Chapter 3 of Sunrise on the Reaping details Haymitch’s time on the train to the Capitol and is the first time readers get a sense of the dynamics amongst the District 12 tributes.

This post is part of a series where I review a chapter of Sunrise on the Reaping each day as I read along, you can read my Chapter 1 review here or my Chapter 2 review here.

What happens in Chapter 3 of Sunrise on the Reaping?

The chapter opens with a heartbroken Haymitch reflecting on the loss he is facing and expressing his concerns for those he has left behind in District 12. Haymitch is then brought to another part of the train where he and his fellow District 12 tributes have the first opportunity to talk to each other about their shared predicament. We learn of Haymitch and Louella sweet sibling-like relationship and we see Maysilee’s pretentious attitude on full display (although it is rather satisfying in this given scenario as she flips the embarrassment away from Louella). There is also a reference to Lucy Gray with Haymitch mentioning that there has only ever been one District 12 victor but that very little is known about her and that this is why there is no mentor for them.

Drusilla and Plutarch are in open conversation with the tributes and we see Drusilla continue to show straight up disdain for the tributes even in a conversation with them. As the tributes watch Capitol TV showcasing the events of the reaping day across the districts, there is a discussion between Plutarch and the tributes with Plutarch saying that his editing of the events of the reaping is actually favourable to the tributes as it will help them to win donations from sponsors. The chapter closes out on the cliffhanger of a birthday cake being presented.

Review – What did I think of Chapter 3?

Chapter 3 made for a really great breather chapter after the fast paced drama of the first two chapters. The chapter was effective in depicting the type of personalities at play amongst the tributes as well as Drusilla’s and Plutarch’s.

Finding out a little more about Haymitch’s home life in this chapter is effective in helping us further understand who he is as a person as well as the weight of the loss he is experiencing.

There is a fun dynamic between the tributes of District 12 which I look forward to seeing play out across the upcoming chapters. Overall, I feel like this chapter is perfect for where it is in the story and the overall pacing of the book as it allows for some of the gaps in the Haymitch’s back story to be filled as well as give readers a break from all the action that occurred at the reaping.

Discussion – What do we think about the reference to Lucy Gray?

The reference to Lucy Gray is interesting as it is very vague in a way which respects the mystery of the ending in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes but may also hint that there is a chance she may return.

The mention that Lenore Dove is reluctant to speak about her suggests that The Covey may be protecting her or that Snow may have gone to extensive lengths to ensure that The Covey stay silent about her.

Either way, the prospect of Lucy Gray returning would be very exciting as the ending of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes leaves her and Snow with unfinished business which it would be interesting to see play out if they were to reunite all these years later.

Side note: I can totally see Louella becoming Haymitch’s Rue later on during the games.

What are your thoughts?

That wraps up my review of the third chapter! Let me know in the comments below what you thought of Chapter 3 of Sunrise on the Reaping – did you agree or disagree with my review? Would you be excited for the return of Lucy Gray or do you think that her story is over now?