The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult, 2007
In the city of Panem, the capital controls 12 districts, each of which is required to give up two children by lottery to the games. The games are a harsh reminder by those who lead that the districts are under their thumb and had better submit to that. Katniss and Peeta, from a poorer district, are chosen to participate in these games - a fight to the death. The sole winner will have fame, glory and money, living in the capital for the rest of his or her days, while the others will have given their lives. Televised to all the districts and with not many on their side, how can they survive?
An interesting but incredibly violent idea, I enjoyed the details but not the main plot of the book. For example, the moment where they step out of their circles to grab what supplies they can, or when Katniss helps another because she reminds her of her sister. Or when her and Peeta finally learn to trust each other, and of course the winner (or how that happens, for those who have read it). However, I hated that teenagers were pitted against each other, forced to kill each other by whatever means available. I thought the costume chapters a bit weird, and the ending sort of drove me nuts - I mean, how can Katniss not figure...but if you want to know you'll have to read it yourself. Graded a B-.
6 comments:
I haven't read the Hunger Games yet but I definitely want to. I like the adventure and danger that this book illustrates. I've read a lot of good reviews about but I can definitely understand your view with teenagers fighting to their death. What a good and honest review. Thanks!
I have read the hunger games and I loved it! At the begining I thought that I would'nt like the book, being futuristic and so harsh, but I started reading it and have to finish it in one go. Peeta... =)
Though sometimes I found katniss a little to naive, maybe? I mean its obvious from the start..
I recommend you to read Catching fire, it has less deaths than the hunger games!
The thing I loved about The Hunger Games is the action. I'm a plot kind of girl so this book grabs me from the very beginning and didn't let me go until I finished it. Of course there are things that irked me about it - I thought Katniss wasn't terribly likeable and I thought that it would have been interesting if she were put in a position where she'll have to kill Rue instead of letting some other contestant kill her - but on the whole I thought it was a great thrill ride.
I'm not sure what it is about this book but I absoultely love it. I purchased Catching Fire right after I read this because I just wanted to know what happens next. Now I have to wait until the next book comes out sometime in 2010. I love the chemistry between Katniss and Peeta, even when she doesn't realize how Peeta really feels, or when she doesn't know how she feels about him, they work really well together. Team Peeta!
I havent had the chance to read The Hunger Games yet but I've read good reviews and raves about this book. I'm still dying to read it and find out for myself.
I really liked The Hunger Games, but I definitely agree with some of your sentiments. However, I think (Like some people have already said here) that Catching Fire might be more to your liking. =) Theres more character development, and its feels more complex because it isn't just based on the one event, like the first one. BUT I have a feeling you will hate the ending of it more than the first, because it's much more cliffhanger-y! ;)
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