2 for 1: Hunger and Rage

Hunger

By:  Jackie Morse Kessler

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?

I really enjoyed this book.  It was completely refreshing to read a YA paranormal type book that didn't have a vampire, or werewolf or even a zombie.  I thought the story was completely original, although in the afterword the author talks about other similar stories. 

I thought the main character, Lisa, was believable.  I thought her actions were realistic.  I wanted to know more about her though.  I would have been interested to know how the people outside of her circle of friends perceived her. 

I appreciated that the author laid off the teen slang.  I always cringe a bit when YA authors get all into it because it will date your book, not to mention it comes off cheesy in my opinion because generally grown adults don't use that type of lingo in their day to day speak.

Overall, I thought it was a really interesting, solidly written book.  I flew through it because I just couldn't put it down.   

This book will be released October 18, 2010.   A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to the National Eating Disorder Association.

Rage

by:  Jackie Morse Kessler

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a different kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power, and refuses to be defeated by the world.

As much as I liked Hunger, Rage was much better.  It seemed like this story had more going on with it.  Still not a vampire or werewolf in sight.  The originality is continued throughout this one.  I think this is a great series!  I'm curious to see if she's going to write about Pestilence or not and how she's going to handle it compared to these two books.

The actions of Missy seemed so terrifying and honest.  She truly encompassed the idea of Rage and played the part of War beautifully.  She didn't seem as overwhelmed by her task as Lisa did in Hunger. 

I was aware of self-mutilation, but I didn't really understand it very much.  This book was somewhat explanatory about it.  I kinda got it.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to a charitable organization called To Write Love on Her Arms.

This book will be published on April 8, 2011 so mark it on your calendar!  I definitely recommend these books.

**These books were provided by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided.  I was in no other way compensated.**