The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hunger Games
Book Review: "City of Gold and Lead" meets "Survive This!"
Summary: 4 Stars
My 13-year-old daughter found this book completely absorbing. I found the author's post-apocalyptic world a very interesting place, although most of the characters, especially the narrator, seemed a bit shallow. The premise, about a central authority to whom outlying communities must pay tribute in the form of children, reminded me very strongly of John Christopher's YA sci-fi trilogy from 40 years ago. The environment of the Games is a bit like a very brutal and lethal version of Les Stroud's recent television series "Survive This!" which pits teenagers against wilderness conditions. Combine these and you get The Hunger Games, where the fighting has been moved from the rulers' city into the "wilderness" of the Arena. Bottom line: an enjoyable read, though the YA faction will probably enjoy it more than us jaded OA's. :-) [Update: My 10-year-old son refused to put it down once we convinced him to try it!]Book Review: "Katniss, the girl who was on fire."
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Hunger Games" is a must read. If you are looking for a YA novel that knows how to pull you in and doesn't ever let go read this book. I have not enjoyed a novel this much since "Harry Potter". "The Hunger Games" consists of likable characters, amazing imagery, and unrelenting suspense and action. I read this book in two days and I'm usually a slow reader, but I had to know how it ended. Since this is the first in a projected trilogy, I cannot wait for Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games).Book Review: "The" Review
Summary: 5 Stars
The United States is gone. North America has become Panem, a TV-dominated dictatorship, run by a city called the Capitol. The yearly highlight is the Hunger Games: a bloodthirsty reality TV show in which 24 teenagers chosen at random--two from each District--fight each other in a desolate environment called the ''arena.'' The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12 and Peeta Mellark, a guy also from District 12. who begin on an adventure they will never forget, The Hunger Games.
"Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun..."
Author Suzanne Collins keeps the romance moving and interesting throughout the novel involving Katness and two gentlemen. At times it's twisted, changing and confusing, but Collins keeps you involved and torn between which guy Katniss should choose and wondering if her feelings are true. At the end of the novel I was left heartbroken by a big reveal that I had been on edge about for a majority of the story. Collins then, without resolving the issue, ends the book! Oh, how cruel but suspenseful! I suggest having the next book ready and waiting.
Even though Collins is an amazing writer, she, like all authors, has her faults. Although the story line is intriguing and she keeps you emotionally involved, she tends to drag portions of the story on for longer than necessary and you start to think, "okay okay already: what's gonna happen next!"
I loved this novel! It's one of those that takes a long time in the beginning to get into only because Collins is being sneaky and getting the reader attached to each and every character. Then, wham, here is this story that you've lost yourself in and if you're not careful you'll forget it's just a book! Such a suspenseful, thrilling, and emotionally capturing book. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all ages.
Book Review: *WOW*
Summary: 5 Stars
when you read these reviews almost everyone says it addicting, you cant put it down, i totally agree. When i fist picked this book up i ignored the warnings and started to read, after a few pages i was hooked. Beware, if you plan on reading this make sure you give this book a whole day, that way no one distracts you. Sadly i started this book in the evening and wasnt able to put it down, getting a little less than three hours of sleep. this book just makes you want to find out what will happen all the way to the end, keeping you on the edge of your seat:)Book Review: ...the girl who was on fire...
Summary: 5 Stars
Post-apocalyptic stories never get old. And when they're as good and gripping and moving as THE HUNGER GAMES, well, no other sci-fi conceit gets even close (okay, maybe time travel). Anyway, THE HUNGER GAMES is the first in Susanne Collins's proposed YA trilogy. After reading this one, I'm saying: Why stop at a trilogy?
In the wake of a holocaust which reshaped the world and made North America extinct, the Panem nation rose from the ashes and became the de facto power. Panem consists of the ruling Capitol, surrounded by the outlying twelve districts. Many, many years ago, there were actually thirteen districts, all of which rebelled but then were put down, with the thirteenth district being mercilessly annihilated. Ever since then, as punishment and a constant reminder to not eff with the Capitol, each of the remaining twelve districts holds annual lotteries to send a girl and a boy, between the ages of 12 and 18, to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games, a broadcasted event in which the children, now called tributes, are placed in a vast, bleak arena and forced to fight each other to the death, until only one is left.
This book tells the story of one contestant - 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who comes from the destitute and backwards 12th District - and how she fares in the Hunger Games. You will not, will not, will not forget her soon.
Katniss doesn't believe she has what it takes to survive the deadly competition. Yes, she's a hunter and thick into woodscraft, but she realizes that the emissaries from the other, wealthier districts are bigger, stronger, and more vicious. It's partly this underdog element which hooked me but quick. Katniss is one of the best protagonists I've ever come across in fiction, male or female, and a character which will resonate deeply with you. Katniss certainly has her flaws, but she's written so sympathetically that, within the first few pages, I knew I'd caught on to what possibly could be one of my all-time favorite reading experiences. I've read a lot of stuff in my time, and, yes, THE HUNGER GAMES is that good!
I honestly haven't heard of Suzanne Collins before, but she's for dang sure a storyteller. There's a whiff of THE RUNNING MAN and THE LONG WALK (both by Stephen King, The Bachman Books : Four Early Novels by Richard Bachman (Rage / The Long Walk / Roadwork / The Running Man)), but THE HUNGER GAMES is very much its own intense entity. Yes, it's a blend of reality television and gladiator films, two things the author cites as inspiration for this book, along with the myth of the Minotaur. Regarding the reality TV angle, I was particularly fixated with Katniss's strategy in the arena, which heavily relies on her playing up to the audience, in part because gaining sponsorship could mean possible life-saving gifts (food, medicine, whatever) parachuting from the sky. The book provides edge-of-your-seat suspense, what with there being enough violent encounters and desperate bids for survival to sate any action fan. Not only are there the fellow contenders to deal with, but the landscape hides enhanced killer wasps, mutated "werewolves," and whatever else the Gamemakers can contrive to make the bloodthirsty contest even more "audience-friendly." And the rules can change in a moment, and then changed again.
Certainly, there's no shortage of highlight moments to keep you feverishly turning pages (Katniss's memorable fiery entrance during the opening ceremonies; what Katniss does to earn her training score; what happens when Katniss is caught up in a tree; etc.). There are two particularly powerful and poignant moments - one early on, the other just a bit past halfway thru the book - which will reduce you to a messed-up, choked-up state. Guaranteed.
To me, THE HUNGER GAMES is a love story, even more so than it is an adventure thriller. And I'm not referring to the romantic triangle which crops up (honestly, to me, that was the least interesting story arc). The most touching part of the book is Katniss's relationship with her younger sister, Prim, and how she's so very fiercely protective of her. Katniss's affection for Prim would later be extended by proxy to one of the younger, more vulnerable tributes. What also gets me emotionally is how the struggling coal mining community of the 12th District says goodbye to Katniss and, later, how the 11th District pays her back for a kindness done.
Lest we forget, Panem is an oppresive entity and will brook no resistance. Katniss manages to demonstrate a rebellious streak against the Panem government, but since her mutinous acts aren't that overt, she gets away with them. But I get the feeling that, as the sequels go on, Katniss Everdeen will play a key part in upending this unjust dystopian culture. THE HUNGER GAMES closes with many things unresolved, all the more reason, no doubt, for readers to pick up the sequel. Me, I am so very curious and excited to see how this whole thing plays out... And I'll say it again: why stop at a trilogy?