The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins

I know I usually summarize the books I read myself, but I'm worried I won't do this one justice, so:

Synopsis:

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 is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

[from BarnesandNoble.com]

I loved, loved, loved this book. I was completely immersed as soon as I started it. It flows well, the descriptions and details are great, the characters are well written, and I love the plot. It's probably one of the best young adult books I've read. It's mature, there are many layers to it. Loyalty, love, family, survival; these are just some of the themes the book touches on. And the action scenes are great.

It's a touching book, that at times will make you laugh, and at times you'll want to just sob along with the main character, Katniss.

The supporting characters even helped draw the story out. Rue, Cinna, Haymitch, Peeta, her sister Primrose; all of them had a purpose and the ability to reach out and connect with the character, which is hard sometimes to do.

It's the first in a triology, the second one comes out in about a day. I will definitely be reading the rest. I highly recommend this novel.

My rating: 10/10