Review: Hunger and Rage

Hunger and Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler.

Hunger

Lisabeth Lewis is given a choice when she faints from starving herself: She can either die of starvation, or she can take the Scales of office and become the Horseman Famine. More terrified of death (and Death) than the new job, she takes the Scales and the black steed and travels the world to places where starvation is not a choice. As one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, it is her job to spread her own personal battle to the rest of the world. Her new powers are terrifying and out of control, will she learn how to accept her own inner demons and conquer Famine?

Review

This book is a knockout. A very powerful look at a very real problem with a whole new twist. I'll admit that I picked these two books up because I saw Horsemen of the Apocalypse and thought "Awesome, haven't read a book about them before" but I never expected what I found here.


Emotionally charged and realistically (as far as it can be, considering Death appears as a certain punk rocker and the protagonist rides on a mystical horse spreading hunger around the world) written, Lisabeth's story is one that cannot be missed. Even with the fantasy element, Kessler writes a startlingly real account on anorexia and the effect it has on family and friends and the struggle Lisabeth goes through, not only with herself but also with Famine, is heartbreakingly real.


Really, I can't say enough good things about this book. If you haven't already, you really need to read it.

Rage

After a party where she was humiliated in front of most of the school, her secrets bare to the world, Missy cuts to release the pain. She didn't mean to cut so deep. Death (with a capital D) offers her a choice: she can bleed out on the floor or she can take up the Sword of office and become the Horseman War. Filled with rage and passion, Missy is given the power to cut down anyone and everyone in her path. Her new power soon fills her and she realizes that maybe her anger has been misplaced when she must fight with the embodiment of War herself to gain control of herself and the Sword.

Review

Rage is the sequel/companion (both can be read as standalone novels, although I highly recommend you read them both) to Hunger and once again, Kessler pulls no punches. Missy's struggles with her own overwhelming emotions fuel the novel and create a strong, yet vulnerable heroine.


I cannot get over how powerful these two books are emotionally and even with the fantastic element, the reality of these two teens is evident: girls like Lisabeth and Missy are everywhere (and boys too), often unnoticed, and books like these can do wonders with informing the rest of us.


Missy struck a more personal cord with me and her emotional roller coaster ride as she rode as War and experienced humiliation at the hands of someone she loved hurt like it was happening to us both.


I will be looking for more of Kessler's writing now and it's become another one of my instant-buys. Hunger and Rage are absolute must reads.


Bought from an Empire State Book Festival vendor.