Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Imagine a North American future where there are no states. No countries. Only a capitol and a dozen districts. Each district little more than a body of slaves to the capitol.In Katniss' district they produce coal. Life is harsh. After losing her dad in a mine explosion, she is forced to hunt illegally and keeps her mother and sister just above starvation level.

So why don't they revolt against the capitol? Because the last time they trie, the thirteenth district was obliterated. And the capitol reminds them yearly of the high price of any attempted revolt. Each year each district must participate in the reaping. A boy and a girl are harvested for the games. Twenty-four names. All between twelve and eighteen years of age. Only one will win. Only one will survive.

Katniss knows the chances of her name being selected are high. Each time she requested extra supplies for her family's survival, her name was entered again. And this year, for the first time, her frail, tender sister, Prim, is eligible. But there's no chance Prim's name will be called. She is entered only once. Out of thousands. Katniss made sure of it.

But Prim's name is called, and before she can even reach the stage, Katniss has volunteered in her place. The others assembled do not remember a time when someone from district twelve has volunteered.

Katniss is taken by train to the capital with Peeta, the other contender from her district. She realizes she knows him. He's the baker's son, the one who threw the loaf of bread her direction when she was near starvation. The two are fed richly, plucked and preened and dressed for presentation to the districts on TV, along with all the others who have been chosen. Peeta treats Katniss with kindness, almost reverence. Will Katniss team up with Peeta to increase her odds of winning? Will that garner more sponsors? She knows she will need sponsors if she's to make it through alive. Or is he just trying to trick her so she'll let her guard down. Slip up.

Alliances are made. And broken. Several contenders die the first day. But the hunger games have only begun. Katniss knows that the games will go on until only one contender remains. And if it becomes too boring, and no one is dying, the game makers will create horrifying events to make sure the captives are brought together. The ultimate reality show. Except there's no way out.

Make sure you have nothing pressing to do before you start this book. It will pull you in and you won't want to put it down. THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins has the same intensity and incredible pacing as THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION by Nancy Farmer which won numerous awards. The hype about this book? It's no hype. It's just that good.