The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER! I have read them all and I will blurt, so if you have yet to read them do not continue past this point!

Firstly, I saw the movie before I read the books, and I even dragged my feet about that in the 'not fussed' kind of way. After seeing the film (when I got around to it) it became a case "WHY HAVE I NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE!" and therefore I got hold of the books (eventually) and I began to read.... 

Now I loved the movie, but the book, unsurprisingly  blows it out of the water. The in depth first person account is just unreachable in terms of visualization, and the sheer horror, gruesomeness and heartbreak just hasn't been pulled out of the hat in the film. Her relationship with Peeta and Gale is much more complex and they just haven't touched on this enough, it's almost become a Twilight's Jacob vs Edward, which it isn't in the novels. They have glossed over the psychological torment of the mutt dogs in the arena and just haven't given the terror and hopelessness enough gusto. This is a horrendous, gut wrenching, miserable situation to be put in by a president so warped and despicable that it's beyond comprehension. A ruler through the sheer terror, fear, and extreme lengths he'll go to to create misery. I am disappointed that they haven't made a bigger deal of the Avox slaves that Katniss and Peeta encounter while in the Capitol, as later in the series they are quite a big part of the action, and probably most confusing and disappointing of all is the fact that Katniss gets her Mockingjay pin from The Hob in the movie and yet it is given to her as a gift from her friend Madge - the mayors daughter - in the book, which again, later in the series becomes something of huge significance.

If you aren't familiar with the plot, it's set in futuristic existence, where although the human race has advanced it's knowledge of technology, medicine and beauty, it has also digressed to the point of executions and lashings being the norm in poorer districts as punishment for breaking laws that have been introduced by a power hungry tyrant. People all over the districts starve to death or die from minor injuries due to a lack of money and medicine that can only be obtained by the wealthy in the Capitol - The main city where a population of blissfully misinformed 'Rich' live their lives in excess of everything, having no insight into a world beyond their cities walls. Due to a rebellion 74 years ago, a law was in-forced as a 'reminder' to all of those who surged against the Capitol, that each year two children between the ages of 12 and 18 will be chosen at random from each District, (1 - 12) and will be entered into a live televised fight to the death in a man made arena filled with booby traps, genetic mutations and each other. Imagine 'I'm a Celebrity' with a very nasty twist. Our leading lady Katniss Everdeen is thrown into this after she volunteers herself to take the place of Prim, her 12 year old sister who is chosen at the official reaping. 

This trilogy is utterly heartbreaking, you can't not get dragged into this with all your emotions hammering you full force as you read; but along with the stomach churning, breath holding and the anger, there are some brilliant comedy moments throughout as relationships blossom and friendships between unlikely allies sparkle through. There are moments I think my heart stopped, and there have been times I have had to physically force myself to put the book down at the end of a chapter. I began Mockingjay at 2.30pm one afternoon and read right through to 11pm when I finally ripped the book from my own hands in a bid to get some sleep. It keeps you ticking over throughout your day. It has been literally all I have thought about for the entire 4 days I've been reading them. 

There are so many favorite parts of the story to chose from, I love the ending (pre-epilogue) - it's spot on. I love some the personal snapshots with Finnick and my heart broke during her several intimate moments with Peeta. I love the blossoming relationship they have with Hamitch, despite all his faults and lies. The most distressing thing for me, is a moment, or rather, the panicky seconds where the group of rebels are inside the underground sewer of the capitol and she can hear the mutts whispering "Katniss" in what I imagined to be a sadistic sing song voice, and she suddenly realizes that Peeta is next to her joining in with them after his torture at the hands of President Snow. I think my own heart was in my throat. It has played on my mind since, that eerie horrid realization of being in a dark hole next to someone you care about who has been programmed against you and realizing he has started whispering your name along with the mutts descending upon you. Urgh!
Believe me this is one to read, I am literally Obsessed with it! *****