The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Ending Explained

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

The new Hunger Games book is finally here, and Sunrise on the Reaping‘s ending will take readers on an emotional roller coaster that perfectly sets up the original trilogy. Suzanne Collins’ 2025 addition to the Hunger Games series digs deeper into Haymitch Abernathy’s backstory, which readers know a fair bit about thanks to Catching Fire. Seeing Haymitch’s time in the arena from his own perspective is a whole new experience, however, especially given how the Capitol manipulates the narrative surrounding his win.

The original Hunger Games books reveal that Haymitch used the arena’s forcefield to become the last tribute standing, and they also note that the Capitol sought retribution for this. Sunrise on the Reaping confirms there’s much more to the story, which Katniss wouldn’t know, as the Capitol hides much of what unfolds during the second Quarter Quell. Haymitch proves far more rebellious than the final narrative makes it seem, going into the tournament with a plan to stick it to the Capitol and making several promises to that effect even as he leaves the arena.

And although Haymitch’s story ends in tragedy, Sunrise on the Reaping‘s ending is able to shed light on what, exactly, happens to his loved ones after the Games — and how it factors into the original series. The new Hunger Games prequel ends on a surprisingly hopeful note, too, even with everything that Haymitch endures. There’s a lot to unpack after finishing the book, from the true meanings behind characters’ actions to the setup for Katniss’ story. Collins does a masterful job of sticking the landing in this 2025 release.

Haymitch’s Plan In Sunrise On The Reaping & How He Wins The 50th Hunger Games

He Goes Into The Tournament Planning To Break The Arena

How-Old-Is-Haymitch-During-Sunrise-On-The-Reaping-Compared-To-The-Hunger-Games — Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Katniss’ recollection of Haymitch’s Games suggests that he cleverly used the forcefield in a last-ditch effort to survive. However, Sunrise on the Reaping reveals that Haymitch went into the 50th Hunger Games planning to break the arena. There’s a lot of discussion throughout the book about how the arena is just a machine, and multiple characters push Haymitch to break it as an act of rebellion against the Capitol. This includes Beetee and his son, Ampert, who have their own plans. And even a younger Plutarch Heavensbee gives Haymitch the information he needs to do damage.

Of course, things rarely go as planned in the Hunger Games, so Haymitch winds up changing his approach more than once. While he and Ampert initially try to blow up a water tank supplying the arena, this only temporarily short-circuits it. Haymitch is forced to adjust after that, but his actions all have the same goal in mind: hitting back against the Capitol one last time before he dies. Even the incident with the forcefield is an attempt to do this. Silka’s ax bouncing off it is her own doing, but Haymitch tries to create an explosion even after she dies.

Haymitch’s intention of going out with a bang doesn’t actually work, as the Capitol saves him after Silka’s death.

However, Haymitch’s intention of going out with a bang doesn’t actually work, as the Capitol saves him after Silka’s death. Her fatal ax throw renders him the winner of the 50th Hunger Games tournament, and his efforts to take down the arena are cut from the final footage of the tournament. His actions near the forcefield allow him to keep his promise to Maysilee, though, making his own poster in defiance of the Capitol.

What Haymitch’s Promise To Maysilee At The End Of Sunrise On The Reaping Means

They Vow To Paint Their Own Posters

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games and the cover of Sunrise on the Reaping — Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

Despite his initial ᴀssumptions that Maysilee Donner is a “mean girl” in Sunrise on the Reaping, Haymitch winds up forming a sibling-like bond with her by the end of the book. The two team up after Haymitch blows the water tank and the arena’s volcano erupts. But while they debate going separate ways rather than killing one another, Maysilee dies before they actually can. She’s attacked by waterbirds, some of the many muttations in the second Quarter Quell, and her death is another one that weighs on Haymitch after the tournament is over.

Before Maysilee dies, she and Haymitch make a promise to one another — one that’s echoed in the promise Haymitch makes to Lenore Dove later on. She tells him, “One of us has to be the worst victor in history. Tear up their scripts, tear down their celebrations, set fire to the Victor’s village. Refuse to play their Games.” Haymitch connects the sentiment to his father’s notion that they should paint their own posters instead of letting the Capitol “use our blood to paint” theirs.

Haymitch and Maysilee agree that one of the remaining District 12 tributes must survive and continue to rail against the Capitol’s expectations and demands.

In this moment, Haymitch and Maysilee agree that one of the remaining District 12 tributes must survive and continue to rail against the Capitol’s expectations and demands. Although she doesn’t make it out of the arena, Haymitch does manage to keep this promise. The original Hunger Games books are proof of that, but Haymitch even continues to honor Maysilee when he blows up the forcefield and shows mercy towards the other remaining tributes.

Why President Snow Lets Haymitch Survive Despite His Actions In The Arena

He Faces A Similar Predicament To The One Katniss Puts Him In

With Haymitch intentionally causing so much trouble for the Capitol, readers may wonder why President Snow lets him live at the end of Sunrise on the Reaping. There are layers to his reasoning, but as Haymitch notes after waking up outside the arena, Snow “has big plans” for him. Haymitch’s popularity in the Capitol makes him difficult to kill, putting Snow in a similar predicament to the one he faces with Katniss Everdeen. And just like with Katniss, Snow decides to keep Haymitch alive and use him as a pawn for the Capitol rather than kill him quickly. Haymitch realizes:

“I will not be allowed to die. I will be resurrected by the Capitol for their entertainment. Perhaps, I’m even being broadcast live now. Perhaps, as a victor, I will never be off camera again.”

With Haymitch trying so desperately to avoid becoming a pawn, this is arguably a worse punishment than death. Of course, Snow does attempt to kill him before he manages to win the Games, but Haymitch’s forcefield stunt forces Panem’s leader down another path. He can’t let Haymitch die once he’s the only tribute left, as a tribute forcing the Hunger Games to have no winners would be a slap in the face to the Capitol. It’s no better than Katniss and Peeta tricking the Gamemakers into allowing two winners at the end of The Hunger Games.

Since Haymitch readily accepts his death at the end of Sunrise on the Reaping, Snow also knows that it will be more painful to target the people he cares about. This proves true, as Haymitch’s suffering in the final chapters of the book surpᴀsses his own near-death experience in the arena. He even states that Lenore Dove’s promise “condemns” him to life, meaning he’d rather perish than endure the punishment the Capitol bestows upon him.

How The Capitol Manipulates The Narrative Surrounding The 50th Hunger Games

The Footage Is Cut To Exclude The Acts Of Defiance & Unity Among The Tributes

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee looking upwards in Mockingjay Part 2

Sunrise on the Reaping is touted as a book unpacking propaganda, and the ending underscores that theme. The reason Katniss knows so little about Haymitch’s Hunger Games in Catching Fire is because the Capitol totally alters the narrative surrounding the second Quarter Quell. Plutarch and his team are responsible for much of the footage, and the video from the tournament proves easily manipulated. When Haymitch sees it at the end of the book, he realizes the Capitol has cut almost every act of defiance and unity he and the other tributes commit to.

The story that the Capitol sells works, leaving only Haymitch and a few others with the knowledge of what happened.

The Capitol doesn’t necessarily make Haymitch look bad with the footage, but it ensures that the seeds of rebellion can’t be seen by those viewing the tournament. It’s hard to say why Katniss and Peeta’s Hunger Games aren’t manipulated in a similar fashion. But the story that the Capitol sells works, leaving only Haymitch and a few others with the knowledge of what happened.

How Haymitch’s Mother & Brother Die At The End Of Sunrise On The Reaping

They Perish In A Fire Just As He Returns To District 12

Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

Readers know what’s coming when Haymitch returns to District 12 in Sunrise on the Reaping: the deaths of his mother, brother, and girlfriend. Collins’ original trilogy doesn’t get specific about how these characters died, but the new Hunger Games prequel shows us. Haymitch’s mother and brother die in a fire upon his return to District 12. It’s officially deemed an accident, but given President Snow’s subtle threat that Haymitch should enjoy his homecoming, it’s clear the Capitol is behind this tragedy.

What Happens To Lenore Dove At The End Of The Hunger Games Prequel

President Snow Poisons Her With A Gumdrops

Woody Harrelson's Haymitch and Hunger Games Sunrise On The Reaping — Custom Image by Cooper Hood

While the deaths of Haymitch’s mother and brother are brutal, Lenore Dove’s fate is arguably worse for him. President Snow leaves Lenore a bag of poisoned gumdrops, mirroring the candies that Haymitch regularly gifts her. Neither Lenore nor Haymitch realize that they’re a message from Snow until Haymitch feeds two of them to her. It doesn’t take long for Lenore to perish after that, robbing Haymitch of any hope he still has.

The epilogue and prior Hunger Games books put a more positive spin on Lenore’s last moments, as Haymitch manages to keep this promise.

Lenore does force Haymitch to promise her that he’ll stop the sun from rising on the reaping, driving home the meaning behind the prequel’s тιтle. It’s Lenore’s insistence that he destroy the Hunger Games that pushes Haymitch to stay alive, even after he isolates himself and sinks into his grief. But the epilogue and prior Hunger Games books put a more positive spin on Lenore’s last moments, as Haymitch manages to keep this promise to her in Mockingjay.

How Sunrise On The Reaping Sets Up The Original Hunger Games Trilogy

It Shows The Rebellion Was Brewing Long Before Katniss Everdeen

Sunrise on the Reaping‘s ending masterfully sets up the events of the Hunger Games trilogy, showing that the rebellion was brewing long before Katniss. All the adult characters who guide Haymitch to break the Games — from Beetee, Wiress, and Mags to Plutarch — are all still part of this fight during Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Haymitch’s promise to Lenore also makes sense of his role in the rebellion, as does his former friendship with Katniss’ parents.

And although Haymitch doesn’t successfully end the Games with the second Quarter Quell, his final conversation with Plutarch heavily alludes to Katniss doing so. When Haymitch tells Plutarch, “But I do know, you need someone different from me,” the other man responds, “No Haymitch, we need someone exactly like you.” The Hunger Games franchise repeatedly draws parallels between Haymitch and Katniss, so this discussion is clearly setting up her entrance decades later.

The epilogue gives a sweet nod to the original story, too, revealing that Haymitch considers Katniss and Peeta his family post-Mockingjay. Although he’s still in love with Lenora Dove, he carves out a new life for himself after The Hunger Games’ rebellion. Sunrise on the Reaping could have ended far more pessimistically, but it focuses on a more hopeful future instead.