The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads.com synopsis:
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, 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:
This book was simply to say: a surprise to me. I didn't have the highest of expectations before I read this book. I tend to not have the greatest expectations for books that are pretty popular. But I must say, this was a symphony of a book.I really could not put it down most nights.
The moments moved perfectly throughout the book. Even the calm parts of the book had me wanting to know more. I kept telling myself at the end of this page I will put it down... no the end of this page... no the next page. There was never a boring moment.
Collins painted a beautiful picture of characters, many of which I could fully relate with. They all seemed very real. But most of all Collins made it very easy for me to connect with the main character, Katniss Everdeen. I found myself laughing at certain points because she reacted exactly as I would. One of my close friends said she reminded her of me. Not only that but the relationships that appear in this, first installment of The Hunger Games series, are very real yet very fantastical. There is an air of realness to every reaction and thought, but since this book is placed in the future it has to have some sort of fantastical quality. I think that was what surprised me most.
Overall, this is one of the best books I have ever read. I felt as if I was inside of this book while I was reading it. I could not wait to pick up the second book of the series due to the amazing, captivating words of Suzanne Collins.
