Review - Hunger Games

This morning I finished Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Wow! Intense and engrossing.

School Library Journal describes the book (paraphrased): In Panem, the country created after the United States collapsed, two representatives from each of the 12 districts are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. The televised games are broadcasted throughout the country as the participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

I enjoyed the book. There are definitely stories of entertainment versus humanity and government control. There are a number of similarities to The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Giver by Lois Lowry. I'd recommend it but only for a more mature young adult reader. The gore is kept to a minimum but there are certainly violent scenes, but they are not described in too much detail. There are two sequels to this title, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Next up is In the Kitchen by Monica Ali.