I wasn’t expecting much from a teen targeted, mass-marketed series (call me cynical, whatever). But I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the substance of Collins’s novels. All three books consider heavy and dark themes such as the role/treatment of children in society, the idea of oppression and revolution, and the circular nature of cruelty. All these topics are heavy and challenge the reader to imagine a different world and rethink our society.

No doubt, these books are plot-driven but they are also well-written and with a damn good plot. And who ever said, plot-driven books were bad? Screw the guy whoever said that. Every book I read in a matter of hours because every chapter propels you to read the next. Though I will admit, a lot of the plot is predictable and repetitive. For example, as smart as Katniss is about understanding encoded messages, I have no idea how she didn’t know Plutarch was a rebel in Catching Fire. She understands clearly that the mockingjay is the symbol of the rebellion but doesn’t put two-and-two together when he shows her the mockingjay in his watch. I know this was a clue for the reader to figure out but it was too obvious. But nevertheless, Catching Fire was my favourite book out of the series. As for repetition, a lot of the same events happen over and over like finding water in the Hunger Games and I don’t know how many times Katniss ends up in the hospital in Mockingjay.  However, major repetition in the larger plot, like the Hunger Games motif, is not tedious because Collins makes the situation completely different.

As I said before, Catching Fire was my favourite book out of the series because it evolves from the Hunger Games and drives an arrow (yes that was a pun) into the final book. The problem with the middle novel of a trilogy is that it has no real beginning or end, but Collins doesn’t find this a problem at all.

Even though, some of the plot is overly predictable, the books are still exciting, intriguing and thoughtful all at once. There is more to these books then just the plot and the classic love-triangle (which really becomes unimportant by the end), and I think its science fiction angle of the trilogy that makes these novels especially interesting.

I think it’s easy to forget that this trilogy belongs to the science fiction genre (partly because of the marketing of the series). All the action takes place in a post-western society, in a world with cross genetics, super plastic surgery, and questionable fashion statements. Collins seamless blends the unfamiliar with the familiar. And like all good science fiction, the novels provided messages about the world we live in today. In my reading of the books, I viewed the political system of Panem as a parable for the income inequality and wealth distribution of our society, or in other words, the 1% vs. 99% and subsequently the occupy movement. But hey, that’s just my take.

I’ve called this series both predictable and repetitive, which often is a bad thing but somehow I still recommend this series.  It’s a story of oppression, revolution, war, rebellion, defiance, survival, and confusion but, for a younger audience. It has real comments on the state of our world and the cost of revolution. If you are skeptical like I was, give it a try. It did not blow my 21-year old mind but it has meaning and substance. It has the ability to make you think.

Hunger Games – 3/5 Stars

Catching Fire – 3.5/Stars

Mockingjay – 3/5 Stars