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A parent would reach for this book when their teenager begins expressing deep cynicism about social inequality, the influence of media, or the feeling that the world is stacked against the average person. It is a vital tool for the high schooler who feels a strong sense of justice and wants to explore the lengths one might go to for family. The story centers on Ben Richards, a desperate father who enters a deadly game show to pay for his daughter's medical care. While the narrative is a high stakes thriller, its emotional core is the grit and resilience required to face a system that views human life as entertainment. Because of the intense violence and dark themes, it is best suited for mature readers aged 14 and up. Parents might choose this to bridge the gap between pure entertainment and serious social critique, offering a way to discuss economic hardship and corporate ethics through a pulse pounding sci-fi lens.