(ARC) Book Review: Hunger

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
I received an ARC of Hunger from 1 ARC Tours.

Publication Date: 18 October 2010.


Description
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?


My Review
Hunger presents a unique look into anorexia and how it truly is a mental illness.

Loved: How readers were able to get a glimpse into the mind of a person suffering from an eating disorder. It was interesting to see how the "Thin Voice" dictated to Lisa what she should and shouldn't eat or what the consequences of eating would be. It was also interesting to see how much in denial Lisa was regarding her illness. She truly believed that her behavior was normal and rational.

Liked: How the author used fantasy to present a unique look into anorexia and bulimia. As Famine, Lisa's own hunger affected people wherever she went. On a more personal level, this shows how anorexia and bulimia can affect more than just the person suffering from the disorder.

Disliked: The length of the book. Kessler had a great concept and story, but it felt it was a little rushed from the middle of the book up to the end. I would have liked a little more story development.

Overall: Kessler creates a strong character connection between Lisa and her friend Tammy, who suffers from bulimia. I liked how Kessler contrasted this with Lisa's former friendship. It showed how much an eating disorder can change lives, habits, and relationships.


My Rating is 3.5 stars

Description and picture courtesy of Goodreads.