*Warning: Contains spoilers*

Even though the Hunger Games came out in 2008,  it has now turned into a full-fledged phenomenon, soon to be, I’m sure, similar to that of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is the first book in a trilogy and follows the life of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen. It takes place in post-apocalyptic America in the country of Panem, what used to be North America. The Hunger Games of the title is an annual televised event. In the Games one boy and one girl, ages 12-18, from each of the 12 districts of Panem are selected by lottery to be participants and fight until only one person is left standing.

The Capital, the government of Panem, has total control over all the districts and hosts the Games as a reminder of the rebellion of District 13, which the Capital destroyed. Katniss, who is from District 12, volunteers to take the place of her 12-year-old sister Primrose, known as Prim. The male contender from District 12 is Peeta Mellark, who attends school with Katniss and has been secretly in love with her since they were children.

The pair is taken to the Capital where the alcoholic Haymitch Abernathy, a previous winner of the Games, is their mentor.  They go through training sessions and sit for televised interviews for Panem’s  viewing pleasure. During his interview Peeta professes his love for Katniss. Katniss, in shock at first, believes that he did this in order to win over the audience and gain them sponsors during the Games. Throughout the combat many “tributes” are killed either by each other or by sinister twists that the Capital has put in the arena. Later it is announced that if both the girl and boy tributes from one district are alive at the end there may be two winners. Katniss and Peeta make it to the end, but then the new rules is revoked at the last minute. The couple is about to poison themselves when it is announced that the Games are over and they are both winners. After the Games, Peeta finds out that Katniss’ affection towards him was only a method of survival for her while his love for her was real. Even though Katniss survived the Games, she has made herself a target for the Capital which is upset that she has so openly challenged its authority on nationwide TV.

The Hunger Games is the perfect read. It has nonstop action with a little bit of romance that will keep you up all night reading in suspense. Even though it is a considered a young adult novel, I think that it would be enjoyable for readers of all ages. Collins portrays Panem in a way that I would never think post-apocalyptic America would be like. The exciting yet disturbing life- or -death storyline appeals to multiple audiences. And while the novel (and its sequels) does contain a love story, it doesn’t possess the fluff that many teen fiction books contain. Beginning March 3 stars from the adapted film will be touring malls around the U.S., a Chicago stop is said to be made, but details have not yet been released. The movie version is slated for release on Mar. 23, so I suggest that everyone start reading.