The Hunger Games and Catching Fire

THE HUNGER GAMES

BOOK 1

By:  Suzanne Collins

FIRST SENTENCE

“When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.”

SUMMARY
from goodreads

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts.  The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games.  But Katniss has been close to dead before – and survival, for her, is second nature.  Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender.  But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

CATCHING FIRE

BOOK 2

FIRST SENTENCE

“I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air”

SUMMARY
from goodreads

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark.  But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules.  Katniss and Peeta should be happy.  After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty.  But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.  The Capitol is angry.  The Capitol wants revenge.

REVIEW

Spectacular!  I went into this series having heard that it was one of the best EVER.  I was not disappointed.  Everything I heard was true. 

Collins has a gift for writing in a way that every single page (make that, every single sentence) drives the story.  The complex plot is thrilling and extraordinary. 

In two words – READ THIS.

Book 3, Mockingjay, releases tomorrow.  I am glad I won’t have to wait long to read it. 

RATING

5        Plot

5        Characters

5        Attention Grabbing

5        Girlie Meter

5        Ending

25      TOTAL

5        STARS