J.K. Rowling vs. Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling have vied for the attention of young readers, not for a long period of time, but have, in their time, blown other books right out of the water. They are some of the most popular books of the 21st Century. Many people favor one series over the other, however both books have made a huge impact in not only literature, but in popular cultural as well. These authors differ greatly in the tone and style of their books, however, they similarly surround much of their work around the subject of violence and war.

Both Rowling and Collins are without a doubt amazing authors. Rowling has magnificent imagery and lengthy descriptions that creates a beautiful reality allowing children to get lost in their fantasies of a magical world full of wonder and possibilities. “Perched atop a high mountain on the other side [of a black lake], its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers” (Rowling, 276). It provided young and old readers alike with a magical safe haven.

Collins has a very different writing style, though quite contrasting to that of Rowling, she creates a masterpiece just as great. Her universe is so much more daunting, although lacking in magic, she creates a world with some parallels to our own, filled with corrupt political society and broken government. The science fiction trilogy takes place in a future time. The audience

learns the history of Panem, and the Hunger Games, and the thirteen districts in the first chapter from the mayor. The uprising of the Districts is known as the “Dark Days” (Collins, 74). After the destruction of District 13, the “Treaty of Treason” was signed to end the conflict, and the Hunger Games were instituted “to remind the districts that the uprising must never