Chapter 9 is the final chapter of Part 1 of Sunrise on the Reaping and details Haymitch’s private meeting with Plutarch and President Snow in the Heavensbee family home.

This review is part of a series where I review one chapter of Sunrise on the Reaping each day as I read along.

What happens in Chapter 9 of Sunrise on the Reaping?

The chapter picks up with Plutarch leading Haymitch through his luxurious family home with light discussion on the poem Lenore Dove’s name derives from. Haymitch has finally had enough of small talk and asks Plutarch why he is there when he is interrupted by President Snow’s response of “me” from behind.

President Snow then goes on to throw up while Plutarch tends to him and asks Haymitch to fetch the milk that Snow requests. This is when Haymitch takes his ultimate opportunity to rebel against the president and… drinks the milk! Not to worry though, Plutarch blames the servants for the lack of milk in the fridge and finds milk elsewhere in the home for Snow. Snow quickly recovers from his sickness which he deems to have been food poisoning from oysters.

In a private conversation with Haymitch, President Snow presses him on the name of his girlfriend as well as takes a closer look at his flint striker. Haymitch is puzzled by President Snow’s extensive knowledge of the covey. Eventually the topic switches to the impending Hunger Games and this is when the true intentions of this meeting are made clear.

Haymitch is warned that his actions from now on will determine how he will die in the arena as Snow explains all the ways in which he can manipulate the manner in which he dies. This is when Haymitch realises that President Snow has been watching the footage of the tributes in their apartments as this is what Haymitch had made clear he wished to have control over. This punishment was as a result of Haymitch’s actions when Louella died at the chariot incident and he made a scene. That is why this chapter’s cliffhanger is particularly surprising when none other than Louella herself appears before them.

Review – Is Chapter 9 of Sunrise on the Reaping Good?

The relaxed nature and tone of this chapter is so fitting of President Snow. It is very interesting for readers to learn a bit more about Plutarch’s background and home as well as see the close dynamics between him and President Snow.

Seeing Haymitch navigate his meeting with President Snow who he has both a level fear of and hatred for is also interesting to read as well. The slow unravelling of intentions in this chapter is written so well and in such a real way which is really fitting for the manipulative/condescending nature of President Snow.

The shock twist to finish off the first part of the book did not disappoint and is something that will of course have readers desperate to read on.

Discussion – What Do You Think About Part 1 of Sunrise on the Reaping?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading Part 1 and I feel like Suzanne Collins has done a really good job at making you care for the tributes with all four of them being very likeable despite in some ways being flawed.

The pacing of the book has been great so far which is typical for The Hunger Games franchise as the cliffhanger endings are the perfect way to keep the story feeling likes its progressing as well as make the reader desperate to read on.

I really love how nothing is as it seems and that the story continues to surprise me around every corner. It is too difficult for me to say if I like Part 1 of this book more than the other books in The Hunger Games franchise but what I can say is that it at least totally matches them. My favourite things about Part 1 have been getting to learn more about Plutarch and getting to know Maysilee who has quickly became one of my favourite tributes in all of The Hunger Games franchise.

With all the twists in this story so far, it is difficult to predict where the story will go next. Before I begin Part 2, my main concern is that Louella’s surprise entrance at the end of Chapter 9 might not be as it seems. 😭

What are your thoughts?

That’s all my thoughts on Chapter 9! Let me know in the comments below what you thought about the chapter and what you have liked most about Part 1 of Sunrise on the Reaping.