What Makes "The Hunger Games" So Amazing?

It's hard to have a conversation about young adult books these days without bringing up The Hunger Games. The books are everywhere, and the recent release of the final book, Mockingjay, seems to have everyone in a fervor. I've been scratching my head over why this is, trying to pinpoint the massive appeal of this profoundly entrancing book. And let me tell you, it's slippery.

I can reel off countless stories with elements that strongly resemble the dystopian death match the story depicts...