In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I was so very late to the party on the whole “Hunger Games” phenomenon. I kept hearing readers raving about this series, but for one reason or another, I never got the chance to pick it up. Till last month. Curiosity got the best of me and I said “Well, why not? I can always put it aside if I don’t like it” . So I  decided to check the first book out and wow! What a worthwhile ride! Continue reading →