Kristin+W.

= Kristina W. = //The Hunger Games// by Suzanne Collins The story is set in Panem, part of what used to be North America until an epic disaster rent civilization asunder into a chaotic tailspin. Rising from the ashes is the Capitol, a nightmarish totalitarian state, and 12 Districts kept under the painful thumb of the central Capitol government. The Capitol rules ferociously after an attempt at uprising several years earlier that resulted in the obliteration of a 13th District. To keep the remaining districts in line, the Capitol devised "The Hunger Games," a brutal competition for which each district must supply two "players" (known as tributes) between the ages of 12 and 18. The 24 tributes fight to the last person standing in a wasteland-like arena where they compete for basic survival supplies while every moment is mandatory televised viewing for all citizens.
 * Review from Teen Reads:**

When her younger sister is randomly chosen to represent their district, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place. She is sent to the Capitol with her district's other tribute, a baker's son named Peeta, where they are forced to participate in a macabre pageantry (complete with make-up artists and celebrity interviews) that leads up to the deadly games themselves. Once she enters the arena, Katniss must face her murderous fellow-tributes (some have been training for years in the event they were chosen) and decide if Peeta is an ally or an enemy. However, the decision seems to be a moot point because, as the rules stand, only one of them can emerge alive from the arena.


 * Why this story is important to me:** The Hunger Games was an **AMAZING** book. It will not only keep you interested, but shock you and surprise you as the story unfolds. It's a story about a girl's fight for survival, with a love triangle tied into it, as well. I couldn't put this book down as soon as I started reading it. There are two others to the series, and I highly reccomend reading it. Itss a really interesting idea, and the author does a great job at constantly shocking you with the way the plot twists and turns and does the opposite of what you expect.

**Sara Eskandary:** I definitely recommend this book to everyone! This book was unlike any other book I have ever read. The readers will be pulled into the life of Katniss Everdeen. Also, the sequels were great too. : ) checked by mrs. J 10/20, 20 pts.

//The Host// by Stephenie Meyer

In the future Earth has been taken over by a unique alien species. The infiltration was slow and undetected until it was too late. Now these aliens, known as Souls, live inside human bodies, which act as hosts for the invading parasites. Usually when a Soul is placed in a new host it is able to take full control of the body, pushing aside any remnant of the human consciousness that once lived inside.
 * Review from Amazon:**

After a Soul named Wanderer is inserted into her new host she soon realizes something isn't right. It seems the human who once inhabited this body refuses to give in and die. Melanie Stryder wants no part of Wanderer and is doing everything she can to fight back. Even though Wanderer controls the body, nothing she does is able to quench Melanie's spirit. She is always there, in her head, so to speak.

As time goes by Melanie's memories become Wanderer's and soon she finds herself longing for the people that meant so much to her host. Melanie left behind her brother and the man she loves, and now Wanderer has developed those same feelings. Soon Wanderer and Melanie begin working together to track down Melanie's loved ones, all the while being careful that they don't lead the other Souls to the humans who are in hiding. When they finally do find them, they must figure out a way to live peacefully with a group of humans who have grown to hate Souls. Emotions flare and relationships are tested in agonizing ways as two lives must share one body and as enemies must learn to co-exist and survive.


 * Why this story is important to me:** The Host is probably one of my all time favorite books. it's also very surprising and extremely unique. This story will also have you feeling shocked after each chapter, and the end will guarantee to leave you crying your eyes out. There is a great love story tied into it, and tons of adventure and danger and thrills that will leave you with your jaw dropped.

Katie Margolis: I also read //The Host// and I thought it was awesome. There is not a dull point in the book and it never ceases to satisfy your need for romance, danger, and keeps you wanting more. It was unlike anything I have ever read. checked by mrs j 10/20 20 pts