Everything you need to remember before opening the new Hunger Games book

The arena was breathtakingly beautiful, but tainted with poison. Haymitch eventually discovered a force-field surrounding the perimeter, which sent anything that fell over the edge flying back into the arena. Later, when Haymitch was fighting another participant close to the force-field, the adversary threw an axe over the edge. It flung back towards her, cleaving her head. Haymitch was crowned the winner of the Games.

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Two weeks later, Haymitch returned home and found his entire family had been killed, as well as his girlfriend, all as punishment for his improper use of the arena’s force-field.

The Third Quarter Quell

The Third Quarter Quell in Catching Fire saw tributes reaped from the existing pool of winners, with Katniss forced back into the arena. In the Games, it becomes apparent that some of the past victors agreed to protect Katniss for the sake of the growing rebellion against the government – often at the cost of their own lives.

These characters include Beetee, an electronics and tech wizard from District 3; Wiress, a kooky and incredibly intelligent victor also from District 3; Finnick, who is the youngest person to win the Games at 14 and who later helps Katniss overthrow the government; and Mags, who won the 11th Hunger Games and previously mentored Finnick.

The Covey

The Covey play a significant role in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the first prequel, which outlines the rise of Panem’s ruler, President Snow. They’re a group of nomadic musicians who settled in District 12. They’re recognisable by the bright colours they wear, their musical skills, and their names, which begin with the name of a traditional folk ballad and end with a colour.

Snow ends up mentoring a Covey girl, Lucy Gray Baird, during the 10th Hunger Games, which she wins. The end of the prequel sees Lucy Gray run into the forest. She is nicked by a bullet shot by Snow, but ultimately is nowhere to be found. Her disappearance remains a total mystery, and footage of her participation in the Games is erased by the government.

The Mockingjay pin

In The Hunger Games, Katniss is gifted a pin with a golden Mockingjay – a fictional bird that mimics sounds and songs – from Madge Undersee, the daughter of District 12’s mayor, before heading to the Games. Madge inherited the pin from her aunt Maysilee after her death. The Mockingjay later becomes a symbol of hope and resistance for those rising against the government.

Plutarch’s flip

In Catching Fire, Plutarch Heavensbee appears to sympathise with the government, given his involvement in controlling the 75th Hunger Games’ arena. However, it’s revealed that he plays a vital part in the rebellion against the Capitol. After the Districts manage to overthrow the Capitol in the third book, Mockingjay, Plutarch is appointed Secretary of Communications.

Additional reporting by Nadia Russell