Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins (http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/)
Series: The Hunger Games, #1
Genre: Dystopian
Age-Range: Young Adult
Setting: Panem, futuristic USA
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: loan from friend
Rating: 4/5 stars. Though I loved the book, it wasn’t my favorite ever.
Content: 3/5. Mostly violence. It didn’t bother me (old iron sides …) at all, but it probably would disturb some people … a lot.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death.
The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The ‘tributes’ are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.
When 16-year-old Katniss’s young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12’s female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.
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*sighs* Ok, I guess I’m going to have to admit that I really loved this book. You win, Sarah Briel! You win. I actually enjoyed a dystopian young adult novel!
I couldn’t put it down from page one to the end. It was absolutely fascinating. The plot was intriguing. The characters were all well-developed. The writing – even though it was first person, present tense, or perhaps because it was – was amazing!
Characters
Katniss Everdeen
Katniss and me got along well. I would say we’re similar (according to 16Personalities, we have the same personality type), but I like to think I’m good with people. And more charismatic. And a better actor. But I still like to think of myself as her. Even though we’re almost nothing alike. So … I like her because she’s like me.
Gale Hawthorne (even though he doesn’t appear in this book too much …)
I like him better than Peeta. I know you probably already know this because I’ve been saying it at every change I get (I’m such a rebel!), but I seriously mean it! Sure, Peeta may be cool in his own good-natured, bread-making way … but Gale is so much awesomer! Yes, that is too a word, spell-check!
Peeta Mellark
Sweet, good-natured, charming. Very good with people. Which, I suppose, makes him better for Katniss if they intend to be near human beings. But … but … GALE!!!
A couple others that stuck with me …
Cinna is amazing. And I started liking Haymitch a lot as I got to know him. Effie was sweet. Silly people always amuse me in books. I didn’t see much of Prim … but she annoyed me a little. Reminded me of Caroline from Jacob I Have Loved. Even though she wasn’t much like Caroline at all. Hmm. And I felt so sorry for Katniss’s mother! And there were other people … but I won’t list them all.
Plot
Very good. It all seemed to come together well. It was really fast-paced!
Setting
Very easy to slip into. Not exactly the kind of place you’d want to go, though.
Sorry for the shortness of the review. Time is a-wastin’!
~Kellyn Roth
3 Responses
PEETA FOREVERRRRRRRRR. <3
Loved your review! Have you read the other books yet?
I have. The reviews are on Reveries. You can find links to them in the review archives. I decided not to post EVERY review on this blog. 🙂
Ah, okay. Thanks for letting me know!