It has been a few months since Katniss Everdeen won the Hunger Games. Her family is living at Victory Village, in a home provided for them by the government. Katniss is unhappy because her life is different, even though she no longer must worry about life's basic necessities, her relationship with Gale Hawthorne has changed.

The supposed romance between herself and Peeta Mellark has changed her friendship with Gale. He knows she is not in love with Peeta, but it is hard for him to forget the way Peeta and Katniss acted towards each other during the Games. Because of her supposed love for Peeta, those in charge of the Games decided to make Gale Katniss' cousin, because it wouldn't be right for her to have a close relationship with another young man.

Katniss and Peeta are leaving this day for their Victory Tour. Katniss is dreading the tour, because she knows she will have to act as if she is in love with Peeta. She is also not happy about seeing the families of the tributes she killed during the Games. She realizes she must participate in the tour, because it is part of the price of winning, but she doesn't look forward to it.

She is still hunting, but now she hunts for Gale's family. Gale works in the mines, therefore he doesn't have time to hunt, so he begrudgingly accepts the meat she brings to his family.

After visiting the Hob, where goods are sold illegally, Katniss wakes up a drunken Haymitch, so he can ready himself for the cameras which will document the start of the tour. She then returns to her new home, only to find President Snow is there waiting to speak to her.

President Snow is there to warn Katniss. She doesn't know her defiance of the Gamemakers caused people in other districts to think they also can rebel against the Capitol. In some of the districts the threat of uprisings is becoming a very real concern for President Snow.

President Snow is there to make sure she acts as if she is in love with Peeta, to convince the residents of the other districts she acted purely out of love and not rebellion. He tells her he can't kill her, because it would cause too much bad publicity, but he can kill Gale.

He knows about her and Gale meeting in the woods on Sundays. He also has knowledge of them sharing a kiss. He tells her it is her responsibility to convince not only her fellow countrymen she is in love with Peeta, but she must convince him. He is aware of the cool relationship between the two and wants it rekindled for the Victory Tour. He tells her if there is a rebellion in the other districts, then the entire system of districts will collapse. His snake like appearance and manner chills Katniss to the bone, she agrees to do whatever he wants her to do to save her friend and her family.

After President Snow leaves, Katniss lies to her mother by telling her the President visits every victor before they start their tour, to wish them well. Her mother happily believes the lie.

Katniss tries to figure out who she can tell about the President's warning and threat. She finally realizes the only person she can confide in is Haymitch, because as her mentor during the Games it was his duty to keep her alive. She hopes he is willing to keep the job of protector.

In the meantime, her style team arrives at the house to prepare her for the cameras. They do her nails, hair, and make-up to make sure she resembles the girl who won the Hunger Games. Katniss has let herself go back to the girl who lives in the Seam, so they have their work cut out for them.

As they talk to her about the news coming from the Capitol, she is reminded this year is a Quarter Quell. This takes place every twenty-five years to mark the anniversary of the defeat of the districts. This year marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, so there is extra celebrations and the Capitol adds a new element to the Games. One year, the year Haymitch won the Games, the Capitol demanded twice the number of tributes be sent by each district. This time Peeta and Katniss will also be mentors along with Haymitch.

Cinna and Katniss have become closer friends because he has helped her with her talent requirement. Each victor is required to have a talent, so the press can interview them on the skill. Peeta's is painting, but Katniss has no talent, so Cinna decided hers would be clothes design. Cinna designs the clothes and Katniss takes the credit, it works for both of them.

On the train trip to the first stop of the Victory Tour, Katniss manages to tell Haymitch about her problem. He explains to her even if she convinces everyone she is in love with Peeta, it will not be enough. She will have to pretend she is in love with him for the rest of her life, even marrying him. She realizes he is right and her dream of having a life with Gale is gone forever. Marrying Peeta is the only way to keep her family, friends, and herself alive.

Katniss Everdeen is home after winning the Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark, but life is not easy for her. She and her family live in a new house and have all they need for a comfortable existence, but sadly the Games have changed her relationship with Gale forever. Now she must pretend to be in love with Peeta or President Snow will have Gale killed. She is miserable.