Hunger

The modern-day Lord of the Flies (with a bit of a paranormal/supernatural twist) continues in this second book. The conflict is more intense, the stakes are high, and the freaky occurances are mounting. Beneath the drama and conflict, there's an interesting look at prejudice and fear and what that will drive good people to do. I couldn't put this book down, and I love that the boys in the book sound like boys. What a fabulous adventure.

Reader reviewed by The Flashlight Reader

Synopsis from Goodreads: Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: shes been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

 

 

Review: The story begins with Lisas attempted suicide. Before she can overdose on her mothers pills, Death intercedes and appoints her as Famine. She thinks she is dreaming, until she notices a large, black horse living in her backyard and Famines scales sitting on her kitchen table. At night, Lisa takes on the roll of Famine, the fourth rider in the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With her horse, Midnight, she travels trying to find ways to bring balance to the worlds famines.

 

As Lisa discovers her power as Famine, she also discovers how to control the thin voice in her head. Instead of being controlled by the negative power of hunger and food, she learns that food has the power to heal. With her new knowledge, Lisa begins to heal the victims of famine and her self at the same time.

 

This book was very unique. The idea of an anorexic girl becoming Famineand not being crazywas a hard one to take in. I didnt fully appreciate the story until I finished the book and read the authors note. Knowing that the author had a Lisa in her own life really put the story in to perspective for me. I couldnt help but remember people I knew growing up that battled with eating disorders. With that, I began to appreciate the symbolism throughout the story more than I previously had. Ive never suffered from an eating disorder, but I would imagine Lisas thoughts would be accurate. You could feel her struggle with the thin voice throughout the story. I could almost feel her pain every time she saw food.

 

I thought the characters werent as developed as they should be. I never fully appreciated the other Horsemen of the Apocalypse. War came across as mean and nasty, but that was it. I never got the feeling of an overly threatening persona. Pestilence was disgusting. The description of his cold sores and snotty nose made my stomach flip. Other than that, however, there wasnt any character development. My favorite of the four Horsemen was Death. A Kurt Cobain styled messenger of death was an interesting touch. I picked up on the Nirvana songs instantlyeven if I wasnt a fan of Nirvana when I was younger. I would have loved to see more character development overall. Since this is the first book in a series, maybe the characters will have a chance to evolve with each addition in the series.

 

I think I would pair this book with Laurie Halse Andersons Wintergirls. Together, they would be an interesting look into eating disorders. I had a rating for half stars, I would probably give this a 3 ½. But, since the image of the struggle with food seemed so real and horrifying for Lisa, I will give it a 4.

 

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

I'm glad this book FINALLY got around to addressing the issue of the Mysterious Hungry Monster in the Cave that everyone's so freaked out about. lol

Mysteries are solved and some are still not in the second book of the Gone series, and leaves me "hunger"ing for more...ok, bad joke.

Minor things in the book I had issues with in Hunger: evolution references and one of the characters was gay.

Michael Grant writes with an addicting style. Never a good place to put the book down. "OK, at the end of this chapter I have to eat something....ooh, I wonder what the next chapter is going to be about...", etc.

Hunger was more darker and more depressing than the first book. Food is diminishing and everyone's ganging up on everyone. People are turning into freaks, and because of that, they're being ostracized by the normals.

Some of you may disagree, but I wish Astrid had a more exciting personality. I really like Diana, but I always like the snarky, spicy girl characters in books. I know Astrid's a brain and all, but smart girls have personality too!

Reader reviewed by Ollie

It's a typical SciFi story: People disappear. Some one takes charge. Then everyone finds out that there is some weirdness going on. Then, to make matters worse there is a self-centered antagonist the wants to usurp the leader.
   It's a plot that every has seen one time or another. The scary part about this book series is that it happens to a bunch of kids. And most of these kids have lost all common sense by book 2. Food is running out and everyone is testy.
  I know that Sam is supposed to be the hero and all, but I think the real hero of the story is Duck. Duck is just a kid trying to survive in the FAYZ. He doesn't try to bother anyone, but he doesn't cave under pressure either. When its time to cut to the chase Duck did what he had to do.