Suzanne Collins weaves a chilling tale of a young 16 year old girl, Katniss Everdeen, who is growing up in a post-apocalyptic world where she must hunt to provide for her family in impoverished mining District 12. The Land of Panem was once broken into 13 districts, which were governed by the Capitol, until the various districts rebelled.  All were defeated except District 13 which was utterly destroyed.  As punishment for the uprising; once a year, the Capitol required one boy and one girl from each district, ages 12 to 18, to participate in a televised event called “the Hunger Games”.  The Hunger Games is a battle in which the 24 contestants, known as tributes, must fight to the death until only one is left standing.  The winner, as well as their district, is then showered with gifts.

During the Reaping for the 74th games, Effie Trinket gives her signature, “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” before reading the names of the new tributes.  Primrose Everdeen, Katniss’ younger sister, is selected to be in the games.  Fearing for her sister’s life, Katniss knows what she must do.  She spares her sister by volunteering to go in her place instead.  Also from District 12, Peeta Mellark, a baker’s son, is chosen to be in the games as well.

As Katniss waits to say her goodbyes to her family and friends, she is visited by the mayors’ daughter who gives Katniss a pin making her promise she will wear it in the arena.  Later, when Katniss looks at the pin, she notes that it looks “as if someone fashioned a small golden bird and then attached a ring around it.  The bird is connected to the ring only by its wing tips. I suddenly recognize it. A mockingjay. They’re funny birds and something of a slap in the face to the capitol.”  The simple mockingjay pin will become an intricate part of Katniss’ story.

The two tributes, Katniss and Peeta, are taken to the Capitol where they slowly start to develop feelings for each other; although, Katniss is torn over her feelings for her hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne, back home.

Katniss and Peeta are mentored by Haymitch Abernathy, a former tribute himself, also from district 12, to prepare them for the games.  However, nothing could fully prepare them for what would lie ahead.  The book ends with a defining moment which has never been done in all of the 74 Hunger Games. It will leave you desperately wanting the sequel.

The odds will ever be in your favor with this book as well as the next two installments of the trilogy, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  Also, don’t miss the upcoming movie, The Hunger Games, by Lions Gate Entertainment, set for release on March 23, 2012.