Review 0001: The Hunger Games

It's with books like these that I seriously doubt the mental stability of authors. Kids killing kids? How morbid is that? Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The plot was enticing, and Suzanne Collins is a master at bending the reader to her will, drawing them to the book. The writing was fresh, the world carefully thought out, and the characters masterfully sculpted. Now that we've talked about all the things I enjoyed about it, let's move on.

The book follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a girl from the poor District 12. Somehow or another, the Capitol rose up, dividing North America into twelve districts. After a revolution, the Capitol created the Hunger Games, where two tributes, a boy and girl, are sent from every district to participate. The twenty four tributes are flown to an arena, rigged with traps and just about anything that can kill. There they fight off to the death, until only one is pronounced victor. Katniss' younger sister, Prim, is chosen for the Hunger Games, so Katniss volunteers. Along with District 12's other tribute, Peeta Mellark, Katniss is flown to the arena, and barely gets past the first day. The book follows her through traps, friends, deaths, and love. Will Katniss survive?

So there you have it: the good bits and the story line. But what about the bad bits? First of all, the theme is a bit sickening, kids killing kids, and not of their own free will. Now as a Christian, it contradicts all of my morals. But Katniss didn't have a choice, and she never actually kills anyone, except as a mercy death. And a revenge death. And setting mutated killer bees on someone. And  poisoning someone.  But other than that, she doesn't kill anyone. :) The book portrays a conflicted girl, angry at the Capitol, but unsure what to do. She is a master killer, a born hunter, who uses those gifts to survive, even kill, in the Games. Apart from all the blood-lined theme, the book was quite interesting, posing the question, "Is that what our future holds for us?"

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Please tell me what you think of the Hunger Games, and of my review. Hope you enjoyed!