The Hunger Games Trilogy

***The Hunger Games* trilogy** is a young-adult science-fiction thriller series written by Suzanne Collins and published by Scholastic Press. A prequel novel, *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*, was published in May 2020.

## Books

### *The Hunger Games*

The Hunger Games
Released September 14, 2008, *The Hunger Games* is the first book in the trilogy.

Katniss Everdeen, the story's narrator, tells the tale of a dominating Capitol and the mistreated twelve districts of Panem. Yearly, each district is forced to send a boy and a girl between the age of 12 to 18, called tributes, to fight to the death in an annual Hunger Games. Katniss' little sister, Prim, is selected for the games, but Katniss bravely takes her place and finds herself thrusted into a whirlwind of violence, confusion, and domination as she struggles to survive.

### *Catching Fire*

Released September 1, 2009, *Catching Fire* is the second book in the trilogy.

The Capitol never lets the people forget that rebellion is the reason why the Hunger Games were invented, and Katniss quickly realizes that holding out those berries to save her and Peeta Mellark's life did just that. Before they embark on their Victory Tour to each district, President Snow visits the Everdeens, telling Katniss she must convince all the districts, and most of all him, that she and Peeta are truly and deeply in love, or the cost will be devastating. Although she tries hard to do so, an uprising starts in District 11 during their tour. The night of their interview, Peeta asks Katniss to marry him and she says yes, but for President Snow, it isn't enough. District 12's government is given a new head Peacekeeper to maintain political control. Furthermore, the Quarter Quell, the 75th Anniversary of the Hunger Games, pulls Katniss into the violence of the arena once more.

### *Mockingjay*

Released August 24, 2010, *Mockingjay* is the third and final book in the trilogy.

After escaping the arena, Katniss Everdeen is taken to District 13 to take her role in the rebellion as the Mockingjay. Peeta, however, did *not* make it to District 13. He was kidnapped by the Capitol. They tortured him for information about the rebels, but he didn't have any, as Haymitch Abernathy told him nothing. After weeks of seeing Peeta on television, the rebels break into President Snow's mansion and free him and Annie Cresta. Katniss is relieved to see Peeta, but him not so much for her. He had been hijacked by the Capitol and believes she is not trustworthy.

## Characters

* **Katniss Everdeen** — The story's narrator, a strong-willed teenager living in Panem. Volunteering as a tribute for her sister, Prim, Katniss finds herself thrust into the wildness of the Games.
* **Peeta Mellark** — Katniss' loyal partner. Not only will he stop at nothing to keep Katniss alive, but he can be a deadly enemy. He also has a crush on the main female: Katniss.
* **Cinna** — The clever stylist has more to him that meets the eye. From playing with fire to acting upon rebellious notions, Cinna has done it all. He was killed in *Catching Fire*.
* **Haymitch Abernathy** — Katniss and Peeta's mentor. Suffers from a severe alcohol addiction due to being the victor from the 50th Hunger Games.
* **Effie Trinket** — Katniss and Peeta's escort. She is a Capitol citizen and has a very strong belief in schedules and manners. She is noted for her odd Capitol clothes, wigs, and accent.
* **President Snow** — The deadly and unforgiving antagonist, President Snow rules all of Panem. Angry at Katniss for her rebellious ideas, he will stop at nothing to get rid of her. He was killed in *Mockingjay*.
* **Primrose Everdeen** — Katniss' sister who is reaped into the 74th Hunger Games. She was loving and caring but was killed in *Mockingjay*.
* **Gale Hawthorne** — Katniss' best friend who has helped support her family since she was twelve. He has become very close to Katniss but never manages to get together.
* **Seneca Crane** — Head Gamemaker of the 74th Hunger Games. He was killed by President Snow for letting both Katniss and Peeta win the Games. His death is mentioned in *Catching Fire*.
* **Caesar Flickerman**— The interviewer for the tributes for over 35 years, he also is great at making a weak comment into a memorable one. He is well loved by the Capitol citizens and seems to have genuine sympathy for the tributes.

## Trivia

* Each book of *The Hunger Games* trilogy came out in consecutive years; *The Hunger Games* in 2008, *Catching Fire* in 2009 and *Mockingjay* in 2010.
	+ This is the same case with the films; *The Hunger Games* in 2012, *The Hunger Games: Catching Fire* in 2013, *The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1*in 2014 and *The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2*in 2015.