Review: The Hunger Games

 
The 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 Primrose, 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.

My Review:

I can't believe it took me so long to read this book!  I read it in under 24 hrs, and would've been faster if I hadn't had so many "life" distractions, I wouldn't have put it down until it was finished!  I expected to like it, but not LOVE it!

The book is about a girl, Katniss, who volunteers to be the contender in the Hunger Games in order to save her little sister from the fate.  The games are a horrible "punishment" set by The Capitol (their government) and is a fight to the death by chosen children from each of the 12 districts.  There can be only one survivor, which means either she dies, or she kills 23 other kids, all ages 12 to 18!  Among these other contenders is Peeta, a boy who Katniss feels she owes a sort of life debt to already.  We follow her through many trials throughout the games, and her continued confusion over Peeta.

The Hunger Games had me holding my breath many times.. Trying to predict what was coming next, and being surprised at some of it!  It is full of action and suspense, and a great love story that leaves you feeling strongly for both of them!  I can not wait to read the next books, I can't wait to see what happens next and how the story will end!  I recommend this book for everyone!  It's a great story, and the movie comes out on March 23rd!  

I gave this book 5 stars, without hesitation!