This is a most excellent book! Although it's been promoted as a young adult novel, this has a lot of cross generational appeal, so adults should enjoy it as well. I liked this book so much I read it in one sitting, it was that good. I can hardly wait for the release of the sequel, Chasing Fire, on September lst. Happily, I'm the first on the list for it at my library!
In a takeoff of the Greek legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, Collins imagines a future in which the world has been ravaged by natural and human made disasters. Panem, what remains of the United States, is ruled by the Capital, and divided into 13 districts. But the districts revolted and now only 12 remain, because District 13 was obliterated by the Capital for rebelling. As further.punishment, from each of the districts is taken (reaped) 2 individuals a year, drawn by lottery, to fight to the death in the Games until only one remains alive. In a grotesque version of reality TV run amuck, the Games are televised and are required viewing for all citizens of Panem. From District 12, the mining district, a boy, Peeta and a girl, Prim, are chosen. But Prim is just 12 years old, and her sister, Katniss, 16, takes her place. Brave, calculating Katniss is a skilled hunter, savvy to the ways of the woods and game. Peeta is a boy from the merchant class, the son of the local baker, and has few survival skills. Taken to the capital, they are groomed and prepared for the games by a fussy woman with pink hair and Haimich, the only previous winner of the games from District 12. The strategy that Hamich advises is that Peeta and Katniss pretend to be in love. For Peeta this is no hardship, because he has always loved Katniss “…from the moment I saw her.” But Katniss, who remembers that Peeta saved her family from starvation years ago, has grown attached to her hunting companion of many years, Gale, and has conflicted feelings. Because, she’s supposed to fight him to the death, isn’t she? When the Games begin, and the unevenly matched opponents begin to die, Katniss knows it will take all of her resources to stay alive. Their loyalties are tested, and when Peeta is badly wounded, it is up to Katniss to care for him. As the number of opponents dwindle to 5, 4 and then to 3, they find they must truly bond in order to survive. This first in a trilogy is top shelf entertainment that will make you stay up all night reading. You won’t want to put it down! The second in the series is Catching Fire, due out in September 2009.
