I was afraid to read these books--there is a lot of hype about them, and I have heard countless people tell me what they probably told you too: "The first one is great, the second is good too, but it doesn't end how you want it to . . . " I have also been warned against the violence in the books. And with good reason--these aren't stories for the faint of heart!
That said, I want to tell you why you should at least consider The Hunger Games series, if you haven't already read them like half of the reading world.
1. It's original. I mean, there are a lot of dystopian books out there, but none with such a believable, fascinating (albeit horrifying) premise.
2. The characters are believable. No offense to the Twilight series, but Katniss is no Bella . . . I found myself really rooting for the main characters.
3. Yes, there was violence, but it wasn't the mindless killing I expected it to be. Katniss, the main character, regrets her part in any killing, and she makes a point of disagreeing with the entire Hunger Games. (I'm just assuming everyone knows the basic storyline here)
Soapbox: I am incredibly concerned about the youth of this decade being exposed to far too much intimacy through books like Twilight and the rest of that series. They are so not appropriate for kids who are younger than . . . thirty, maybe? Mostly the last one--far too much information about sexual matters. And although they are written by a member of the same church I belong to, and even though the main characters are married--for heaven's sake, do we really need to know every private detail? I believe books of this nature are porn in the form most tantalizing to young women. Girls don't go around looking for pornography pictures; Satan knows he can snag women (young and old) through books and movies like Twilight. I confess, I did read the series and watched the movies--the storyline is very interesting, but there is a real danger there you need to be aware of for young women. Please be very careful with your young girls! Ok, I'm through.
5. Suzanne Collins can really write. I think sometimes authors get in the way of their story--they write in an awkward way that never lets you forget you're reading a book. In contrast, each one of these books draws you right in, and you're living the story with Katniss. The first person voice isn't distracting at all, like others written in this style, and you forget you're reading.
6. It provides very interesting food for discussion--is it possible for the world as we know it to become like Panem, this futuristic world? What would you do if you were forced to join the Hunger Games? Is war ever right? You could have a great discussion with your kids about what type of government is really the best, as well as how the gospel of Jesus Christ can solve every social problem in the world. I have heard the complaint that it doesn't teach a great moral lesson, but I beg to differ.
Now, about the individual books themselves: The Hunger Games could stand alone, if it weren't for the cliffhanger-ish ending. It is powerful in and of itself, fascinating, and really well done. Catching Fire is much the same, butI know people who have decided not to read Mockingjay because it's gotten a bad rap. I submit that it is every bit as good as the other two books; while things don't end "happily ever after," the way Collins finishes it is absolutely brilliant, and she leaves you with a lot to mull over.
I have yet to see the movie, but I am very excited to give it a try. I have heard good things. So give the books a try if you are brave enough, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
