The Foragers: The Shirakami-Sanchi Forest Paperback – Large Print, May 6, 2015

Kuma hunters gathered about a hundred people who wanted to join the Foragers Contest in the Shirakami-Sanchi Forest  and at stake is one million dollars. To successfully complete the initial round, within 60 hours, one must take possession of one registration badge - it could be the owner's or his predator or his prey. In order to survive, they must use whatever was inside the kit that was handed to them. It was survival of the fittest, and only one was expected to emerge the Ultimate Forager.  All were eager to participate, but little did they know that their lives was really the one at stake, and that they were connected to each other's lives, even more than they could have ever imagined. Because ultimately, this contest was more of a recruit mission for competing assassin clans and the truth was, no one was getting out alive. The Foragers is an exciting story of survival of not only the fittest but also the most cunning and smartest. It did remind me of Battle Royale and Hunger Games series, but in entirely different setting.  It was a battle against time and circumstances, in a forest where wild animals roam and snakes thrive and crawl to their preys and strike without any reason. Others might say that this was a little too violent or brutal for this taste, but for me, At first, I was a little confused over the mass of Japanese character names, but as I perused the pages, I started getting to know the backdrop and an insight into a few of their personalities. Fisher was one of the few I've come to like; he was seeking for his father who had gone missing in the same contest a few years ago. The last surviving members of an Italian family, brother-and-sister tandem, Celio and Eli broke my heart with their love for each other. And Maya, the ponytailed girl who, in my opinion, was the real heroine in this book. The Foragers actually got me raging in the end with everything that has happened. It was all too horrific, exciting, mind blowing and heartbreaking. Katherine Nader was able to give me all the feels, and I was clamoring for more as I got to the last page. This was indeed an intense read, probably as intense as what I've felt when I read Battle Royale a few years ago. This was a really great book to start the New Year!

This book gets you pulled into the world that it is set in from the first few pages. The setting is Japan for the most part and there is a forest with a contest going on for a million dollars. A lot happens and things will keep you guessing with every turn of the page. The character development is deep and the characters have a familiar feel to them that makes you develop feelings for them and care about them. The setting is rich and the word choices are vibrant making you feel as though you are there. This book has wonderful descriptions that make things come to life. Mixed with that is a deep plot that is fulfilling. Defiantly a great read and worth your time. It is written in a way that is easy to follow and you won't get bored. You will want to keep reading it from the moment you start. This book is especially good for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent Series, Maze Runner and book series along those lines. It mixes science fiction with fantasy to create a story that could really happen in the world today.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well-written and quite interesting. I believe that the author did a great job of intertwining the lives of the different characters as they went on their adventures. You cannot help but feel for the characters as they used their wilderness skills to stay alive. It was great to see different people from different backgrounds and with different stories work together and help each other against common enemies. It is amazing what abilities some people in the story have to live in the wild and survive. People had all kinds of reasons for wanting to be a forager. The story did remind me of the Hunger Games which I enjoyed too. I think it would also make a good movie with good acting and setting. The author had a way of getting into her character's minds and taking you along for the ride. You want to root for all the good people and see them beat the odds that the bad people want to use against them. I recommend reading this book.

This book has some great nods to Japanese culture and phrases in Japanese. I especially liked the bear hunters being called Kuma hunters, Kuma is the Japanese word for bear, and the reference to the Golden Pavillion aka Kinkokuji Temple in Kyoto.I think this is an excellent book to read for someone interested in Dystopia and books like the Hunger Games. Those that also have a fascination with the Japanese language and culture will be particularly enticed by this series.The pace definitely picks up quickly towards the end with plentiful action scenes and stomach churning cliff hangers.Overall, the story ideas were excellent and the characters had unique and intricate personalities. I'd love to see more in-depth descriptions of the world the characters are in and the unique challenges they've faced outside of the games. I'd also love to hear more about the Ainu and what kind of world resulted in the creation of the games.

I absolutely loved this book. It's so fast-paced and intense, and I love me a good page turner for sure. The book's also really descriptive; I felt like I was there with Maya! Speaking of Maya, I could really relate to her as a character; so it definitely got me more invested in the book to have such a complex character. Most of the characters were quite complex, and even though they were put in crazy situations I understood why they were there are why they did it. If you need some more excitement in your life, then this is the book to pick up surely.

I really enjoyed this book because of the competitive survival theme. Which is similar to Hunger Games and Battle Royale which have become very popular lately. I liked how every character brought their own skills to the table which made the band of characters diverse. It's a great moral to teach others how important diversity is and that no individual is considered inadequate. That was the biggest draw I felt from this story: self- worth.

I enjoyed reading this book the storyline is excellent and good characters in it,. I found a most interesting read with each chapter getting me deeper into the story. Some books I have read I leave for abit but not this one as I read it non stop. The storyline was exciting with each chapter and I feel I was getting into the story straight away. The book was easy enough to follow and not getting confusing like stories can. Overall this is a must read and well worth purchasing. I really liked the book and would recommend reading it.Kathryn Davies

A unique fusion of the hunger games meets battle royal in this gory, faced paced adventure set in Japan. The author does a brilliant job setting the scene as we are introduced to each contestant playing a deadly game of survival in the vast expanses of a forest. I read it over a few days and was hooked, I would recommend to lovers of this genre. :)

An intricate narrative bringing out a picturesque imagination of the author, reverberating unknown Ainu culture and the footprints of experiences, that leaves a imprint of the author's mind Katherine Nader on readers, with characters who have suffered repression and are competing, to be the undisputed Forager. The quest for the title woven , would bring about an adrenaline rush in readers to jump to what happens next. A must read for adventure lovers and a showcase of imagination at it's best.