30.11.10

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

~~~

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!

48 comments:

  1. I have been wanting this book for so long! A very fascinating concept!

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  2. I saw a copy of this book yesterday and I thought it was too thin (paperback). Still, it has an interesting concept considering how many teens today (me included) want so much to become skinnier, that sometimes they aren't aware of it that they become anorexic! Wonderful and interesting, indeed!

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  3. Hunger is one of the books I've books I've been waiting to come out!
    Thanks for the contest:D

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  4. Awesome! I've been wanting to read Hunger for quite some time. I'm also very interested in the other two books in the trilogy! Thank you for hosting this giveaway! :)

    Have a fabulous day!
    Amy

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  5. Very well said. I enjoyed this one as well. I thought Death was actually pretty hot lol.

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  6. I've seen Hunger around for a while, would love to enter this contest. Thanks! :)

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  7. I absolutely love the sound of this book. It's definitely an interesting and unique way of helping someone fight anorexia. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  8. I have been wanting to read this book for so long now.

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  9. This sounds great! Awesome review and thanks for the giveaway :)

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  10. This book looks fab! :)

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  11. This sounds good! Thanks for the giveaway!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

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  12. This book sounds really good. The subject of anorexia, not an easy one, is brought in a original way...

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  13. Great giveaway. I love the cover of this book.

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  14. I really am intrigued by this book, I love the story of the 4 horsemen.

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  15. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

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  16. Awesome review and giveaway, Lauren! I loved this book on netgalley, and I would love to have a tangible copy, as well :)

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  17. Interesting premise - and I love the cover art!

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  18. This sounds like a very new and unique way to talk about the subject of anorexia. Hopefully it will help a lot of people. I've been interested to read it because I've been seeing some great reviews around lately. Thanks for your review.

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway! You didn't put an end date though. Can you email that to me so I can add it to my giveaway spreadsheet?

    Thanks!

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  20. This is a series I've definitely wanted to read for awhile now...

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  21. This book sounds very interesting, should be a great read especially for teens. Thanks for the giveaway.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  22. A mixed review but I would still like to try this book for myself.

    Thanks

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  23. Great review! It's such a creative idea and I'm very intrigued to read a YA book with the four horsemen. I can't wait to check this one out. And thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance!

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  25. Definitely a horse of a different color, but so looking forward to it.

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  26. Thank you! A serious issue mixed with paranormal and romance, nice!

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  27. I've been wanting to read this bbok !

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  28. YAY, I really want to read it! Thanks for hosting this contest and for making it international. I've got a Holiday Giveaway at the moment, feel free to come around:)

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  29. Thank you for this giveaway!
    I really want to read this:)

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  30. Great giveaway! I cannot wait to read this book thanks so much!

    Kristen H
    My Bloody Fairy Tale

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  31. Wonderful giveaway. Thank you for having it!

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  32. I'm so intrigued by the concept of this book. I can't wait to see how it's carried out. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  33. Awesome, thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. I have been wanting to read this one. Thanks for the amazing giveaway :)

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

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  35. This looks good! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  36. Fantastic review :) I'm really looking forward to this one, it sounds very different from other books I've read!

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  37. Thanks for the review and giveaway! I've heard good things about this one and I'm intrigued by the premise.

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  38. I've been looking forward to reading this for a while. Thank you for the review and giveaway!

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  39. As a teacher, I think this sounds like an interesting approach to the serious topic of eating disorders. It is sure to be on my shelf at some point.

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  40. since the moment I saw the cover of this book I've been dying to get it...
    will read the first one soon...
    loved the review!

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  41. Having had an eating disorder in my teens, I have avoided books that involve any kind of eating disorder.
    Yet ever since I heard about this book I have wanted to read it.
    Maybe the idea of the paranormal element is what seems to give it, to me, that little bit of emotional distance so that reading it won't be exactly like reading an old diary I've found.

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  42. Cool! I really want to read this book!

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