Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed on 8/24/2009 + 158 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

If I had to pick just one book that I most enjoyed in 2008, this would probably be it. Now, I have to add the caveat that I read lots of series this year, and it seemed unfair to try to pick one book from a series like Meyers' Twilight books or Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse saga. So Hunger Games did get a little help in that department. But even with that said.... wow. This is just a great book.

In The Hunger Games, Collins creates another one of those dystopian societies that I love so much. In her world, America is no longer. There's been some kind of a big life-changing event that has reduced the nation into 12 disticts, all under totalitarian rule by the Capital. In this world, the people are starving and once a year, young people ages 12-18 are forced to enter their names into a drawing to participate in The Hunger Games, a life-or-death reality show from hell in which the victors are treated to a life of luxury while all the other competitors perish.

Yes, the story is a little familiar. It's reminiscent of The Long Walk or The Running Man by Stephen King, and there's a little bit of Lord of the Flies in here, too. But the characters are well developed and likeable. The dialogue is great. And -- here's the best part -- its only the first book. The story ends with a major cliffhanger that drove me to immediately visit Amazon to figure out how long I had to wait for the next installment.

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