The first book is packed of SO much information. I will say it is a lot different than the actual movie (better too). It gives you so much background information that you will need throughout the series. It gets you so hooked from the start. I read this so fast because I just had to get to the last book and see how it all ended. I just got so caught up in the characters! My husband kept recommending this to me and I told him he was crazy! Who wants to read about kids killing kids as part of a game?! Boy, was I wrong!! It's so much more then that. Such a great book.