Review:The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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.



REVIEW:
I started reading the book and was barely able to put it down for a second! I read a borrowed copy,but now I seriously consider buying it! The book deserves to be owned. Yes,it was so good!
The story has been set in the future world,in future North America. Katniss,the protagonist has to provide for her mother and sister Prim ever since her father died in a coal mine blast. However,it isn’t an easy job in District 12 and she has to risk her life daily as she hunts for food on forbidden land. But worst of all is the reaping day. Once a year,the government chooses a boy and a girl from each of the twelve districts who has to fight against each other till the one who survives is declared the Victor. 74 years before these districts had rebelled against the government and lost. As a reminder of their defeat and the power of the Capitol over the weak districts,the brutal Hunger Games are held where the districts are forced to sacrifice their children. The story as unfolds shows how Katniss,after having voluntarily replaced her sister as a participant in the Games,goes on to win it with her fellow partner,Peeta.
I loved the book,especially the way the characters have been sketched. Gale,Katniss’ best friend and sole confidant who accompanies her on her hunts. Then there is Peeta,her fellow contender from her district. Peeta has been in love with Katniss practically since forever! He sustained his mother’s beatings,went under the knife of a fellow participant in the games-all for Katniss(How romantic…*sigh*)!!
And finally there is Katniss,the sassy protagonist-a real survivor. Her profound love for her sister was very touching. She possesses a really soft heart beneath that tough exterior. I really liked how Katniss matured throughout the course of the novel. The way she understood her mentor,Haymitch when she was in the games was very intelligent! However I can simply not understand how she could miss Peeta’s sincere love for her…I mean the instances were totally staring at her face! How could she be so blind to Peeta’s genuine love? Well,I guess Ms. Collins wanted a love triangle…the confusion in Katniss’ mind,the two prspective lovers to keep the readers totally hooked! Anyways,Katniss’s confusion regarding boys is a universal concern among teenagers and thus makes her very realistic. I am sure every reader will have the same question once they finish the book-Team Peeta or Team Gale?
I have seriously fallen for the dystopian,this being my first book in the genre...or is it just the charm of the book alone? ;)