Author: Suzanne Collins
From Shelfari, "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 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 weigh survival against humanity and life against love."
If you haven't heard about this book, then you really need to hear about it now. This is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Catching Fire, will be reviewed later on this site. The third book, Mockingjay doesn't come out until August 2010, but it is one of the most anticipated books of all time.
Hunger Games is the story of Katniss Everdeen, one of the most likable female protagonists of all-time. Katniss loves and protects her family in a way that few other main characters do. Katniss makes the ultimate sacrifice when she volunteers herself to fight in place of her sister, Primrose, in the Hunger Games.
This book will appeal to both sexes as it has action and adventure for the guys and compassion and a budding romance for the girls. The book begins at a slower pace, but a necessary one to give the reader the backstory of Katniss and why the Hunger Games began. It is during this beginning that the reader begins to know Katniss and makes a connection to her that will last throughout the book. Katniss is a character that is easy to like, but is still very believable because of the choices that she makes. There were many times that I was both frustrated and understanding of her stubbornness. Her partner in the games, Peeta, is also an interesting character. He is affable and well-intentioned. He is easier to like than Katniss at times.
The book's action sequences, star-crossed lovers plot, and awesome battle scenes will make this a quick read for most students and will have them anxious to move on to the next book in the series. A wonderfully, exhilarating read.
Hi Melissa.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several of your reviews on the YA Book Nut blog, I think you might enjoy my newly (self) published YA fiction novel, during your next review cycle. Your review of "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins displayed the depth of insight that I am seeking for an early reviewer.
My book, Perfect Imperfection, centers around the adventures of a not-too-smart, over-weight young man with a receding hairline who stumbles onto and into a secret benevolent society of scientists, called Perfect Imperfection or PI. With assistance PI’s accelerated learning and artificial intelligence technologies, Billings trains to become a virtual secret agent that helps humanity in the face of accelerating scientific, ecological and social evolution. The antagonist, Blackbeard, an elite black hat hacker, employs cutting-edge tech to land the biggest score of his career. An epic virtual game of cat and mouse ensues, with everything in the balance.
I've tried to give hope to the reader despite the path the world is on, that there is a way to save us. The point behind the story is to show we can overcome the trivialness of our imperfections, be they physical, social, intelligence or economic. I will donate all profits of the book to causes that are consistent the book’s key themes.
Melissa, by way of introduction, my name is S. E. Gould, and I’m a recovering software entrepreneur and corporate finance executive, looking to spend the best part of my life writing fiction that may help inspire the world to choose a better path.
If you are interested in reviewing, I am happy to send you a paperback version. Lastly, if you want an interview or run a giveaway for your followers, I can help you out there as well. If you are on a reviewing pause, please keep me in mind when you restart. I appreciate your consideration.
Regards,
S. E. Gould
segould at outlook dot com