The Hunger Games Trilogy: A Tale of Survival, Love and War

I have to admit, this is a total case of "do not judge a book by its cover" for me. I would go to my favorite bookstore, snatching up books which had prettier covers and fancier titles, paying no mind to this trilogy. Being very much into chick lit, I found the title (and cover) a tad too boyish for my taste. After finding it in almost every twenty-eleven young adult best-seller list, it finally piqued my interest - and I thank the heavens for that day when I went over to {prologue} and finally decided to buy what would become my all-time favorite book series.

SPOILER ALERT: This entry contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. :)

A Tale of Survival

The Hunger Games Trilogy is set in a post-apocalyptic world. What is left of North America is now known as Panem, a nation with 12 districts ruled and controlled by a despotic government located at the Capitol. Each year, the Capitol holds a Reaping Day where 24 tributes are selected to participate in the Hunger Games. The tributes are locked into a massive and perilous arena where they ruthlessly kill one another until there is only one victor left standing. When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister is chosen as one of the tributes, she volunteers to take her place. She is then thrown into the arena along with Peeta Mellark, another tribute from her district. Together, they battle all sorts of elements - thirst, hunger, fire, mutated animals, and the rest of the tributes trying to kill them. Katniss and Peeta learn that in order to survive, they would need more than strength and skill. They would need to outwit everyone else, and that includes the Gamemakers.

A Tale of Love

Katniss and Peeta are told to play the part of star-crossed lovers to help them win the Games. But while Katniss is pretending, Peeta's love is genuine. And this puts a strain on there friendship when Peeta learns that Katniss' feelings are only for show. To make things more complicated, Katniss' bestfriend Gale is also in love with her (What good is a book series without a love triangle? Ha!). So Katniss is caught between two very devoted boys, and is naturally confused. After angering the Capitol for a rebellious act done in the Games, Katniss and Peeta are drawn back into the arena, with Katniss hell-bent on protecting Peeta. And this is probably my favorite part of the trilogy because even though Katniss is having trouble realizing it, everyone can see that she is in love with Peeta.

A Tale of War

With the arena destroyed, Katniss soon finds herself in the middle of a full-blown rebellion. Not only that, but she is the face of the rebellion. The rebels have been plotting to overthrow the Capitol for a long time and they finally find the opportunity to start the war. As more and more lives are lost, Katniss realizes that this rebellion is not only about ending the oppression in the districts but also about another leader's hunger for power.

Boyish title, somewhat unappealing (to me) cover and all - The Hunger Games has totally won me over right from the first chapter. I have become attached to the characters; so much that sometimes I think of Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch as real people. This is definitely one (or three) of those CANNOT-put-down books. Thought-provoking and enthralling, this trilogy has made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. And I have a strong feeling that The Hunger Games Trilogy will be at the top of my list for a long time.

"May the odds be ever in your favor!"

Starlight, Starbright:

The Hunger Games Trilogy was authored by Suzanne Collins.