The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amazing, amazing, amazing read!
This was a fabulous book - and Suzanne Collins did an incredible job at keeping me mesmerized page after page. I simply couldn't put it down - and devoured it in less than a day! And I knew immediately, that I would recommendation this to ANYONE, looking for a great YA novel.
The Story Line: in a not-sure-when distant future, Katniss Everdeen, is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister Prim, in the poorest district of Panem (District 12) - the remnants of what used be the United States. Well before her time, there were 13 districts across the country - but they all waged war against the Capital...and they lost. And the 13th district was obliterated.
Now, as part of the surrender terms - and to show that the Capital is more in control than ever - each of the 12 remaining districts are forced to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18, to appear in an annual televised event called, The Hunger Games. And all districts select these two individuals, by form of a lottery.
In a game of kill or be killed - each year the terms are different and undisclosed to those participating. Constantly changing terrain - which can be anything from the desert to the ocean - along with new and updated rules, are all a part of the games. But the worst, is not knowing the skill level of the other 23 chosen - all of which, who have only one thing on their minds: to be the last one standing, no matter what.
For the year of the 74th games, things change for Katniss and her family, when her 12 year-old sister Prim is randomly chosen by the lottery. In an effort to save her sister and protect her family, Katniss steps up to take her place. And finds herself participating in the ultimate reality TV show - a fight to the death against 23 other kids.
With some romance, and a little humor thrown in amongst the carnage - all in all, Collins' first book of the Hunger Games series, is simply unforgettable. A definite must read, hands down.
The only thing I can say about being so far behind on reading this series, is that I also bought Catching Fire at the same time (and Mockingjay will be out in a month and a half), so I don't have to wait long to read all of them.
Check out the YouTube book trailer of THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins: