The Hungger Games By Suzanne Collins

The book is a science fiction / fantasy book about Panem a nation that was formed after the world nearly ended because of fighting. Under the rule of an evil capital children are enlisted to fight to the death on TV. The rest of the country out side of the Capital (the districts) are living in fear that there children will be chosen to fight in the Hunger Games. They also are living in poverty. In Panem, on the continent that used to be North America, hunger and poverty is what all but the privileged few, who live in the Capital know and nothing more is to hope for.
 The poverty is complete with no going outside the gates that surround the districts, no hospitals or clinics not even medical supplies and little food at all makes them little more then slaves. The lucky district with the winning child gets food supplies for a year, only a year. Needless to say life is hard and with no way to get out of it.

This book is fast paced and unpredictable as Katiniss prepares for the games. She makes it to the games and finds out a lot about herself as she fights for her life. In short this is a fast paced book and if you don't mind reading of people deaths in an inescapable arena  and an ending that is totally weird and conflicting, then this is a great book for you.

The Icebound Land By John Flanagan

This is the third book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Will captured and heading for the icebound land of Skandia is bound for a hard life as a slave. Mean while in Araluen Halt, a King's Ranger, is trying to get leave to find his captured apprentice. When the Ranger Commandant tells him he can not search for his lost apprentice Halt will take things into his own hands even if that means getting banished form the realm so he can look for Will. Joined by Will's best friend Horace he and Halt shall travel far and wide trying to find Will. Unknown to either Will, Halt or Horace they are all going to get more then they ever bargained for.
I recommend this book for its fast passed and it hardly has a dull moment. With the complexity of the characters, it is impossible to only read one of his books in the series.

John Flanagan's writing style is discriptive but not so it goes on and on, just enough so the th reader can get a feel for the book. His characters have a depth to them that makes them feel real not something just made of paper and fancy words. Even the grim faced Halt is as likeable as young Will.