In my opinion, The Hunger Games is one of the best dystopian novels ever written. It addresses a plethora of issues in a nuanced way with stellar characters and is written in a way that makes those issues easy to understand. There are shocking similarities between Panem and the world today, as any good dystopia should have, and there is no hesitance to condemn certain practices. However, it never falls into a black-and-white dichotomy that might cheapen its message. From a purely entertainment standpoint as well, Katniss and Peeta are amazing characters, and the plot is fast-paced and engaging. There's a reason this book is one of the most popular YA books ever.