Hunger Games.. Hungry for more!

Hunger Games.. sounds familiar, isn’t it!. That’s because it is the
biggest block buster in cinema halls now a days. I came across hunger games movie first as
I am Hollywood movie addict. I never realize that it is based on book by
Suzanne Collins named ‘The Hunger Games’. After watching the movie and also
trailer of second installment of Hunger Games, my hunger for reading this book increased. So I
caught hold of all 3 books and started reading. This book broke my record of
reading books fastest. Last it was held by Harry Potter. I completed all 3 series
and watched second installation of the movie before I write this blog. Beware people, this can be the spoiler for you!

Hunger Games:

The story is about a country called Panem, post destruction
of North America. The main city is called ‘Capital’ ruled by President Snow and
it is surrounded by 13 districts. Each district plays a role to provide various
requirements to the capital. Eg. 12 is mining district, 11 is agriculture and
so on. The district 13 was destroyed as they rebelled to capital. To
remind remaining 12 district about the war by rebel, each year Capital
organize ‘Hunger Games’. Each district will have 2 volunteers – 1 girl and 1
boy as ‘Tributes’ to participate in the games which will be telecasted live
across Panem. Tributes need to fight for their lives and only 1 tribute will be
the winner who will stay alive till the end of the games.

The book is written from the eye of 16 year old girl name
Katniss Everdeen from district 12, who volunteers for her sister Prim’s place
in 74^th Hunger Games. Along with Katniss, Peeta Mellark is chosen as
boy tribute from the district 12. Being part of district 12 and with father’s
death in mines, Katniss has developed her skills in hunting and survived
through the worse times. Katniss also gets survival support from her best
friend Gale Hawthorne who is hunting buddy and later turns out to be her love
interest. The first book entirely talks about 74^th Hunger Games and
how the whole process takes place once tributes are selected. During the game, Peeta
confesses to have lifelong crush on Katniss and how Katniss discovers the
support from the viewers by playing the role of star crossed lover under the
guidance of their mentor Haymitch – winner of 50^th Hunger Games.

The story is unique and less violent scene which is
impressive. As first book, it really gives you the charm of imagining the
entire hunger games and leaves you feeling happy that you are not part of that
world. Also it makes you impatient to read what happens next.

Hunger Games – Catching Fire

Since I am writing
review of all 3 books this blog can be a spoiler for those who haven’t read 2^nd
book or watched the movie.

After the act with berries, some people believe the love
story of tributes from district 12 and others take this as an act of rebel.
President Snow is angry with the way Katniss has behaved in the game at the
same time, he warns Katniss to be a distraction for the rebel and show them that
it was purely an act of love. When Katniss comes to district 12 as winner, her
normal life is changed. The relation between Gale and her gets tense as he
watches her pretend to be in love with Peeta. As a winner of 74^th
Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta goes on a victory tour to the remaining
district where few district starts to rebel the capital as expected by
President Snow. To prevent the act of rebel, President Snow decides to bring a
twist in 75^th Hunger Games which is called Quarter Quill. In the 75^th
Hunger Games, each district will choose their tributes from the existing pool of Hunger Games winner. District 12 has only 3 winners,
Katniss, Peeta and their mentor Haymitch, which means Katniss has to
participate in 75^th Hunger Games.

The second book starts with life of winners in district 12
and their journey in victory tour. The second half of book is devoted to 75^th
Hunger Games and what Katniess and Peeta need to do to stay alive. In second
edition new characters are added in the story, Finnick Odair and Mags from
district 4, Beetee and Wiress from district 3 and Johanna Mason from district
7. They all form allies in the 75^th Hunger Games.  The second book end up abruptly leaving you
to wonder what now!

Suzanne Collins has kept the intensity of hunger games and
added a love triangle. The feelings of Katniss have been portrait wonderfully. It
shed light on life of winners of hunger games who even after being the winner
doesn’t end up being happy. Rather it leaves a scar on their life which they
have to live with it forever. Abrupt yet twist in the story makes you really
crave for the third book. Lucky for me, it was already out in the market.

Hunger Games: Mockingjay

Again spoiler for
those who haven’t read the 3^rd book and people who saw the second
movie and waiting for the third one.

The mission of district 13 (yes, there is district 13 who
lives underground for so many years) to save Katniss and other winners from 75^th
Hunger Games is successful but they couldn’t rescue Peeta and Johanna. After Gale
informs Katniss that district 12 has been destroyed when the hunger games
started and their fight to survive the blast and district 13 comes for the
rescue, Katniss starts to get used to life in district 13 (which is more like
life in an Army) and tries to adapt to the routine life. District 13 President Alma Coins propose Katniss to be the
Mockingjay for the rebels and help them to unite the remaining 11 district to
join hands in the fight against the capital. The fight between Capital and Rebel is
again like a reality show broadcasted across districts and capital to bring awareness
and spread message of each party at the war. After uniting the entire district
the mission to attack Capital takes place. During the war, Peeta has been
manipulated by Capital making him hate Katniss and urge to kill her erupts. District 13 rescues Peeta and Johanna but they couldn’t amend the damages done by the Capital. 

Katniss along with Gale, Peeta and few other people enter Capital on a fake mission of killing President Snow created by Katniss herself.
When the reach the mansion of President Snow an accident takes place which kills
Katniss’s little sister Prim. Heartbroken Katniss realize the politics played
by President Coin to capture the capital and destroy President Snow.  

The ending in the book is little like Happily ever after. The
love story in third book takes the triangle shape a bit predictable and similar
to that of Twilight. The story of war against Capital and struggle of District is strong but love triangle makes
it little disruptive and instead of liking the character of Katniss you start
feeling annoyed on her confused and ambiguous mind. Katniss’s character is strong with her strength to survive whereas Peeta is more of an underdog yet charming. Gale on the other hand is masculine, rebellious and his hatred for Capital & Hunger Games is evident. Haymitch their mentor and winner of Hunger Games from District 12 is drunkard and sarcastic. All of them makes Hunger Games series an interesting story and very innovative concept.