Science fiction novel “The Hunger Games” brings forth a new young adult series to swoon over as the final film in the “Twilight Saga” premieres next year. Written by Suzanne Collins, this novel is the first of three books set to be adapted into film with the first premiering in March of next year. Readers won’t find any vampires or werewolves in the fantasy world Collins has created, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other creatures to lure them in.
“Book One” focuses on the introduction of sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a smart and willful hunter who lives in District Twelve, one of the branches of towns built on what used to be North America and ruled by the Capital. Each and every year, the Capital chooses one young boy and one young girl from each of the twelve districts to compete against each other in the Hunger Games. After Katniss’ twelve year-old-sister, Prim, is chosen to represent District Twelve, Katniss volunteers as a Tribute to take her place.
The Hunger Games is a fight to the death televised event and is shown through each District of Panem as both a celebration and a reminder to those who try to rebel against the Capital, which is in complete power. The people of the Districts live mostly in poverty, forcing Katniss to illegally hunt to put food on the table after the death of her father leaves her mother stuck in a deep depression. Before the Games begin, Katniss is brought to the Capital where she is fed, trained, and interviewed along with her District partner, Peeta.
The novel successfully gives the readers all of Katniss’ inner most thoughts just as any sixteen-year-old girl would have who happens to be fighting for her life. The first person point of view keeps readers in the dark about what’s happening with other characters and leaves off each chapter with a cliffhanger that will have you turning the page for more. You can’t help but feel that this futuristic world has created a great concept for a reality show, which just so happens to be how Collins came up with idea for the story.
A love triangle forms after Katniss is forced to leave her childhood friend, Gale, to join Peeta in a fake romance that was staged to muster up sponsors for the Games, but are they doing it all for the cameras or is it real? Even Katniss can’t tell the difference between reality and what her drunken mentor, Haymitch, or prissy District leader, Effie, have told her to do. But does it even matter? After all, they will be fighting for survival against one another for a better life in District Twelve.
The film will be released on March 23, 2012 and stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. Also starring in the film are Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as Effie, and Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. I wouldn’t worry too much about the success of this film; a sequel has already been slated for a November 2013 release.
What Jason Watches 