Chapter 15 showcases the beginning of Haymitch’s Hunger Games and how he escapes the bloodbath which ensues as he heads north, as part of Beetee’s plan for destroying the arena. Readers get to see what the 50th Hunger Games arena is like as Haymitch adjusts to the surprisingly beautiful environment.

This review is part of a series where I review one chapter of Sunrise on the Reaping each day as I read along. Each review provides a summary, review and discussion for each chapter.

What Happens In Chapter 15 of Sunrise on the Reaping?

The chapter picks up with the District 12 tributes having breakfast before saying their goodbyes with their mentors. On the way to the games, Lou Lou sings a District 11 song and a District 11 tribute points this out. This prompts Maysilee to tell them that Lou Lou is just a body double of Louella and is actually from District 11.

The tributes are lead to individual rooms which contain their clothes for the games and the tube which will bring them into the arena. Effie quickly rushes in to ‘check on’ Haymitch and she is the last person he sees before his tube goes black.

Haymitch rises into the arena to see what is a beautiful landscape. Once the games begin, he makes for a backpack and some weapons. He quickly grabs these and runs north. Haymitch examines his environment as he runs, eventually spotting a berm of buttercups, confirming that Plutarch’s intel was correct.

Eventually, he stops to drink from a stream. The chapter closes out with Haymitch watching a bunny drink from the stream just after him before it instantly dies.

Review – Is Chapter 15 of Sunrise on the Reaping Good?

The beginning of the actual 50th Hunger Games totally meets expectations and does a really great job at painting a picture of what the arena really looks like. Haymitch’s initial actions were very interesting to read. His constant running as he scans his environment does a really good job at keeping tensions high.

The cliffhanger of Haymitch potentially having accidentally drank poison is really clever in showing readers that the beautiful arena is simply a facade and still poses as much of a threat as ever.

Discussion – What Do You Think of the 50th Hunger Games Arena?

I wasn’t really sure what to expect of Haymitch’s arena but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was in no way cliche or as to be expected. Making the arena ‘beautiful’ for a year which will see double the number of tributes is totally fitting of the Capitol.

The literal bunnies and flowers everywhere is the perfect way of making the arena seem harmless and almost quaint. The final scene with the bunny drinking from the poisonous stream is such a genius and symbolic way of making the reader instantly understand the purpose of this arena’s design.

What are your thoughts?

That’s all my thoughts on Chapter 15! Let me know yours in the comments below!