Book Review: ****Hunger Games

I finished Hunger Games yesterday.  It is written by Suzanne Collins and published by Scholastic Press in 2008.  It is a very good expose of youth in war, and stands up there with the Ender Books by Orson Scott Card.  I have only read the first so my comparison may be premature; but the first book was very entertaining.  It is a bit violent, but I don't think it is over done.

The premise is that, 74 years ago, because of the rebellion of the districts, and the Capitol winning the war, each district must give two children, a male and a female, who are then involved in a game to the death, with only one of the children surviving.  The children are between the ages of twelve and seventeen.  Some are better prepared than others, but each district; twelve in all (the thirteenth was completely obliterated) must give their children, as the Capitol exerts its control and demonstrates its power.  The games are used as a system of control.

The politics behind decisions make the book more interesting.  These decisions even effect who you can love.  But there is always the threat of retaliation by the government, which could include death.

The action is well done, and the lead characters, Catniss and Peeta who are in the games, and Gale who is Catniss' hunting partner, have an interesting love triangle, but Catniss is determined not to marry or have children who would be subject to the games.

My daughter recommended this book saying it is an easy and entertaining read.  This is true.  I read it in two days.  I recommend this book.