Claim: The Hunger Games is set in a society.

The Hunger Games universe is a fictional world appearing in The Hunger Games trilogy written by Suzanne Collins . It consists primarily of the fictional nation of Panem , its Capitol where the totalitarian government resides , and the outlying districts , numbered 1 to 12 , each with a different economy . In addition , there is the secretive District 13 , where a rebel force is building strength . The Hunger Games themselves are an annual event in which citizens from the districts , selected through a process called `` reaping '' , are forced to participate in a battle to the death . The universe also contains fictional flora and fauna , such as the Mockingjay , a bird whose mimicry is used as a plot device , and after whom the third book in the series is named .