I've been in love with reading since my mom took a job at our local public library once my brother and I were both in school. Since then, I've gone through periods of having reading, and lulls where I hardly cracked a book open, but I've always enjoyed a good story. Lately my reading has been more on the YA side (Young Adult for you non-library types). Among my latest reading materials I've had a penchant for survival tales, characters fighting for their lives against natural and man made obstacles. One of my recent favorites has been the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The story revolves around the life of a girl, Katniss, who has grown up in a future America where all that we know has fallen and been replaced by lose knit society made up of specialized districts, each kept mostly ignorant of each other, and all governed by a capitol district. Each year a lottery selects a male and female tribute, age 11-18, to participate in a gladiator style competition to the death. Katniss, nearing the end of her eligibility is shocked to hear her sister's name (her first year of eligibility) called, and bravely takes her place. From here Katniss's story escalates from one of daily survival back in her home, District 12, in the coal fields of Appalachia to a the glamour bestowed on the "tributes" before they enter the arena. The games show themselves to be a televised popularity contest, where popular tributes are gifted helpful items to assist their victory, while the less popular are left to fend for themselves.
As you read through the first story, you're confronted with the fact that the Hunger Games are just a way for the Capitol to keep it's distant districts subdued. A cruel, annual reminder that a once failed rebellion failed to take power from the Capitol. Katniss, who wants nothing more than to ensure her family's safety, unwittingly becomes an icon of rebellion through her acts of mercy during the games. Her growing popularity leaves the government in a bind and she and Peeta dare to take a deadly gamble to save their lives, making fools of the Capitol. Victory is bitter sweet as Katniss realizes that she is being held responsible for rebel behavior.
As we start into the second book, Katniss is besieged with fear for her family and loved ones. Trying to maintain the identity that helped ensure her victory is proving harder than she expected since Capitol spies are watching her every move, and so is the rest of the country. A winner's tour across the continent proves educational and threatening as she realizes the full impact of her actions in the Games. With rebellion on the wind, President Snow decides to punish Katniss by issuing a special Hunger Games, where only previous winners (normally forever exempt from the lottery) are selected, ensuring her a place in a new a deadly arena. Her life more or less forfeit, she vows to keep her partner alive no matter what. But as the games begin, competitors become allies and Katniss isn't sure who to trust. A dramatic series of events leads to a daring rescue by rebel forces who've marked Katniss as their savior and an icon for their war on the Capitol, leading us into the final chapter of Katniss's tale. But not everyone is rescued from the Capitol's clutches.
Espionage, rebel attacks, and propaganda abound in her new role as rebellion figurehead. Katniss worries over what the Capitol might be doing to those left behind, but the leaders of the rebellion have more "important" tasks for her. Soon our reluctant hero is swept into a war she didn't want, a rescue mission with unforeseen consciences, and a final stand off with President Snow.
Overall, the series is riveting. The first book is especially amazing as Collins brings you into the world, bit by bit. The character development is well done... and though Katniss is not always the most loveable of characters, she is a remarkably strong one. Romance enters the story lightly in the first book, so you romance fans won't feel left out here, especially as you learn more about the characters throughout the series. Action and adventure lovers will also have plenty to enjoy. And there's even a good dose of mystery behind figuring out who's trustworthy and who's not.
The Hunger Games is an amazing tale of government abuse of it's citizens, the struggle and will to survive, and the horrors and casualties of war. If you get a chance, please take a few moments out of your busy day... drop by your local library or book store, and sit down to read a good book. It doesn't have to be the Hunger Games, though it would be an excellent choice, but sit down, grab a book and let yourself get swept away in it for a while.
No comments:
Post a Comment