Genre: YA Fantasy
(kids killing kids)
In what was once North America, the people of the Capitol of Panem, rule the 12 Districts of Panem (#13 was completely destroyed in a rebel uprising many years ago) with an iron fist.
Starvation and fear are the norm.
As a constant reminder of the control the Capital has over the people of Panem, once a year they hold “The Hunger Games” where a boy and a girl, between the ages of 12 and 18, from each District get the honor of fighting each other to the death.
The last standing tribute wins.
“The Hunger Games” are televised to all of Panem and the Gamemakers make sure the killings continue at a regular pace and are interesting for all to see.
The 74th Hunger Games is the focus of this book. District 12 is a poor coal producing area located in what was once Appalachia. Katniss Everdeen lives there with her mother and younger sister, Prim. She hunts (with a bow and arrows) for food, illegally, with her friend Gale to help keep her family fed….and alive.
On selection day for the Hunger Games, Prim’s name is called, but, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. The District’s baker’s boy, Peeta Mellark is chosen to go with her.
The remainder of the book builds on the characters, the love that Peeta has had for Katniss since they were children, and what happens as the tributes prepare for, then enter, the fray in the arena.
Death follows, sometimes gruesome.
I decided to read “The Hunger Games” based solely on the fact that the movie was coming out in March 2012. It is a good book, not on par with “Pendragon” or “Harry Potter”, but, an interesting, fast read, filled with brutal action, alliances, and love. I will definitely read the next two books in this series.
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Drive Safe! Never Forget.
TracyReaderDad: Book Reviews 