Yes that's right it's all the rage! Being compared to Twilight except The Hunger Games is well written, the female protaganist isn't a twat, and the last book in series hasn't made me want to vomit set it on fire and slap a baby.
But I digress.
The Hunger games is very similar to Battle Royal which was a movie in the 90's and also a super violent and sexually explicit manga series about kids chosen to participate in a game that takes place on an island where they have to kill one another while it's televised for their nation to watch. The Hunger Games is not sexually explicit but it is about selecting kids to be in a televised blood bath as a reminder of what happens when people try to revolt against the government. There are 12 Districts most are poverty stricken but each has it's own niche, out herione Katniss is from District 12 known for it's coal mines.
Just be warned that if you are going to be put off by kids in battle do not read this series and once you start be prepared to go the distance because it's hard to put the books down.