Review: The Hunger Games

 The Hunger Games-Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 9/08
Source: Purchased
Author Website

This is one book I was really not sure about. I'd seen it talked about in the YA book blogosphere for months before I purchased it, and honestly? I only purchased it because I was joining a book club to get Swagbucks and it was a selection. Then I started reading it and I STILL wasn't sure. I gave it the rudimentary first thirty pages, and I'm so glad I did.

The book starts out following Katniss and her daily life in the ruins of what was once North America, now called Panem. It's a pretty depressing life to say the least. Katniss is a strong female character, and that's a big reason I stuck out reading the book. I've read far too many a YA book where the female protagonist is just a damsel in distress, waiting for the male character to save her. Katniss is not that girl. In fact, she could probably kick the ass of any boy that tried to save her!

Each year, two teenagers from Panem must compete in The Hunger Games. When Katniss' little sister's name is called, she volunteers to go in her place, along with the other tribute from her district, Peeta. The book follows their journey to the Capitol, where they prepare for the games. If you forget that the games are actually a fight to the death, this part of the book is pretty glamorous, as they're treated like reality television stars.

But all too soon, the games start, and Katniss has to survive, as all the other tributes want to win just as badly as she does. Without giving too much away (even though I realize I'm probably among the last people to read this book), I will say the plot is fast-moving: featuring not only Katniss' trials to survive the games, but the blossoming love story between her and Peeta. I finished the last hundred pages of this book in a single sitting, because I just had to know what was going to happen to the characters.

I've already started the second book in this trilogy, Catching Fire, and can't believe I have to wait until August to read the third! :groan:

So, in short, I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I've pushed my mom to move it up her to be read pile. She's in her 60's and loves YA books as much as the next person!