Book Review: THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

Book: THE HUNGER GAMES
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Category: Young Adult Fiction


"Peeta....when did forever start?"- Katniss Everdeen
"....and right when your song ended, I knew- just like your mother- I was a goner" - Peeta Mellark
"Here's some advice.  Stay Alive."- Haymitch Abernathy
"Happy Hunger Games. and may the odds be EVER in your favor"- Effie Trinket


I just finished 3 books in 3 days. Needless to say my eyes hurt and i have a migraine.  But the books were worth it.  I am referring to the very popular trilogy, THE HUNGER GAMES.

It has been reviewed and talked about since the first book was released but it's only now that i actually made the effort to read them because i knew i would go through the stories fast.  They were THAT good. 
So good in fact that next month, we will be able to watch it on the big screen.  But before we do, here's the story.

North America is dead.  What's left of it is a civilization separated by 12 districts, each with  it's own specialty (mining, technology, food etc) that supplies the needs of the Capitol, their manipulative and violent government.  74 years before there was an uprising against them that decimated a big part of the population.  to memorialize this rebellion, to sow fear among the rebels and to hit them where it hurts.  the capitol sponsors the Hunger Games, an annual sport which forces each district to send 2 of their children, one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 to 18 as tribute to the games.  For this, the children are sent to the chosen arena. And of the 24 that enters, only one can survive to be declared the victor.

Katniss Everdeen has always loved her little sister Prim the most.  so when Prim was chosen to be a tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place.  The boy chosen from her district was Peeta Mellark, a baker's son who many years before saved  Katniss and her family from starvation by giving her bread. Every district's tributes have one mentor, a former victor of the games.  Theirs was Haymitch, the town drunk.  On the way to the capitol for beautification, training and interview, Haymitch and Peeta form a plan. 


 On the night of the big televised interview, Peeta declares his love for Katniss.  It captures everyone's sympathy.  They need this as within the arena it is not just brains and talent for killing that matter  but sponsorships from people who will pay big money to send them food and items that they would need to survive.  Katniss pretends she's in love with Peeta, thinking that Peeta is pretending with her as well.  Besides she had Gale, her childhood friend, to go back to.  But Peeta wasn't just doing things for show. She becomes attached to him, so much so that when they reach the end of the games, she challenges the Capitol by making them choose.... Both of them would win or no one at all. 

This book is a marvel.  Romantic. Imaginative. A solid story. I can not tell you enough how much i loved reading...and re-reading this. You will fall in love with Peeta's loyalty and Katniss' bravery.
So before you go see the movie, read the book.  You won't be sorry.


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