Suzanne Collins’ latest Starvation Video games prequel, Dawn on the Reaping, which is able to depict Haymitch’s time within the fiftieth Starvation Video games and second Quarter Quell, is ready to launch March 18, 2025. After an extended wait and excessive anticipation for Haymitch’s Starvation Video games story since its shock announcement final yr, many followers have begun to re-read the unique trilogy to re-immerse themselves in Collins’ dystopian society of Panem. Nonetheless, not everybody might have had the time to refresh their reminiscences of the earlier sequence earlier than Dawn on the Reaping‘s launch.

If it has been some time since you’ve got learn any of Susanne Collins’ Starvation Video games books, you could have forgotten a few of the minor and extra intricate dynamics of the video games. Whereas Dawn on the Reaping‘s narrative is bound to cowl the fundamentals of the Starvation Video games and the way they function, there are a number of small particulars that may be missed for the sake of being nonrepetitive. If you do not have time to re-read the sequence earlier than Dawn on the Reaping, these are the highest ten issues to recollect earlier than leaping in.

10

Quarter Quells Are Specifically Designed Starvation Video games Years

Haymitch’s Video games Will Require Double The Quantity Of Tributes

On the planet of the Starvation Video games, each 25 years the anniversary can be marked by a Quarter Quell, a glorified model of the video games that serves as a reminder of these killed by the districts’ revolt. Beforehand, in Catching Fireplace, Collins described what these Quarter Quells have beforehand added to the already daunting video games; with the twenty-fifth requiring districts to elect their tributes, the fiftieth — Haymitch’s yr — reaping double the quantity of tributes, and the seventy-fifth reaping its tributes from the present pool of victors.

The Quarter Quell is introduced weeks earlier than the precise reaping, as defined in Catching Fireplace, so residents of every district are effectively conscious of what’s to come back on reaping day. This could play out equally in Dawn on the Reaping, and it is doubtless Haymitch will communicate to the heightened odds of being chosen within the fiftieth Starvation Video games, figuring out that double the variety of tributes might be chosen and contemplating his identify has already been added additional occasions. Apart from the distinctive components to every Quarter Quells reaping modifications, the arenas are additionally made much more deadly.

9

Tributes Are Reaped From A Pool Of Kids Aged 12 To 18

Haymitch Will Be 16 When He Enters The Video games

As part of the punishment from the revolt, solely kids are to be reaped and despatched into the Starvation Video games space to combat to the demise. One turns into eligible for the video games on their twelfth birthday, and the ultimate yr of eligibility is eighteen — that means there are seven years a toddler should enter into the reaping ceremonies. Within the unique Starvation Video games trilogy, it is defined that nobody in District 12 likes it when a 12-year-old is chosen, however it’s extra frequent than one would assume.

In Dawn on the Reaping, we all know from a sneak peek into the early chapters that had been shared on Folks Journal, that the reaping day can be Haymitch’s birthday. Having simply turned 16 years previous, Haymitch might be coming into the sector on the identical age that Katniss did. Whereas his fellow tributes’ ages are but unknown, the ebook’s synopsis additionally mentions a “younger pal” who’s reaped as one of many feminine tributes, and she or he may very well be as younger as 12 years previous.

8

District 12 Is The Poorest Of All The Districts

Many Kids Die Of Starvation In The Seam

District 12 is mostly recognized to be the poorest of all twelve districts, as dealing in coal hasn’t created quite a lot of alternatives for wealth of their communities. Nonetheless, there are poorer areas than others discovered inside District Twelve. The retailers are capable of stay a comparatively comfy life, albeit with restricted means, however those that stay within the space nicknamed The Seam, have it even worse.

The Seam is District 12’s poorest group, and plenty of of those that stay on this space haven’t any different possibility however to grow to be coal miners after they come of age. It is usually defined within the unique Starvation Video games trilogy that on this space of the district many kids die of starvation. It is due to this that many from The Seam find yourself turning into Starvation Video games tributes, as they should enter their identify extra occasions to obtain additional meals.

7

Tributes Might Enter Their Title Extra Occasions To Obtain Extra Tesserae

This Heightens The Odds Of Being Reaped

The reaping system, with out modifications, provides a toddler’s identify more and more to the reaping in correlation to their age. The yr one turns into eligible for the video games, at twelve-years-old, their identify is entered as soon as into the reaping. At 13, twice, and so forth, till the final yr of eligibility when a toddler turns 18 and has their identify entered seven occasions. That is true for each citizen in all 12 districts throughout Panem.

And the entries are cumulative. So now, on the age of sixteen, my identify might be within the reaping twenty occasions.

—Katniss Everdeen, The Starvation Video games

Nonetheless, for many who are in dire want, there’s an possibility so as to add one’s identify additional occasions into the reaping in alternate for tesserae. Every of the tesserae is value a meager yr’s provide of grain and oil for one individual. This may be achieved for each individual in a family, that means in a family of three individuals, one’s identify on the age of twelve may very well be added 4 occasions into the reaping. Entries are cumulative, so yr after yr of signing up for tesserae would imply one’s identify is added as much as 42 occasions by their eighteenth birthday.

6

The Reaping Isn’t Held Till 2pm

This Provides Residents Time With Household Beforehand

Collins explains within the first Starvation Video games novel that the reaping is just not held till two-o’clock within the afternoon, giving the complete district a morning off from work to arrange for the day’s occasions. Within the first novel, Katniss makes use of this time to hunt within the woods with Gale earlier than needing to prepare, and it is doubtless Dawn on the Reaping will discover a few of Haymitch’s District 12 relationships earlier than he units off for the reaping.

From the early Dawn on the Reaping excerpt, we all know that Haymitch was planning on spending the morning together with his girlfriend, Lenora Dove, earlier than his mom requested his assist with a couple of chores. Whether or not or not Haymitch is ready to postpone his chores is but to be seen, however it’s apparent from the everyday reaping day timeline that readers ought to get to see Haymitch work together together with his associates, girlfriend, and household earlier than heading into the Starvation Video games.

5

Attendance Of The Reaping Is Obligatory

Solely These On Loss of life’s Door Are Exempt

The Starvation Video games reaping, even when one has aged out of eligibility, have to be attended by everybody within the district. The one actual exception to attend is that if somebody is at demise’s door. Peacekeepers might be roaming across the metropolis in the course of the reaping’s occasions to make sure nobody is hiding or has refused to attend — and if one was discovered doing so, they’d face dire penalties.

Katniss explains within the first Starvation Video games novel that the Capitol needs to deal with the Starvation Video games as a festivity or a sporting occasion, wishing for the video games to create pleasure amongst its viewers who can root and cheer for his or her favourite tributes. Though not many, if any, District Twelve attendees doubtless really feel the identical method. As an alternative, the districts have to look at in humiliation as considered one of their very own is shipped to their deaths yr after yr.

4

At The Time Of Haymitch’s Reaping, District 12 Had Solely One Prior Victor

District 12’s First Victor Was Lucy Grey Baird

District 12 has lengthy been thought-about the weakest district as a result of it had so few victors all through the Starvation Video games’ decades-long run. On the time of Haymitch’s reaping, District 12 had just one victor in almost 50 years of the video games — Lucy Grey Baird. Lucy’s Starvation Video games story is depicted in Susanne Collins’ prequel novel A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which additionally highlights President Snow’s rise in energy.

Associated

Lucy Grey Baird Defined: Starvation Video games Historical past, Relationships & Who Performs Her

Rachel Zegler performs Lucy Grey Baird in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, changing Katniss Everdeen because the District 12 tribute within the Starvation Video games.

However on condition that there have been no different victors to come back out of District Twelve, and assuming Lucy was now not alive on the time of Haymitch’s reaping, it is usually been questioned whether or not Haymitch or his fellow tributes ever had a mentor. Sometimes, those that win the Starvation Video games will grow to be mentors within the years to come back till there’s one other victor, however it’s nonetheless unknown whether or not Lucy will make an look once more in Dawn on the Reaping.

3

After The Reaping, Households & Mates Have One Hour To Want Tributes Luck Or Say Goodbye

They Have A Few Minutes Earlier than They Depart For The Capitol

As soon as a tribute has been reaped into the Starvation Video games, their family and friends have one final alternative to want them luck or say their closing goodbyes. That is seen within the unique Starvation Video games novel, as Katniss is visited by plenty of associates, household, and acquaintances within the allotted hour earlier than departing for the Capitol. The ultimate goodbyes are held simply contained in the Justice Constructing, and from the primary novel it is assumed any variety of individuals can come to say farewell.

“…I attempt to put together for the subsequent hour. The time allotted for tributes to say goodbye to their family members.”

– Katniss Everdeen, The Starvation Video games

For Katniss, she had 4 separate visits, first from her mom and sister, then Peeta’s father, her pal Madge, and Gale. Figuring out this, I am assuming we should always get to see Haymitch say his goodbyes to his mom and youthful brother, Sid, along with his girlfriend Lenore Dove, amongst any others who want to say goodbye. That is certain to be a reasonably emotional scene and may spotlight lots about Haymitch’s relationships.

2

Haymitch Wins The fiftieth Starvation Video games

He Turns into District 12’s Second Victor

Clearly, as Katniss and Peeta’s mentor within the unique Starvation Video games novels, we all know that Haymitch wins the fiftieth Starvation Video games, however it’s essential to notice going into his novel that his win will change his life eternally. Not solely did Haymitch grow to be a victor, however the best way through which he received had penalties for those who he beloved. Throughout his video games, as detailed in Catching Fireplace, Haymitch came upon the key of the sector’s pressure discipline, and used it to his benefit to win the video games.

Nonetheless, this was seen as a direct act of aggression and revolt towards the Capitol, making them look silly for not realizing the pressure discipline may very well be weaponized. Due to this, Haymitch’s household and girlfriend had been killed for example of what occurs to those that defy the Capitol. Whereas his win ought to have been celebrated alongside his return to District Twelve and his family members, Haymitch returns to seek out they’ve been killed.

1

Starvation Video games Victors Change into Mentors

Whoever Wins By no means Actually Escapes The Video games

Successful the Starvation Video games comes with quite a lot of benefits; a brand-new dwelling within the Victor’s Village, loads of meals, and sufficient cash to by no means work one other day in your life. Nonetheless, there’s one caveat, as a Starvation Video games victor can even grow to be a mentor for subsequent tributes. Those that win the video games by no means actually get to flee it, as yr after yr they are going to be introduced again to the Capitol to witness the deaths of a number of extra kids.

Earlier than Katniss and Peeta got here alongside, Haymitch spent 24 years after his personal victory watching the District 12 tributes die within the Starvation Video games. After the demise of his household and girlfriend, it could not have been straightforward to cope with yr after yr, and Haymitch’s alcohol dependency within the unique Starvation Video games novels makes far more sense when understanding how this might have affected him. Whereas Dawn on the Reaping will focus solely on Haymitch’s video games and win, it might give extra perception into his life after the video games as effectively.

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The Starvation Video games: Dawn on the Reaping

Launch Date

November 20, 2026

Director

Francis Lawrence

Producers

Brad Simpson