The Hunger Games Trilogy

I know when you read the title you probably thought, "I'm not reading this.  Everyone knows about The Hunger Games!"  Well I was post-apocalyptic when post-apocalyptic wasn’t cool people.  You will see how obsessed I am with this particular post-apocalyptic trilogy when I talk about Book 2.  Now for Book 1!

 

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published:  September 2008 

by Scholastic Inc.

The Hunger Games Trilogy: Book 1

In the first book of this series, Suzanne Collins sets the stage for an exciting and captivating story to unfold.   In post-apocalyptic North America, the nation of Panem is separated into 12 districts and 1 shining metropolitan area.  The Capitol is a wealthy, beautiful, and vindictive city.  The Districts all have a specific job to do that provide The Capitol things they need.  Many years ago, there was District 13 who decided to rise against The Capitol.  That District was presumably destroyed.  To remind the other Districts of their power, The Capitol instated The Hunger Games.  This is an annual event where The Capitol selects 1 boy and 1 girl tribute from each district to fight to the death in an arena while the people of Panem watch on television.  It is like the ultimate reality show.  Instead of a rose, the contestants get spears and arrows in their back. The “lucky” winner get to return to their District with prizes of food and shelter.  

Katniss Everdeen is the female tribute from District 12, the poorest of all Districts.  Katniss is a strong heroine and a no nonsense type of girl.  She has been the primary *bread* J winner for her family since the sudden death of her father when she was 11 years old.  She is a great shot with a bow and arrow and hunts in the woods surrounding her District with her good friend Gale.   Katniss selflessly volunteers as tribute for The Hunger Games after her 12 year old sisters name is selected.

The male tribute from District 12 is Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son.  Peeta is an extremely likable character.  After Peeta is selected for The Hunger Games, Katniss remembers that Peeta once gave her a loaf of bread when she and her mother and sister were on the brink of starvation after her father’s death.  Because of what Peeta did, Katniss began to feel hopeful and believed that she could provide for her family.  Before the tributes have entered the Arena, Peeta reveals that he has been in love with Katniss since the first day he saw her at school. 

Once in the arena, the tributes are faced with horrific obstacles ranging from starvation to killer insects to murder.   Katniss has no idea how she will kill the boy who saved her life so many years ago, but she knows she must return home to her sister.    

I give this book an At!

Shatter Me: The Shatter Me Series Book 1

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: November 2011 by Harper/ Harper Collins
Shatter Me Series: Book 1

A fresh idea in the dystopian genre, Shatter Me is part X-Men, part new world order. Author Tahereh Mafi brings to life a riveting story about self-realization, the reality of human evils, and the redeeming virtues present in us all.
17-year- old Juliette Ferras has lived 264 days in a dark hole, away from a family who did not love her, away from any type of human contact. The Reestablishment has deemed Juliette a murder and a freak, unable to determine why her touch is fatal; they chose to lock her away. When she has begun to accept herself for the monster they claim her to be, Juliette is offered a reprieve from her prison and taken to the outside. The world around has slowly begun to diminish, falling prey to the new world order set forth by the imperious government, The Reestablishment.  Taken to the Reestablishment’s military base, Juliette is faced with her would be rescuer, Sector Commander Warner. Juliette quickly realizes that the young and handsome Warner is as ambitious as he is cruel; Warner has “saved” Juliette to make her a weapon against the Reestablishments enemies. Distraught and unwilling, Juliette comes into contact with Adam, solider with a secret; a boy from her past, who remembers her kindness. It is in Juliette’s power to determine if she will remain a victim and do the Reestablishments dirty work or if she will free herself and accept her affliction for what it is, a gift and a weapon.
Juliette is one of those characters who do not realize her own strength. For the majority of the novel, she remained self-deprecating, at points even begging the soldiers to kill her and put an end to her own evil and suffering. Those parts were heartbreaking to read, knowing she had no control over her affliction/gift. Eventually, she has the opportunity to come into her own, realizing her true potential and worth as not only a human being, but as someone who could have a lasting impact. She is an agreeable character, someone who has your sympathy, but at times not your undivided attention. For me, however, the supporting characters, Adam and Warner, stole the show. Both are polar opposites, yet equally fascinating and alluring in their own right.
Adam, who is considerate and charming in a good boy way, earns Juliette’s trust and affection easily. Although it becomes apparent he has ulterior motives, he is every bit the stand up guy he appears to be. Warner is everything Adam is not. Temperamental and calculating, he does not hesitate to take down anything in his way. But, in contrast, he is fascinated to the point of obsession with Juliette, taking care of her and treating her as something of reverence. Warner is enthralling and grows on you in an unsuspecting way.
Tahereh Mafi builds a world were books and art are burned and resistors of the government are killed without prejudice. The Reestablishment is trying to build a new world out of one likeness and through the imagery of her writing you get to see that. While this is a dystopian novel, many of the conflicts are presented internally among the characters. On an informative note, the writing did present a different type of prose normally found in the YA genre. The writing is straight forward and sometimes bleak, giving away to the inner monologue of an isolated girl. There were several instances of stricken text that forces you, the reader, to read between the lines of what she is thinking verses what she is saying.
All in all, this was an excellent read; unique, thought-provoking, just like the characters and plot. I would recommend this to dystopian fans and those who favor the supernatural. I look forward to the next two installments, Destroy Me (1.5) from Warner’s POV & Unravel Me (2)!