Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler + Giveaway!

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

"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: she’s 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 fight her own inner demons?

A wildly original approach to the issue of eating disorders, Hunger is about the struggle to find balance in a world of extremes, and uses fantastic tropes to explore a difficult topic that touches the lives of many teens.

Review:

I've been looking forward to reading this book ever since I've first heard about it. I love the fact that it's a take on the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and how through that Jackie intertwines different issues facing teens today. So, when Hunger finally ended up in my hands, I have to admit I was quite excited to read it. Thankfully, Hunger provided to a well-written, intriguing, and fast-paced read about how one eating disorder can cause one girl's whole life to go spinning out of control.

Hunger is the tale of Lisabeth Lewis. Lisabeth has a problem...she's anorexic and her family, friends,and boyfriend are starting to catch on to this scary secret, and she just can't let that happen. It would ruin everything and she would loose the control she has over her body if she had to give her anorexic ways up. Just as she's worrying about this, a horseman shows up to her front door giving her the a black steed, a steed that will lead her on the journey of her life, one that will show her how hunger affects the world in unimaginable ways . But will this make Lisabeth change her own ways? Only time will tell in this extremely imaginative tale of one girl's fight to take control of her life.

Lisabeth was a character whose story I was invested in throughout, even though there were times when I wanted to shake her on her shoulder for her silly ways, ways that were hurting the ones who loved her the most and most importantly herself. Her struggle with anorexia was very believable, in my opinion, and I can only hope that teens who have face similar problems to Lisa's or have friends that do will have the courage to speak out after reading this. I also liked the character of Death. He was quite the interesting of characters and I'm really looking forward to reading more about him in future additions of the Horseman of the Apocalypse series.
Furthermore, I found the premise and plot to be great! As mentioned above, I love how Ms. Kessler takes series issues and puts a paranormal spin to them because not only is it a unique spin but the execution is fantastic!

The only problem I really had with this book was how I felt that some of the characters and relationships weren't as fleshed out as they could have been, but besides that nothing else really bothered me.

In all, Hunger is fantastic paranormal addition to teen-lit. I can't wait to see what Jackie has in store for us next!

Grade: B+

Hunger is now out!

Source: Unsolicited review copy provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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I also have an extra ARC of Hunger to give away to one lucky reader. Here are the rules:

~ Must be 13 or older.
~ This contest is open internationally.
~ Fill out the following form to be entered.
~ This contest will end December 17th!