Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Collins, S. (2008) The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press. 

The story starts out with you being introduced to Katnis who is living in a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem. It doesn't say where exactly you are in the world but the nation consists of 13 districts, one is the wealthy Capitol and the much poorer 12 other districts. These districts provide supplies for the Capitol. In the early stages of the nation there was a rebellion with the 12 poorer districts attacking the Capitol. This rebellion was squashed by the Capitol and this led to them needing something to show that they are in control of the districts. They decided on a televised event called the Hunger Games, each district must put forth one boy and one girl as tribute. These tributes are between the age of 12 and 18, and are picked at random. Katnis's sisters name is in for the first time this year and she gets chosen. Katnis volunteers to be taken instead to protect her younger sister. She goes to the capitol with the boy tribute a boy around her age to compete in the games. She must survive the games in order to get home again to see her sister and her mother. She goes through many terrible things throughout the games and eventually it is just her and Peeta left as the game makers said that two tributes could win if the were from the same district. However they take it back so they decide to trick the game makers and each berries that would poison them both and there would be no victors at all. This however would not give the districts the small amount of hope that the games are supposed to provide. The game makers decide to let them both win. However they do need to pretend to be in love as they had throughout the game. It ends with them pulling into district 12 ready to play act for the cameras. In the second book in the series "Catching Fire" Katnis and Peeta are doing the victors tour and the districts are starting to act like they did in the rebellion. The capitol is still angry that they were tricked by the two tributes and decide to show them that they are the ones in charge. During the next reaping for  the Hunger Games the tributes are only chosen out of the previous victors (meaning for district 12 it would have to be Katnis). Her and Peeta are going to go back into the arena. Unbeknownst to Katnis there is a plan to break her and the other tributes and take them to join the rebellion in district 13 (a district that was supposed to have been destroyed). However when they are rescued Peeta gets left behind and gets taken by the Capitol. 

This book would be appealing to a large audience, ranging from the entire YA group all the way to adults. The fact that they never say exactly where they are allows you to think that it could be where you are living now and could be you. This allows the reader to relate more to the story and be sucked in. However you almost know from the very beginning that Katnis will win or come close to winning or do something to trick the game makers. It is a predictable plot line, however you find yourself being invested in the characters and really wanting them to make it.

Rating: 3.5/5