This book is the first in a trilogy. It tells the story of two sisters, Anastasia and Felicia, who find themselves selected for the 73rd Pain Games. At the Pain Games, no-one gets killed, no-one dies, but plenty of people are on the receiving end of corporal punishment. Following the division of the participants into the Hunters and the Prey, Anastasia has to watch her sister being punished. Later, Anastasia is subjected to being paddled and caned, and subsequently forced into the position of spanking her sister. And when the Pain Games have been concluded, the Punishment Assembly begins, involving a public caning for the losing twelve. Afterwards, Anastasia is led into Miss Goldthorpe's study to be faced with a padded pole, over which she is secured for a caning and sexual pleasures. The remaining books in the trilogy are Whipping Girl, and Nemesis.