For quite some time now, people had been telling me I needed to read these books. I finally had a chance to do so, and it took me three and a half days to get through all of them. The series is what YA should be — intelligent, thought-provoking, well-rounded writing that transcends labels and gives the reader new heroes…imperfect as they might be.

The Hunger Games — In a not too distant future, when America is no more, replaced by 12 Districts amalgamated into the nation of Panem, there is a yearly call for “tributes” to participate in the “Hunger Games.” Every child between the ages of 12 and 18 is required to put their name in the pot. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her little sister Prim in the current game, events are set in motion that will change her world forever.

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) — It is a year after the events in The Hunger Games, and the 75th anniversary of the uprising that brought the games into existence. Katniss finds herself back in the arena under an unprecedented set of rules. And this time, she is up against fellow winners from past games. That makes things deadlier than ever. And the President of Panem is determined that Katniss will fail in her quest to survive the “Quarter Quell.”

Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) — Katniss has become the face of a revolution she didn’t even know existed. She is the “Mockingjay”, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. The entirety of Panem is ablaze, and if she wants to put out the fire, Katniss must play the part she has been molded to fill.

These are compelling books. They feature characters you can believe in. The plots are fast-paced and heart-thumping. The pages almost turn themselves as you follow the characters into the games and beyond. Certainly meatier fare than the Twilight Saga….