As the fiftieth Hunger Games draw near, terror spreads across all districts of Panem. This year will hold the second Quarter Quell massacre, which means each district must send double the tributes. Haymitch Abernathy tries not to think about it and hopes that the Harvest will end soon so he can spend time with his favorite and his family.
But when they announce his name, Haymitch’s familiar life falls apart. He’s sent to the Capitol with three other tributes from District 12: a girl who’s like a sister to him, a young man who makes his way by betting, and the most arrogant girl in the district. Haymitch realizes that surviving won’t be possible for him, but he keeps fighting, understanding that his true enemies are beyond the deadly arena.