Waiting On Wednesday: Mockingjay

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This is my first Waiting on Wednesday meme, so I want to feature the release I am anticipating most this year...the final book of The Hunger Games series:

Mockingjay

by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: August 24, 2010

I won't post a summary description for this book because it would completely spoil the endings of the first two books of The Hunger Games series.  So instead I'll gush a little bit about why I'm obsessed with The Hunger Games.

If you're a fan of YA dystopian tales and haven't read the first book yet, don't wait another day.  The Hunger Games series takes place in a post-war North American society called Panem.  Panem is split into isolated districts, completely controlled by the Capitol.  Every year, the Capitol makes the districts draw the names of 24 teenage contestants (one boy and girl from each district) to participate in the Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death competition that's on live TV.  It's gruesome and terrifying, but the last person standing gets to live and return to their district as a hero with riches. 

The story revolves around sixteen-year-old Katniss, who volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the games.  I love Katniss' character.  She's strong, knowledgeable of survival skills, somewhat cynical but still compassionate.  Sometimes I find teenage female protagonists in YA books can get really annoying, whiny, or self-centered.  Katniss is not and it's refreshing to read.  The two other important characters are Gale (her close guy friend and confidant) and Peeta (the boy from her district to compete in the games).  They are so different from one another, yet I love them both.  I don't want to give anything else away.  Suzanne Collins created a vivid, enthralling series that's up there on my list of favorites with Harry Potter and Twilight (pre-Breaking Dawn...but that's another rant entirely).

Read the first two books and let me know what you think. 
The Hunger Games (Bk. 1)
Catching Fire (Bk. 2)
**Don't read the description of Bk. 2 until you finish Bk. 1. It'll spoil the Bk. 1 ending!**