University Star

When I first read The Hunger Games, I had no idea what it was about.  People had only told me it was a really good book. However, most of the people relaying this information said Twilight was their favorite book of all time (not bashing Twilight, but as far as literary work goes, it's no masterpiece). After all the “ooo’s” and “ahh's” died down, I finally sat down and read the book everyone keep telling me about. I was floored. Suzanne Collins is a beast.

I encourage everyone to read the book. Preferably how I read it - not knowing a single thing about it. I didn’t even read the synopsis on the back. Trust me, it's rewarding. If you want to take my advice, stop reading this blog now.

The Hunger Games is a novel about a country named Panem. More specifically, it is a future version of what’s left of North America after unsaid wars have destroyed most of the world. Panem consist of 13 cities - districts one through 12, and a ruling city called The Capitol.

Every year, on a day called “the reaping,” districts one through 12 pick a female and a male between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in an event called, "The Hunger Games." For The Hunger Games, all of the children, called “tributes,” are thrown into an arena to fight to the death for The Capitol’s entertainment. Brutal, right?

The main story revolves around a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen who volunteers to be a tribute for her district (12) instead of her 12-year-old sister. Readers follow her journey from district 12, through preparations for the game and into the arena. It gets real.

This book has some seriously messed-up moments, but it has something for everyone - intense action, pulse racing suspense and heart-breaking romance.  I am a sucker for that last one.

For those of you who have already read the book, or just follow along with new entertainment, you might have heard about The Hunger Games movie set to be released next March. I am thoroughly excited and check websites daily for new casting updates - I think that's just me being a dork.

To my fellow The Hunger Games dorks, what did you think of the book? What do you think of the book being turned into a movie?