Collins, Suzanne

Underland Series

The Hunger Games Trilogy

Not strictly fantasy, there’s a strong argument to say this should be classed as science fiction. There is however no doubt that this is an excellent read. Set in a not too distant future, the world is a dystopian mess (isn’t it always?), in which the gap between haves and have nots has grown into a gaping chasm. The further you live from the central sector the less you have. Once a year the ruling government organises a televised competition between tributes (two teenagers, one per gender, from each sector). The tributes are sent in to the games arena, a vast artificial ecosystem that can be controlled by the producers, the aim is simply to be the last competitor left alive, either through brute strength or cunning, understandably this brings out the worst in some of the competitors and the best in some of the others. You can probably guess that in the central sector this is essential viewing, on par with Love Island or I’m a Celebrity…

Catniss Everdean lives about as far from the centre as it’s possible to get, but she becomes the first volunteer from her sector in living memory when she puts herself forward in place of her younger sister. There’s all sorts of romantic sub-plots and political intrigue, but the real action is in the arena. So, let the games begin.

Hunger Games Prequel