Katniss Everdeen lives in poverty in District 12 in the country of Panem, which was once North America. During a dark era in Panem’s history, all thirteen districts rebelled against the Capitol, Panem’s seat of power. District 13 was obliterated, and the 12 other districts were subdued. To remind the districts of the Capitol’s might, the Hunger Games is conducted every year. Every year, two tributes from each district -a boy and a girl – is sent to an undisclosed area to fight to the death.
That year, Katniss’s young sister’s name is called, and she steps forward to take her place. Thrown into the arena with her is Peeta, a baker’s boy, who has once done her a kindness. Will she be able to kill him? Will she be able to kill?
We’ve seen this televised, fight-to-the-death plot before. As I was reading the book, I was reminded of The Lottery, The Long Walk, The Running Man, Battle Royale. But I enjoyed the story, nonetheless. It is a fast read, at times as quick and as no-nonsense as a Hunger Games contestant. But it has insight, and heart. Plenty of action, but does not compromise character development. There was even a point in the book when I thought, If this character dies, I will be truly, truly upset.
Good read.
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The Mighty Reading List!
Hunger Games
Next: The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris
We Are All Welcome Here
The Year of Fog
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint
Notes on Extinction
Wild Mind
The Spooky Art
on the side: Twisted 8 1/2, Storm of Swords, Scott Pilgrim, PSF V (last few stories!)
I love Peeta :) Much more than Katniss, actually.
Yay another Peeta person! My other friends like Gale more. (But then I haven’t read the second book. Halos wala naman si Gale sa Hunger Games eh haha.)