Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Hunger Games


This weekend I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I loved it so much, I also read the second book in the series, Catching Fire. Needless to say, I didn't get much done this weekend.

The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic country called Panem. This country was formed after the countries of North America were destroyed. Panem consists of a rich Capitol, and 12 surrounding, poor districts. Each year the Capitol holds a lottery in which a random teenage boy and girl are chosen from each district to be sent to the Capitol to compete in The Hunger Games. These Games are a large televised event in which all 24 tributes are dropped in a large outdoor arena to fight to the death. Not only do they provide entertainment for the rich residents of the Capitol, but they serve as a punishment to the 12 districts for a rebellion that occurred 75 years earlier. The message is clear - Don't mess with the Capitol. Each year we kill your children, put we could do much, much worse.

The Hunger Games
follows Katniss Evergreen, the girl tribute from District 12, as she fights for her life in the arena. Not only does she fight for her life, but in her own way, she fights against the Capitol by refusing to play the Games their way. By doing so, the Games become even more deadly.

I highly, highly recommend this book. It is one of the most riveting books I've read in a long time.

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