The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It was the first week of summer vacation. As has been the case in many summers prior, I was at Eli's family's cabin in the mountains. Near the cabin is this lake with a platform in the middle, which I relish spending time on above almost all else. So naturally, I had thought that I'd be swimming/lying on a floating metal square for practically the entire time I was there. But this was not to be so, for, on the second day, I picked up Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. Reading is something that I do as often as I possibly can, but rarely am I so utterly swept up by a book. I couldn't put it down. Not when Eli began lamenting her boredom (subtle, eh?). Not when it was time for lunch (Who needs food anyway?). Not even when the swimming on the lake was brought up by Eli's mum. Eli spoke for me: "She has to finish her book first."

The nation of Panem--which was once called North America--is comprised of twelve districts centered around the glorious Capitol. Each year, the government stages the Hunger Games, a televised competition that pits the youth of the districts against one another. The object of the game: Kill your opponents. Stay alive.

Two "tributes", a girl and a boy, are selected by lottery to take part in the Games. Though being chosen is supposedly a great honor, the people of the poorer districts know better. They recognize the Hunger Games for what they are: a despicable bloodsport meant to punish the people for past rebellions.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss grew up in District 12, a coal mining town, and the poorest district of Panem. Having had to take care of her family since her father's death, she knows a thing or two about survival. And now, now that she's the female tribute for her district, she'll need to use every skill that she has--and even some she doesn't--to survive. She's been in a life-or-death situation before, so she just might stand a chance. But that time, she wasn't going up against people who had trained their whole lives to dominate the Games. She didn't have to compete against the person whose kindness kept her going through her darkest hour. And she certainly didn't have to do it all on national television.

Something I loved about this book is that it isn't really "gender specific". That is to say, it's a book that both guys and girls can enjoy wholeheartedly, a somewhat rare find in the world of YA. The Hunger Games is absolutely fantastic. Action, adventure, romance and true meaning can be found in abundance throughout. Collins commands her story perfectly, writing her characters and their world vividly and truthfully. Katniss is a complex, lovable, kickass character; I don't think that I could ask for more. Well paced, wonderfully written and undeniably creepy, The Hunger Games is one of my very favourite books of of 2008.

Put it at the top of your pile. You won't regret it in the least.


In existence once more...

(formerly known as Avery)
PS: The Hunger Games comes out on October 1st


First off, I'd like to say that if you were picturing some grand mountain villa when Rae said 'Eli's family's cabin', you're rather mistaken; it's more akin to a large wooden box. (But the termites are gone now! Although the lovely avocado appliances are gone as well, which is terribly sad.)
But let’s get back to the point shall we? The point being, of course, The Hunger Games, which was a most amazingly fantabulous book. One of those books that you actually physically can’t put down—no really, I was reading it as I was walking to school and I ran into a lamppost (unfortunately, this didn’t mean that I had entered Narnia). Everything about this book is amazing—the characters, the plot, the world, and, most of all, the writing. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year— maybe even one of the best books I’ve read, period.

Put this book at the top of your pile.

In a different place (though not Narnia), and with a different name, but still, as always, yours,

(formerly known as Aislinn)