Review of "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins (OMG awesome!)

 Everyone told me I just HAD to read these. But after the mess that was "Twilight" I prefer to shy away from too many of the big deal YA series. But.. I gave in. And the result ... OMG HUNGER GAMES!!!

Disclaimer: This book is borrowed from my, the reviewer's, local library. I did not receive this book nor any monetary incentive for a positive review. However I am an Amazon Affiliate, so purchase of this book or any amazon.com item through my link will earn me a super duper small percentage.

Type: YA Fiction, Series, Dystopian, Futuristic, Survival, Fighting to the Death, Peeta v Gale, Teens doing amazing things, Dang Government - You Scary

From the book jacket: "  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 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone 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 starting making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.  "

I'm not sure this is going to be a review so much as a gush of everything I liked about the book, focusing on key points to keep it somewhat organized. That, and a call to everyone that has read it to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment and talk to me about it. I don't think I can go on without people to talk to about teh awesomeness. I got the first book from the library a short while ago, and after talking to a patron about it, she mentioned I better have the second book on hand or I wouldn't be able to stand it. So I took her advice and placed a hold on the second book. I was amazed when it came in so quickly. Unfortunately, I am number sixty something on the list for the third one, so I might just buy it.. even though I hear it is quite disappointing. We'll see.

Maybe it's because I've recently read a book where flashbacks were handled poorly, that one of the things that stuck out to me about "The Hunger Games" was how smooth and perfect the flashbacks were. I didn't feel the least bit awkward or pulled out of the story when Katniss described her life at home, or thought about going hunting with Gale. It was practically seamless. You know, so seamless that I noticed and had to call attention to it. Heh.

There's a reason I love Young Adult fiction featuring epic battles. There's something so heartbreaking and heartwrenching about a teenager, or a child, fighting for their lives. It's what made me fall in love with the Chronicles of Narnia series, and why the epic battle in the second movie is my favorite part. And "The Hunger Games" is just like that. We have Katniss, who thinks she isn't good enough to survive, who just volunteered to save her little sister, but has the drive and hopefully the skills to make it in the arena. This sort of challenge would be bad enough, but there are contestants that have been training their whole life for this, showing a distinct advantage.

I'd love to say more and go into more details, but I don't want to give anything away to anyone interested in getting started in this series. But if anyone wants to email/comment/etc to chat about the book, please do! I'll be reading the rest in the series as soon as I can get my hands on them. Well, I have book two, but I need to find book three, since I'm number sixty something on the list for it at work, eek.

It should come as no surprise that my final rating for "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is a FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). What a wonderful book. I was glued to my seat almost the entire time, and I cannot WAIT to start reading the rest. I will probably post on here as I finish each book, so please feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Want to give "The Hunger Games" a shot? YOU SHOULD. Buy it now from Amazon.com! C'mon, it's in paperback and pretty darned cheap. You know you want to! I can't wait to go out and get a copy of my very own. And I will hug it, and squeeze it, and call it Squishy.


Until next time, happy reading!
~!~ Amanda/ Morning Glow