The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is an action packed, thrilling series of books about a young girl, Katniss Everdeen, fighting against the power hungry 'Capitol' that has been suppressing twelve very poor and underdeveloped 'districts'. It is set in a dystopian future that contrasts quite significantly to our typical imaginations about the future. It pains me whenever people credit the movies, however amazing they are, and nearly forget about the books. Anybody who has read the series will almost certainly tell you about how good they are. If you don't have any idea of what the Hunger Games are, here's a small introduction for you (no spoilers!).

The Hunger Games is a yearly, lethal event in the books that consists of two children (tributes) from each district to fight to their death against other tributes in a deadly, ruthless arena for entertaining the citizens of the Capitol. These books are, obviously, not for the faintest of hearts. However, in the roller-coaster of emotions, drama and gripping story line, the gore is soon forgotten about. Not only does Suzanne Collins cleverly and subtly weave in parts of love, humanity and human emotions in the books, which are about injustice, murder and also in some parts, vengeance, but she also writes in a captivating way that almost makes the readers believe that they are part of the scene, witnessing what is happening.

If you feel that some of the ideas and concepts of the books seem very familiar to you, then you're right! The events listed in the book such as people fighting each other to death has originated from Ancient Rome's practises of gladiator fights for entertaining masses of people. Ring a bell? However, as mentioned earlier, the books are set in the future, not the past, which makes them even more interesting to read.

Personally, the Hunger Games was one of the best series of books I have ever read and I can't wait to pick it up and read it again soon! Reading the series and putting myself in characters' shoes in some parts had really pulled onto my heartstrings and I'm sure they'll pull yours too. You won't regret reading them.

 

Jayashree Parimita, Gumley House Convent School