The Hunger Games (Book Review)

As I finished this book and feel the hunger of waiting to know more of the story, I knew this book is different. I can fully relate to the heroine aside from having the knacks on devouring books with the ladies conquering the story.

I can see myself in Katniss Everdeen. I was the same age gap as what Katniss was from her youngest sister. I was thinking if I woud be brave enough to volunteer to save my sister. The book centers about the annual Hunger Games held in Panem in what is left of what formally known as North America. It is now divided into twelve districts with each has their own industry to offer. The yearly games has the Reaping wherein each districts selects two tributes between the age of twelve and eighteen; one female and one male. The Hunger Games was a reminder to every citizen of Panem of the Dark Days and how they should be thankful to the government of what they have right now.

At District 12, we can find Katniss Everdeen who volunteered in place of her sister Primrose Everdeen when the latter's name was picked. The main industry of the district is coal mining where Katniss lost her father on an explosion. She was force to mature and take care of the family her father had left when her mother drowns in depression. She learned the harsh reality of the life she had. She learned to hunt and trade for food so she can keep her loved ones alive or at least get through one day with a full stomach. She also get a help from Gale, a hunting friend who also supports his younger siblings.

Peeta Mellark a son of the town's baker was chosen as the male tribute. Katniss has never ever talk to this boy even that day he threw a loaf of charred bread to her way when she was exhausted and desperately searching for food for her family. And so they were chose as tributes for their district and was transported to the Capitol to compete with other 22 tributes from other districts. . Katniss and Peeta were mentored by the former victor from their district, Haymitch. He was the first ever victor from their district who was now a drunkard. Before the games the tributes form each district has their own stylist;they have Cinna and Effie led their prep team to make them look pleasing to the crowd. They should be able to atrract sponsors to help them as they enter the battle field. Katniss and Peeta won the crowd by playing as the star-crossed lovers. The plot has some poignant moments like when the young district 12 tribute Rue died. Katniss saw Prim in her and in the middle of the game they form an alliance. Poor Rue died in her arms when she failed to save her from another tribute. Each tribute in the Game has something to offer. Like Tributes from District 1 and 2 were trained in combat at a young age. The game is manipulated and crowds get to bet on the Tributes

"If I'm gonna die. I wanna still be me", says Peeta. Katniss was determined to stay alive and survive for Prim. The game gave a twist of honoring two victors this time as long as they belong to the same district but they took it back in the end. But instead of the game manipulating them the two manged to survived in the end and making it as the first ever two Victors of the Hunger Games.

The book is scary and engaging. It shows you how the innocents lost it or manage to deal with the harshness of life has to offer. Everyone is a survivor in their own way. It is just matter of wits and staying pure to your heart. Anything can change us in a minute. Anyone can influence us but it is how you stay true to yourself and nevr letting anyone stole that from you.