“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 F...
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reviews
Nov 19, 2011
karen
rated it: 
five stars for INtent, three stars for CONtent.
so the premise of this book is that an anorexic teenage girl is chosen to fill the office of Famine. yeah, Famine - as in four horsemen of the apocalypse Famine. that one. awesome, right? as someone who de-voured all of piers anthony's "incarnations of immortality" books as a teen, this is right up my alley. (incidentally - for fans of that series - did you even know that a "new" one came out a few years ago t More...
21 comments
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(37 people liked it)
Mar 20, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it: 
The four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: not something you ordinarily find among the vampires, werewolves, fairies, and mermaids that pollute YA fiction these days. Even before I opened this book, I knew that I was probably already biased into liking it because of the premise alone. The only worry I had was if I would like the actual execution of the idea. Many authors, especially those in the YA genre, have mucked up very good ideas with a litany of flat characters, dull writing, lacking plot,
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Oct 05, 2010
AtenRa
rated it: 
"Thou art Famine,yo."
How can you not love a book that has that line in it?It's impossible!
When I first read Hunger's summary, I thought that that is the book for me.I love the Four Horseman/Apocalypse/Harbinger stories and I was so excited to read this,I can't even tell you!To be honest, I was expecting it to be more to the paranormal/supernatural side and it-surprisingly-wasn't, and thank God for that because I find that the matter it approaches is way more importan More...
How can you not love a book that has that line in it?It's impossible!
When I first read Hunger's summary, I thought that that is the book for me.I love the Four Horseman/Apocalypse/Harbinger stories and I was so excited to read this,I can't even tell you!To be honest, I was expecting it to be more to the paranormal/supernatural side and it-surprisingly-wasn't, and thank God for that because I find that the matter it approaches is way more importan More...
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(7 people liked it)
Oct 05, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
What can I say? If I didn't love it, I wouldn't have written it. :)
HUNGER was brewing for 10 years before I finally sat down to write it. And then it all came pouring out. It was cathartic. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to the National Eating Disorders Association. So if you buy this book -- thank you for helping to make a difference!
HUNGER was brewing for 10 years before I finally sat down to write it. And then it all came pouring out. It was cathartic. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to the National Eating Disorders Association. So if you buy this book -- thank you for helping to make a difference!
7 comments
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(19 people liked it)
Apr 25, 2011
Kira
rated it:
Again: Neutral rating. Just so peeps can see my review.
I actually haven't read this book. But before I read it, I have something to say about it.
From what I've heard, it's a pretty decent read. The premise sounds excellent. Well, excellent to an extent.
I understand that the main body of YA authors today are female. Being females, most of us understand the mind of a female. But I'm afraid that isn't good enough for me. I'd like to read a really good book that More...
I actually haven't read this book. But before I read it, I have something to say about it.
From what I've heard, it's a pretty decent read. The premise sounds excellent. Well, excellent to an extent.
I understand that the main body of YA authors today are female. Being females, most of us understand the mind of a female. But I'm afraid that isn't good enough for me. I'd like to read a really good book that More...
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(13 people liked it)
Apr 28, 2011
Donna
rated it:
I don't normally set expectations for things because if whatever it is doesn't live up to those expectations, you have no one to blame but yourself. So outside of reasonable expectations, I don't go into things like, say, most books, all ramped up for it thinking it was going to be something great. Usually. Unfortunately I did that with this one and, sad to say, my expectations were not lived up to. My bad.
I guess going in the concept I had brewing of an anorexic girl as Famine was bey More...
I guess going in the concept I had brewing of an anorexic girl as Famine was bey More...
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(4 people liked it)
May 11, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
Friday my copy of this book came in the mail, Sunday evening I cracked the less than 200 page book open and was immediately sucked into the story! I would have finished in one sitting except it had been a long day so went to bed and was up at 5:20 am Monday morning finishing the last 40 or so pages...
IT HAS TO BE READ PEOPLE! This one is one of the most wonderful first books in a new series that I have had the pleasure to sit down with in probably a couple of years.. The honest approach More...
IT HAS TO BE READ PEOPLE! This one is one of the most wonderful first books in a new series that I have had the pleasure to sit down with in probably a couple of years.. The honest approach More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 17, 2011
Kristen
rated it: 
I am confused as to the overall arc of this series. And I am confused by Death telling our main character that she can die or be Famine and then when she doesn't want to be Famine anymore he just lets her out of it and she doesn't die. Maybe I missed something (although it would be hard to do that given how short the book was).
This book was not what I expected. It was a trip through the mind of someone with an eating disorder. Although it wasn't as horrible as I would have expecte More...
This book was not what I expected. It was a trip through the mind of someone with an eating disorder. Although it wasn't as horrible as I would have expecte More...
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(6 people liked it)
Aug 05, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
"My job?" Lisa said as Death helped her to her feet. She was a seventeen-year-old high school junior in the suburbs; she didn't have a job.
"Thou art Famine, yo," Death said. "Time to make with the starvation." (pg49)
Realistic but unique? Funny but dark? Hunger sounds promising right?
It does – Kessler's book certainly has an exciting premise. The basic overlay of 2010’s popular debut is simply a twist that incorporates teenage eating di More...
"Thou art Famine, yo," Death said. "Time to make with the starvation." (pg49)
Realistic but unique? Funny but dark? Hunger sounds promising right?
It does – Kessler's book certainly has an exciting premise. The basic overlay of 2010’s popular debut is simply a twist that incorporates teenage eating di More...
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(4 people liked it)
Apr 13, 2011
Cyndy
rated it:
I feel I should have so much to say about Hunger because it is such a powerful read. Instead I'm left completely blown away and nearly speechless at this terribly short, yet incredibly intense novel. Kessler has managed to take eating disorders and weave a fiercely unrelenting story without being the tiniest bit preachy on the subject. She doesn't shirk away from the pure physicality or raw emotion and presents Lisa's suffering in a tangible and gripping way.
What initially piqued my More...
What initially piqued my More...
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(1 person liked it)
May 29, 2011
Eliora
rated it:
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
"But the Thin voice saved her.
Hershey's Kisses, it whispered. Twenty-five calories each."
Jackie Morse Kessler's debut novel is spectacular.
Lisabeth Lewis, the main character of Hunger has a boyfriend. Maybe it's something about being a couple; all of a sudden you care more about other people's opinions on appearance.
Lisa loved food--she used to go with James (her current boyfriend) and Suzanne (her e More...
"But the Thin voice saved her.
Hershey's Kisses, it whispered. Twenty-five calories each."
Jackie Morse Kessler's debut novel is spectacular.
Lisabeth Lewis, the main character of Hunger has a boyfriend. Maybe it's something about being a couple; all of a sudden you care more about other people's opinions on appearance.
Lisa loved food--she used to go with James (her current boyfriend) and Suzanne (her e More...
Oct 05, 2010
Inge
rated it:
What a bad-ass premise. A teenage girl, Lisa, is dealing with depression and anorexia and is summoned to be one of the Four Horseman of the Apocolypse. Guess which one? Famine. Duh.
Through her adventures as Famine, she sees the gluttony as well as the starvation and poverty in the world, which gives her some perspective on the nature of humans, as well as her own fears and desires concerning food. Lisa finds her own strength and her ability to spread destruction as well as aid to others. S More...
Through her adventures as Famine, she sees the gluttony as well as the starvation and poverty in the world, which gives her some perspective on the nature of humans, as well as her own fears and desires concerning food. Lisa finds her own strength and her ability to spread destruction as well as aid to others. S More...
Feb 28, 2011
Rachelle
rated it: 
This book was a little shy of ok. It was very short which doesn’t automatically make it bad, but there was little substance to it. I still have huge questions, but I don’t know if I would be willing to read more
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Jan 23, 2012
Homewood Public Library
rated it:
“Hershey’s Kisses, the Thin voice said. Twenty-five calories
The Thin voice whispered, Brown rice, one hundred thirty-five calories. Steamed broccoli, two cups, fifty calories. One bite of chicken, thirty-six calories. Two hours on the exercise bike.
A diet is temporary, the Thin voice said knowingly. Being thin is forever”
The Thin voice won’t go away. It is constantly there to remind Lisabeth Lewis that she is a failure. Everyone is thin, why not her? Life deals another More...
The Thin voice whispered, Brown rice, one hundred thirty-five calories. Steamed broccoli, two cups, fifty calories. One bite of chicken, thirty-six calories. Two hours on the exercise bike.
A diet is temporary, the Thin voice said knowingly. Being thin is forever”
The Thin voice won’t go away. It is constantly there to remind Lisabeth Lewis that she is a failure. Everyone is thin, why not her? Life deals another More...
Jan 19, 2012
Natalie
rated it:
There was a point early on in this book when I thought that it would turn out to be great. It did not. I loved the idea and some of the writing in the early chapters. I did not love the insipid heroine, the simple, unearned resolution, or Death masquerading as a singing Curt Kobain doppleganger ( I dunno, aside from seeming dated, that didn't sit right with me). I'm tired of creatures that should be scary instead being sexy and nice to bland teen girls.
And I hated the PSA at the e More...
And I hated the PSA at the e More...
Dec 19, 2011
Natalie
rated it:
One night as Lisa contemplates suicide, she is interrupted by a message from Death. She has been recruited to become Famine - one of the riders of the apocalypse. So now Lisa must deal with the stress of being Famine, as well as the fact that all of her friends think she is anorexic - which is a joke, cause if she was anorexic, why would she be so fat?
The idea of the riders of the apocalypse, is an interesting plot to mix the larger issue of anorexia into. Lisa is tormented by Thin More...
The idea of the riders of the apocalypse, is an interesting plot to mix the larger issue of anorexia into. Lisa is tormented by Thin More...
Sep 11, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
Lisabeth is a teen like many others. She is daddy's little princess, can never please her mother, is depressed and thinks she's fat. Contemplating suicide, she grabs a bottle of her mothers anti-depressants. After popping only 3 she is visited by a delivery man who hands her a set of scales and pronounces her Famine.
Obsessed with her weight, her daily routine consists of stripping down to weigh and constantly counting every calorie she ingests. Her best friend calls her anorexic and More...
Obsessed with her weight, her daily routine consists of stripping down to weigh and constantly counting every calorie she ingests. Her best friend calls her anorexic and More...
Aug 11, 2011
Jennie
rated it:
I heard about this book a little less than a year ago, and wanted to read it since the idea sounded really interesting. Unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed when I read it in the library last week. I didn't check it out because I had a stack of 21 books already and had to walk a mile home uphill, and it was a special check out item, so I didn't want to deal with the hassle of waiting in line. And hey, it's short so I figured I might as well read it right there.
It took me a bit less More...
It took me a bit less More...
Aug 01, 2011
StorySeekers
rated it:
Alice - These books are going to receive different reviews and critique. In my opinion, I think you need some type of connection with these books. For me, I have a friend that just got over a life time struggle and I also had a family member dealing with stress. So, I found these books beautiful told, and truthful. I now can understand the struggles that both of my dearest people in my life went through.
Hunger is about a girl named Lisabeth Lewis is struggling with being the perfect More...
Hunger is about a girl named Lisabeth Lewis is struggling with being the perfect More...
Jul 22, 2011
Gecky
rated it:
Humbling Hunger
* Read via NetGalley
This book definitely gets a 4 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes for having a contemporary type feel with quite the paranormal twist. This is a really genius way to look at the mythology of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Intense is the best word to describe this book. Lisabeth Lewis is one truly troubled main character and will have you cringing at the way she sees herself yet wanting to help her at the same time. This boo More...
* Read via NetGalley
This book definitely gets a 4 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes for having a contemporary type feel with quite the paranormal twist. This is a really genius way to look at the mythology of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Intense is the best word to describe this book. Lisabeth Lewis is one truly troubled main character and will have you cringing at the way she sees herself yet wanting to help her at the same time. This boo More...
Jul 18, 2011
Sara
rated it:
Plot: 4 Stars
This novel broached a very difficult topic in a new and inspiring way. Although it deals with the disease of anorexia with a bit of fantasy, that in no way takes away from the message. Not only does Lisa have to deal with her parents and peers while trying to hide her eating disorder, she much also travel the globe as Famine, one of the Horsemen of the Apocolypse. With her steed and scales by her side, she embarks on a mission to balance out hunger in both her life and the wor More...
This novel broached a very difficult topic in a new and inspiring way. Although it deals with the disease of anorexia with a bit of fantasy, that in no way takes away from the message. Not only does Lisa have to deal with her parents and peers while trying to hide her eating disorder, she much also travel the globe as Famine, one of the Horsemen of the Apocolypse. With her steed and scales by her side, she embarks on a mission to balance out hunger in both her life and the wor More...
Jun 08, 2011
Mona
rated it:
You can never be too rich or too thin. For most of the world, it’s just a sarcastic platitude, but for people suffering from eating disorders it can become a mantra.
Hunger explores the hidden world of anorexia and bulimia and shows us the ugly truth. Lisabeth (Lisa) is anorexic and sees herself as fat. Her inner voice constantly chides her for perceived weaknesses, and she’s unable to recognize how perilously close she is to dying.
Mentally unstable, she becomes More...
Hunger explores the hidden world of anorexia and bulimia and shows us the ugly truth. Lisabeth (Lisa) is anorexic and sees herself as fat. Her inner voice constantly chides her for perceived weaknesses, and she’s unable to recognize how perilously close she is to dying.
Mentally unstable, she becomes More...
Jun 06, 2011
Christy
rated it:
So guys I did it :)
I finally finished a book, haha. I know I have been behind, and I have been relying on the amazing Christy to keep this blog up and going, ( thank goodness she is so talented ) but I have been uber busy with school and the family.
Anyhow, I picked this book up about week ago, and yes, unfortunately it has taken me this long to read a 176 page book. The good news is, it didn't take me that long because the book was bad, it took me that long because I suck som More...
I finally finished a book, haha. I know I have been behind, and I have been relying on the amazing Christy to keep this blog up and going, ( thank goodness she is so talented ) but I have been uber busy with school and the family.
Anyhow, I picked this book up about week ago, and yes, unfortunately it has taken me this long to read a 176 page book. The good news is, it didn't take me that long because the book was bad, it took me that long because I suck som More...
May 04, 2011
Krystal
rated it:
Lisabeth is on the verge of death, dying from Anorexia. She no longer cares that much about her friends, family, interests, etc... When Death comes for her, she is not really even that surprised. What he offers, however, is the chance of her lifetime; an opportunity she really can't refuse. To become a Horseman of the Apocalypse, especially to become Famine, fits Lisabeth perfectly.
She begins to carry out her duties as Famine in the beginning of the book. Ignoring her friends' conce More...
She begins to carry out her duties as Famine in the beginning of the book. Ignoring her friends' conce More...
Apr 24, 2011
Sir's kitten
rated it:
This book was extremely hard for me to rate. Let me just start off by saying that the whole star rating system is flawed. You can’t really rate this book, without someone seeing me put down 2 stars and going, Oh, this isn’t a good book because she gave it 2 stars. Nope, that is not the case. I gave it 2 stars because personally I didn’t relate to the heroine. I don’t understand anorexia as an illness; or disease rather. I know that it is very real. However, it is so hard for me to understand peo
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Apr 12, 2011
Beverly
rated it:
My thoughts about Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler:
I wasn't really sure what to expect from a story that was about a 17 year old girl with an eating disorder becoming one of the four horsemen. I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading.
The characters are well thought out and believable. The interactions that Lisa has with both her family and friends are realistic and consistent. I have known girls with eating disorders and I could see them in the characters of this story. My More...
I wasn't really sure what to expect from a story that was about a 17 year old girl with an eating disorder becoming one of the four horsemen. I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading.
The characters are well thought out and believable. The interactions that Lisa has with both her family and friends are realistic and consistent. I have known girls with eating disorders and I could see them in the characters of this story. My More...
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Apr 01, 2011
This book was rather hard for me to read. I’ve never had an eating problem. The closest I’ve ever come to it is when I battled mild depression for a year in high school and dropped some weight from that. I have weight worries, like most people do, but I’ve never been one to deliberately starve myself. Since living on my own, my eating habits have devolved to what a child might envy. A lot of it is something I can nuke in the microwave or grab on the way out with large additions of sugary, chocol
More...
Feb 06, 2011
Lora
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how it took a huge issue that a lot of teen girls deal with, body image and eating disorders, and twisted it into a fantasy. With the huge shift in YA lit going towards paranormal and fantasy I can see a this series of books becoming very popular.
Lisa is anorexic. She's seventeen and struggles everyday with her Thin Voice telling her she's fat and that she's eating too much. One night Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, visits her More...
Lisa is anorexic. She's seventeen and struggles everyday with her Thin Voice telling her she's fat and that she's eating too much. One night Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, visits her More...
Feb 05, 2011
MaryBookSwarm
rated it:
I finished this book a couple of days ago but I had to let it simmer. HUNGER is one of *those* books. Jackie Kessler is a wildly imaginative author, and her latest novel is no exception. The premise of an anorexic girl tapped to be Famine is so intriguing--like nothing I've heard before.
In the middle of her suicide attempt, Death taps Lisa to be Famine, one of the Four Horsemen (In honor of equal rights and the fact that Lisa is a girl, should it now be Horsepeople? Nah. Horsemen wo More...
In the middle of her suicide attempt, Death taps Lisa to be Famine, one of the Four Horsemen (In honor of equal rights and the fact that Lisa is a girl, should it now be Horsepeople? Nah. Horsemen wo More...
Jan 28, 2011
Kulsuma
rated it:
Hunger pleasantly surprised me. It was clever, intriguing and offered an important message to contemporary young people. Hunger is about one girl's struggle against anorexia and Kessler has realistically and seriously shown what young people today are going through.
The characters are relatable and complex. I empathised with both Lisa and Tammy's (Lisa's new best friend) conditions and wished that they would go through an epiphany and realise the error of their ways.
More...
The characters are relatable and complex. I empathised with both Lisa and Tammy's (Lisa's new best friend) conditions and wished that they would go through an epiphany and realise the error of their ways.
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