Review: Hunger

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Pages: 180, paperback

ISBN: 9780547341248

Publisher: Harcourt Graphia

Date Released: October 18th, 2010

Genre/themes: YA / fantasy / eating disorders

Source: bought

Premise:

“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 battle her own inner demons? (Taken from Goodreads)

Okay, so this just sounds like an amazing read. A girl suffering from anorexia who becomes Famine, one of the Four Horsemen? What a fantastic idea. I just wish that I had come up with it first.

Now, Lisabeth Lewis is an odd character. She thinks she's fat, no matter how much weight she loses. Because of this, I think she is a highly relatable character. God knows how often I'ce decided to skip a meal to stay thin. And in this day and age, where the media is constantly reminding us females that we need to be thin to be beautiful, I think this is a book almost every girl should read.

Though, I really must comment on the annoying repetition of the 'Thin Voice' telling us how many calories are in preacitcally every food mentioned (and sometimes in foods that aren't mentioned). It's fine a few times, but when it averages on twice per page, it gets distracting.

I loved how realistic her reaction to everything that happened was. From finding out she's Famine to neeting Death and interacting with him. Most books don't have that, which made this stand out from the rest.

Death was an interesting character. He was an odd blend of modern and traditional. He interacted well with all the characters, and was the perfect leader holding them all together. I found it interesting--interesting in a bad way, mind you--that he took upon the form of Kurt Cobain. I don't know, I just would have found it more settling if he were his own character, not a rip off of a dead rock star.

War, on the other hand, was a terrifyingly cool character. She was a Queen Bitch, but she made it likeable. I personally found myself cheering for her in the final battle between her and Lisabeth. Their interactions were fun to read.

There were some unnecessary scenes where Lisa has an 'excruciating bowel movement' that was described in far too much detail. It was slightly off-putting and sickening. The last thing I want to read about in a tragic, touching tale is about explosive bowel movements. Ick! *shudders*

The ending was tragic, amazing, and emotional. The setting was just a massive tearjerker and the final showdown was amazing and well thought out.
This book gave out a really strong message towards girls with eating disorders and it really made me reflect on all that.

A book that tugs on the heartstrings, this is something I would reccomend everyone to read.

Cover Art: 4
Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing: 4
Level of Interest: 5

Total: 5/5 stars