The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
Set in a dystopian future the inhabitants of the 12 districts of Panem (once known as North America) have to enter 1 boy and 1 girl from each district into The Hunger Games – a brutal reality show where the contestants fight to the death for the Capitol’s enjoyment.

Katniss Everdeen lives in the 12th District – one of the poorest and least favoured districts – where she and her friend Gale hunt to contribute to their respective families’ meagre income.

At the annual drawing of contestants for the brutish game Katniss’s little sister’s name gets drawn. Without thinking Katniss takes her sister’s place and she has to fight 23 other contestants to the death in order to survive.

Including Peeta Mellark, the local baker’s kind son who has always been nice to her.

As the death toll rises, Katniss fights for survival, never sure who she can trust when there can be only one.

I found this book, and the following 2 an absolute delight. The Hunger Games movie is coming out soon and I hope against hope it will not disappoint as the Twilight franchise has.

With actual heroes, a bleak outlook on government and human nature, and stomach churning tension The Hunger Games is an absolute must read. And the heroine is strong, flawed and awesome.

I can tell you one thing: Katniss Everdeen is no Bella Swan. 

Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.

Fan of the Hunger Games series? What other books would you recommend to lovers of this genre?

Sign up for women24's book club newsletter and stand a chance to win our top ten books from kalahari.com.