Top Ten Tuesday - Hunger Games

Hey everyone, it's Mockingjay release day! Whoohoo! What? You have no idea what I'm talking about? Well then, lucky for you it's Tuesday, so I'll give you ten reasons the Hunger Games series RAWKS!



Before I give you the list, I ask that if you've already read Mockingjay, please don't post any spoilers in the comment section. Please respect that other people may not have read it yet and want to enjoy it in its purest fashion!

• Katniss Everdeen
  The protagonist, Katniss is one of the most kick-butt characters I've ever encountered in a novel. She's strong both in mind and body. Katniss is also complex. She is drawn to Gale because he's also a hunter and supporter, but she sees the good in Peeta. Besides all that, she can operate a bow and arrow like none other.
  
• Haymitch Abernathy
  While on the exterior, Haymitch seems like your typical drunk, I think he's got a lot of layers underneath. Year after year he mentors the kids from District 12, only to watch them compete to the death. Something like that really has to take a toll on a guy. To be put in a position like that is tough. He has no choice and he handles it the best he can.
  
• The Love Triangle
  No book is complete without a good love triangle. It's juicy, too. Due to the circumstances of the book, the stakes are that much higher for Katniss. A lot of the debate goes on internally, too, and I think that's unique. In most books, the feelings are based on actions each of the characters take.
  
• The Reaping
  Man, let's talk for a second about this scene. It's so creepy and gut wrenching. This is where I got hooked and couldn't put the book down. After a few tense moments, it all starts to settle in, that the names called are the kids going to the Games. Chills people, chills.
  
• The Games
  The whole idea of the Games was somewhat crazy to me. Even after hearing why the games take place every year, I still couldn't figure out how a society would be so cruel. As the story goes on, you get a better explanation and it becomes clear how Panem uses the Games.
  
• The Fashion
  Once you get to the actual games, you'll drool over the fashions that the designers put their tributes in. Oh man.
  
• President Snow
  As the leader of Panem, he helps to plan the next Games and makes sure security is up to par in each of the twelve districts. He uses intimidation to get what he wants out of Katniss. One truly evil dude.
  
• The Hob
  This is an area within District 12. It's the black market and houses some of the novel's most colorful characters. You get a real sense of the District from the scenes that take place here.
  
• The Capitol
  The dichotomy between the Capitol and the rest of the districts is amazing. The pure indulgence that Capitol residents partake in is an experience all its own.
  
• The Writing
  Both books are very addicting (at the time of this post, Mockingjay hasn't arrived from Amazon yet, but I'm sure it will be, too). I started and finished both in one day because I had to know what happened. So if you're looking for a series to get sucked into, this is the one for you!