The Hunger Games The Hunger Games The Hunger Games is a trilogy of young adult dystopian novels written by American novelist Suzanne Collins. The series is set in "The Hunger Games" universe, and follows young characters Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. The novels in the trilogy are titled "The Hunger Games" (2008), "Catching Fire" (2009), and "Mockingjay" (2010). The novels have all been developed into films starring Jennifer Lawrence, with the film adaptation of "Mockingjay" split into two parts. The first two books in the series were both "New York Times" best sellers, and "Mockingjay" topped all US bestseller lists upon its release.
Katniss Everdeen becomes a galvanizing symbol of rebellion against the oppressive Capitol. The idea for the trilogy was based in part on the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, in which each year seven boys and seven girls from Athens are sent to Crete as tributes to that land to be devoured by the Minotaur, a cycle that continues until Theseus kills the Minotaur. Collins, who heard the story when she was eight years old, was unsettled by its ruthlessness and cruelty. Collins said, "In her own way, Katniss is a futuristic Theseus." Collins also characterized the novels with the fearful sensations