Before Katniss Everdeen, her revolution, and the involvement of the 13th district, there was President Snow, or rather, Coriolanus Snow. The Song of Birds and Serpents is the story of the dictator of Panem before he came to power. Years before, Coriolanus Snow lived in the capital, born into the great house of Snow, which is not doing very well in popularity and financially. He prepares for his opportunity for glory as a Games mentor. The fate of his House depends on the slim chance that Coriolanus will be able to charm, deceive, and manipulate his colleagues into mentoring the winning tribute. He has been given the humiliating task of mentoring the tribute girl from District 12. Their destinies are now intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes will have consequences both inside and outside the Game. In the arena, the battle will be deadly and the girl will have to survive every second. Outside the arena, Coriolanus begins to grow attached to the girl, but any step he takes will make the girl and himself suffer in some way.