School me on the hunger games series

Haven't read the books, but have seen the two movies. Without spoilers, the movie takes place in the future. Not sure when, but after there's been some sort of war or nuclear holocaust. The US has been divided up into districts instead of the current states that we live in. Each state contributes their resources to the country as a whole and the economies and lifestyles reflect each district, as the disaster or war or whatever has rendered things more primitive. Not 1800s or anything, but seems to feel like maybe the 1930s. Since resources are more shared and things more basic, the government has also formed a sort of psychological control over the people. Part of that is the Hunger Games. Basically, as tribute to the government, one kid is chosen from each district through a drawing to compete in this game. To the poor people in the districts, this is a source of fear, while its a source of amusement to the wealthier people in the cities and in the wealthier district. They view it on TV like a Survivor type reality show. They parade the competitors around and dress them up, etc.

The games themselves is basically a big survival competition. There's this controlled area that's like a big dome with a forest inside of it. Those that control the game can put in random animals, change weather, etc. The only way to win is to survive, and there is only one survivor. So they get to train and stuff after being chosen, and they get handicapped for betting, people sponsor them and send stuff like medicine to them during the games, etc. Its pretty wild. Lots of violence and death. Its just a bunch of kids and teenagers. Some kids have an advantage because their districts train for this their whole lives. Other districts are victims and are really on the edge of revolution. The games are supposed to control them as any of their children or neighbors can be chosen.

The aspect that girls like is that there is some teenage romance. Its nothing like Twilight though, and is more background, while survival, revolution and seeing aspects of the society take far more importance.

I would recommend it. Watch the first movie. Its pretty violent. Much more than many expect given the star of the movie. Plenty of survival type action. Lots of knife fighting, arrows, bullying, ? traps. PRetty interesting stuff. The societal stuff is interesting as well. A much better take on the idea of a purge or a lottery than that stupid Purge movie. The second movie is a continuation and is just a better movie, but the first is certainly necessary to understand what is going on and to get a taste of what the games are and what they mean.