Welcome to the Hunger Games! The Hunger Games Book 1

Let me introduce you to the 1st installment of the Hunger Games. I hereby welcome you to the 74th Annual Hunger Games! The system of rules in the Hunger Games is quite easy. As a form of penalty for the mutiny, each of the twelve districts must present one girl and one boy to join. These twenty-four, who are then called tributes, will be held captive in a cosmic battle arena that could comprise anything and everything. It could be a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. What is for sure is that the place will be a living nightmare. Within a span of a number of weeks, the tributes must fight to live. They must fight til the death. The last one standing wins.

Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games book one, wrote one of the most heart-pounding, adventure-riding, pulse-racing novels that we have seen in centuries. Once you start reading, it is virtually impossible to put it down. Be prepared for a novel that will leave you breathless. To name a few of the book’s recognitions are the following: a Kirkus Best Book of 2008, Publishers Weekly Bestseller, Barnes and Noble Best Books of 2008 for Teens and Kids, New York Times Notable Children’s Book of 2008, USA Today Bestseller, a Horn Book Fanfare, Wall Street Journal Bestseller, an American Library Association Top 10 Best Books for young adults selection , a New York Times Book Review Editors Choice, Wall Street Journal Bestseller, a Booklist Editors Choice of 2008, Web publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2009: Children’s Fiction, an Ala Notable Children’s Book, 2009 Ala Amelia Bloomer Project List, first on winter 08.09 Children’s Indie Next List, United states Library Association Top ten Best Books and Amazon Best Books of 2008: Top 100 Editors Pick, Top 10 Books: Teens. What sort of book could gather that much recognition? The Hunger Games Book one is definitely one book that you shouldn’t miss! Not convinced enough to place an order?

The Hunger Games Book 1 opens with the introduction of what the world has become in the near future. It gives us a short background about the new nation that has taken over, Panem. It is a realm that is governed by a cruel, selfish and violent government. Panem, which comprises 12 districts, is ruled by the dictatorial Capitol where all the powerful and the rich reside. All these 12 districts exist to serve the Capitol. To prevent rebellion from the 12 districts, an annual tradition was formed, The Hunger Games. To explain further, every year, one boy and one girl between the ages 12 and 18 are picked and chosen by lottery to represent their corresponding districts in the Hunger Games. The games came to be as a reminder of the uprising that happened before which resulted to the demise of district 13. These games have one sole purpose: survival.

The story follows the life of Katniss Everdeen, an ordinary 16 year old girl from district 12 which happens to be the poorest of all the 12 districts. She volunteered in place for her younger sister, Prim, who was chosen as tribute for the 74th annual Hunger Games, without thinking of the possible consequences. Katniss is then joined by Peeta Mellark, an ordinary baker’s son, who incidentally is in love with her. Katniss and Peeta are characters to whom everybody can relate to. Collin wisely created characters that any reader can put his/her shoes in. Both of them fight hand in hand for survival. But nothing can justly prepare and train them for the brutality, fear, cruelty and bloodshed that they have to face wherein they must use all of their survival abilities in order to stay alive. It is in their hands to choose: life or death.

The Hunger Games Book 1 is a gripping novel that you will keep you at the very edge of your seats til the very end. The book offers one of the most uniquely addictive plots that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is also rich in terms of the individuality of the characters. Her characters remind us that despite living in a world run by cruelty and greed, we still have a choice. In the face of violence, freedom of choice is still possible. Before placing an order or buying this book, do consider the reviews. Personally, I recommend this book to readers 16 years and up. Because of the violent content, it is important to provide guidance to younger readers. I’m 21 and the violence of the book still shook me! All in all, The Hunger Games is a brilliant and engrossing read that I highly recommend.