The Hunger Games

What can I say beside: Most incredible trilogy I've ever read. The Hunger Games is the perfect blend of tragedy, action, moral questions and heart-rending love story all blended together in a post-apocolyptic world where 12 Districts are spread across what remains of North America and the Capitol rules all.
Katniss Everdeen, our 16 year old heroine in the first book, member of District 12, the coal mining district (located in the Appalacian Mountains) voulenteers to take her sister's place at the reaping for an even known at the Hunger Games. Every year, as a reminder of the rebellion the Districts once instated, the Capitol runs the Hunger Games. Every district must send two children, one boy and one girl to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death on live television. Only the victor surivives, to be the mentor to the next year's tributes.
Let's analyze some of the components, shall we? First off, the plot/idea. This is a brilliant idea, a terrifying version of reality that promises a heart-pounding adventure. It unfolds with just the right amount of breath-taking action scenes, dramatic twists and turns, moral questions and quite moments before the next storm. There are one or two flat chapters throughout the trilogy, but you're always being fed valuable information even if it isn't the most excititing. I, a fan of anything macabre, was of course excited by the idea of a post-apocolypitic world hosting what are esentially gladiator games for kids. But Susan Collins doesn't get in your face with the violence. Sure, there are some gruesome moments, to be sure (it is the Games, after all!) but she doesn't go into stomach-churning detail, or include more than nececary.
The charecters, the backbone of the story, were masterfully crafted. Katniss is scrappy, determined and couragous. She isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. She's clever and a masterful hunter, yet she is compassionate. She takes Prim's place in the Reaping. She teams up with a girl who can't possibly help her, but who needs protection. She sings her to her death when she's attacked. Katniss is definately a badass, but she isn't heartless. And she's not perfect. She is a deeply flawed person, which allows me to really relate. Peeta is just the sweetest guy! He's very much an artists, and often adds a measure of thought and sanity to this crazy world. He's the perfect counter to Katniss's fire, balancing out her anger with a gentle touch. Haymitch is just hilarious. Loved him. The charecters in this book all have distinct, flawed personalities that have this ability to draw you in, make you see things from their view.
I've read some of Suzanne Collins' work before, but none of it left me desperate for more like the Hunger Games did. This is clearly her magnum opus, a masterpeice of art. Some liken it to Twilight, which is riduculous, as they're about as much alike as a chocolate cake and a rotten bannana peel. The book is being made into a movie later this year or the next, and promises to be a stunner. If I can impart anything on you by your reading of this blog, let it be this: Read the Hunger Games!!
Also, if you enjoy fanfiction, I have a Hunger Games one: Flight of a Broken Mockingjay on deviantart.com and fanfiction.net
May the odds be ever in your favor (Effie Trinket)