Book Review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I'd been seeing this book recommended everywhere.  I read the synopsis and I was hooked, I had to read it.  It was a great book!  The only negative thing I could say about it is that it was written and marketed as a young adult book, but I worry that the subject matter is a little too violent for the younger of the young adults.  Teenagers forced to kill each other for other's amusement isn't the greatest storyline for children to read.

I loved everything else about this book.  It's one of those page-turners that won't let you put it down until you've read it all.  Katniss has had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her mother and little sister since her father was killed in the mines.  She's 16, but already an adult.  Living such a harsh life has forced her to bottle up her emotions, so she finds being partnered with Peeta especially difficult. She slowly learns to open up and evolve through the trials in the story.

It's a great story that leaves you wanting more.  And there is more, 2 more books in the series.  Look for those reviews here soon!

  I give this book 5 Bookworms!

 

Paperback:  384 pages

Publisher:  Scholastic Press; Reprint edition (July 3, 2010)

ISBN-10:  0439023521

ISBN-13:  978-0439023528