Book Review - The Hunger Games

The Hunger GamesThe Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know I'm coming late to the party on this series. It seems like everyone I know has already read them.

I don't think this was the best writing ever but, damn, it was compelling. I stayed up until 3 AM to finish it.

Set in a future North America where the land is divided into the Capitol and twelve districts, some wealthy and some very poor, Katniss Everdeen is trying to keep her family alive through poaching and trading. It's a hard life but it gets even harder when she becomes a Tribute in the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games are like Survivor, only literally. A boy and a girl from each district are chosen by lot to enter, it's televised and it's to the death. Only one can win and the winner is guaranteed fame and, more importantly, the ability to provide for their family and help their District.

The other Tribute from District Twelve is Peeta, the son of the baker. He and Katniss have a history of sorts and she not only battles to stay alive in the Games but also battles having feelings for Peeta because ultimately one or both of them will die.

Fascinating, touching and disturbing. While it's marketed as Young Adult, it's definitely worth while reading for adults, too.



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