I finally caved.

So, if you know me or have ever read this blog then you know I don't do mainstream and I don't usually follow the trends. In this case however, I could not escape the hype and constant barrage of comments like "No, really, you have to read this." and "It's sooooo amazing." Last week I finally downloaded The Hunger Games and I must say I was not steered wrong.

The story centers around a society in the future where districts (states) must send one boy and one girl into an arena annually during an event called the rapture to battle to the death as a penalty for a failed uprising against the government 74 years ago. 24 go in, 1 comes out. The entire event is televised and watched by the whole country as a barbaric series of obstacles and circumstances attack the tributes in the arena. 

The heroine of this story is Katniss Everdeen; a head strong, tactful, and very strong young woman. She ends up in the hunger games and faces unthinkable choices in her quest for survival. Katniss is a great literary role model for young girls, hopefully with the launch of the movie franchise she will gain more popularity and girls will realize they can be self sufficient and can do amazingly well by just relying on their instincts and their skill. Her best friend Gale and new friend Peeta are also great characters who create a dramatic sense of tension and conflict emotionally for themselves and the nation.

The Hunger Games is a very quick read with nothing complex at all. If you let it, it can get you thinking about government control and human psychology but if you want to stay on the surface of this one you will be entertained all the same. There is a love story and emotional tension in the spirit of the Twilight Saga but I found this first installment in the series to be much more full fledged and well thought out and interesting than anything found in Twilight so don't let that scare you off.

If you want to be entertained and "in the loop" with a  head start on the movie set to premier in March, then pick up The Hunger Games. It is a fun, fast paced, thrilling ride that will suck you in and allow you to escape the real world for a while, even if it isn't a masterpiece of American literature. It's okay to mix it up and go for fun once in a while and this one is a good place to start. 

"May the odds be ever in your favor."