Mockingjay Part 1 - The Ashes

Carlo's Bookcasts

Katniss takes stock of her new position as a rebel in District 13. Only three victors were saved from the arena: Beetee (A previous tribute from District 3, who was one of Katniss' allies), Finnick (The handsome victor from District 4 and Katniss' first ally) and Katniss herself, but Peeta Mellark, along with other victors Enobaria (the female tribute from District 2), Johanna Mason (tribute from District 7), and Annie Cresta (who wasn't in the Quarter Quell but was arrested when the arena blew up) were all captured and taken to the Capitol and held captive by President Coriolanus Snow. Katniss is still haunted by Snow and fears for Peeta's life. The book starts with Katniss in District 12, which has been reduced to ashes. Katniss alone wanted to see the district herself. While she is there, she takes back Buttercup (Prim's cat), her father's old hunting jacket, a photo of her mother's wedding, and a book of plants. Before she leaves, she notices one of Snow's white roses on her dresser.A hovercraft takes her to District 13 where the survivors of District 12 now reside. When she returns, she watches an interview between Caesar and Peeta. She is relieved when she finds that Peeta looks unharmed, healthy even, but during the interview, Peeta calls for a cease-fire and is accused by many people of being a traitor. This is why later on when she decides to become the Mockingjay, she asks for the immunity of Peeta and the other tributes as well as hunting rights for her and Gale, the right to keep Buttercup for Prim, and permission to kill Snow. President Coin, the leader of District 13, agrees to these conditions and Katniss officially becomes the Mockingjay.Katniss has to star in commercials for the rebel side, called propos (a shortened version of propaganda). For one propo, she and a team that includes her old friend Gale are sent into District 8, where they see a hospital get destroyed. This inspires Katniss to call for justice. During the airing of an interview with Peeta in the Capitol, Beetee is able to gain control of the broadcast and air the propos for a short time before a battle for control of the broadcast breaks out. During the back-and-forth, Peeta manages to send out a coded message to the rebels warning them of an attack. The Capitol then breaks into chaos, the camera tilts to the floor, screams can be heard and Peeta's blood splatters the ground.