She's fought against her family's poverty and has to keep fighting to keep what she has. He comes from a wealthy family and can have anything he wants with a simple request. But both have become prideful. Cato and Clove both believe they are self-sufficiant, cold people. So when arrogant meets arrogant, and they're forced to cooperate if they ever hope to enter the Games, can they keep from killing each other long enough to start working together? Or are they both destined to lose everything they've fought for so far?

Clove never knew her parents. All she knows is her trainer Favian who sometimes doubles as her dad, and sometimes falls far short of looking out for her. In district 2 they train you not to be heartless, but to ignore your heart. After years of solitude with Favian her only family Clove has mastered this skill almost as well as she's mastered knife throwing. When new training partners for the year are assigned the day after the 73rd reaping, a mistake is made. Clove ends up partnered in the wrong age category with next years best contender for the crown: Cato Hadley. Everyone is jealous but Clove has bigger problems to deal with than her annoying partner. She has a secret that she's kept hidden for years and only Cato can save her from herself.