The Hunger Games Series

BOOK #1: The Hunger Games
BOOK #2: Catching Fire
BOOK #3: Mockingjay
All 5/5 stars 

So I read the entire Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins before I started my 100 book count, but they are so amazing that I felt that they deserved a spot on the blog! I know pretty much everyone has read the series, but there are still a few who haven't, and maybe I can persuade them to! Otherwise, if anyone wants to comment and talk about how they feel about the series or which of the trilogy is their favorite, feel free!

For anyone who has been living under a rock for the last year or so, here's a quick Hunger Games refresher: The books are YA Science Fiction, but do NOT let this scare you away. I am not normally a Sci Fi fan, and after the insane Twilight craze I was shying away from YA cult series. However, when a few trustworthy friends highly recommended the series, I decided to try it. I practically inhaled the first book. It takes place in post-apocalyptic North America, renamed "Panem". The country was divided into 13 Districts and ruled over by an oppressive Capitol, until the Districts tried to revolt. District 13 was annihilated in order to scare everyone else, and the remaining 12 Districts went back to their "normal" lives, which meant different levels of poverty and oppression in each District, with the most privileged people living in the Capitol. In addition to destroying District 13, the Capitol created the Hunger Games, which is a punishment masked as a celebration. Each District must offer up a boy and girl aged 12-18 to fight the others to the death in a televised battle. However, the Games are about more than just kill or be killed. It is interesting to examine the psychology of these children as they fight to stay alive in the Games, and also must use survival skills in the "arena" in which they are placed. One winner comes out, and gains fame and fortune for their District. The first novel, The Hunger Games, follows the poorest District, 12's, "tribute", Katniss Everdeen. She is a 16-year-old girl who goes into the Games an underdog, and must fight to stay alive, not only for herself, but for her family. There is also an interesting dynamic between Katniss and the male tribute from 12, Peeta.

The reason I love this series so much is that is hooks you from the first few pages. You root for the protagonists and feel their emotions in a way that only a great writer can make you feel them. Everyone who has read these novels has read them in an obscenely short amount of time, because you literally cannot put them down. If you have been holding off from reading them, don't. I resisted it for a long time and I couldn't believe I had once I began reading them. There are so many interesting aspects to consider when reading these books, especially for adults. The levels of politics and psychology discussed are not only entertaining to read, but can make you really think. Especially since the first movie has been released, there has been a lot of talk about reality TV and how the Games are not so different from the direction it's heading in. So basically, if you've read the books, as most of you probably have, I'd love to hear your thoughts about what this series means to you and why you like/dislike it. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? =)