Weep Like the Willows | Hunger Games

Esmeralda Soto was considered to be a bubbly, quick-witted and sweet as honey charmer by those closest to her. Hardly anyone could stay mad at her for long, and if you didn't return her innate cheer that never seemed to run out, you almost felt guilty. At least, that's who lingered near her circle felt.

As for the rest of District Seven, that was a different story. Being the controversial Mayor Soto's only daughter came with a list of privileges and a big red target on her back. While her father was not particularly cruel, he was not favored either. Playing a dangerous balancing act of protecting your people and keeping your head still attached to your shoulders, he tended to be the face of bad news. Especially when a beloved and inspiring accused rebel by the name of Aspen Lim is hanged for treason in the Square.

Now with the First Quarter Quell, or the Twenty-Fifth Hunger Games, a special and cruel twist has been added to the stakes. The Districts get to vote for the male and female tributes to represent them in the annual pageant.

Selected by her own community to march to her untimely death, Esmeralda must navigate stinging betrayal, heartbreak, and absolute terror to survive for people that don't want to see her come home. Not only that, but her District partner, also voted to fight to the death, is Rowan Lim.

The little brother of the very rebel her father had executed.