Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games.” The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.
This was my first book from Suzanne and I can say I am hooked.
I was not sure if I was going to like the first person present point of view, but I ended up loving it. Katniss seems so real as she tells you her thoughts. The character’s relationships with each other are very realistic also… even if Katniss spends a very short amount of time with someone.
The characters are lovable and never boring (especially Katniss’ prep team and her stylist, Cinna).
A few disclaimers, though: This is a war book so therefore there is plenty of violence. One child gets killed and Collins makes sure that we see the scene happening in our minds. Another warning: Children are the only ones who are killed in this book and therefore my disturb some readers. Don’t be discouraged with all this, though! Nothing becomes too graphic and none of this disturbed me really.
I highly recommend this book. I am now reading the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire and I am not disappointed at all!
Evan W.S. Morgan 