The second part of the trilogy shows us how Katniss was affected - and traumatized - by her experience in the Hunger Games. About 2/3 of the book deal with topics related to this, plus the growing unrest in the districts. She has a lot to process, becoming increasingly angry at the capitol for the incredibly unfair world that she lives in.

The last third of the book is set in the 75th Hunger Games, which no doubt the Capitol devised to quiet the sparks of rebellion, but achieved the exact opposite. It's so well written with such great characters. It's an emotional roller-coaster for sure, especially Mags.

Speaking of emotion, Katniss is also dealing with her feelings for not one, but two men in this book. It's been 12 years since I read this the first time, and reading it from my present point of view, it's just so obvious to me that Katniss is polyamorous. Why decide for one man, if she needs both, as each of them fulfills a different need for her? But alas, this book is set in a black and white world where I doubt polyamory is a thing. But honestly, it makes this love triangle kinda unnecessary for me.

At the same time she also seems to be somewhat asexual and/or aromantic. She clearly has feelings for both Gale and Peeta, but her feelings don't seem particularly sexual to me. I think she struggles a lot with romance and commitment in general, and sometimes I can recognize myself in her. I think losing her father early, and the losing the affection of her mother to depression, can partially explain this, as not having emotional needs met by your parents can scar you for life. It's so refreshing to have a protagonist like this, because most protagonists that I've encountered are not this emotionally complex. 

A great sequel that sets the scene for the finale perfectly, which I enjoyed reading a lot more the second time I read it.