The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Likability: ++
Rating: ME, very violent
This book grabbed me right off of the shelf, I was helpless to defend myself. I was intrigued by the concept, a Distopian or non-Utopian society, mixed with a reality game show that was in deed reality. The concept is not new, many of the negative reviews say she ripped it off from Battle Royal by Koushun Takami, which kind of just makes me want to go read that book now too.

70+ years after the fall of the Northern American government, Katniss and her family struggle to survive in District 12. The poorest and farthest away from 'the Capitol', where the new government rules with fear and an iron fist. The government keeps the districts working like slaves and starving to keep them in line. They also created the 'Hunger Games'. Where two teenagers from each district are forced to play against the other 22 teens from the other districts. The games are treated like reality TV show and those living in the Capitol treat it like a national holiday. The winner gets riches and fame for their family, but .... there is only one winner, because they are the last one left alive. When Katniss's baby sister is selected to be the tribute from their district, she immediately volunteers to take her place.

Because of the nature of the game/book, there is a lot of violence, and obviously many deaths. I couldn't put the book down, it drew me in from the first chapter, and she left us hanging which means there's a book two out there somewhere........