The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

A trilogy that has captured the hearts of many readers and stands in comparison with bestselling series like Twilight and Harry Potter is none other than The Hunger Games written by author Suzanne Collins. She was considered one of the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2010 due to the success of the first two installments of The Hunger Games series. These series not only provide a compelling storyline but also give an insight about the fears and obsessions that rule our daily lives which include war, fashion and authoritarian government. Young adults that are fond of a bit darker novels will surely enjoy the intense story that this series provides to the readers.  

The Hunger Games - The Story

The story is of Katniss Everdeen who is sixteen years old and lost her father in a mining accident. Ever since that day it has become her job to do all she can to provide for her family. For this purpose she often goes off the boundaries of District 12, which is illegal, to hunt for animals so that she can use them in exchange for food or other items. She has quite a skill with bow and arrow and with her ability to track down the animals she has helped her family survive through thick and thin. To provide even more for her family she signs up for tessera each time where you get rations in exchange for placing your name in a lottery for reaping which is a ceremony to pick a representative of each district for participation in the Hunger Games. The names of kids from age 12 to 18 are always placed in the lottery and Katniss exchanges her name each time for tessera which increases her chances of getting picked but instead of her the name of her sister Prim Everdeen is called.

Suzanne Collins´s great story

Prim Everdeen is only 12 years old and she is the closest person to Katniss. Katniss loves her with all her heart and knows that if Prim goes to the Games she will be killed. To save her sister Katniss volunteers to replace her sister as a tribute from District 12 to participate in the Hunger Games. Katniss is well aware of the benefits that will be bestowed on others if she becomes the winner from District 12 and her skill with the bow and arrow will give her the advantage but what she does not anticipate is the selection of the other participant from District 12 that turns out to be Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son. Peeta had helped Katniss once when she and her family greatly needed it and now she owes him for that and finds herself in a dilemma because if she survives then that means Peeta dies.

 Suzanne Collins

She is taken away from her family and best friend Gale to the Capitol where she is to be trained along with Peeta by Haymitch. Haymitch is the only tribute from District 12 who was a winner in the Hunger Games but it turns out that he is reluctant and not good enough to teach them. Hence Katniss decides to take matters into her own hands and realizes that if she has to survive then she will only have to rely on her own strength. 

As the story continues the readers will enjoy it immensely and will keep on turning the pages till the very end. The character of Katniss is very strong and determined however, there are times when her actions will cause the readers to wait and think whether she chose the right option and made the right decision or not. Katniss’s feelings split between two boys will also be something that the readers will sympathize with. Overall it is a thrilling and interesting story that is sure to keep the readers hooked till the end.