Ever since the new movie, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” released in 2023, the captivating series has become popular yet again. Originally a book trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” reached the hearts of millions of people, and dare I say changed lives. 

It was first published in 2008. According to Elite Writings, “The Hunger Games” was the fifth best-selling novel in the 21st century so far, with over 65 million copies sold. This science fiction/dystopian piece of work is narrated by the character Katniss Everdeen. She has to live through a cruel society where twenty-four juveniles are forced to participate in the televised Hunger Games, where each one fights to the death until only one remains. Katniss faces an uncomfortable situation when she volunteers to take her sister’s place in the Games. 

After rereading the first book, I was instantly struck by the lyrical nature of it. The descriptions are flawless and interesting, yet the novel is still relatively easy to read. With the author’s inclusion of various characters, readers can understand them to their fullest potential. “The Hunger Games” provides a representation of societal expectations, independent characters, and the importance of family, youth, and life values. 

I strongly recommend this book series to anyone who struggles with standing up for themselves. I’d also like to mention that the book does describe violence and has some sad themes, which could be distressing for some readers. The target audience is generally young adults, but it’s also recommended for anyone ages 12+.

Reading “The Hunger Games” was an overall enjoyable experience for me. It’s deep and emotional and filled with suspense and excitement. It’s not something you would want to miss.