10 Standout New Characters in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’, Ranked

Suzanne Collins’ brand new novel “Sunrise on the Reaping”, which serves as a second prequel to “The Hunger Games” after “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”, will be making it to the big screens soon, this time unraveling the truth behind Haymitch Abernathy’s victory in the 50th Hunger Games.

Set some 25 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered for the deadly competition in the original movie series, Sunrise on the Reaping will introduce both new faces and the younger versions of characters that you have seen in The Hunger Games films before, with some of those figures playing a key role in the tragic outcome of Haymitch’s victory.

In case you need a reminder of who is who after reading the novel, here are some of the best new characters that everyone can’t wait to see in the upcoming movie.

10. Drusilla Sickle

An escort for District 12 during the 50th Hunger Games, Drusilla was bringing a completely different vibe into the preparations for the game before Effie Trinket replaced her right after Haymitch’s victory.

In the novel, Drusilla’s cruelty towards tributes and especially District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner is revealed to be some sort of cover for her own insecurities, exposed when Maysilee explicitly states that Drusilla doesn’t have a taste at all.

The latter’s feud with ex-husband and Hunger Games stylist Magno Stift also promises to be fun to watch.

9. Magno Stift

Even though he doesn’t really show up during the 50th Hunger Games, it’s still intriguing how exactly the movie adaptation will handle the eccentric character.

Drusilla’s ex-husband who she keeps feuding with, Magno is a District 12 stylist for the Hunger Games, though it’s believed that he didn’t care that much about his duties during the last several years at the time Haymitch becomes a tribute.

Apart from having weird choices when it comes to dressing the games’ participants, Magno has a pretty quirky style himself, as it’s also mentioned that he likes wearing live reptiles, even though it’s been banned from the Capitol for years.

8. Wyatt Callow

The other male tribute from District 12, Wyatt first comes as someone who doesn’t really deserve Haymitch’s trust in the arena, though he quickly proves that the latter’s prejudices were all wrong and he could be relied on when the games start.

However, Wyatt doesn’t get to live much longer after the gong sounds, being killed by another tribute while trying to protect Lou Lou.

The character serves as a great reminder that his family business, which is betting, or his relatives’ controversial actions can’t define who he really is anyway.

7. Ampert Latier

A District 3 tribute who is also the son of the 34th Hunger Games’ victor Beetee Latier, Ampert is one of few who keeps thinking positive even when he realises his reaping wasn’t accidental.

Together with his father, Ampert comes up with a plan to blow up the water tank in the arena, later also having Haymitch on board and collaborating with him until death finds Ampert too.

The character’s arc will have a major impact on both Beetee and Haymitch’s future.

6. Haymitch’s Mother

Referred to only as Ma in Sunrise on the Reaping, Haymitch’s mother isn’t present that much in the book, but those short descriptions of her character are enough to understand that she raised her children well.

As Haymitch mentions, his mother had to learn how to make a living and look after two sons at the same time after her husband’s tragic death in the coal mines.

With Haymitch having a deep bond with his only parent at the moment, it will be even more painful to watch him break down when he realises his District 12 house was burnt down with his whole family inside.

5. Sid Abernathy

Haymitch’s relationship with his younger brother Sid will likely remind the Hunger Games’ fans of what Katniss and Primrose had, with both Haymitch and Katniss ready to do whatever it takes to keep their siblings safe.

Just like his mother, Sid doesn’t show up in many scenes throughout the book, but has enough time to prove he will also root for Haymitch no matter what.

Apart from him dying at such a young age, Sid will also have another heartbreaking mention in the movie, leaving a permanent mark on Haymitch’s personality and future.

4. Louella McCoy

The character with the shortest arc in Sunrise on the Reaping, Louella is one of District 12’s four tributes who never even gets to the arena since she’s killed in a chaos provoked by a firework during District 12 chariot.

Still, Louella’s death marks the beginning of Haymitch’s personal feud with President Snow when the former brings Louella’s dead body to the gates of Snow’s mansion and gives a round of applause for the president, explicitly calling him out for killing innocent children.

3. Lou Lou

Serving as a replacement for Louella who very inconveniently died before the Hunger Games started, Lou Lou is a presumably District 11 girl who was brainwashed by the Capitol and forced to participate in the games instead of Louella.

There’s not much that Haymitch and the co can learn from Lou Lou since she has a device installed in her ear which the Capitol’s Gamemakers use to hurt her when she’s about to give some information away.

Despite being constantly pressured, Lou Lou still manages to point out the Capitol’s bloodthirsty nature and even survives for long enough in the arena.

2. Lenore Dove

Haymitch’s longtime girlfriend is an especially intriguing figure since it’s quickly revealed that she has some sort of connection to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Lucy Gray Baird.

Brought up by the Coveys, Lenore Dove doesn’t reveal much about her family past even to Haymitch, but it’s clear that she genuinely loves him, which is confirmed by Lenore’s remorse of her being involved in Haymitch’s illegal reaping.

Lenore Dove’s death will also play a key role in Haymitch’s determination to bring President Snow down when Katniss comes up with such a plan.

1. Maysilee Donner

Initially introduced as a pretty annoying and overbearing girl coming from a wealthy family, Maysilee quickly proves that everyone has been underestimating her all along.

During the preparations, Maysilee repeatedly makes it clear that she can see through everyone surrounding her and isn’t scared to point it out even to the Capitol’s most influential figures.

On top of that, Maysilee is also the original owner of the mockingjay pin, the future rebellion’s powerful symbol which she initially disliked and passed on to Haymitch.