The Hunger Games

                                                             The Hunger Games

 

It will come as a pleasant surprise and a delight to many readers that the protagonist in this series is a female unlike other popular series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. This was the first series I read where a female is a lead character. It may be a deviation from the normal, but females make a good lead role as much as males. Believe me! 

Katniss Everdeen - the victor of the 74th Hunger games- designed by the Capitol of Panem. What am I talking about? Well, “Panem” is an imaginary, futuristic America created by author Suzanne Collins. Now, Panem is divided into 2 parts, The Capitol(where all the rich and privileged live) and the districts(where the downcasts live). The Capitol rules the districts, and the districts produce materials which the Capitol depends on.

This trilogy starts with a woman named Katniss Everdeen- a fine and brave-hearted young woman who is sucked into the hunger games competitions invariably. While sometimes she is manipulated by others, her personality grows along with her throughout her story arc and becomes more skilled and independent as the story progresses. she jeopardizes her life to protect her loved ones. how does she do this is what keeps the reader intrigued.

The stage is set for "reaping", a ceremony where 2 children from each district are chosen for the hunger Games (A competition where the children fight to their death). So now, Katniss who is indirectly selected for the Hunger Games from her district is put into a death arena along with her male counterpart, Peeta. there are 22 such contestants from 11 districts in all and only 1 survivor in the end!!

Does Katniss survive the treacherous Games? What about Peeta, whom she befriends during the games. Deaths, survival, backstabbing deceptions, Alliances, Deathtraps, hazardous weather… You can’t get enough of this in the first book. Personally, I loved the first book, it was extremely gripping and I was spellbound.

The second book is a continuation of the first book(I bet you didn’t know that!!). Due to an “incident”, a second wave of rebellion arises where Katniss is their inspiration. In an unexpected turn, Katniss and Peeta are thrown into the death arena again but this time Peeta and Katniss have more allies. But this time it’s different...There are people fighting against the Hunger Games and the Capitol.

Will they have luck again? Will their allies die if not them? Will the Capitol find out about their nasty scheme? Find out for yourself!!! Frankly speaking, in the first 2 books, it’s like you are in the arena with Katniss. You rack your brain and think of ways to take down the next person. 

The third book is all about the anger and oppression of the Districts turning to a rebellion against the Capitol. The story has its own feministic charm. We get to see a feminine perspective on life’s challenges and its dangers.

Overall, I enjoyed the entire series. I personally loved the first one and the second one the best. They both have plot twists and nail bitting endings. The end of the third book may be a little unsatisfying. But hey, every book has its own charm!