The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins

Official Summary:

COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, IN THE WILD, WITH EVERYONE FIGHTING AGAINST YOU?

Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

What the Pros Say:
Booklist: "...a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance."

NYT: "...brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced...a futuristic novel every bit as good and as allegorically rich as Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies' books."

What I Say:

I'm an unabashed lover of dystopian fiction, and The Hunger Games is a satisfying addition to the genre. Katniss, Peeta, Gale...all of the characters are appealing and understandable, and the nature of the gladiator-like competition of the Hunger Games provides constant suspense and conflict.

I especially appreciated that Katsa was a strong player all by herself--although she and Peeta sometimes collaborated, it was made clear that Katsa was a formidable foe all by herself. She's the main provider for her family, she's selfless, she's brave...and she's caught in the middle of a game to the death and a love triangle.

Suzanne Collins has crafted a strong world and interesting characters, and the book deserves all of the buzz it's been getting. There are some interesting questions to ask about poverty and class that are tied into the novel, but overall it's just a fun, thrilling ride.

Intrigued?
Check out Suzanne Collins' website and the official website and then check out the snazzy new site for the Hunger Games series. Pretty fancy, right?

More?
Read about Lionsgate's new plans to make a Hunger Games movie then head over to TeenReads to read an interview with Suzanne Collins.