I have just finished the first and second books in this trilogy and have thoroughly enjoyed both. The hunger games is set in a post-apocalyptic world in a country divided into 12 main districts which supply goods to the rich central Capitol. Each year the 12 districts have to supply 2 teenagers to take part in the "hunger games" a televised event in which they have to survive in an unknown landscape and basically kill each other in order to survive. There can only be one winner. The plot is based around the feisty Katniss Everdeen who takes her 12 year old sister's place in the hunger games as one of the tribunes from District 12. On a roller coaster journey we follow Katniss from her life in subsistence life in District 12 through the lavish preparations for the games and on to her fight to survive.
The book did remind me of a science fiction film I have seen - so not original, nor is the love triangle that pervades the book. But that said it is an exciting read with some really clever ideas. To draw all teenagers in, the book has reviews by Stephanie Meyer and Stephen King on the cover!
I have said nothing about the second book because this is one trilogy where it is best to start at the beginning and enjoy the journey.
