - The Set-up: Is this story actually needed?

• 03:37 - A quick tour of Suzanne Collins’ career (spoiler: it’s wilder than you think)

• 05:51 - Into the 50th Hunger Games

• 08:09 - How Collins built a multi-generational fandom

• 10:28 - Evaluating Sunrise on the Reaping

• • 13:08 Until the Next Chapter...

  💌 Links & Extras📚 Check out linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles to explore my own paranormal mystery, The Missing Reflection + all my socials are in the episode description.

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• 🎧 Want to scream your book opinions at me (lovingly)? DM me on Instagram or comment on YouTube.

• 📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading

• • The Guardian: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins review – second Hunger Games prequel is not for the faint-hearted

  • Polygon: The legacy characters in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are so much more than fan service

  • People: "Sunrise on the Reaping" Review: Return to Panem for Haymitch Abernathy's Quarter Quell

  • Suzanne Collins’ Official Bio: suzannecollinsbooks.com

  • Wikipedia (Suzanne Collins): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Collins

  • Wikipedia (The Underland Chronicles): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Underland_Chronicles

  • Wikipedia (Sunrise on the Reaping): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_on_the_Reaping

Hey! Hi! Hello!
It’s my birthday 🎂

So I’m dropping a little bonus episode of Chickling Chronicles just for fun. Today, we’re talking movies: the ones I’m hyped about… and the ones I’m cautiously side-eyeing from across the popcorn counter.

I’ll break down what excites me, what worries me, and why character-driven stories matter way more than sky beams and CGI chaos. So grab your snacks, hit play, and come geek out with me on my birthday!

⏱ Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro to the birthday bonus
• 01:12 - Jurassic World: Rebirth
• 03:09 - I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot
• 04:23 - Fantastic Four: First Steps
• 08:17 - How to Train Your Dragon (live-action)
• 11:10 - James Gunn’s Superman
• 13:38 - Final Destination: Bloodline
• 14:49 - Until the Next Chapter...

📚 Sources & Further Reading

• Jurassic World: Rebirth Early Buzz – GamesRadar

• Fantastic Four MCU Casting & Director Details – Variety

• James Gunn on Bringing Heart to Superman – The Hollywood Reporter

• How to Train Your Dragon Live-Action – Collider

• I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot News – Bloody Disgusting

• Final Destination: Bloodline Announcement – Deadline

💌 Want to Chat?

🎥 Which movies are on your hype list—or your side-eye list?
DM me on Instagram or Threads @chicklingchronicles or comment on Spotify. Also, check out my linktree for more treats from me!
And if you enjoyed this little birthday treat, please leave a review with a 🎥 emoji so I know you stuck around to the end!

🎈 Thank you for celebrating with me!
See you in the next chapter… Bye! 🎉

Ever wonder how a gritty little shark novel turned into one of the most iconic thrillers, and literally invented the summer blockbuster? In this episode, Courtney (paranormal mystery author & certified story nerd) breaks down Jaws: from Peter Benchley’s dark, cynical book to Steven Spielberg’s suspense-soaked film that made us all side-eye the ocean.

Grab your life vest, because we’re diving deep into how technical failures, character tweaks, and a few brilliant creative choices made Jaws swim where it could’ve sunk. Plus, stick around for some killer writing takeaways you can use, no matter what you’re crafting.

❤️ CTA: Join the Flock

Loved this deep dive? Leave a review, share with a fellow story nerd, and drop a 🦈 if you listened all the way through!

Follow Courtney for bookish chaos, spooky recs, and updates on her own twisty thriller, The Missing Reflection, coming September 2nd.
👉 Connect & join the flock: https://linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles