Book Chelle

The Hunger Games - Suzanne  Collins Posted on Book Chelle for Banned Books Week.Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games has had a positive impact on my life. To me, it is my 21st century Brave New World. I remember seeing this book in a book store. The second book in the series, Catching Fire, had just been released. The cover intrigued me. Based on the cover alone, it had a Brave New World feel to it. I automatically associated it with dystopia. I'm not sure why I did, but because I did, I had to read it. And let me tell you, I was in for an adventure.Suzanne Collins introduced me to the nation of Panem, which is the ruins of what is known as North America.In the midst of Panem is Capital, which is surrounded by twelve districts, who each have their own government in their own rite.The story begins on reaping day, an annual celebration in this post-apocalyptic future. It is a day for both celebration and mourning. In a lottery fashion, each district chooses a male and a female, between the ages of 12 and 18, to participate in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a televised event that each district is mandated to watch. 24 contestants in a 24 hour brutal fight to the death.The Hunger Games follows the life of Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to participate in The Hunger Games after her younger sister, Primm, was chosen. Now Katniss, along with Peeta Mallark, is chosen to represent District 12. Katniss is a natural survivor, already surviving the poverty and unfair challenges she has faced at a young age. Will her hunting and tracking skills play in her favor? Or will she fall short and pay the ultimate price? As they say, may the odds be in her favor.Katniss is an amazing protagonist. In my opinion, Katniss is the heroine to root for. At the depth of her being, she is good. Regardless of the situation that she has been put in, she has morals and they are strong. In many books in the same genre, Katniss owns her character flaws but revels in her strong points. Katniss is competent, a little innocent, but overall ready to play the part of a savage to survive. She definitely has her downfalls, but her choices and actions definitely speak for themselves.Peeta. Oh, my dear Peeta. What can I say about the baker's son from District 12? I couldn't make a decision on whether to love him or hate him. He surprised me through out the book. Collins did a great job with keeping me in the dark about his intentions. But when they came out, boy...was I sure of how I felt about him. Peeta's character is a good balance to Katniss. I don't want to give away too much for those who haven't read it yet, but he is truly the perfect supporting character in this book.The Hunger Games has a touch of Shirley Jackson' The Lottery, mixed with The Battle Royal, and has it's own voice. Collins has created a provocative and intriguing story that I couldn't get away from. The beginning was strong and the rest of the book followed suit. The pacing was perfect and the writing fantastic. I have read this book, and the series, many times over and each time my heart races in anticipation for the next page. While I love the action filled adventure, I was glad for the sweet romance that took place. I cried, I mourned, and my heard ached when it needed to.If you haven't read The Hunger Games and the rest of the trilogy yet, I highly suggest you do so. And readers, may the odds be in your favor.