The Hunger Games

WINNING MEANS FAME AND FORTUNE LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH THE HUNGER GAMES HAVE BEGUN … ‘MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR ‘

In the ruins of what was once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a silvering Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts.To punish the citizens of Panem for their past mutiny, the heartless Capitol has established an annual televised game known as ‘The Hunger Games’. All are forced to watch the live slaughter; where skills, charm and beauty get you sponsors. A girl and boy from each district between the ages of twelve and eighteen must fight in the arena. But once you’re in the Games, there is only one way out, Death. Sixteen-year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the Seam of district twelve, the most diminished and forgotten district. She has been forced to take matters in her own hands since her father’s death, and feed her family at any cost. Hunting is the only way for the dashing Gale and his best friend to take care of those they love. As she steps out to take her little sister’s place in the Games, her survival instinct awakens. Katniss is determined to try and win for her dear little Prim, even if it means having to murder Peeta Melarck, the second tribute from district twelve. But if she is to win she will have to make choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins can be summed up in a word: amazing. The story is thrilling. Love, death, adventure, philosophy and suspense take equal parts in this trilogy set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present, as well as our past. This is by far one of the best novels I have read, one I could never put down, and therefore I recommend it to all types of readers, as there is something for everyone to love. The first movie directed by Gary Ross comes out in theaters on March 23, starring Liam Hensworth as Gale, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.

 

Praise for the Hunger Games: "The Hunger Games is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of novel that generates nearly constant suspense…. I couldn’t stop reading" -Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly "Whereas Katniss kills with finesse,Colins writes with raw power" -Times magazine "Colins has done that rare thing. She has written a sequel that improves upon the first book" - The New York Times Book Review #1 New York Times Bestseller / #1 USA Today Bestseller /A Kirkus Best Book of 2009

Victoria Taittinger