In response to Crim's post: They'd have to be that dumb to be Ulti's friends. Zing!
Ha, just kidding... I don't even know the guy. The writing isn't that strong, but who ever claimed it was? Or original (Besides Ulti's grossly uninformed friend, of course)? I'm not particularly passionate about the series but I'm definitely willing to defend them as entertaining and having the potential to be thought provoking for the YA crowd.
Also, talking about how many dumb/mindless people there are who aren't capable of liking quality things then being unable to fathom why the so-called "dumbed-down and mindless" Hunger Games series is so well liked is not a logical thought progression.
Also, shame on whoever compared THG to Harry Potter.
I'm on Chapter 4 of Catching Fire, I think I may end up being weird and liking this book better than the first.
--
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/228-movies-video-and-dvd/58949084