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Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins


Synopsis for Hunger Games


In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Jenn: I am a HUGE fan of these books. It's so different but it's incredibly well written. As far as a distopian society goes, this one is one of the worst I've read. The things that the Capitol does - and it's reasoning behind them - is incredibly warped. The herione is strong and fairly logical, although she has her moments of weakness like all good heroines do. The Hunger Games, and it's sequel, Catching Fire, were fast paced without being confusing and dark without going too far. The plot twists always took me by surprise, but always fit with the story. It really made me think about society's obsession with reality television, and just exactly how far we would go for "exciting television". The third and final book comes out in August and I can hardly wait to see how it concludes. I will definitely be in line to buy it when it comes out!

*The Hunger Games trilogy consists The Hunger Games, Catching Fire - which are both available now - and Mockingjay - which will be released August 24, 2010.