The Hunger Games

What would you do if the people in power told you that your younger, weaker sister was going to have to train for a week and then fight against boys and girls from other Districts to the death?  Oh and not to mention they will probably be twice to three times her size.  I would like to believe that I would step in for my younger sibling, take her place, knowing that I probably would not make it out alive.  Just knowing that she would be alright would ease the pain and worry of the oncoming death.   That is what went down in the Hunger Games, a new book I started reading, and really enjoy.  Katniss is a hunter, a survivor, desiring to stay alive in the worst District in the country of Panem, which is controlled by the Capitol.  See there was a rebellion by the Districts, 13 at the time and 12 now, and the Capitol emerged victorious, making it mandatory for a boy and a girl from each District to fight in what they call the Hunger Games, a brutish struggle to stay alive in an unknown arena deep into the Capitol.  Well, Prim, Katniss's sister is chosen to be in the Hunger Games, even though she is 12 and not very capable of fighting.  Katniss on the other hand is a master with the bow and has been providing for her family for the duration of the time elapsed since the death of her father in a terrible mining accident.

Katniss goes into the Games not expecting much.  I mean c'mon.  Your gonna go against some of the toughest, meanest, and well-trained teenagers in the country.  She is paired with a boy from her District that saved her life once and now feels indebted to him.  Great...a weakness already.  She tries to forget it, and eventually just uses it as motivation to win the Games.

Throughout the process, their mentor, Haymitch, a drunken victor of a past Hunger Games, pushes them closer together.  How would you feel if you had to become allies with someone you knew, or thought, you would have to kill or would die somehow in the Games?  I kept trying to picture this in my own mind, and could not seem to wrap my thoughts around it.  It just seems too difficult, too heart wrenching.  I think the reason they do this though is for them to receive more bonuses in the Games when they need it from donors and sponsors.

I really have enjoyed this novel so far, and cannot wait to read more, and perhaps move onto the next book in the series soon.  I am telling you, you should REALLY read this book.  IT IS INTENSE!!!!