Review: The Hunger Games

 

Summary

"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 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love." --back cover of The Huner Games by Suzanne Collins.

Review

I absolutely LOVED this book. In the past, I have never been a fan of distopian/post-apocalyptic novels, but I could not put this book down. Collins does a fantastic job of creating real characters that survive in a harsh and cruel world. Collins also manages to weave a love story among all the fighting for survival. Katniss mentions that Gale is her best friend, and that there is nothing romantic between them. However, I can't help but think that Katniss has difficulty identifying what love is. I think that is one reason why she does not recognize Peeta's feelings for her. At the end of the novel, we are left wondering if Katniss will act on her feelings and who she will choose. I definitely would recommend this book, and I can't wait to read the next installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars