Courtesy of Lionsgate

Exciting news! Suzanne Collins, author of the bestselling trilogy The Hunger Games — coming to a theater near you on March 23 — has a brand-new message for all Hunger Games fans out there!

It begins:

“Dear Readers,

I’ve just had the opportunity to see the finished film of The Hunger Games.  I’m really happy with how it turned out.  I feel like the book and the film are individual yet complementary pieces that enhance one another.  The film opens up the world beyond Katniss’ point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places like the Hunger Games control room and President Snow’s rose garden, thereby adding a new dimension to the story.

Director Gary Ross has created an adaptation that is faithful in both narrative and theme, but he’s also brought a rich and powerful vision of Panem, its brutality and excesses, to the film as well…”

Read the rest of it on The Official Hunger Games Facebook page!

Meanwhile, speaking of Facebook…

Lionsgate and developer Funtactix have created a new Facebook-based social game called The Hunger Games Adventures, where you’ll be able to create your own avatars and compete in a Panem-wide mission. Hollywood Crush has all the details — not to mention a look at the game poster, and info on how to sign up for the beta!

We’re just days away from the official release of the movie, and the drumbeat continues to grow louder. Entertainment Weekly has a behind-the-scenes look at the movie here, including new photos directly from the set, here.

There’s something so gratifying about watching the rest of the world fall in love with a book and a story like this. Here’s to The Hunger Games!