The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins 

Genre: science fiction

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

Summary: "In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives."

Summary taken from Amazon.com

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

When I finally decided to read this book I was hooked.  Seriously.  Glued to the pages.  This book is intense and my heart was pounding at some parts.  I absolutely could not put the book down until it was dinner time and though I enjoyed the time with my hubby (and the food too!), my mind kept straying back to poor Katniss and Peeta and I worried about what was happening to them.  I don't think I've ever worried so much about characters before while reading a book.

The book totally keeps you on your toes with excellent pacing and the perfect amount of tension to keep you turning those pages.  It's disturbing and interesting at the same time.  And the ending makes you go running to the bookstore for the next book in the series. 

I loved the kick-butt yet loyal character of Katniss.  I mean, come on, she was willing to die to save her sister!  And Peeta is such a sweetie. You have to read the book to see why.

So then why did I not give this book 5 stars you ask?  The story does contain some violence, so is not for everyone.  And the fact that the story is in Katniss' 1st person POV kinda spoiled things for me--the narrator cannot die, unless Collins is trying something totally new.  But, the ending still had its surprises which I greatly appreciated.

All in all, a wonderful read.  Check it out if you haven't already!

Let the games begin!  Post your comment for a chance to win a dystopian book being reviewed today.  (Much better than a chance to be entered through lottery ticket into the Hunger Games, right?)