The Hunger Games is book 1 in a YA trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. It is a dystopian story written about future North America after floods, war and famine. The continent is changed into one large super country called Panem that is made up of a large capital and 13 districts, each in a different area that produces a different resource used by the government to control all of the other districts. There was a rebellion in the history of Panem in which district 13 was completely destroyed, leaving 12 districts in fear of what could happen to them at any moment.
Katniss Everdeen is a 16 yr old girl that lives in district 12, the coal district. She has lived a hard life in the harshest district. Katniss lived through her father dying in a mine explosion and her mother turning catatonic after that while she still had a younger sister, Prim, to take care of. The worst is not even close to over to Katniss, though. The day of the reaping is coming. This is where the Capital chooses one boy, 18 and under, and one girl to become the Tributes from each district and these children must fight to the death in a man made arena. The sole survivor is crowned victor and lavished with gifts and food and a new home and their district is given food and oil for the entire year until the next reaping. Whose name gets called out at the reaping? You'll have to read to find out in this electrifying novel that kept me turning pages from beginning to end.
Suzanne Collins take a subject (children being required to kill to survive) that could be so repulsive and turns it into a heart stopping story where you can truly love the good guys and they choose to do what's right and good even in the worst of circumstances. This book is very well written and there is great development to the characters and relationships. I look forard to reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay, (books 2 and 3). I already own both and will start them immediately! So far this series tops my list of favorite YA books. Of course this trilogy is not suited for everyone. It is very dark and there are killings and fighting. Nothing extremely graphic, but enough that you get a really good picture in your head. I MUCH prefer this over the usual YA fare of romantic mush and teenage drama. Katniss is a perfect protagonist. She is incredibly smart and strong, very able bodied and doesn't let her emotions rule her. She has solid relationships and keeps herself in check. I love that Katniss is responsible, not just out of obligation but out of love for her sister and out of a knowledge that she must do what's right and what needs to be done.
I highly recommend the Hunger Games to any dystopian fans or to anyone looking for something new and exciting to read. The good news is the 3rd book was released in August so you can read the entire trilogy at once with no waiting!
