I came across a review for this book, and I was fascinated by their comparisons for this series written by Suzanne Collins with Twilight. I also heard there will be films coming out based on these books. So of course I have to pick one book up and read it. After a long wait at the local library's holding list, I finally got the book few weeks ago.Summary:
The first book of the series introduces sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once stood. This is where a powerful government working in a central city called the Capital holds power. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death. The Hunger Games exist to demonstrate not even children are beyond the reach of the Capitol's power.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games)
I personally felt the beginning part of the book was a little slow, as the book is laying out the ground and introducing this new kingdom to the readers, the lifestyles Katniss and her family have, and her personality. After the game starts, the story began to get exciting. With her vivid descriptions of the combating scenes in the Hunger Games and how each competitor was killed off, I was left cringing on my couch and biting my nails while reading through the book. This book really does get you like that. Hunger Game is a long awaited teen book that goes deeper than superficial teenage puppy love stories. It talks about major issues such as humanitarianism, injustice or social issues. Now I can't wait to read the second series of this book (Catching Fire), but I probably have to wait a little longer for my turn at the local library again.
