Hunger Games Ending in Sight

Hunger Games fans have just 8 more months to wait: the as yet untitled third and final book in Suzanne Collins’s dystopian fantasy trilogy will be released in English worldwide on August 24, 2010. Read the entire press release at Publisher's Weekly.

If you have not read the first 2 books in the Hunger Games trilogy, I highly recommend them both. Check out my reviews on The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Overcoming Twilight

The Daily Beast’s Shannon Donnelly has listed the next top 6 young adult books series that may surpass the TWILIGHT sensation. To read her full story, check out The Daily Beast.

1. 1.) Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

For those who find TWILIGHT's Bella a bit on the weak side, you will love Rose, a half-mortal/half-vampire warrior (a Dhampir). Rose is feisty and headstrong and she is sworn to protect the Moroi—mortal vampires who walk in the sun, feed without killing, and grow old and die—from the Strigoi, vampires of the traditional immortal-killing-machine variety. I have read this series and I really enjoy the stronger character of Rose.


2.) Fallen by Lauren Kate

I have not read this series, but it is on my To Be Read (TBR) list. Hedging their bets that vampires are on the way out, this new series by Delacorte Press is about fallen angels. There are currently 2 more books scheduled to be released next year.


3.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I LOVE this series - it is currently my favorite young adult series. This wonderful trilogy highlights a dystopic future where, after a failed rebellion against the fascist Capitol by the 12 districts of the fictional country Panem, the government requires each district to send two children to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised event where the 24 tributes fight to the death. Can we all say Fatal Death Reality TV? The last book in the trilogy is scheduled for release next year and Collins is busy writing the screenplay for the first movie adaptation.


4.) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

This is another series I have not read, but it is now on my TBR list. This series is a reimagining of WWI Europe and War is brewing between people divided between two distinct schools of thought. One side, the Clankers, believe machinery will be the salvation of mankind. The other side, the Darwinists, power their world with living creatures that have evolved into fantastic creations, from carriages pulled by enormous half-wolf tigers to whales-turned-airships.


5.) The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This is a series about zombies, and after falling in love with last years "Pride, Prejudice and Zombies," I knew I had to give it a try. In a town reminiscent of living behind the Berlin Wall, zombies breach the walls surrounding a quiet village, sending the residents on the run. This series will be a trilogy with the 2nd book being released in March.


6.) The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

Already in love with Smith's writing before VAMPIRE DIARIES became a smash hit on the CW network, this series was popular before TWILIGHT was a twinkle in Stephenie Meyer's eyes. The love triangle between human Elena and two warring vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon, reminds me of a young adult version of Laurell K. Hamilton's ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE HUNTER series. If you love TWILIGHT, you must give VAMPIRE DIARIES a try.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games Book #1) by Suzanne Collins

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023483
ISBN-13: 978-0439023481

I resisted reading this book for such a long time, even with the great reviews. Just the idea of 24 teenagers being forced into a contest where only one will end up alive and be crowned the winner left a bad taste in my mouth. But something funny happened when I started reading - after the first few pages, I was completely hooked. Collins' narrative was compelling, even when documenting the life and death situations.

The world of Katniss and Peeta is totally different from the world we live in today. The Capital now rules the world and surviving territories have been divided up into Districts. Katniss and Peeta are from District 12, the coal mining district. Every year on "reaping day," all the children age 12 to 18 are entered for the Hunger Games, a mandatory event sponsored by the Capital. One boy and one girl are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games.

Basically, the Hunger Games pits 24 children (tributes) against each other, gathering them all in one arena to test their survival skills. This is like some messed up, futuristic reality show - the contestants are on camera 24 hours a day and people watch the games from the comfort of their homes. Bets are made on the winning tribute and sponsors are gathered by how well each tribute participates.

This book was incredibly entertaining, but very disturbing on many levels. The storyline is brutal, although much of the violence is off screen. This story is for young adults because the main characters are teenagers, but parents may want to think about the violence. In my opinion, the violence probably rates as PG-13. However, there is very little physical romance, no gratuitous foul language and no drinking or drug abuse. The characters show great depth of emotional maturity and they are people you are eager to learn more about.

Collins has given us a different kind of story that layers fantasy and fun with underlying morals and consequences. I had trouble putting this book down. From the first chapter I wanted to zoom through and find out what was happening with the strong female character of Katniss. Thankfully, this is the first book in a new series, so we will get to follow Katniss' adventures into the future.

This is a great read and deserves a permanent place in any home library. The next book in the series, CATCHING FIRE, is now available.